After a delay of a few months, the anime resumes. This is one of those times in which it's more convenient to watch it on DVD, since you can watch all the episodes in one go.
Black Forest's attack succeeds in disabling Anteater Team, with Erika only managing a smug grin in response.
As Oarai retreats, the people watching view it with a variety of emotions, from dreading how it will turn out, to confidently watching to see what Oarai will try next, to grim satisfaction.
Anteater Team apologizes to Miho for being taken out early, then confirms that they're all fine. Miho has only a second to take satisfaction in that before Black Forest begins firing on her again.
Miho puts the "Smokey Smokes" plan into effect, and the other teams prepare their smoke, then fire it.
Erika, dismissive of Oarai's ninja-like tactic (incidentally, ninjutsu is one of the electives), and plans to order their tanks to fire, but Maho says not to fire, saying that they shouldn't fall into a trap without thinking. Maho says that Oarai plans to make them waste their limited shells (which likely means that Oarai, with fewer numbers, has more per tank than Black Forest does), and decides to see how things play out. Erika, fires her machine gun into the smoke to vent her frustration and cursing, promises that Oarai will not escape her. Maho guesses that the Porsche Tiger won't be able to climb the hill easily, giving Black Forest plenty of time.
Meanwhile, Orange Pekoe notices the smoke screen, and Darjeeling says, in Gratuitous English, that "All is fair in love and war," and it's permissible for them to use tactics like that. But Darjeeling is surprised that they advanced so quickly, as a result of Anglerfish, Rabbit and Hippo Teams towing the Porsche Tiger. Mako and Oryou, two of the drivers responsible, complain about how heavy the Porsche Tiger is,
Miho puts Operation Motorcycle Gang into effect, sending Duck and Mallard (an interesting coincidence that the two teams named after birds are recruited for this). Sodoko, naturally, doesn't like the plan name because it makes them sound like hoodlums, befitting her role as morals committee leader. Meanwhile, Gomoyo is having trouble with the steering wheel, as is Shinobu; I have to wonder if it's at all difficult to perform these tasks over such a long tankery match. Taeko, however, reminds Shinobu of how she practices one-handed sets.
Erika is annoyed at how far the smoke has spread, while Maho orders tanks to load HE rounds. Miho says that the destination at the top of a hill, marked by a crudely drawn stuffed bear, is just ahead. Duck and Mallard are still spewing smoke while Leopon is going on without being towed by the others when a volley of Black Forest shells hits.
Orange Pekoe says that Oarai will need to get to a more advantageous location before they're taken out. Darjeeling amusedly notes that Orange Pekoe is taking Oarai's side, much to Orange Pekoe's embarrassment.
Turtle Team, the one team not included in all this, hides off to the side, seeing the enemy pass. It forgoes a tempting shot on Maho's flag tank in favor of one to detrack the Jagdpanther and a Tiger. Yuzu and Anzu celebrate, while Momo is annoyed, evidently seeing this as rubbing in how superior Anzu is at the gun. As an enraged Erika prepares to retaliate, Anzu, wisely realizing that they can only take out two enemies, decides to withdraw. Maho also realizes that it's unwise to chase a single tank that far, and says not to chase them too much.
Oarai takes position on top of the hill, and, returning fire, disables some of the enemy. But a heavy tank takes point, deflecting Oarai's shots as the others advance (although they can't seem to hit it). Erika smugly boasts that this is how those at the top fight, a phrase not unlike what Shiho used in Episode 10. Meanwhile, Noriko is less optimistic, and Azusa realizes that Black Forest is strong. Erwin says that this is like the siege of Malta, with Caesar pointing out that the surrounded people were the ones able to push back their attackers. It's a surprising case in which the Analogy Backfire reveals good news, even if Erwin is unsure of their ability to replicate this feat.
As Turtle Team watches the devastating bombardment from afar, Anzu says that Black Forest clearly expected this move.
Having reduced the enemy to 18 tanks while not having lost any apart from Anteater Team, Miho decides to order a withdrawal, but Yukari points out that the path is blocked. Anzu then asks Miho if they want to do "it," and Miho enthusiastically agrees to commence "Operation Teasy Tease."
Jagdpanther-chan is trying to rejoin the others, when she gets attacked from behind and detracked. She flies into a rage and while Milking the Giant Cow, curses about how her tracks are really heavy. This was an amusing moment, and it's often nice to see the lower-ranking officers.
Turtle Team advances, and Momo and Yuzu are concerned about going through the enemy, but Anzu's confident. That confidence is well-founded; the Black Forest tanks panic as they see an enemy in their midst, worried about friendly fire. Tank 17 does make the effort to do so, though, but is shot and disable by Anglerfish Team for its efforts. As the enemy is thrown into disarray, Oarai advances forward.
Katyusha is so excited by Miho's plans that she almost falls off Nonna's head, but she barely reacts. Alisa says that it's her first time seeing Black Forest in disarray, and Kay points out that Black Forest is trained to stay in formation and fire accurately, not deal with the unexpected. Alisa adds that now that the situation is unusual, they're panicking.
Miho, spotting a vulnerability in the left flank, orders her troops to go through there. The enemy gets some glancing blows on the Porsche Tiger, but the tanks get through unharmed, with Mallard laying down smoke. Yukari and Tsuchiya are thrilled with their escape, while Mako (who has had to do quite a bit as driver), has already had her fill of thrills.
As the others report that their enemy has escaped, Erika is enraged, but Maho calmly orders a pursuit, with Erika volunteering to take out the flag tank. Alisa wonders where they're headed, and Kay points out that it has gotten interesting. Leopon Team suffers engine trouble, which Nakajima fixes while the tank is in motion. Miho is amazed, while Yukari has come to expect that of the auto club.
Erika takes the Oarai flag tank in her sights, but then the tank suddenly swerves to the left, having lost a wheel and a track. Darjeeling points out that their heavier tanks, good weapons against Pravda, are failing them against Oarai now that Oarai has started running all over the place; some will lose their treads and others will run out of fuel. As Erika's team makes repairs, Erika rages.
Oarai reaches a river, confident that they've lost Black Forest for now. She puts the heavier tanks upstream and the lighter ones downstream to prevent the latter from getting washed away. The tanks advance, but midway through, Rabbit Team suffers engine failure.
As Karina tries in vain to get the engine started again, Yuuki points out that Black Forest will catch them at this rate. Aya and Azusa, in silent agreement, insists that they'll be fine, and can catch up later, but the tank ominously shifts in the water. Saori points out that the tank will tip over if it continues, and Mako replies by saying that Black Forest will catch up if they stay there (which nicely reminds us of the practical implications without making her seem callous). Hana, however, indicates that it'd be worse if Rabbit Team gets swept away, while being reluctant to say what would happen out loud. The entire situation is uncomfortably familiar for Miho, who has flashbacks to last year... until Saori tells her to go, and let them watch over things. Miho tells Yukari to get wire and a rope, and Yukari, thrilled to be of use, complies. She climbs up top as Saori and Mako are pleased.
Miho tells Rabbit Team to wait for them, and as they ask her what she'll do, she ties one end of the rope around her waist and the other around the wire. Mako, with a rare smile, admits that she's surprised by Miho's decision, but Hana says it's very much like Miho. Yukari agrees, saying that Miho's leadership is why people follow her, and why they've made it this far, something Saori agrees with. It's nice seeing how the more idealistic approach can have very practical benefits as well.
Hana adds that she wants to win. Saori's confused for a moment, but Hana points out that she wants to win to prove that Miho's style of tankery is not wrong, and Mako and the others concur. This is one of the most powerful displays of support for Miho's style of tankery, and says a lot about Anglerfish Team's bonds with each other.
Miho leaps across several tanks to the M3 Lee. Many people in the crowd are amazed, Nonna asks Katyusha if she's thinking that she can't do that, and Shiho doesn't seem entirely unaffected by it, flinching ever so slightly for a moment. Anzu's impressed by Miho's jumping ability, Yuzu sees this as Miho's take on the Nishizumi style, and Momo impatiently insists that Miho hurry.
Miho reaches her destination and gives the rope to Rabbit Team, which is overwhelmed by emotion, while saying they'll pull the M3 Lee. Yukari spots some enemies at 2,500 meters away. The rest of the team, on Saori's command, returns fire to protect Miho, save for the turret-less StuG, with Erwin wishing she could join the others. As the process finishes, Rabbit Team, with Tears of Joy, thanks Miho.
The only one who is not at all impressed is Erika, who says that Miho is "as soft as ever," and that it will be her undoing. She orders an advance, but Maho, calm as always, notices Turtle Team sneaking up on them and orders Team 11 to take them out. Turtle Team just barely avoids being defeated, and is forced to abort.
Black Forest is still closing in and Oarai is still crossing the river, when Karina finally starts the engine. Anglerfish Team is relieved and Miho orders the others to match Rabbit Team's pace. The tanks make it ashore, just barely escaping a Black Forest bombardment. Erika wonders where Oarai is going, and Maho suspects that it's the town; as one might expect, the sisters know each other well.
Turtle Team joins up with the others, and they decide to cross the bridge. A Black Forest spotter reports back, and Erika, annoyed, points out that Oarai is running more than fighting. After the rest of the tanks cross, Tsuchiya decides to show her skills by doing a wheelie that destroys the bridge, surprising Miho and enraging Erika. Erika tells the spotters to get to the town ahead of Oarai.
Miho notes that things are going swimmingly, and they can engage in some Urban Warfare, which seems to be Oarai's specialty. Saori notices a Panzer III at a distance, and takes a stab at identifying it, before realizing that it's not what she should be worried about it. Miho says that one tank isn't a problem, and orders a pursuit.
But they're not dealing with one tank. An almost incomprehensibly large tank emerges from the side streets, he Panzer VIII Maus, the largest superheavy tank in history. Yukari is amazed to see it, Katyusha seems scared, and Darjeeling is impressed.
Miho orders a withdrawal, and the Maus fires, almost disabling Turtle Team to the point at which Anzu erroneously utters her post-elimination Catchphrase. Sodoko, enraged by the Maus' "cocky" behavior ([[Berserkbutton cockiness seems to be a sore spot with her]]), fires, only to get knocked out almost instantly when the Maus retaliates.
As Oarai retreats, they launch futile attacks against the Maus. One such attack by Hippo Team seems like it might have had some effect, but it turns out that it did nothing, and they are soon effortlessly swatted down. Miho notices that they're now taking losses, and are down to five tanks.
The episode ended on an appropriately ominous note, nicely fitting the midway point of the Final Battle.
Next Installment: Oarai's long struggle in the tournament comes to an end.
