Liberation of Riga
Another 10 minutes later, the air support finally reached.
4 SU-25 carry napalm bombs that are required by Chernov have fly overhead them.
"Sokolov, shoot a flare to those orcs, guide the SU-25."
Soon, a green flare was shot.
"Calling SU-25, this is the KGB 'Vertex' task force, bomb the green flare from west to east, beware of friendly."
"Su-25 received, bombing green flare from west to east."
The Su-25 then turned around and flew towards the green flare.
A few napalm bombs are thrown down to the orcs from SU-25, trailing plumes of white smoke.
The forest was instantly transformed into a chaotic inferno as the napalm erupted upon impact.
The fire covered the orc, making a spinning storm of flames that ate up the leaves and a lot of dark smoke.
Radiant orange glow danced menacingly among the trees, casting flickering shadows on the forest floor.
Explosive heat and deafening crackles filled the air, leaving the scream of orcs.
Similar things happen on the Petrenko side.
"Chernov, we should regroup with Petrenko now, I saw there are a few tanks and armoured cars there."
"We will get out of this forest with their help, or else we will just die here just because of the fire."
He nodded and led the task force in Petrenko's direction.
After they regroup, the lead of T-80 tanks starts to break through.
Even though they have chosen a road that does not have fire, the T-80 track is still tainted with a lot of flames.
The beastly machine pressed forward with unyielding determination, leaving a trail of scorching marks on the ground.
The flames seemed to dance and writhe along the tracks, casting an eerie, orange glow that marked its relentless advance.
The T-80 breaks through anything that is blocked in front of him, orcs, trees.
Pushed through the chaos with an unstoppable force.
Soldiers sit on the tank, just like knights during medieval times.
Half an hour later.
Finally, they have come out from the forest and reach a plain.
Seeing another bunch of Mi-24 helicopters flying overhead them, is the sign that they are safe.
Some hover above the ground, and soldiers are coming out from the helicopters, bringing more ammunition.
"Form a line, here again, block the attack from the orcs."
"Search any brothers that are left behind, bring them out."
"Save as much as you can."
After the death of the high-rank commander of the division, Chernov becomes the one with the highest rank here.
He takes over the command authority and starts giving orders.
More and more scattered soldiers began to gather.
Making the line more and more stable.
However, they are still taking heavy casualties due to the vampire attacks, which they can break through the line and lead the orcs to due greater damage to the Soviets.
The Soviets have no way but to use flamethrowers to kill them.
But the flamethrowers are limited, making the few platoons that are equipped with it always run to another place to reinforce friendly forces.
The turning point comes when the sun rises.
Vampires that are killing soldiers fall back, and the remaining orcs are only able to do limited damage.
Chernov standing on a hill, which able him to see the whole battlefield, watching how the battle down there was going on.
"Sokolov, how are the 4th Guards Tank Division casualties and vehicles left now?"
"Comrade colonel, soldiers we regroup here are only more than four thousand, after the vampire broke through the line I worry there are only another three thousand left."
"Only a few tanks and armoured vehicles have come out with us, but they still lack ammunition and fuel. "
More than four thousand?
Bad news, which means they have temporarily lost at least half of the soldiers in the division.
"No matter how, tell all commander that are still alive to organize their troop and take down Valga at all costs. I will order the air force and the 275th self-propelled artillery regiment to provide necessary support."
"But comrade colonel, I worry their commander will resist to execute your order, as they have such high casualties."
Chernov then replied to him without even turning his head.
"Sokolov, I give you the right to shoot any commander that rejects to follow my order, this is the time to wash away their shame. "
"How will the others look to them when they hear that one of the strongest divisions with the best equipment in the Red Army gets defeated by a night attack, just because of their careless."
Sokolov seems like a bit of hesitation, but still answers Chernov with an 'Affirmative'.
Luckily, before the attack began, 3 Il-76 transport planes came along with their supply.
Giving vehicles enough ammunition and fuel.
Soon, an offense began.
The few tanks and vehicles go back to the road, leading soldiers to continue to push to Valga.
Remain soldiers start moving back into the forest with the skirmisher line without the cover of tanks and vehicles.
Flames and explosions began to appear inside Valga.
This time, the offensive again went well like yesterday, no much resistance was met as most of the orcs had been eliminated in the forest.
One hour later, a red flag with a hammer and sickle rises in the centre of Valga.
Chernov then enters the town not long later.
Looking at the ruins, meat, blood, dead bodies, and burned vehicles aside the street, not even mood swings inside his mind.
He is now immune to what the war has brought to the motherland after a day of battle.
His vehicle stops in front of a building that is still counted as complete.
The front-line officers have set here as the command post.
"Comrade Colonel, the two regiment commander only one has survived, and he is waiting for you inside the room."
As soon as Chernov walks into the building, he sees Sokolov come and report to him.
He enters the room and meets with the commander.
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, glad that you are still alive."
"How is your troop's situation now?"
Chernov has a talk with the commander for half an hour and concludes that the 4th Guards Tanks Division will not be able to continue the offence in the next few hours or even days.
The officers inside both regiments are not enough now, many have sacrificed.
Many vehicles and tanks will need to be repaired.
Just as he finished the talks with the commander, Sokolov came to report him for another big news.
"Comrade Colonel, I just received the latest news from the Group, Riga has been liberated together by the 24th Tank Training Division and the 106th Guard Airborne Division."
Chernov is not shocked when he hears the news.
Nothing can stop the VDV when they have efficient air and friendly support.
"So they are now asking us to speed up?"
"Yes, the Tartu Group ordered us to meet with friendly forces stationed in Vangazi in the next three days."
"That means our troop will be rushing to Vangazi non-stop for three days."
"Afraid this is what they want, comrade Colonel."
Chernov thinks for another moment and quickly comes out with a solution.
"The air supply is coming in another few minutes, but now I will form another battalion group(BTG)."
"Concentrate all the fuel and ammunition to tanks and vehicles that still can move, and provide it to them."
"After the air supply reaches we will then form another one, they will take turns to fight and rest."
"And also where are Uncle Reznov and Petrenko, ask each of them to follow one battalion group, they are experienced, and mistakes made by General Momotov can be prevented."
Sokolov quickly marks down all Chernov orders and then answers.
"Both Major Reznov and Petrenko are inside the forest checking for something, I will convey your order to them."
"Great."
Shortly, a BTG was formed and began to move towards the next village.
Chernov could see the tiredness on those soldiers' faces, but too bad now it is not the time for them to rest.
There are constantly various fighter planes flying over his head, providing fire support to the troops on the front line.
Another air supply has dropped in the town.
This time the quantity of supply is more, including food, medicine, and all types of ammunition.
Just a few hours after the first BTG has formed, another BTG is then built.
The second BTG goes to the battlefield after the first BTG takes down the first village.
Chernov has ordered another BTG to continue the offence after a village is taken down.
In only one day, until the night, they have already pushed for 60km in a day, only another 60km to Vangazi, and 80km to Riga.
With this speed, they will achieve what the Tartu Group required them to do.
Unfortunately, a new order from the Tartu Group is sent again to them in the night.
"Comrade Colonel, the group has just sent us a new order."
"They ask to reduce our time to finish our mission, we will need to reach Vangazi in another 48 hours."
Chernov listening to the order, feels there must be something to make the group give such an order.
"Ask the group, is there anything happening? Why has the time reduced?"
The group quickly replied to his question.
"The orcs in the Baltic States are retreating, Marshal Orgarkov has required Moscow to order every force to increase their speed, so that the Red Army can eliminate all the orcs."
"Marshal Orgarkov also mentioned that letting these orcs retreat successfully may cause us a higher casualty in the future, all commanders are required to take this order seriously."
Looking at the answer that is given by the group, Chernov realizes another harsh battle is waiting for him.
He currently lacks enough troops and equipment to defend so many villages and towns.
Luckily, the group also mentioned that another division would come and take over some of its troop defence positions, giving him the chance to concentrate forces.
"Tell the two BTG, there is no rest for tonight, battle continues."
"Also inform all troops to prepare for defence, build fortifications."
"Affirmative."