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8-9-April/1915
''A great hunt of Frenchmen'' I said as we returned from the forest after a full day and night in the forests of France hunting French soldiers.
''Shouldn't we keep harassing them?... they should be sending people to recover the wounded…'' said Hans.
''One thing is when there are wounded still alive… but the first time they lose a company trying to recover them, they'll bombard the forest like there's no tomorrow… if they were smart they would've sent the Red Cross… shooting them is a crime'' said Friedrich.
''Exactly… that's why we're leaving the area, because I don't think it'll take them long to start shelling the forest until there's nothing left but churned earth'' I said with a slight smile.
We left the forest and returned to the German trenches, which were alert to our exit, since I didn't want someone on a machine gun turning us into a sieve.
As we entered the safety of the trenches, we heard French artillery falling over the forest. It seemed my assumption was correct and they wouldn't risk dealing with us in the woods anymore just to recover dead or wounded.
The good thing about being a unit with prestige in the army was that many of the less prestigious tasks you could find in a rear camp, like moving rations and supplies or cleaning trenches and latrines, were jobs many soldiers had to do, but my men didn't. Mainly because wasting the quality of a soldier cleaning shit was stupidity when you could have him at the front as much as possible causing chaos.
So we simply returned to camp and organized our gear in the tents that had been set up for us in the main camp and got comfortable while waiting to be called for the next offensive or mission.
''What's wrong, Hans?'' I said, watching him from the table while I ate some of the canned meat the French carried in their packs.
''This piece of crap jammed again…'' said Hans, struggling with the light machine gun, a casing stuck, trying to pull it out of the chamber.
''Hey, I know it's not the best quality because I built it fast and with little time, but don't call it crap… you killed a lot of French with that weapon'' I said, walking over to see what was happening.
''That was more because those idiots walked into the forest and grouped up to recover their wounded instead of making sure no one was around'' said Hans while still fighting to extract the casing.
''Camouflage works too well when no one knows you're using it… give me that, I know how to fix it'' I said, taking the weapon and starting to disassemble a few parts to remove the casing and put it back together. ''There'' I said, cocking it.
''Nice weapon'' I heard someone say behind me, and when I turned I saw all my men saluting someone who had just entered our section of the camp.
A quick glance was enough to know who it was. ''At your service, Crownprinz… Major Karl von Poznan, of the 41st Division of the XX Korps, at your service by order of His Imperial Majesty the Kaiser Wilhelm'' I said, saluting.
''At ease, Major… I was told you were deployed to the Argonne forest as soon as you arrived, is that correct?'' the prince asked, hands behind his back as he observed the machine gun.
''A creation of mine to use Russian ammunition'' I said, placing my hands behind my back and relaxing my posture.
''Russian ammunition? Why?'' he said, raising an eyebrow as he examined the weapon, tilting his head slightly.
''On the eastern front we operated behind enemy lines and many times we had to stop using German ammunition and switch to Russian weapons to keep fighting. So I thought of creating a weapon that could use Russian rifle ammunition efficiently and make a light machine gun that could be carried by one man, but at the same time sweep enemy formations if the opportunity presented itself, like now in the Argonne'' I said with a slight smile.
''Interesting… and what seems to be the problem? I saw you fixing it'' said the Crownprinz, stroking his chin.
''Extraction issue… probably a weak spring… or the chamber needs widening… or polishing the chamber to reduce friction… or it could be the brass of the ammunition. If the metal is poor quality, it could expand with heat and cause the problem… it is Russian ammunition, after all…'' I said thoughtfully.
''So it seems you know your weapons quite well… report on your expedition in the Argonne'' asked the Crownprinz while one of his subordinates stepped closer to listen.
''We entered the forest and ambushed several French patrols in the area, killing many. As we were preparing to leave, we noticed the French returning into the forest and we ambushed them again. That happened again during the night, since we thought they wouldn't bombard with artillery because they'd want to recover their dead, and the next morning a French company entered the forest and my men surrounded them, and when they were exactly where we wanted them, we opened fire with the machine gun and our rifles, wiping the company out completely'' I said, looking at the prince.
''It seems your reputation is well deserved… you arrive and immediately eliminate what… about…'' the prince said thoughtfully.
''Around 300 French'' I replied quickly.
''300 French… a good number. Prisoners?'' the prince asked.
''We usually don't take prisoners… you never know when a prisoner exchange might happen and they end up revealing how our ghillie suits work to the enemy. Once they know how we dress, it'll be easier for them to detect us, since we were literally not moving in front of the French and they couldn't even see us'' I said seriously.
''At this moment it is more necessary to take prisoners. The French are preparing to launch a large offensive in the area. They must relieve the pressure Russia is under, since Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg is launching a counteroffensive against Russia to take Ukraine, and if that pressure isn't reduced, we might push Russia out of the war soon… that's why prisoners are important, to know where the French offensive will come from'' said the figure accompanying the prince.
''It's difficult to take prisoners on our own, but if other German units participate in our operations it's feasible to do something, since they're the ones who capture them… we usually shoot from 600–800 meters, and that's usually fatal'' I said tilting my head.
''Yes, I understand'' replied the figure beside the prince.
''I'm interested in that light machine gun… could you make it work with German ammunition? The MG-08 works well, but it's difficult to reposition… if what you say is true and it can be operated by a single man, it could make defending trenches or strongpoints much easier without wasting time moving a heavy machine gun… it would save many lives'' said the prince.
''Of course… my biggest problem is that I'm too good at what I do'' I said making a gesture with my fingers like a pistol. ''So most of my time goes into blowing Russians' heads off, so I couldn't dedicate myself to perfecting the model… but with some time and someone who knows what they're doing, I could make a considerable improvement'' I said, taking the weapon in my hands.
''The reason you are here is to train snipers, Major Karl. Do not forget it. Your main mission, while we gather candidates for the program, is to eliminate areas where French snipers are interfering with our reconnaissance or artillery observation missions'' said the prince's aide.
''I'm clear on that… I just returned from one of those missions. What's my operational rotation here? After a mission on the eastern front, I usually had a couple of days off to train my men and rest, since our operations tend to last days'' I said, placing my hands on my hips.
''Ideally, you go out tomorrow to monitor the trenches and see if you can eliminate the French snipers'' said the prince's aide.
''As Konstantin says, ideally I'd like you to clear out the French shooters. That would relieve a lot of pressure, since although we've eliminated some with our own snipers, sending professionals will significantly reduce our casualties'' said the prince.
''Yes… of course… I've been observing the trenches in the area… they're about 200 meters apart, correct?'' I said, looking at Konstantin.
''Correct, though it can vary'' Konstantin replied.
''It would be feasible to build some elevated firing positions… wooden or earth structures, I don't need much. Just a slightly elevated area where I can better observe the French trenches, and from there I'll wreak havoc with my men. Ideally about a kilometer away from French positions, to fire frequently without direct exposure'' I said, setting the machine gun down on the table.
The prince smiled slightly. ''You seem confident shooting from that distance.''
''I've made 1500-meter shots with my Gewehr… shooting at 1100 is nothing. Just order the construction of several of those positions along the front, I'll deploy my men and we'll do the following: in the morning I'll train the soldiers you require, since I'll have the sun in my face and the glare from my scope would give me away… in the afternoon I'll be blowing heads apart, because the French will have the sun in theirs'' I said, staring at him.
''Very well… Konstantin, have the available soldiers start working on that immediately. I want those structures ready by tomorrow afternoon'' said the prince. Then he looked at me once more. ''I expect you to live up to your reputation… this will save many German lives.''
Without another word, he left the camp, followed by his aide.
Night fell and my men began eating the rations we had been given, along with what they had looted from the French. The first exchanges with soldiers of the Fifth Army also began, trading French equipment for food or other goods.
According to the schedule, we would have the chance to go to the rear and visit nearby towns next week to relax… and that would be the moment to get serious work done.
The next day I met several hundred selected men from the local army and we began basic training without scopes, since the shipment of optics was expected to arrive soon.
Throughout the day we practiced shooting, adjusting aim and getting used to the air and wind of the area to prepare for long-distance shots, something that would become essential in the afternoon.
By sunset, we finished training and returned to the front. The troops had significantly reinforced the area, building earth and wooden structures from which we could begin firing.
I placed a green cloth over my field of view to avoid reflections, and put a piece of cloth filled with cotton on my elbows, since I could spend hours aiming and wanted to stay comfortable.
It didn't take me even twenty seconds to spot a Frenchman. With a quick estimate, he had to be around 1000–1050 meters away. The glare from his scope was obvious to me; the man was observing the area from an elevated point in his trench, checking the German side.
I made the calculations quickly, compensated for bullet drop, and since there was no wind, I raised the sight slightly and fired. I waited a second and saw the French soldier fall into the trench.
I worked the bolt and began searching for another sniper.
''You've got to be kidding me… they're trying that rookie trick on me…'' I said as I watched through the scope how someone had placed a French cap on a stick, moving it slightly along the trench.
The one doing it took his time. Eventually he lowered the cap and someone peeked out to look.
Using the range markings, I aimed at the spot and fired calmly. A second later, I saw the cap fly off and the Frenchman drop into the trench.
''Two shots, I reposition or they'll figure out where I am'' I muttered as I worked the bolt and gathered my things to move to another position.
I spent the entire afternoon shooting. By nightfall, in just a couple of hours, I had already taken down 25 Frenchmen. Not bad for the first day.
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