KrysLariss

I also think that the conclusion that the commander have run away is a stretch here. I would translate this sentence this way: In that battle comrade Netsenko suppressed fire of ?? [perhaps there is a number near the left edge of the page - K.L.] weapon emplacements by means of his light machine gun, exterminated up to 17 German soldiers, bravely assumed command and continued the battle when a commander of the squad became a casualty.