[Hermit]

There have been minor losses in all three areas, despite our impending victory:

Mopping up operations continue in the south, and the entire objective area appears clear. The nest of infantry has also had major chunks cleared, but a temporary setback occured when a hidden 76mm AT gun in the edge of a small wood to the south opened up on advancing M75 APC's. One was destroyed and another immobilized before a mortar 1/2 track was able to lay smoke in between. A nearby light attack helo dove in and blasted it with .30 cal MG fire after it had been suppressed by friendly infantry. Another T-34 was accidentally discovered near the two recently destroyed, under heavy camoflage. It opened up on a scout team, which lost a man and then went screaming off into the woods. They have not responded to repeated radio calls, but other troops are certain they survived the encounter. It also destroyed one of the 75mm RR teams, who just disintegrated when an 85mm round landed on them. Some of the recoilless rounds they were carrying must have gone off. The other two 75mm RR teams hit it repeatedly with HEAT rounds, but none penetrated its armour. The remaining scout team wreathed it in smoke, and both they and two MG teams fired hundreds of small arms rounds at it. It is buttoned up tightly and appears to be trying to bug out.

In the center, a friendly fire incident occurred when one of our 155mm batteries did not get the word to cease fire, and at the same time allowed it's salvo to move slightly to the east. Two friendly squads were caught advancing, although thankfully in rough terrain where they were able to find some cover. Five men in one squad and three in another were blown to bits, and now the men in those squads are refusing to move from cover. All of the objective area is in our hands, however, and there appears to be little, if any, resistance left here either. There is that Su-76 about 150 meters down the back slope, and the men are discussing whether anyone has the guts to make a move on it. There's a strong probability it was been immobilized, so it may be possible to circle around and get a bead on it from the rear. The captain has promised a free weekend pass for any team that takes it out.

In the north, two tanks and one APC were immobilized by mines hidden under the snow blanket. I guess we should be thankful that's all that happened. The enemy infantry continues advancing, but now that supporting fire is available, most of them are cut down fairly quickly. We only suffered one man wounded, while at the same time they suffered about 25 casualties in the past five minutes or so. Artillery has been targetted at their suspected approach zones. Mine clearing in the objective area is going very slowly, despite the lack of any real resistance, because the mines are sewn so thickly. The engineering team leader believes another ten minutes or so will be required before the area is finally safe to enter.