Chapter 14:
July 21, 1937
Central Spain, Brunete, West of Madrid - 11th Division Headquarters Colonel Enrique Líster, staking his last hope, had sent a telegram at the risk of his direct superior's displeasure, even ignoring the chain of command, but the reply from Headquarters was firm.
[We are aware of the severe losses your division has sustained, but there are no other units with the military force to defend Brunete at this distance.
Headquarters plans to send reinforcements as available, so defend Brunete to the death, no matter the cost.]
“…Crazy bastards.”
In a military order, the meaning of the phrase ‘no matter the cost’ was clear.
It meant to defend it even if it meant every last one of them had to die.
It was questionable whether defending it was even possible, and it didn't seem like the Superiors were unaware of that.
In the end, instead of taking the path of retreat to save the few remaining soldiers for the future, they bet the lives of the last handful of elite soldiers on a gamble with extremely low odds of winning.