[Hermit]

We've got one of the scout platoons emplaced and creeping toward the village, while our infantry has unloaded in wooded areas all across the battlefield. The infantry line will be used as trip wires and ambush points in the trees, while our armor is taking up overwatch positions to cover the clear areas between the woods. We've also helo'd in a few AT guns to provide extra fire support to watch hilltops where we expect the enemy will try to establish tactical advantages.

We're moving the M45 Pershings and the Sherman Flame tanks up to support infantry positions in the woods, where their short range heavy weapons will take out enemy armor and provide overwhelming destruction on enemy ground troops.

Some more artillery is being changed from long-range to short-range CB fire to take on enemy mortar teams, and also a few AA batteries we've located. It seems this enemy commander is relying on truck transports, T-34/85 tanks, the new SPAA MG APC's and LOTS of mortars. That and the typical horde of Chinese infantry. No other enemy vehicles have been spotted so far.

***

The Colonel has decided to move a platoon of nearby infantry into the Eastern edge of town, since the scout platoon has laid low and allowed several enemy squads to take up positions concealed among the buildings. They're doing a good job of spotting, but it appears that the enemy will be overrunning the place soon unless we get some troops up there. Calling in a barrage of artillery would probably solve the problem, but HQ has ordered us to minimize collateral damage. We were concerned about the civilians too, but apparently they've all fled by now.

***

The first wave of enemy tanks has surged forward and ran smack into our overwatching armor. Most of the enemy tanks erupted in flaming wrecks as soon as they made their appearance out from behind the woods, but a few managed to dodge and weave enough to avoid being hit in the first volley. However, their advance quickly ground to a halt and we began hunting down the survivors. Our infantry in the woods also managed to get some kills with minimal casualties. One squad unsuccessfully launched an assault, and two nearby enemy tanks laid into them with MG fire. After popping some smoke, they let out an old-fashioned "rebel yell" and charged back at the enemy tank again. This time they were not halted by the presence of the enemy armor, and succeeded in getting some grenades into their objective that put it out of action.

Another team placed a well-aimed bazooka round into an enemy tank from 200m away. The impact made a "Crumpf!" sound as it impacted the side of the turret. A small hole appeared, and shortly thereafter smoke began to billow out of both the hole and some of the hatches. They waited, trying to decide if they should let the crew escape or gun them down as they bailed out, but no one emerged from the vehicle.