CANNON FIRE ARC

Chapter 784: Chapter 33 Homeward Journey (6K)_3

Huge chunks of the text were blacked out, completely indecipherable.

Andreas glanced at Kosolek.

Sergeant: “This situation has been happening more often lately, but you’ll get used to it.”

Andreas continued with the parts that were not blacked out, but the text clearly did not connect with the previous sections.

“Do you remember the uncle in the city, the one who owns the clock shop? Suddenly, his wife took the children and ran to the countryside. When we asked what happened, she just cried and couldn’t say anything.

“Later, we found out that the city had been bombed, and the fire lasted for three days and nights. Many people are still unaccounted for, the Imperial Air Force—”

…

Andreas stopped reading because the typography of the next part was notably different, featuring elegant script indicative of a well-educated individual.

“The Imperial Air Force offered a determined resistance, shooting down a significant number of bombers. The enemy’s pilot reserves will soon be depleted.”

After finishing this passage, the typography once again reverted to the ugly style that Andreas was familiar with: “Although there are so many bad things happening, I am actually fine. Whenever I receive your letters from the front, I feel much better.

“I tell myself, my little brother is still alive and well, and my husband must be fine too. They always say the war will be over soon, and I sincerely look forward to the day you come home.

“Love, your sister, Freya.”

Andreas folded the letter, stuffed it into his bag, then held the photo and observed it meticulously.

He noticed many details he had overlooked before reading the letter, like his sister’s deep crow’s feet and his nephew’s fervent expression and the Youth Corps insignia on his sleeve.

Andreas slipped the photo into the pocket closest to his heart and said to Kosolek, “Sergeant, I must go home. No matter what happens, I must return!”

“Is that so? Me too,” replied the sergeant. “Me too.”

The Constitutional Guards Lieutenant, who had been listening to Andreas’s words, said nothing and merely turned away with his subordinates.

————

When Wang Zhong got out of the car, he noticed that the Corps Command’s guards looked utterly shocked.

“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?” he asked.

“Nothing at all! Salute to you, Marshal Davarish!”

Wang Zhong waved his hand: “Is Yegorov around?”

“Yes, Marshal Davarish!”

Wang Zhong: “Good, next go to the military hospital and bring Doctor Kaja. Tell her that Marshal Rocossov has something important to tell her.”

“Doctor Kaja?”

At that moment, the battalion commander of the guards rushed out, putting on his hat while running: “Comrade Marshal! Why didn’t you notify us of your arrival?”

Wang Zhong: “Do I need to report where I am going in my own Front Army?”

“No, Comrade Marshal.”

“Go inform Doctor Kaja to come here.” Saying this, Wang Zhong strode towards the headquarters.

Everyone he encountered along the way looked just as shocked as the first guard, followed by a prompt salute.

Wang Zhong continued on to the map room, and as soon as he entered, he heard Yegorov saying, “Since the enemy’s resistance is hardly worth mentioning now, why can’t we push forward faster?”

Yegorov Davarish,” the Army Group Chief of Staff said with a wry smile, “the troops are extremely exhausted, and most vehicles have malfunctioned; we need to stop and rest.”

Yegorov: “The muddy season is approaching, and we will have plenty of time to rest then. We should advance quickly while the roads are still passable!”

Wang Zhong: “Yegorov! Warfare must consider objective laws. Our current rate of advance is already faster than anticipated; pushing any harder would invite problems.”

Yegorov turned abruptly: “Suka not—the Division Commander? What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call ahead! Is Filippov not hosting you well? I’ll discipline him right away!”

Wang Zhong: “No, I am here for something else; let’s wait for Doctor Kaja first. You report the situation of your Army Group to me. The Chief of Staff just mentioned many trucks are broken?”

Chief of Staff: “Yes, only fifty percent of our transport vehicles are still operational currently, and the situation with tanks and armored units is even worse; some tank brigades have only a few functioning tanks left—a few!

“The situation of the 31st Guards Brigade is the most critical; only the brigade commander’s tank is still operational. They just recently held off enemies on the outskirts of Volsk, with the coordinating 382 Regiment having only a hundred men left able to fight.”

Wang Zhong: “I can understand so few tanks being left in a tank brigade, but how come a whole regiment is left with so few men? I didn’t receive any reports of significant casualties from you?”

Chief of Staff: “There weren’t significant casualties; the men were lost because we advanced too quickly and they got left behind. It will take at least half a month to reorganize these scattered soldiers.”

Wang Zhong: “It seems we need to limit the speed of advance when setting future operational plans.”

Indeed, Wang Zhong also understood that it wouldn’t be possible to advance so quickly in the future because beyond lay the plains of Eastern Yuloba, which aren’t as expansive and feature many densely settled, highly developed areas teeming with reinforced concrete buildings.

Moreover, as they drew closer to the enemy’s homeland, the enemy’s supply issues would be completely resolved, whereas their own supply problems would become increasingly evident.

Yet this didn’t stop him from making such a statement now, which had a very apparent effect—the staff present all smiled, looking quite proud.

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