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21-November/1914
''This is coming along perfectly'' I said as I looked over the progress on several greenhouses.
Recently I had acquired a large amount of land that belonged to Polish owners, with some help from the Preußische Ansiedlungskommission to pressure sales and secure large extensions of land at relatively low prices compared to buying from German landowners.
My father didn't want to risk his harvest on something experimental. The harvest was a major part of his income, along with several food processing businesses owned by my family, which was why we were so wealthy compared to the average person. We sold food.
Everything had started two weeks ago. I used the remaining 75,000 marks to buy land and materials. Fortunately, there was a company producing glass panels, so after giving them precise measurements they delivered what I needed the following week. At the same time, I worked on acquiring steel, though that proved difficult.
The Kriegsrohstoffabteilung, the organization controlling Germany's raw materials, had strict control over resources needed for the war effort. Steel was hard to obtain, but I still managed to secure enough for construction.
That entire week we worked nonstop to build the greenhouses. I hired a large number of German workers using the money I was generating from the 100,000 marks allocated by the state. It wasn't much. After expenses I had around 10,000 left, but it was enough to employ many unemployed workers. I focused on hiring Germans. It was better to rely on German labor than Polish, even if it was common to pay them less.
These greenhouses incorporated everything I could apply from my knowledge. The main limitation was the lack of polyethylene, which would have helped regulate heat retention and distribution. Still, the local climate wasn't extreme, so glass panels alone were sufficient to maintain temperatures high enough for year-round intensive agriculture.
''25 degrees Celsius'' I said tapping the mercury thermometer as I observed the finished greenhouse.
''We followed your instructions mein Herr. Everything was built according to your specifications. The water system is ready. You can open the valves whenever you wish. The pump in the nearby well is already extracting water and storing it'' the architect said.
''Yes… everything looks correct'' I said turning the valve and watching water begin to flow through the pipes, dripping evenly throughout the greenhouse.
''21 degrees'' I noted in my notebook as I saw the temperature drop. ''Good… now we just need those insects I ordered from that biologist and we'll be ready. The heating system is functional'' I added while observing the pipes that would carry heat.
''It is… but I must remind you that coal is scarce. It is an important resource for the war effort'' the architect said.
''Don't worry. We won't use coal. Too expensive. We'll use something much easier to produce and obtain'' I said with a slight smile as I stepped outside the greenhouse.
Nearby, a group of engineers and blacksmiths were working on a gas burner system that wouldn't explode when activated. It wasn't much more complicated than copying the systems used for city lighting.
But we were using biogas.
Nothing simpler than placing water and pig manure in a sealed barrel with a pipe, allowing methane from the chemical process to be collected as fuel. That gas would feed the heating system for the greenhouses, stored in accumulation tanks.
''How is it going?'' I asked, looking at the engineers working on the burner.
''It should be ready'' the engineer said as he ignited the system. A flame appeared, he opened the valve, and gas flowed into the fire. We watched as heat rose and moved through the pipes toward the greenhouses.
''Perfect… that settles everything. Now we just need the rest of the greenhouses completed'' I said, looking at the architect.
''By the end of the year they should all be finished mein Herr. We are working as fast as possible, laying foundations, installing water pipes and heating systems. But we cannot go faster. The company supplying the glass has not delivered everything yet. At this rate, everything will be ready by December'' the architect replied.
''Fine… there's no rush. I still need to see if artificial fertilizers can be obtained from factories in the Ruhr or if I'll have to rely on natural fertilizers, even if they're less efficient'' I said.
''Understood. We will continue working as required and try to pressure the supplier to fulfill the orders sooner mein Herr'' the architect said lowering his head.
''Teach the farmers how to operate the greenhouse. How to raise and lower the temperature. Have them start planting tomatoes. Conditions are optimal. It's not the industrial output I want yet, but if we can produce during winter, that's already a huge advantage'' I said with a satisfied smile.
I headed back to the barracks. Today was a day off I had given the men after a week of intensive training.
One day of rest for every six days of training. At this pace, by next week the snipers would have completed basic training and be ready to return to the front.
When I arrived at the camp, I ran into a problem.
The press was outside my training facility.
And the men on guard duty were doing everything they could to keep them out.
I greeted the guards and almost immediately several members of the German press began bombarding me with questions.
''We are from the Vossische Zeitung and we have permission to enter and take photographs'' said a journalist dressed in elegant clothes, while others repeated the same.
''This is a restricted area. Get out'' I said as I walked into the barracks, ignoring them.
As soon as I stepped inside, Hans came running toward me, clearly nervous.
''Karl… Karl… the Kaiser is coming… the Kaiser is coming with the OHL'' Hans said, almost panicking.
''What do you mean the Kaiser is coming? And with the OHL? Why the hell did no one inform me beforehand?'' I snapped.
''The message arrived this morning, but you weren't here. They said the Kaiser planned a visit to Poznan and wanted to inspect the facilities and observe the snipers'' Hans replied.
''Damn it… on a rest day… after pushing them through training'' I said, running a hand over my face. ''That explains those bastards outside…'' I added, glancing back toward the journalists.
''Prepare ammunition and get the rifles ready… bring out the good scopes, the ones I built, and put Friedrich on the line… we need to make an impression if we want to keep our funding'' I said, biting my finger.
I immediately started mobilizing the men who had been resting. There was no telling how much time we had before the Kaiser arrived.
Uniforms went on quickly. We didn't bring out the ghillie suits. The press was nearby and I had no intention of revealing the most important part of our capabilities.
Within minutes I had 5000 men assembled in formation, distributing Gewehr 98 rifles and the modified versions we had produced.
Less than half an hour later vehicles began arriving. The press became restless, moving around as the convoy approached. I gathered my Leutnants and waited at the entrance for the Kaiser and the OHL, ignoring the journalists who kept asking questions.
The Kaiser arrived and began observing the grounds. His assistant approached me.
''Open the gates and let the journalists in'' the assistant said while the Kaiser allowed himself to be photographed.
''This is a restricted area. How exactly do you expect me to let journalists in? This training is classified. It goes against national interest'' I replied firmly.
''Those are the Kaiser's orders Hauptmann. They are press aligned with the interests of the Reich'' the assistant answered.
''Ask the Kaiser directly if those are his orders regarding the secrecy of this training'' I said without changing my tone.
The assistant walked over and whispered to the Kaiser. The Kaiser looked at me for a few seconds. Then the assistant returned.
''No photographs'' he said. ''Now open the gates.''
''Fine…'' I muttered. ''Open the gate'' I ordered the guards.
The gates opened and the journalists flooded in alongside the Kaiser's vehicles. More vehicles followed, carrying high-ranking officers accompanying him.
Ludendorff, Scholtz, Hindenburg and Mackensen were among them, inspecting the men standing in formation.
''The Kaiser wishes to see field demonstrations. Your men will conduct shooting tests'' the assistant said while journalists spoke with the generals.
I immediately positioned my best shooters and placed the targets as far as possible. My top men consistently hit beyond 1000 meters, and I could clearly see the surprise on the faces of those watching.
''Target at 1300 meters… wind from the right… account for bullet drop'' I said standing beside one of my men.
''I have it'' he replied while adjusting the scope.
''On my signal… fire'' I said as the rifle cracked.
''Hit… abdomen… adjust higher, aim for the chest… on my signal'' I said while hearing the bolt cycle.
''Ready'' the soldier replied.
''Fire'' I ordered. The second shot landed clean in the chest.
''On target…'' I said turning toward the generals, who were observing with binoculars. The Kaiser was watching as well.
The demonstrations continued. I pushed the targets even farther. Then I rotated more men into position as requested. That's when the cracks started to show. Not everyone could maintain accuracy at those ranges.
Eventually we were lined up again and the Kaiser began awarding medals. the Iron Cross, First Class , as well as those of the 60 men who had participated in the operation in Poland the second class.
After an hour the press left, followed by the Kaiser. The generals remained and summoned me.
Inside the officers' room I found the three of them waiting. The field marshal watched like a hawk before finally speaking.
''Very good display of training. It seems we will have capable marksmen for the Eastern Front. The Kaiser wants similar training for the Western armies… but first there is something we must discuss'' Ludendorff said, nodding as he glanced at Hindenburg.
''The only reason this has not been sent to court martial is because Ludendorff and Scholtz wanted to hear directly from you what is happening and why you are purchasing equipment that you are producing yourself'' Hindenburg said, staring at me coldly.
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