The sun emerged in the hazy sky; yesterday's light rain had stopped. Although the sun was out, the sky still looked quite dim, as the rain and mist had not completely dissipated in the early morning.
Private Perks, acting as First Platoon leader, had already been publicly appointed by Winters.
Second Platoon was led by Lieutenant Welsh, and Third Platoon was temporarily led by Lieutenant Compton; these were the most suitable officers Winters could find to lead at the platoon level.
However, each platoon was severely understaffed, with about seventy to eighty men from Easy Company scattered across Normandy.
"Sir, you sent for me?" Winters met Colonel Strehl at the battalion command post.
"Winters," Colonel Strehl nodded, "You fought all day yesterday, and I really don't want to do this now, but I want Easy Company to lead the advance towards Douville."
Winters said nothing; this would be his first mission as Company Commander, and he knew he could not refuse, even though most of the soldiers were exhausted.
"Understood!" Winters saluted and walked out. He understood Colonel Strehl's predicament; currently, Easy Company was the only unit in Second Battalion that was combat-ready and somewhat fully staffed.
"Easy Company, assemble!" Perks shouted loudly.
This was his first time issuing orders as a Platoon leader.
Although he had held higher-ranking Lieutenant positions in his previous life, the significance of this Lieutenant position was different now, making him somewhat excited.
"First Platoon, assemble! We're moving out! Form a tactical column, try to maintain distance.
We will advance to Douville and occupy it."
"Where are we going?" Luz asked Webster, who was in front of him.
"Who knows?" Webster shrugged his shoulders, closed his notebook, patted his backside, and stood up to join the ranks.
Webster had a habit of keeping a diary, though it wasn't about daily trivia. He liked to write down his feelings in his notebook: about the war, and his impressions of the officers and his comrades.
"Yesterday felt like the longest day of my life.
From sitting in the C-47 at dawn, crossing the strait, I was still marveling at this great war and the magnificent warships on the vast sea…
"…I landed in Normandy with a feeling of trepidation.
The excitement even surpassed the fear.
I walked carefully, step by step, in the night, hoping to encounter Germans and eliminate them…
"…All day long, even after I met the brothers of Easy Company, my heart still felt a bit anxious.
I didn't know why I landed here, I didn't know why I was fighting Germans.
The only feelings I had left were exhaustion, hunger, and even more ignorance about the future…
"…Now, I've finally made it to the second day after D-Day.
Perhaps there will be an even more difficult third day ahead, but that's fine.
I can't turn back; the only way is to follow in the footsteps of the brothers of Easy Company, constantly moving forward…"
Webster recorded all his feelings since the first day in his diary.
He was accustomed to deep thought and often found himself absent-minded, even when his comrades joked with him, he seemed distracted.
"A little nervous?" Perks walked beside the column, next to Webster, and asked, tilting his head, "soldier Webster?"
"A little! No, nothing to be nervous about!" Webster turned his head and smiled slightly.
"Good!" Perks nodded. "Then don't get distracted.
Remember, once you're on the battlefield, you must be fully focused.
Don't let the enemy exploit your weakness; it will cost you your life!"
"Understood!" Webster smiled faintly, then hesitated and said, "Now… um… do you mind if I call you Lieutenant?"
Perks chuckled, "Of course I don't mind, but it's best to wait until the official appointment comes through!"
"Hey, Webster, you can totally call him Lieutenant." Luz, from behind, chuckled, "It's already a done deal, nothing to hesitate about.
Maybe Perks is already bursting with joy inside.
Lieutenant Perks? Sounds pretty good, it's just that the guys will have to get used to your new title slowly."
"Shut up, Luz!" Perks couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, look, this is our hero Perks!
To commend his achievements, I've decided to promote him and let him be a Platoon leader.
Do well, Perks, you are the hero of the 506th Regiment, and I am very proud of you." Luz suddenly imitated Colonel Sink's tone, calling out in a strange voice.
A burst of laughter immediately erupted in the ranks.
Douville was not far, but the closer Easy Company got to Douville, the more nervous the brothers became, especially those who had not yet participated in a single battle.
Ahead was an open vegetable field; they had to cross it and then follow the field into Douville.
"First Platoon, advance in skirmish formation!
Watch your step, be careful, don't hit the jackpot!" Perks, at the very front of the column, kept reminding them loudly.
"Hit the jackpot?" Patrick Christenson, gripping his rifle, nervously probed his way forward step by step.
Then, upon hearing Perks' voice, he couldn't help but ask Da Niu Landao Man, who was not far from him, "Does he think this is a game of luck?"
Landers, chewing on a cigar, watched the road ahead, walking very carefully: "Perks is warning you not to step on a landmine.
Be careful yourself; this is no joke.
I heard the Germans laid a lot of those things when they retreated."
"Don't scare me!" Patrick Christenson chuckled, deliberately puffing out his chest and taking big strides.
"You'd best listen to me!" Landers continued walking forward, "I heard that if that thing explodes, it'll cut off your little brother first.
Didn't you hear, last night a unlucky fellow from Fourth Infantry Division stepped on a landmine, and half of his testicles were blown off.
Although he survived, his bird down there is completely out of commission."
Then Landers turned his head back but didn't see Patrick Christenson.
Just as he was about to turn around, he heard a trembling voice from behind.
"Landers, I f***ing hit the jackpot!"
Landers turned around and saw Patrick Christenson, with one foot placed forward and the other braced behind, shouting with an expression of utter despair: "I f***ing hit the jackpot, I'm going to have my little pecker chopped off."
"Relax, relax!" Landers stopped, raising his palm towards Patrick Christenson.
"Landers, let me!" At that moment, Perks turned back from the front, walked over, and shouted loudly, "Lipton, continue with the First Platoon, watch your step, don't go too fast."
"Yes, Sir!" Lipton replied, then waved his hand, "Brothers, keep going, watch your step."
"Sir, am I going to die?" Patrick Christenson looked at Perks with a crying voice.
He dared not move an inch.
"I haven't even been in a battle yet, I don't want to die like this.
I'm finished, aren't I?"
"Don't worry, as long as you listen to me, you'll be fine!" Perks squatted down, then lay on the ground, clearing the dirt around Patrick Christenson's foot.
"This is an S-mine you stepped on, and it didn't explode; in any case, this is Easy Company's luck." You should know that if this type of landmine explodes, its killing radius is 100 meters.
"There are Germans ahead," Landers said, pointing to a building, which was a few farmhouses. Several Germans ran out of the farmhouses; they were clearly outposts.
"Get down!" someone up front yelled loudly. The brothers of First Platoon quickly lay down and fired at the Germans, but they were too hasty. After a flurry of shots, the Germans were not hit.
"Landers, take a squad of brothers and charge from the left," Parks yelled loudly, then shouted to the brothers beside him, "The rest of you, follow me and take them out. Get up quickly, you cowards!"
Parks grabbed Patrick Christenson by the collar and pulled him up: "Charge forward, Patrick Christenson, don't you want to fight? Now the Germans are right in front of you." With that, he sprinted forward, and several brothers had already gotten up and were following Parks forward.
"Bang." Parks raised his rifle while running and fired a shot without having time to aim carefully.
Among the running Germans, one fell to the ground, then he quickly got up and hobbled forward. He was only injured.
"Landers, is that a stick in your hand? Why aren't you shooting?" Parks yelled loudly at Landers, who was running to the left, "Shoot, shoot those sons of bitches."
Finally, the brothers of First Platoon all came to their senses and began to shoot at the Germans. And this time, the shooting was clearly more accurate. The Germans didn't run far before they were hit and fell to the ground.
Parks knew that some people were fighting for the first time. Although it was a one-sided result, their performance was clearly not very satisfactory. This was not like the elite soldiers who had trained for two years for this war.
Several soldiers were rummaging through the German corpses. These were the guys who had participated in yesterday's battle and found benefits from searching corpses. Now it had almost become their habit.
"Keep moving forward. Maintain a skirmisher formation. Ahead is Douville, stay alert, and watch out for each other. If anyone is distracted, then be prepared to meet God!" Parks yelled loudly, constantly reminding these guys who didn't look like paratroopers but more like a disorganized mob.
"Don't worry!" Lipton walked over at this moment and said to Parks, "They are new, you have to forgive the brothers. I guarantee that once they get their spirits up, they will definitely be the bane of the Germans."
Parks was just angry. The first performance of some of the soldiers was really too pathetic. But he still knew that once the brothers adjusted, they would definitely be elite soldiers on the battlefield. He nodded, then said to Lipton: "I know, remind the brothers more often, don't make unnecessary sacrifices. We must first preserve our lives, and then we can eliminate the Germans."
"I know, Parks!" Lipton nodded, saying very earnestly.
The brothers of Easy Company had already passed through the vegetable fields and reached the German observation post. The position here was relatively high, overlooking Douville. Here, the brothers of Easy Company would conduct their first close-quarters street battle. This was a big test. If they could gain experience from it, it would be of great benefit for the subsequent capture of Carrington.
"Parks," at this moment, someone next to him called out. It was Winters' voice, and he was waving at Parks.
Parks hurried over. He knew Winters was about to give tactical instructions.
"Parks, I require First Platoon to quickly attack from the right, clearing German soldiers from every building along the way. It's best to divide into tactical teams, with each team led by experienced soldiers," Winters said to Parks.
"Understood, Sir!" Parks nodded.
"Third Platoon will attack from the left. Compton, be careful, don't take risks. Just let the brothers remember the key points from training. We don't need to be reckless." Winters specifically looked at Compton.
"Understood, Sir!"
Winters then looked at Welsh: "Second Platoon, follow me and break through the middle." Then he looked at Compton and Parks and said: "Any other questions?"
"None, Sir!" Both answered almost simultaneously.
"Good, move out!" Winters nodded.
Parks divided First Platoon into several small teams, each with three men, providing mutual cover, and launched an attack on every building to the right. He himself was with White and Cobb.
"Boom!" A grenade exploded in the building, and then screams were heard from inside the house. A German staggered out of the house, his hands raised, his face covered in blood, and he was shouting something loudly.
"What is he saying?" Cobb glanced at Parks.
"Bang!" A gunshot rang out, and the German's head exploded, and he fell to the ground.
"He was shouting: Hey, I have French bread and brandy for you," Parks said. "Cobb, go in and check. White, you cover him." With that, he quickly stood guard at the door, keeping an eye on the perimeter.
"Damn it, why me?" Cobb said in a low voice, then muttered, "God bless!" He turned sideways and slipped through the door, dropping to the ground. White slipped in from the other side of the doorway.
There were two German corpses lying there in the house.
Cobb got up and shouted into the room, "Is anyone there?" No sound came from the house. He raised his voice again, "Come out, you damned Germans!" He continuously fired his rifle into the two rooms until he ran out of bullets.
"Next one!" Seeing them both come out, Parks waved his hand and ran towards the adjacent building first.
"White, throw a grenade quickly!" Cobb urged from the side.
"Wait a minute!" Parks kicked open the door, then quickly raised his rifle. Two Germans inside the house fired frantically at the doorway. Parks dodged out of the way. Cobb and White, who were guarding the door, opened fire. The bullets forced the two Germans back a few steps before they fell to the ground.
"There are still Germans inside!" Cobb suddenly shouted at a room in the house that had made a sound. His nerves had been extremely tense just now. He raised his hand and fired into the room, shooting all four remaining bullets into it.
"Ah—" A faint cry came from inside, followed by a heart-wrenching scream.
All three were stunned.
It was a woman's scream.
"Bang!" Parks kicked open the door, then was stunned by the scene inside.
A thin man of about thirty was hit and lying in a pool of blood. A blonde woman in her twenties was crying softly, lying on top of him. Beside them was a two-year-old child, frozen in fear, sitting on the ground, looking terrified at the three people who had burst in.
Cobb's face was pale, and he stood like a wooden dummy.
Parks walked over, knelt beside the woman, and then said, "I'm sorry!"
The woman looked up, her delicate face covered in tears. She didn't speak, just stared intently at Parks.
Parks was helpless; this was war. He took out his backpack, rummaged through it for a while, found some German banknotes and US dollars, placed a stack of them beside the woman, stood up, and said again, "I'm sorry, he didn't mean to."
He slowly turned around, then gestured to Cobb and White, and slowly exited the room.
"Parks, I… I really don't know…" Cobb's facial muscles twitched a few times.
"It's just war, brother!" Parks said in a low voice, patting Cobb's shoulder, "Let's go, we still have Germans to kill."
"But he killed that man!" White couldn't help but exclaim, "He was a civilian, a Frenchman."
"Enough, White!" Parks yelled, "This was an accident. No one would have known there were civilians inside. Didn't you see there were Germans in this house? Cobb's was an accidental injury!"
"Damn accidental injury!" White cursed in a low voice, walking past Cobb without even looking at him.
"It's okay, let's go! Cobb!" Parks followed him out of the house. Cobb followed dejectedly, then he reached up and wiped away the tears from his face.
The brothers of Easy Company cleared out the Germans hidden in the buildings one by one. There weren't many Germans here, and they quickly couldn't hold their ground. The Germans in the buildings behind them ran out one after another, desperately fleeing backward.
"The Germans are running!" Parks yelled, then shouted at Christenson, "Machine gun, quickly, climb up and shoot from the high ground, don't let them escape."
Parks tried hard to rush up and take out a few, but they were too far away, and the M1 rifle basically caused no damage. "Damn it, why aren't they shooting yet?" He looked at the building Christenson was climbing.
"Da da da" Finally, the machine gun fired.
Not a single one of the Germans who ran out managed to escape under the machine gun's sweeping fire.
"There's about a First Platoon of Germans here," Welsh said as he and Winters stood together, watching the soldiers of Easy Company clear the battlefield. "It seems none of them escaped this time. We should have faith in our brothers."
"Cobb killed a French civilian!" Winters looked at the somewhat dilapidated buildings swaying in the wind. "Situations like today will likely happen again. I'm a bit worried about Cobb!"
Welsh glanced at Winters, then smiled, "Don't worry, Parks will handle everything."
"I hope so!" Winters nodded. "Gather the brothers. We need to keep moving towards Angoville-au-Plain. The battalion command post will be set up there."
At this moment, the brothers began to gather in small groups, showing off their spoils of war to each other. In this battle, only Gu Si was shot in the thigh by a German; the bullet went straight through, causing no major harm, and he had already been sent away.
"Cobb, what did you capture?" Christenson watched Cobb walk past him, raising the watch in his hand and shouting loudly, "Hey, look at this beautiful watch! I can let you have a look!"
Cobb said nothing, his face grim, as he walked past Christenson, then sat down on the steps of a building, tossing his helmet aside and leaning against a pillar.
"What's wrong with him?" Christenson looked at White, who was walking behind Cobb. "Who upset him?"
"Go ask him yourself!" White was clearly still displeased with Cobb. In his opinion, shooting civilians was no different from the actions of Germans, and now Cobb had done just that. He then ignored Christenson and walked away.
"Hey, brother, who did I upset?" Christenson stood there innocently, spreading his hands and looking around.
Parks walked over and looked at Christenson: "Alright, go do what you need to do. Why don't you exchange your spoils with the other brothers?" Then he clapped his hand, "Leave this to me!"
Christenson mumbled, shaking his head as he walked away. He then raised the watch towards Patrick Christenson, shouting loudly, clearly not taking the matter to heart at all.
"Cobb!" Parks walked over and sat beside him.
Cobb covered his face with his hands, took a deep breath, looked at Parks, then looked straight ahead, his gaze somewhat scattered: "Parks, I really didn't mean to."
"I know!" Parks nodded. "What do you want to do now?"
"I don't know!" Cobb seemed a bit lost.
Parks shook his head, looking at him seriously: "I know this is difficult, but you have to forget about it. Everyone knows this isn't your fault. You're here to rescue them. If we hadn't come, that man would still have been tormented by the Germans. The Germans wouldn't have let him go, nor would they have spared the woman and child!"
Cobb looked at Parks, his eyes flickering: "Is that true?"
"Yes, yes!" Parks patted his shoulder. "Don't think about it. Actually, you saved that woman and their child. The Germans would have mercilessly killed them!"
Cobb's mouth twitched, as if he wanted to give Parks a smile, but no smile appeared. He nodded and said to Parks, "I know what to do now. Thank you, Parks!"
"Alright, get up. We're moving out again!" Parks stood up and then extended his hand to Cobb.
Cobb hesitated for a moment, then finally extended his hand. They clasped hands, and he stood up: "Alright, let's go, let's go kill those Germans!" Cobb patted the dust off his backside, grabbed his helmet and rifle.
Parks didn't know what Cobb was truly thinking. But he knew that such things would happen again, and when they happened often enough, perhaps everyone's heart would become numb. Shooting a civilian in an occupied territory would leave no trace in these Soldiers' minds in the future.
"Easy Company, First Platoon, assemble! We are going to attack Angoville-au-Plain, where we will set up camp and prevent a German counterattack. Stay sharp! Christenson, put down your watch, don't save it for the Germans. Luz, stop lying down, get up, or I'll kick your butt!" Parks shouted loudly.
"Alright, let's go, brothers!" Guarnere slapped Malarkey on the butt from behind.
"Damn it, don't touch me, take your dirty hands off me, Mr. Gonorrhea!" Malarkey yelled angrily.
"You should have fought back, Malarkey. You should repay his hobby in kind." Talbert laughed loudly from behind. "Hey, look what I found." He then displayed a German 'Swastika' flag. "Perhaps we can have Lieutenant Winters make this flag our company's emblem."
"Do you want D Company and F Company behind us to attack us?" Patrick Christenson laughed. "They wouldn't mind treating us as Germans. Put it away, that's worthless!"
Patrick Christenson's words made many of the brothers laugh. They continued on their way in formation. But it had to be said, this method was a good way to relieve the brothers' tension during wartime.
There weren't many German defenders in Angoville-au-Plain. Having gained experience from attacking Douville, the brothers quickly got the hang of it. They coordinated in groups, appearing efficient and agile, a testament to two years of training. This was high quality.
"The Germans are retreating." Parks saw two groups of Germans fleeing. "Don't let them get away!"
"Damn Germans!" At that moment, a man shouted loudly as he rushed out, raising his M1 rifle and desperately firing at the fleeing Germans.
But those Germans scattered in all directions, and with the cover of sparse trees, many managed to escape. However, Cobb kept firing. With a "ding," the magazine ejected, but he immediately reloaded and ran towards the direction the Germans had fled, only to be pulled back by Parks.
"Enough, Cobb!" Parks sharply reprimanded him.
"Don't mind me, I want to kill all those damn Germans!" Cobb struggled, still trying to run forward.
"soldier, I said enough, and that's enough." Parks held Cobb tightly, preventing him from struggling.
Cobb stopped struggling, then looked at Parks, finally still. He said to Parks with a helpless expression, "I'm sorry, sir, this is my problem!"
"Enough, Cobb." Parks looked at him seriously. "Don't bring emotions onto the battlefield, or you'll get our brothers killed."
"I'm sorry!" Cobb lowered his head and repeated.
"I know, I've told you before, this isn't your problem!" Parks sighed. "Go join the brothers. We still need to prepare for a German counterattack. They won't give up this place so easily."
The Germans indeed launched a counterattack, attempting to retake the area, even deploying anti-tank guns.
The two were about to gather the brothers, preparing for the German counterattack. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing scream echoed from the sky.
"Boom—"
Shells exploded in the town, one after another.
"Artillery fire!" Parks shouted loudly, "Take cover!"
Cobb was already prone on the ground. When Parks looked up, he saw several anti-tank guns being pushed by Germans in the distance, and a group of Germans in skirmish formation charging towards Easy Company.
"It's 50mm anti-tank guns, Cobb, quickly take cover, it's not safe here." Parks called out to Cobb, then ran through the town, calling out to every brother, "50mm anti-tank guns, everyone quickly take cover, find as much concealment as possible. Hurry, brothers!"
The brothers of Easy Company had already scattered.
"Prevent the German counterattack," Parks reminded every brother in the platoon again.
Under the cover of anti-tank guns, the Germans began their attack. But every man in Easy Company was holding back a surge of energy. Parks kept a close eye on the front, he could feel the faint glow of the Germans' gun muzzles.
Parks aimed at a German gunner, feeling the distance was a bit far.
Winters also kept a close eye on the Germans, surrounded by the sound of exploding German anti-tank guns. The brothers were pinned down, unable to raise their heads. If the Germans pressed any closer, and the two sides became entangled, the brothers' losses would greatly increase.
"Shifty, find cover and take out the German gunner!" Winters called for Shifty.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" No sooner had Winters' voice fallen than the continuous firing of an M1 rifle echoed amidst the artillery fire. Then Winters saw the German gunner fall to the ground, and the shelling stopped.
"Brothers, now's the time, fire! Don't let the Germans break through!" Winters shouted loudly, raising his M1 rifle and beginning to fire at the Germans.
Immediately, gunfire erupted, machine gun fire also rang out, and the Germans were driven back by this hail of bullets.
Several counter-attacks on Angoville-au-Plain were repelled, and Colonel Hite was a bit anxious. His front line was already under attack from two sides, and the Americans had begun their assault on Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont was the last high ground overlooking the Douve River valley and Carentan.
If it was also lost, then the remaining Carrington would be an isolated town.
This was because the American forces had already captured Isigny, 12 kilometers from Carentan.
Carrington had approximately 4,000 residents and controlled the roads from Cherbourg to Caen and Saint-Lô, and the railway from Paris to Cherbourg also passed through it.
Therefore, Hite knew that the Americans were determined to seize this place.
"Colonel, it's a telegram from Field Marshal Erwin Rommel," a Lieutenant intelligence officer said to Colonel Hite, holding up the telegram.
As he spoke, he stood at attention, showing his respect for the Marshal.
Hite glanced at it and then set the telegram aside.
The order in the telegram was clear: the 6th Parachute Regiment was to hold Carrington to the death.
Even without Field Marshal Rommel's telegram, he had no other choice.
However, he still hoped for a telegram offering him assistance.
Relying solely on one parachute regiment here would undoubtedly be insufficient to withstand the American offensive.
"Colonel!" At that moment, a radio operator held up the phone to Hite, "It's Major Hoffman on the line, he's requesting reinforcements! Sainte-Marie-du-Mont is under American attack, and it's very fierce."
"Reinforcements? I want reinforcements myself! Damn it, I deployed a Battalion of troops there."
Hite roared in dissatisfaction; now, facing a dilemma, he became increasingly prone to anxiety and irritability.
"Colonel, should we shorten our defensive line?" At this point, a Captain staff officer in the command post spoke up, "Our forces are too few, and... we have too many places to defend."
Hite had known this for a long time, but he had no choice.
If they shortened the defensive line, Carrington would be an isolated town, and its fall would only be a matter of time.
However, the current situation forced him to consider shortening the defensive line.
"Give me the phone!" Colonel Hite reached out his hand.
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke loudly into the phone: "Major Hoffman, I order you to withdraw from Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, move towards Carrington, and establish a defensive line on the outskirts of Carrington."
Hite finally issued such an order, knowing he had no other choice.
Reinforcements were a very distant word.
He knew that all the troops in the entire Normandy region were very stretched right now.
He hung up the phone, pondered for a moment, and then said to the Captain staff officer in the command post: "Captain Schnell, call back the company attacking Angoville-au-Plain.
We need to set up defenses in Carrington.
Also, leave some snipers to continuously harass this area and slow down the American advance."
"Yes, sir!" Captain Schnell's mood was equally unoptimistic.
He knew this was the only way; their strength was too weak.
Angoville-au-Plain, Easy Company Command Post.
"This is the sixth time."
Winters raised his binoculars and looked ahead; there were still Germans firing machine guns.
The Germans were like waves of moles, charging forward, then lying down, then jumping up and charging again.
They appeared well-trained and obedient, no less capable than the brothers of Easy Company.
"How many more such charges do you think they have the strength for?" Nixon peered out beside Winters, watching the charging Germans, and couldn't help but frown.
"I don't know, the Germans won't give up here easily."
Winters looked at Nixon and couldn't help but smile, "Why aren't you staying in the Battalion HQ's command post?"
Nixon pulled out a bottle, took a sip, and raised the bottle to Winters with a smile, saying, "Lieutenant Colonel Strayer doesn't like people bringing bottles into Battalion HQ, you know, that's a huge torment for me! So I came here to you.
I know you don't drink, but you definitely won't forbid me from drinking!"
Winters smiled; he knew Nixon was worried about him and had come specifically.
He didn't speak but instead looked up at the German attack ahead.
"They seem to be gathering!" Winters suddenly frowned, "Are they going all out?"
The scale of this German gathering was very large; almost the entire company was mobilized.
"Lieutenant Winters." At this moment, Parks suddenly came over, bent at the waist.
"What is it, Parks!" Winters looked at him, then shifted his gaze back to the front.
"I estimate this German gathering is a probing attack.
I think if the attack is unsuccessful, the Germans will immediately retreat.
Can the First Platoon lead the charge and pursue them when they retreat?" Parks stated his analysis.
"Reason?" Winters turned his head to look at him.
"The Germans' attacks have failed several times, and now Sainte-Marie-du-Mont is under attack by the First Battalion.
I think the Germans are probably trying to shorten their defensive line.
If this probing attack doesn't succeed, they will retreat to Carrington, and we can't miss this opportunity."
Parks explained his reasoning, "So I'll lead the First Platoon in pursuit, which can also ascertain the Germans' true intentions."
Winters pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, we'll do as you say.
I'll lead the Second Platoon and Third Platoon to launch an attack afterward.
Go prepare."
Winters greatly appreciated Parks's suggestion.
After Parks left, he smiled at Nixon and said, "Do you think his plan is feasible?"
"A very good idea!" Nixon shrugged, "Parks is not just an excellent soldier, but also an excellent commander.
Winters, this is your good fortune!"
Winters grinned and then began issuing orders for preparation.
Parks hadn't expected it to go so smoothly; there was only one possibility: Winters had the same intention.
"Brothers, get ready.
After this German attack retreats, we will pursue them.
Christenson, I want you to provide machine gun cover; the rest of the brothers will attack in squads, providing mutual cover."
Parks gathered several non-commissioned officers to assign tasks.
The German attack was incredibly fierce from the start; they used mortars and anti-tank guns for intense bombardment, then large numbers of soldiers began to press forward.
"It's going to collapse here!" soldier Schroeder felt the immense tremor of the ground.
He lay on the ground, one hand covering his helmet, shouting loudly, "Are we just going to wait here to die?"
"Schroeder, shut up!" Parks snapped at White somewhat impolitely, "Hold on, we can repel them, and then we'll go eliminate them.
Don't say disheartening things."
Parks's words were shouted very loudly, and many of the brothers in the Platoon heard them.
They lay on the ground, motionless; most of them were willing to believe Parks's words, which was evident from the past two days of fighting.
As soon as the German shelling stopped, many Germans swarmed forward.
"Brothers, fire, hit those Germans hard!" Parks shouted loudly, being the first to rise, raising his rifle.
With a "bang," he struck down a German soldier charging at the very front.
"Take them down!" White followed Parks closely, pulling the Trigger of his rifle.
The brothers of Easy Company opened fire.
Mortars and machine guns intertwined, forming layers of fire screens.
The German attack was indeed a probing one; after leaving behind several corpses, they felt that breaking through this defensive line would entail heavy casualties, so they decisively retreated.
They retreated without hesitation, and at the same time, the Germans began shelling to cover their retreat.
"Don't let them get away!" Parks suddenly shouted, rushing out of cover, "Christenson, machine gun cover.
We're going out there to take them down."
"Go on, send them to God!" White followed Parks out, and then came Da Niu Landao Man...
The brothers of the First Platoon followed Parks out of cover.
Parks charged while firing and shouting, "Charge in skirmish formation, fire, guys, what you have in your hands aren't sticks, fire, hit them hard."
The Germans' organized retreat was disrupted by the sudden charge led by Parks's First Platoon.
They hadn't expected the Americans to dare to pursue them during a retreat after such a large-scale attack.
Once an organized retreat is disrupted, the entire unit falls into chaos.
The Germans were now in disarray under this unexpected blow.
Lieutenant Winters was very good at seizing opportunities; in this situation, he decisively ordered the Second Platoon and Third Platoon to join the pursuit, rather than the pre-arranged covering pursuit.
The Germans were like ducks being herded; they abandoned their rifles, as well as mortars and anti-tank guns, and fled desperately.
Brothers around them constantly fell to the ground, emitting shrill screams, which further intensified their fear.
"Stop firing, stop firing!" Parks, who was at the very front, had already pursued a considerable distance.
He decisively ended the pursuit.
Only about a few dozen men from this German company managed to escape.
"That's enough, brothers, let's clear the battlefield.
If we pursue further, we'll run into enemy forces coming to reinforce them."
Easy Company stopped, and everyone began to clear the battlefield.
In this pursuit battle, a German company was crippled.