As the final chapter of the Maginot spinoff begins, Fondue and Gallette are confident that they have the advantage over Rabbit and Turtle Team. Meanwhile, Anzu wonders what to do, Momo complains that the 38(t)'s turret won't be able to damage Maginot's tanks (prompting Yuzu to note that she should actually hit the target first, resulting in Momo complaining about being called "Momo-chan") and Azusa worrrying that Maginot will catch up to them in their "backyard." Rabbit Team them comes up with a bold plan, that apparently involves sacrificing themselves to deal a blow to Maginot's weak points, a chance Turtle Team decides to take.
Fondue and Gallette wonder how long Oarai plans to keep running, considering that Maginot has the home field advantage. Gallette, in an uncharacteristic degree of assertiveness, says she'll take the 38t while Fondue takes the M3 Lee, and Fondue wonders if Gallette is getting over-excited for the nationals, and wonders whether Eclair had any influence on her.
Gallette, confused as to why Oarai is splitting up its combat strength, goes after Turtle as planned. Momo panics as the Char fires on her, while elsewhere, Azusa hopes to show the upperclassmen that Rabbit Team has managed to improve. Fondue decides to prevent Rabbit Team from joining up with Turtle Team, playing into Rabbit Team's plan in the process. As Turtle Team hads toward the slope again, Gallette realizes that she gave Fondue an order, and notices that Eclair (whom she doesn't refer to with the "-sama" honorific in her thoughts), keeps fighting in spite of her condition, something Gallette wonders is because of her.
Operation Sandwich begins, and at the top of the slope, Rabbit and Turtle Teams attack Fondue's tank. Gallette, angered by being caught iin a predictable pincer attack, opens fire, and while Aya worries that Turtle Team might be in trouble, Azusa's confident that they're just getting started, ordering Aya to suppress the SOMUA as they retreat into the open space. Turtle Team ensures that the Char is following them, while Rabbit Team looks for a good opportunity to fire. At the right moment, the M3 Lee turns left and deploys the smoke screen, while the 38(t) keeps turning to prevent Gallette from firing her cannon.
The M3 Lee emerges from the smoke and fires its 75mm cannon, but it's ineffective. In spite of that, they keep going, ramming into the Char and giving Turtle Team a chance. Unfortunately, while Momo actually manages to hit, but it's no more effective. Anzu notices a vent, but it's too late; Gallette, now furious, circles around and tries to fire on Rabbit Team, but hits Turtle Team instead, taking them out. Their sacrifice is not in vain, though, as Rabbit Team hits the Char's vent with their turret, taking them out as well. Unfortunately, the SOMUA is already coming their way.
Meanwhile, Eclair fires at Anglerfish Team, but they're no longer there. Miho emerges from the smoke and fires on Eclair's tank, defeating it. As Fondue reacts in shock, the M3 Lee reverses and fires on her, defeating her.
Fondue gives Eclair a clean jacket for the post-game ceremony. Meanwhile, Oarai celebrates its first victory, which Miho says is due to everyone doing their best. Eclair congratulates Miho and gives her a smooch on the cheek, much to Yukari's shock. Miho compliments Eclair for throwing her around with her tactics and says she was just lucky, but Eclair says that they made their own luck through everyone's efforts. Eclair says tankery is about teamwork, giving what could be considered her own lesson to Miho. She says that she looks forward to next time.
As soon as Eclair's out of earshot, though, she screams "MERDE!", angrily says that she's frustrated with the result, close as it was, and tells Fondue to prepare for more training, while hinting that she's planning on raising her hand against a certain someone.
On the day of the tournament drawing, Anzu asks Miho if she's nervous, and Miho admits that she is, but Anzu reassures her, saying that everyone has improved with the two practice battles, especially the freshmen, who didn't desert under enemy fire (although to be fair, they did actually play a significant role in the victory). Miho agrees that the freshmen improved, and Anzu says it's because of her. Anzu then says that they need to become the champions, something Miho's less than confident about. The announcer calls Miho's name for the drawing, and Anzu gives her a push forward, and Miho confidently goes forward.
This might have been a good time to include a small detail- Maginot goes up against and ultimately loses to Oarai's second opponent, Anzio, in spite of the fact that Anzio is probably the weakest of the four schools Oarai faces in the championship.
All in all, this spinoff was quite entertaining, and while nothing especially groundbreaking was shown, Maginot was nicely developed, and it effectively showed how Oarai took a step from losing to St. Gloriana to becoming a school that could win the championship.
- Next Installment: The girls of Centipede Team arrive in Oarai, and face a formidable opponent in Oarai's weakest tank.
