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15-October/1914
The Russians had completely abandoned Poland and left it under our control, although they burned everything they could before leaving, especially the granaries. With winter at the door, they tried to leave nothing of value for the German occupation.
This significantly reduced the front with Russia and slightly weakened the advantage of their overwhelming numbers. We had captured around one hundred thousand Russians in the last offensive, since part of the Fifth Russian Army had been trapped in Warsaw. With that, we now had close to three hundred thousand Russian POWs. Many camps had already begun to be built across occupied Poland, since the plan was to put them to work repairing the railway lines we destroyed and building new ones, as there was a massive disconnection in the network.
Hindenburg had been granted the rank of Ober Ost and promoted to Field Marshal, becoming the highest-ranking officer of Germany on the Eastern Front. Apparently, he had strongly opposed my promotion to Major, since I would without a doubt be the youngest ever to hold that rank. Considering I turn sixteen in March and had not attended the Kriegsakademie, it was clear I wouldn't be receiving further promotions for now while Hindenburg remained the most important figure in the region.
Because of that, I was left as Hauptmann. I had been given two promotions in the chain of command and assigned a platoon. Hans had finally been promoted to Leutnant and placed in my unit. I was also given three newly promoted officers to fill the remaining Leutnant positions, since my Unteroffiziere didn't have enough experience to take those roles, especially after their recent promotions.
With the arrival of winter, trench construction began. Most of the German army was now positioned in Russian territory, and the lines were no longer inside Germany. They wanted to keep it that way, so trenches were being built across Lithuania and Poland while work continued.
Hindenburg had also begun, under orders from the Kaiser, to recruit Poles to serve on the front, while extracting as many resources as possible for the war against Russia.
There were many Poles who had deserted from the Russian army and were now looking to join the fight against Russia. Of course, they had to be watched closely. Everyone knew what had happened before.
As for me, I had been used as propaganda across the Empire for days.
''Can you believe this?'' Hans said throwing a newspaper in front of me.
''Believe what?'' I said while sitting on the train.
''We were the ones who planned everything… we made the plan and carried out the infiltration and look… HINDENBURG took all the credit for our operation. It says here he planned everything… the invasion, leaving out our sabotage…'' Hans said annoyed, frowning.
''What did you expect? He also took the credit for Tannenberg. The battle plan was already there, he just applied it… or at least that's what General Max Hoffmann says'' I said without giving much importance to the article.
''And this…'' Hans said showing me a photo of me taken by the German press, lying prone with a Gewehr 98.
They had made my confirmed kills public: 281. That put me as the most lethal soldier in Germany and turned me into the image of the ideal German soldier. I had received orders from the OHL to allow interviews and to speak well of the army, without criticizing any officers.
''Propaganda… nothing more'' I said resting my head on my fist.
''Pff… so what are we supposed to do now?'' Hans asked throwing the newspaper aside, annoyed by what he had read.
''Ludendorff and Scholtz gave me a training camp to use, to fill the front with trained snipers. They also offered me a shooting range in Berlin to start training there, but I asked for it in Poznan'' I replied while closing my eyes, listening to the train moving.
''Ah… close to home, so you can enjoy some luxuries'' Hans said narrowing his eyes.
''Yes… I received a letter from my father about how devastated they were at first, thinking we had died during the Russian offensive. They had been informed I was missing in action and only recently found out I'm now the face of German propaganda'' I said looking out the window, noticing we were arriving.
''Oh shit… same here… and I haven't written back, because the three times I tried to send letters they censored them and never sent them'' Hans said holding his head.
''Don't write anything describing the front, just say you're fine… otherwise they'll keep censoring your letters. They don't want the public to know the slaughter that's happening, they only show the good parts to keep support for the war high'' I said noticing the train coming to a stop.
''Alright… I'll keep that in mind, I don't even know if my parents were told I'm still alive'' Hans said fastening his feldgrau tunic as he followed me off the train.
''Considering how the army works, maybe not. Sending someone just to deliver that information wouldn't be efficient, unless they have someone permanently assigned to that task and report that you were actually behind enemy lines'' I said stepping off the train and looking at the people waiting.
''Yeah, you're right… I'll just say I'm fine and that's it'' Hans said.
I waited for all my men to get off the train.
''Hauptmann Karl'' an officer said who was waiting for us ''by order of the OHL, follow me. We've already started preparing the training grounds for your men.''
I nodded and quickly followed the officer acting under OHL orders. He guided us through the city toward the facilities assigned to me.
As we walked through the city, I noticed a large number of unemployed people carrying signs looking for work in exchange for food. I also saw many shops and factories closed, having gone bankrupt. The commercial blockade, cutting trade with Russia and France, and the fact that nothing could leave German ports due to the British naval blockade, was beginning to hit the German economy hard. Especially because the country had not yet shifted to total war, since many still believed the war would end quickly, in a matter of months.
For now, there was plenty of available labor.
But in a few months, that would change completely, as more soldiers died, more men were sent to the front, and famine began.
We traveled for a long time toward the south of the city until we left behind the vast farmlands, now empty after the harvest. Even so, large pig farms could still be seen, which seemed quite common in the area.
''This is the Truppenübungsplatz Hauptmann. Your men are expected to receive the necessary training here. For now, the regular training that was usually conducted with most local forces at the front is no longer taking place, and only newly conscripted units pass through here'' the officer said pointing at a fenced area located between open fields and nearby woods.
''Thank you. So the barracks here are empty'' I said looking at the buildings around.
''That's correct Hauptmann. According to reports, this place can house up to 3,200 men in the barracks, so your unit will have more than enough space. However, I understand that several thousand soldiers will be sent here from the front to be trained, so space may become tight'' he said while checking some documents on his clipboard.
''Ah… now I understand why they wanted to give me facilities near Berlin, but this is better. There are more forests and terrain to train in. We might have to expand the barracks if all those men arrive'' I said placing my hands behind my back.
''You are in charge here, so you may do whatever you consider necessary. And the OHL has assigned 100,000 marks to equip and train the soldiers with whatever equipment you deem appropriate, since for now no one can produce your camouflage uniforms'' the officer added.
''Yes, I'm aware. I had them made by a tailor in Prussia. I'll have him brought here so he can produce clothing for the army'' I replied nodding.
''Understood'' the officer said saluting.
I returned the salute and he went back to his duties while we began preparing to settle into our new temporary home. Winter might be relatively quiet.
We arranged the beds and prepared the basic training routines. My new men were already proven soldiers from the Eastern Front, so they needed to be tested immediately. As soon as we finished settling in, we began shooting drills.
As before, I let my more experienced men handle the instruction, teaching what I had passed down to them, while I observed and corrected small mistakes.
We trained until sunset, firing into the forest at distances between 600 and 800 meters using scopes so they could get used to those ranges.
Tomorrow I wanted to push them to 1000 to 1500 meters. I would have to explain the Coriolis effect and probably find a way to obtain or build a rangefinder. If none existed that suited our needs, I would have to improvise. The most important thing was learning how to measure distance. With enough practice, they could repeat accurate shots at those ranges.
With training finished, I took the chance to visit my home. I didn't know exactly where it was, but I had the address from the letter, so it was a good starting point.
While there was still some daylight left, I returned to Poznan and began searching for the address.
After asking around, a policeman finally guided me there.
In the wealthy district of the city, I found my family's mansion and caught the attention of one of the workers in the front garden.
''Yes, how can I help you?'' the maid said.
''I am Karl von Poznan and—'' I began, but she immediately turned and went inside the mansion.
She returned with someone who opened the door.
''This way young Karl'' said an older man with a respectable appearance.
''Thank you'' I said removing my officer's cap as I stepped into the large mansion.
My eyes scanned the interior. It was clear we were quite wealthy. There was art in the entrance hall and several workers moving around inside.
I was quickly led to an office on the second floor where I found a man with graying hair and beard, dressed in leisure clothing.
''Son'' said the man who was the father of this body.
''Father'' I replied lowering my head slightly.
''It seems the army finally managed to discipline you'' he said watching me closely.
''Yes, the army works wonders'' I replied with a slight smile, noticing newspapers on his desk featuring me.
''Yes… I can see that'' he said touching the papers. ''What are you doing here? You were supposed to be at the front.''
''I've been assigned to Poznan to train soldiers in marksmanship, so I'll be here for a few months, I hope'' I said standing straight as I looked at him.
''I see'' he said placing a hand on my shoulder and touching my scar with the other. ''You had me worried… I thought I had lost you'' he added before pulling me into a tight embrace.
I returned the hug. I didn't really know what Karl's relationship with his family had been, so I simply followed the moment.
''Are you staying here?'' he asked looking me in the eyes after stepping back.
''No, I just wanted to visit before returning to the barracks… and one more thing'' I said with a slight smile.
''Yes?'' he replied raising an eyebrow.
''If you could give me a loan'' I said licking my lips slightly.
''Ah… who do you owe money to Karl? Still gambling?'' he asked seriously.
''No… I don't owe anyone… that I remember. I've just spent the budget and rewards the Empire gave me on improving my men's equipment. The state needs equipment adapted to our operations, and I thought we could be the ones to provide it… armor, weapons, uniforms. We would become the main suppliers. In fact, the state already gave me 100,000 marks for equipment, so the loan would be to establish a company for that purpose'' I said, a bit tense.
''Hmm… you've changed a lot… it seems sending you to the army instead of the navy was a good decision. Treating you like a normal man did wonders'' he said surprised.
''So… about the loan'' I insisted.
''How much do you need?'' he asked walking to his desk and checking some documents.
''As much as you can. In fact… I was thinking we could even take a larger loan using the family's properties as collateral'' I said swallowing before finishing.
''Are you insane?'' he replied frowning as he looked up.
''I have many ideas father. I assure you that if I pull this off, we'll be disgustingly rich when this is over. I met an engineer in the army who can build machines, and a biologist who proposed improvements in agricultural production… we could take advantage of that'' I said seriously.
My father remained silent, thinking, biting his lip.
''For now, I'll give you a loan with everything I have available Karl. If you can secure more contracts beyond the 100,000 marks, good… but tomorrow I'll go to the bank and see how much they offer me'' he finally said, still tense.
''Thank you father… I promise I'll work hard'' I replied firmly.
''I believe you… I believe you son'' he said with a slight smile.
''With your permission, I'll return to my quarters. There's training tomorrow, but I'll come back in the afternoon to discuss the plans.''
''Good luck, and take care'' he said as I left the room.
I didn't know how much money I would get, but I hoped it would be a lot. I didn't really know how wealthy my family was, only that I needed as much capital as possible to start greenhouse production. Food would become expensive in the future, and those who produced it would make enormous profits.
And weapons… with a sniper unit, I could develop specialized equipment.
Which meant I could also become the only supplier.
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