He knew that rescue might never come, but he had to give the soldiers hope, a reason to keep fighting.
At the same time, on the reverse slope of the western hills, at the Mexico Quick Reaction Brigade's frontline observation post.
Major Emilio Sanchez, the psychological warfare officer who proposed the "underwear humiliation" tactic, put down the binoculars and nodded to the battalion commander beside him: "The Italians have completely fallen into the trap. Their formation is in disarray, and command seems to be disconnected."
The battalion commander, a tough guy with a dark complexion and a scar on his face, gave a concise order over the radio: "'Artillery, extend fire, cover the southern edge of the depression and that creek shallow, prevent their escape from there. Mortars continue to hit their heavy fire points and personnel gathering areas."
The order was quickly executed.
