Talk:AFOH/@comment-14850713-20151018170726/@comment-14850713-20151029002538

OOC: Well it wouldn't make any sense to continue when there is no hope of relief.

IC:

Suddenly, the leading Leopards of Gruppe Todt pop smoke grenades, and the infantry retreat up the streets where they came from. They must have heard already, Holste thinks to himself. Over the net, he hears that Gruppe Muller is also retreating and has been ordered to cover Todt. He can't help but feel that his brigade is being sacrificed in order for the heavy units to get away. But to where? There is no way out of this pocket now.

He barks out orders to his staff. Enemy light tanks and infantry are now filtering through his positions. He orders 1st and 2nd battalions to retreat alternately. After repulsing another advance by the mechanized force, the retrograde maneuver is initiated, while 3rd Battalion and the reserve tank company also disengages from their fight with the SAU troops. The captured south DZ is designated as the brigade's fallback position. Darkness has crept in, and it just may save them from being annihilated by air strikes.

"Oberfuhrer Holste", his radio springs to life, "you are to pull your brigade back to Area A-W (OOC: code for the south DZ) and cover the withdrawal of Todt and Muller''". Holste grits his teeth. He's been doing that already, and he knows the next order will be for them to stay there and hold back the inevitable counter-attack. He finally comes to a decision. He call his battalion commanders and staff officers, ''Operation Petra is in effect."

His battalions maneuver to positions where they can be easily surrounded by enemy forces, with the turrets of their tanks Leopards and Pumas reversed. 2nd Battalion and HQ units have already reached the DZ, so they advance again. His men were able to scrounge white paint and cloth from the town, and these are splattered or tied on to vehicles. With his command Puma decked this way, he advances to the nearest AFOH outpost. The startled troopers aim their guns, and a light tank pokes its barrel from the next corner. Holste raises his right hand as he jumps from his vehicle. "My name is Holste", he says, standing erect,"I lead these men and they follow me. Take me to your commander."