Chapter 939: Chapter 3 Determination of Battle Resolution

Vasily smiled at the child’s panicked expression.

Filippov reminded him from the side, “You now look like a villain in a movie about the civil war, like Peterlyula or something.”

Vasily restrained his smile and looked at his old friend, “Really?”

“Very much so. This child probably wasn’t afraid of the Marshal, it was your smile he was afraid of. This poor kid is likely to have nightmares of your smile for nights to come.”

“That’s good,” Vasily touched his cheek, “what I want is for all of them to have nightmares about me in the future. It’s part of the Marshal’s psychological warfare plan.”

Filippov: “Why go for psychological warfare? We’re prepared for a methodical attack, Prosenia can be steadily taken—-ah!”

After exclaiming, Filippov leaned in close to Vasily, pulled him away from the enemy, and said in a voice only the two could hear, “The attack isn’t next March, it’s now, isn’t it? Only rushing the attack would need these unconventional methods.”

Vasily: “Don’t overthink it, the Marshal just wants to reduce casualties.”

Filippov: “Judging from the recent captures of enemy informants, their defenses are full of holes, allowing us to use infantry infiltration to gradually nibble away.”

Vasily became interested again: “Really? Tell me in detail, do you often launch surprise attacks after crossing the river?”

Filippov: “Yes, the ice surface is very solid, the enemy’s watchposts are loosely arranged, although they regularly fire flares, as long as we use white cloaks for camouflage, there’s no worry of being discovered.

“Every time we infiltrate, we never lose anyone during the river crossing; casualties usually occur during firefights with enemy Prosen veterans wearing camouflage.”

“You’re saying the frozen Oder River can be crossed easily?” Vasily asked in surprise.

Filippov: “In our section, yes, other sections may have tighter defenses, perhaps.”

“Alright, I’ll inquire all the troops stationed along the river later, but now let me continue interrogating the prisoner.” Vasily glanced at the already terrified “little” prisoner in front of him.

Filippov: “I’ll find you a dedicated room.”

Blue Hat quickly added: “You could also use our interrogation room, I think it’s scarier.”

Vasily: “No, an ordinary room is fine. Thank you, Filippov.”

Filippov nodded and turned to leave the room.

——–

November 10, Ante Front Headquarters, 87 kilometers from the center of Prosenia.

Marshal Gorky’s first words upon entering the headquarters were, “The entire command has moved to a place only twenty kilometers from the frontline. Our headquarters doesn’t dare to set further back, resulting in us all being within range of the enemy’s railway guns.”

Wang Zhong looked up, “Were you bombarded by railway guns? Our aerial reconnaissance hasn’t found any railway guns above K5 level near Prosenia.”

Marshal Gorky waved his hand, “I’m just saying, have you considered placing the headquarters further away from the frontline? For a command center of this level, being close to the frontline only increases the risk of being attacked unnecessarily.”

As they were talking, Kashuk and Kiriyenko came in, chatting. Upon seeing the two marshals, they stood at attention and saluted.

After Wang Zhong returned the salute, Kashuk concernedly asked, “Are we launching an attack early? My troops are hardly able to wait.”

“Have your troops completed their resupply?” Wang Zhong asked.

“Not exactly, but Prosenia is right in front of us! It’s less than 100 kilometers away! The warriors have talked about meeting in Prosenia so many times, it’s getting hard to contain their eagerness,” Kashuk said.

Kashuk’s troops are mainly from the former Saint Andrew Fort Front Army, which has fought arduously, now finally seeing a chance for glory, they are eager for battle.

Kiriyenko also spoke up, “The troops’ morale is very high, and everyone lines up for night infiltrations, just to see what the Prosen side of the river is like.

“Many warriors return from night patrols puzzled, wondering why the Prosens, who live so well, would invade us.”

Wang Zhong: “Do the warriors feel that we don’t live well?”

Kiriyenko: “Of course not, but by comparison, our lives seem less satisfactory. Besides, the Prosens can still eat white bread now, while we’ve gotten used to black rye bread, only having white bread during holidays.”

At this point, General Eugene pulled open the curtain, and upon seeing so many generals inside, he immediately saluted, “Greetings, commanders.”

Wang Zhong: “You’re a general now too, Miner, don’t be so formal.”

This “Miner” nickname was originally used by Yegorov for Eugene, and after Yegorov was seriously injured and stepped aside, Wang Zhong continued the nickname “Miner” for Eugene.

In truth, Wang Zhong would rather call Eugene “Earth Miner,” as a nod to the protagonist of the “Starfield” game, but he ultimately stuck with the nickname of his valued strongman.

Eugene smiled awkwardly, “I just got the General’s medal, not quite used to it. I thought it was just me being called… so what are we meeting about?”

Wang Zhong: “Assess your readiness for battle.”

Marshal Gorky paused, holding his cigarette as he looked at Wang Zhong, “Confirming combat readiness now? Isn’t the attack planned for next March?”

Wang Zhong: “We plan to gradually nibble away at the enemy-occupied area, advancing toward the center of Prosenia.”

General Eugene: “Is that really all?”

Wang Zhong: “Not entirely, I also intend to replace the commander of the Kebao Army Group.”