[Hermit]

to Imp: OK, will do (or don't, as the case may be).

Significant progress has been made in the south. The dismounted armoured infantry platoon around the objective area was joined by another. Creeping forward under heavy smoke, through the cratered landscape, two squads were able to get within striking distance of the enemy IS2 heavy tank, which was hull-down in its emplacement on the lip of the small hill. The first squad was spotted and the big turret rotated in their direction. Then came the blast of HE from its 122mm main gun, and a ripple of MG fire at point-blank range. Two men went down, and the rest beat a hasty retreat. However, this distraction allowed the second squad to inch close enough that it was able to place a bazooka round in the side of the tank's turret from very close. At first we weren't sure it had been effective, since the tank didn't blow up or even shudder. Then the hatch popped open and one of the crewman jumped out. His face was blackened, and all they saw was his wide eyes, desperately looking around for cover. Our guys cut him down and waited for the next one, but that was all. The momentary silence was kind of ethereal. Then the ground to their front began heaving to the impact of our artillery, falling dangerously close. Everyone hunkered down as the shells kept falling. Much small-arms and vehicle MG fire was exchanged in the area, with a few casualties on both sides, but fortunately more were inflicted on the enemy despite their entrenchments.

Units in the central and northern area saw little action, moving forward slowly in the center, wary of both mines and infantry AT weapons. The split units in the north are attempting to rendezvous to make the passage through the wooded terrain on the west slope of the BIG hill and up to the objective area from the back side.