In this world, there exists no truly fearless army. Or rather, fearlessness is relative. When faced with an equally formidable adversary, an audacious assault might yield victory. Yet, when the disparity in strength is vast, all effort proves futile.
The current battlefield reflects this reality. The Russian forces, driven by a desperate desire for survival, fight as if they are indifferent to their own lives. Nevertheless, they find themselves powerless against the heavily armed Germans, bolstered by aerial support. Their attacks amount to little more than a march towards death.
Under the aerial bombardment of the German 8th Air Corps, the offensive of the Russian 9th Army has been utterly dismantled. Countless Russian soldiers flee in terror, bereft of the courage to continue the fight.
The German aircraft, particularly the F2 fighters, pursue the retreating Russian troops, mercilessly raining death upon them. Many Russian soldiers are left mutilated, their demise excruciatingly tragic.
Watching from behind the Russian lines, General Letzinski and his officers are grim-faced. Although they have never valued the lives of ordinary soldiers, witnessing such slaughter weighs heavily on their consciences. They understand that without breaching the German defenses and capturing Puławy, the fates of those being massacred may soon become their own.
"Order the troops to cease the assault," Letzinski commands.
"General, are we to give up? If we surrender now, we may never have another chance!" one Russian officer protests.
"The Germans possess overwhelming firepower, complemented by air support. Continuing the attack would be tantamount to sending our men to their deaths; our forces would be decimated," Letzinski replies, shaking his head.
"General, we must at least try again! There might still be a chance," the officer insists, unwilling to concede. Despite the significant losses, they are merely ordinary soldiers; what does it matter? Every general among them has emerged from the bloodshed, rarely considering the lives of the common soldiers.
Yet Letzinski remains resolute, shaking his head once more. This response leaves the other Russian commanders perplexed and somewhat disgruntled. Though Letzinski is their superior, he cannot stifle their instinct for survival.
However, his next words dissolve their discontent. "If we launch an assault during the day, we will face German air attacks. Therefore, I propose we execute our offensive under the cover of night. This way, the German aircraft will pose no threat, and their firepower advantage will be significantly diminished. Our chances of breaching their defenses will be greatly enhanced."
Letzinski's order to halt the attack is not a sign of surrender, but a tactical shift towards a more promising strategy. Preserving their strength is paramount; should they need to pay a heavy price to achieve their objectives, Letzinski will not hesitate, as he has never been known for mercy.
"Your wisdom is unparalleled, General!" the Russian officers praise him. Indeed, Letzinski's foresight far exceeds their own; they are focused solely on how to breach the German lines and escape, while he seeks to minimize their losses in the process.
"However, General, if we wait until nightfall, will the main German forces catch up to us?" one officer expresses concern. The others share the same apprehension.
They have little time to waste; the German main forces are relentlessly pursuing them. Delaying too long could prove catastrophic.
"We should have sufficient time, but if we fail to breach the German lines tonight, they will certainly catch up to us by tomorrow or the day after. If that happens, we are doomed," Letzinski warns.
The gravity of the situation settles over the officers; they realize they stand at the brink of life and death. If tonight's assault fails, the consequences are all too clear.
"General, we shall give our all tonight! Rather than be surrounded and annihilated by the Germans, it is better to perish in the effort to advance. We will breach their defenses!" a Russian officer declares.
The others echo their agreement.
"Very well, our fate rests upon tonight. Let us hope we can successfully break through the German lines. May God bless us and the Russian Empire!" Letzinski proclaims.
"God bless the Russian Empire!" the officers respond in unison.
The Russians, having launched only a single attack before retreating, leave the Germans puzzled. Major General Bessen of the 24th Infantry Division and Colonel Guderian of the 8th Armored Division discuss the situation.
"What is the matter with the Russians? Why have they ceased their attack? Are they unaware that time is of the essence? If our main forces catch up, they are finished," Bessen muses, his expression one of suspicion.
"General, the Russians may have been intimidated by our air support, fearing a second wave of attacks should they advance again. However, we must not underestimate them; they will not give up easily," Guderian replies.
Bessen nods, "It seems the Russians are planning to seize their opportunity to break through tonight. Our two divisions will likely face a fierce battle."
Guderian smiles, seemingly unfazed.