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''Alright, let's start with the basics: identifying an officer. As Scharfschützen, your duty is to prioritize high-value targets that can change the course of a battle. The reason all of you are here is because you were recommended by your officers, because you are the best… at shooting… but that's all. Given the limited time we have, I can't provide proper training, but maintaining that level will be enough… for now we don't have rifles with scopes, since a special modification has just been requested from the manufacturer'' I said, walking along the line of soldiers in front of me.
''As you can see, this is the typical appearance of a Russian officer. At first glance they are not very different from standard Russian uniforms, and this is where the most important part comes in. If you have these men in front of you'' I said, pointing at mannequins dressed in Russian uniforms ''which one do you shoot? Think about it and use what you know… how do we recognize a German officer?'' I added, walking with my hands behind my back.
''The saber'' one of the soldiers said.
''Yes… the saber is a good start… but cavalry units also carry sabers… so now you have six possible targets. What else?'' I said, pointing at the mannequins.
''The pistol. All officers carry one, and it's not something regular soldiers have'' Friedrich said, raising his hand with a grin.
''Excellent observation… but now you have two targets with pistols and only one shot. Who do you shoot? Only one of them is an officer'' I said, smiling as I pointed at the two remaining figures.
''The whistle'' Hans said.
''Exactly'' I said, pointing at him ''the whistle. A pistol can be picked up by anyone during battle… mistakes happen, and a soldier might think it increases his chances of survival. But the whistle… a regular soldier would never take it… unless he intends to take command, and that automatically makes him…'' I said, waiting.
''A target'' several soldiers answered at once.
''Correct. So, shoot the officer'' I said, pointing at the mannequins as I stepped off the firing line while sixty soldiers dropped prone and fired almost in unison at the same target.
''Perfect… now what do you do?'' I asked, looking at them ''quickly, what do you do? The Russians are reacting… you fire your rifle again?… you move?.''
''Empty the rifle and reposition'' Friedrich said.
''Good, excellent option… you can also simply reposition. Your targets are always officers or anyone carrying binoculars, because they are scouts or artillery spotters… good… you have four rounds… conserve ammunition. Practice your shooting at six hundred meters… that will keep you safe. The average infantryman fires at one hundred meters… two hundred fifty if he's good… four hundred if he's excellent… distance is life'' I said, pointing at targets set up in the trees ''fire, observe your results, and adjust.''
They all began firing, watching how their shots drifted, and I started explaining bullet drop and, at longer distances, wind correction.
At last, I had a range and I was far from the front line. A new German offensive had begun, and I had been kept back to prepare these men for future operations.
It seemed they had a lot of faith in me. They even allowed me to choose my own officers. I had no officers in my sixty-man platoon and could promote up to six men myself to shape the unit properly.
The interview had clearly given me some prestige with high command, enough to grant me control over who I worked with. That mattered. I didn't have to deal with resentful officers or overly eager ones. I could choose who deserved the position and remove anyone who didn't meet my standards.
For now, long-range shooting was my filter. Anyone who couldn't hit a target at six hundred meters without a scope likely had poor eyesight, so I removed them from training and moved on to the next candidate. It didn't take a genius to understand why so many wanted to be here… away from concentrated enemy fire, away from mass assaults… while others died, they trained… for now.
I had been given a fairly large budget, but I had limited options. I could only obtain what already existed, and the standard rifle needed many modifications.
I had managed to get a civilian hunting scope, but it was mediocre at best. Two or two-and-a-half times magnification. Decent, but useless beyond twelve hundred meters. No adjustable magnification, no proper ranging support… everything had to be done by eye. I understood how scopes worked, I had dismantled and repaired them before when I had no other option at the front, so I believed I could at least improve what we had requested.
But that was the problem. I wasn't authorized to visit the manufacturer, and my proposals kept getting rejected. The same with uniforms… and rifles. I had drawn multiple improvements, but everything stalled.
Still, while training continued, I saw an opportunity.
General Scholtz was inspecting nearby exercises with other officers.
I didn't hesitate.
''General der Artillerie'' I said, saluting, then greeting the other officers.
''Leutnant'' the general replied, returning the salute ''how is training progressing? I've heard you've dismissed quite a few men… I wanted to see why'' he added with a slight smile.
''Their eyesight… if they can't hit something at six hundred meters without a scope, they're not suited for this training. I don't know when the scopes will arrive… but I've already spent twelve thousand of the fifteen thousand marks you gave me on optics. I expect them to be useful… so I need the best candidates possible. The budget has to be used efficiently'' I said, clenching my fist.
''Sound thinking… a good example of a proper Junker'' the general said, glancing at the other officers with a faint smile.
''Thank you, General'' I said, pulling out my notebook ''I've made several modifications to the equipment my men used, but all my proposals keep getting rejected by logistics… I was wondering if you could intervene a bit…'' I added, showing him my scope and rifle designs.
''It's difficult to make changes to Mauser's production, Leutnant… those orders are already set. You'll have to work with what you have, unfortunately…'' the general said, making a slight grimace.
''But, General, if these changes are made… I can promise you we'll be making shots from twelve hundred meters'' I said, pointing at the modifications on the rifle with my pencil.
''Those are ambitious promises'' one of the officers I didn't recognize said.
''I would really like to… truly, Leutnant… but even if I pass your request to high command, I doubt they'll ask Mauser to alter rifle production,production that's needed to arm conscripts,just to equip a few dozen men'' the general said, shaking his head.
''And the uniforms… there are things I want to implement… but everything I submit gets rejected…'' I said, a bit tense.
''The answer is the same, Leutnant… the tailors and textile factories serving the state are working nonstop to produce uniforms. They can't accommodate those changes'' another officer said, echoing the general.
''I see…'' I said, putting my notebook away, disappointed ''is it possible… that I use my own funds with local craftsmen? Find a tailor or a gunsmith to modify equipment to my specifications?'' I asked, looking at the general.
''Yes… that, you can do… with local workshops. There are many displaced and refugees because of the Russians. Once we push them out, reconstruction programs will begin. Supporting locals now would help keep them from leaving… so yes, do it. You have my permission'' the general said, turning his attention back to the training.
''Thank you, General'' I said, saluting before returning to my position.
We continued training. I distributed more ammunition among those I was still evaluating, but by the end of the session I dismissed five more. Even after ten attempts, they couldn't land a single shot at six hundred meters. Useless. I ordered the next five candidates to be brought in for the following day.
After that, I left the XX Corps headquarters.
''Where are we going?'' Karl asked.
''We need to find a tailor who can make proper camouflage uniforms'' I replied as we headed toward the nearest village.
''But the ones we made worked fine'' Friedrich said.
''They worked… but they're uncomfortable and terrible quality. Now imagine wearing them for hours, lying in the same position without moving. That's what we'll have to do,stay on the ground for hours waiting for the perfect shot. We need something better. A proper tailor. Full coverage, a hood, netting, burlap, shredded fabric matching the environment, something we can adjust depending on terrain… that will give us a real advantage'' I said as we entered the village.
The place was half-destroyed. Houses damaged, people trying to rebuild with whatever they had left.
I watched as locals organized communal meals, helping each other survive. It was… unusual. That kind of social cohesion was rare. Usually, people just looked out for themselves.
Eventually, I found what I was looking for.
A tailor, working with his family, patching clothes and trying to produce garments with what little material they had left after the Russians had looted everything.
''Uh… how can I help you, soldiers?'' the tailor asked, scissors in hand.
''We need your services… to create specialized equipment for the German army'' I said, keeping my tone firm.
''I… I'm afraid I can't take orders… I don't have materials. Most of what I'm using was given to me in exchange for clothing for others'' he said, glancing at his family.
''I have three thousand marks ready as an advance… but I need you to start immediately and keep this confidential'' I said, staring directly at him.
''Three thousand… three thousand marks… that's… a lot…'' the tailor said, stunned.
''I need one hundred eighty uniforms… immediately. Here are the specifications'' I said, pulling pages from my notebook and handing over the designs.
''But what is this for?'' he asked, confused as he looked at the sketches.
''Confidential. I suggest you don't ask questions'' I replied coldly.
''I understand… it looks complex, but I think… I can do it. The color can be adjusted'' the tailor said.
''No… what's your name?'' I asked, watching him as his family gathered closer.
''Herbert… soldier'' he replied.
''Good, Herbert. I need these uniforms as soon as possible. Ideally all one hundred eighty… but at minimum sixty. I don't care how you use the money,hire people, pay extra for materials,but I need sixty within four or five days'' I said, holding his gaze.
''Well…'' he said nervously, scratching his head.
''Can you do it? There may be more work for you in the future'' I added.
He hesitated, then nodded.
''Yes… yes, I can. I'll have them ready'' he said.
''Good. Come with me, I'll get you the money… and don't try anything stupid. If you're caught, they'll shoot you'' I said as I turned back toward headquarters.
He nodded quickly, and we returned. I arranged for him to receive the three thousand marks in coin, along with a horse and cart, valuable assets, and sent him off to gather materials.
''Are you sure about giving that much money to a tailor?'' Hans asked.
''I need those uniforms. I want camouflage training as soon as possible. Who knows when the general will decide to deploy us. We need to be ready'' I replied calmly.
''Yeah, but three thousand marks… that's more than I'd earn in a year even as an officer'' Hans said.
''That's several years of my pay'' Friedrich added.
''Well… yes… it's about fifty percent more than I make in a year'' I admitted.
''God… they pay me nothing… if it weren't for the five hundred mark reward…'' Friedrich muttered, running his hands through his hair.
''At least you're not dead… not while I'm in command of this platoon. I'll make sure it stays that way'' I said firmly.
Friedrich nodded, though not entirely convinced.
''Alright, let's go… I still have the prize money they gave me. We'll try to use it to modify the rifles. I've got fifteen hundred marks left… we need a gunsmith… or at least a blacksmith for basic armor improvements'' I said as I headed back out from headquarters.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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