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17-18/September/1914
A major victory had been achieved by the German army. While I was busy dealing with the equipment for my new platoon, the army had once again defeated the Russians at the Battle of the Masurian Lakes, crushing another Russian army and finally driving them out of the province. That meant we would likely be called into combat soon.
Something I was actually looking forward to.
By then I had spent almost my entire budget. The modified Mauser rifles had arrived, the ones capable of mounting telescopic sights, and I had also received a hunting suppressor I had purchased with my own money.
On top of that, I had found a gunsmith who used to work for local nobles. He had fled during the Russian advance and was just returning to his shop, so I immediately put him to work on my equipment.
I completely disassembled my Gewehr 98 and made several aggressive modifications to the rifle's body. One of its main issues was weight, and the stock wasn't suited for firing while prone. The rifle had clearly been designed for standing fire. With the little time I had, I made quick adjustments to reduce its weight and improve handling.
My ghillie suit was also in perfect condition by then, and we had completed several camouflage training exercises. We were, honestly, ready for deployment.
Another thing I had tried to work on was some form of personal protection. The caliber of the weapons being used would kill a man easily, but I was running out of funds. After spending so much on the rifle, all I managed was getting help from a local blacksmith to produce basic steel helmets with layered padding inside. We fitted them with ghillie hoods and painted them with camouflage patterns.
I had wanted to create some kind of body armor, but without Kevlar it was difficult. The only alternative was using silk and cotton layers combined with metal plates… but I had no money left. I had even spent the entire reward I had been given, and since I had been a cadet before, I wasn't paid at all. No savings either.
My pockets were just as empty as when I had started my career… in my previous life.
Still, I was well equipped. A modified Gewehr 98 capable of mounting a scope and suppressor after the barrel adjustments, a proper camouflage suit, and a multi-layer padded steel helmet. A shot to the head would still be lethal, but at least not instantly. I would have preferred a true ballistic helmet, but the problem was always the same,materials, resources, and time. None of what I wanted could be achieved with what we had.
But after a few days, once that major German victory had settled, we were finally mobilized.
Only to be met with disappointment.
We were sent to Lötzen. Like other towns, it had been devastated by the Russians. But the reason we were brought there became clear quickly.
The Kaiser was visiting.
The press followed him as he inspected the destruction, documenting the chaos the Russians had left behind. Propaganda about Russian atrocities was spreading fast.
A long line of soldiers had been formed so the Kaiser could award medals in front of the journalists. One by one, he pinned decorations onto uniforms with the assistance of one of his aides, since for some reason he only used one hand, forcing someone to help him position the medals properly.
I stood in line as my turn came, while others received the Iron Cross Second Class.
''Is this the devil?'' the Kaiser asked, glancing at me while his aide held my uniform steady.
''Yes, Your Imperial Majesty… Karl von Poznan. The Devil of Masuria, as the Russians call him'' the assistant replied.
''I see'' the Kaiser said as he placed the medal on my uniform before moving on, continuing to award others while journalists took photographs.
If I had known I would be standing face to face with the Kaiser, I might have prepared something. A plan to improve Germany's food production, for example. All the necessary components for fertilizer were being diverted to explosives, and both horses and workers were being absorbed by the army. Food shortages were inevitable once the harvests began to fail.
But would they even listen?
Even if I created a detailed national-level plan, would they take the words of a sixteen-year-old seriously? Someone who supposedly knew things no one else did? Even if I offered reforms to military factories or improvements in production processes or entirely new weapons… I doubted they would listen. Every proposal I had already made had been rejected due to lack of funds.
After the ceremony, I was summoned again.
This time, to a gathering of high-ranking officers.
I immediately recognized two of them.
Ludendorff and Hindenburg were seated, studying a map.
Scholtz had called me in, though I had no idea why.
I stepped forward and saluted.
''So, Scholtz, this is your protégé'' Hindenburg said, looking at me with little interest.
''Indeed… the best marksman in the XX Corps'' Scholtz replied with a slight smile.
''Leutnant Karl, we called you here because we are planning the next offensive. Some recommend using your platoon in one way, others suggest something different… considering your experience with the Russians, we want to hear your opinion. How do you think your unit should be used in the next battle?'' Ludendorff said, resting his chin on his fist as he watched me from his chair.
As I looked at the officers, it felt less like a discussion and more like they wanted results from their investment… and those results meant promises.
''Well… reconnaissance missions… we can try to eliminate enemy patrols… in combat, we can prioritize officers… we can move through dense forests, eliminate patrols, and try to harass supply lines'' I said, nodding.
''That's nothing we haven't already discussed'' Hindenburg said, glancing at Scholtz.
I noticed my general starting to get nervous, and that put my unit… and my budget… at risk. Or worse, they might send us straight into the trenches.
''We could also… considering our capabilities… infiltrate enemy lines… and sabotage key targets. If we carry dynamite… we could try to blow up Russian railway lines'' I said before Ludendorff could speak.
Immediately, I felt every general's attention shift toward me.
''What was the latest intelligence report?'' Ludendorff asked, turning to Hindenburg.
''The Russians are mobilizing thousands every day to recover their losses… using trains to move troops from training camps across Russia…'' Hindenburg replied.
Ludendorff stood up and began studying the limited railway network Russia had.
''If we cut these three lines, Warsaw is isolated… and that's the logistical center of Poland'' he said, pointing at the railway lines feeding into the city.
''That would be too risky'' Hindenburg said ''it's deep behind enemy lines… they'd have to spend days in hostile territory. Why not Białystok? It's closer, and we could cut one of the main Russian supplies routes.''
''Most of the remnants of the First and Tenth Russian Armies are there after we pushed them back… it's the most dangerous area. The Russians will reinforce it quickly. This is our opportunity. If Warsaw's rail network collapses, our offensive will be decisive… we could take Poland'' Ludendorff replied.
After that, all eyes turned to me.
''Leutnant Karl… do you consider this mission feasible?'' Ludendorff asked.
''It is feasible, my general… the Russians are likely disorganized and expecting advances along roads. If we move through forests and proceed carefully, I believe we can accomplish the mission'' I said, though I hesitated slightly. My men had little real infiltration experience beyond surviving Russian hunts.
''Do it, and we will consider further promotion and decorations'' Hindenburg said, raising his gaze.
''Yes… but I'm more interested in additional funding'' I said, meeting their eyes.
''More? We already gave you fifteen thousand marks for your platoon'' Scholtz said, glancing at the others.
''And it barely covered scopes and uniforms. Specialized equipment is expensive, my general… and my men need more to operate at full capacity.''
''Like what?'' Hindenburg asked.
''Steel helmets… to protect the head. The Pickelhaube won't stop a bullet… when you're prone, that's exactly where you get hit… or in a trench, where only your head is exposed'' I said, pulling out my sketchbook and showing the Stahlhelm I had designed ''the blacksmith charges sixty marks, and the tailor forty for layered padding… for sixty men, you can imagine how expensive that gets'' I added with a faint smile.
One of the officers took the sketch from my hands, examined it quickly, then passed it along until it reached Hindenburg.
''I'll see what can be done'' Hindenburg said, slipping the design into his coat ''I'll allocate funds… but only if you succeed.''
''Then it will be done. I need dynamite and detonators… and I'll lead my men to destroy those railways'' I said firmly.
''That's what I like to hear…'' Ludendorff said with a smile ''you'll get what you need. I'll also order probing attacks across the front so the Russians focus on that… and you can slip through their defenses.''
I nodded and left quickly, while the generals of the Eighth Army continued discussing their plans.
I didn't like what I had just proposed,my men were too green,but it was still better than the front line, where artillery rained constantly.Being away from that mattered.
I preferred staying alive.
So I immediately organized my men and gathered all available maps, plotting the most direct route using terrain to our advantage. The region was uneven, with large farmland areas,fields that should have been full of harvest work if it hadn't already been disrupted,and dense forests we could use for movement.
I promoted my most experienced men, the ones who had survived the Masurian swamps with me. I left Hans at his current rank. He would likely be promoted to Leutnant soon enough, once he proved himself and gaps opened in the chain of command. After the Masurian battles, there would be plenty of vacancies.
We stocked up on ammunition from the depots. We had no idea how long we'd be out. At least a week… if everything went well.
But no one knew if it would.
We collected the dynamite and handled it carefully, following the engineers' instructions.
The next day, we put on our ghillie suits and moved into Russian territory through the first stretch of forest.
Let's hope my years as a special forces don't fail me now.
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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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