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7-November-1915
While the Russian offensive continued and our withdrawal operations were underway, we had no choice but to go on the offensive… everything pointed to the Russians reaching Kiev, and they would not even need to take the city, getting within artillery range would be enough, if their goal was to break the logistical line, Kiev was the core artery of German and Austro-Hungarian logistics in the region, so surely some Russian planners had already realized that breaking Kiev could return Ukraine to them, a strong attack on an unprotected flank with two armies would create enormous chaos, and considering how slow Austro-Hungarian armies were to maneuver, it would not surprise me if they were encircled, putting a million Austro-Hungarian soldiers at risk.
So I gathered all the Jägerkommandos I could find in a short time, about half my men, the rest were scattered covering the retreat, and taking our camouflage as quickly as possible and adapting it to the terrain, in the middle of the chaos of the Tenth Army withdrawal we entered the marshes through an area the Russians had not yet flooded with troops.
''Alright the plan… the plan is not to die and reach the Russian artillery… that is their foundation for victory, if we destroy it their offensive collapses, so this is an infiltration and sabotage mission, expect heavy Russian presence in the forest using submachine guns while their main forces advance, that might work in our favor and leave our path less contested'' I said as we moved through the forest.
As I feared the lakes had frozen and a solid layer of ice had formed, a man could step onto it without breaking through, allowing the Russians to move freely across the terrain.
The ground was hard but not fully frozen, ideal for troop movement, the Russians had perfect conditions for an offensive, and for our misfortune they had gone unnoticed, none of our scouts had seen it in time and even the reconnaissance aircraft had failed to detect anything.
As we pushed deeper into the forest we began to hear artillery fire, a sign we were heading in the right direction, though it also meant this was only the beginning.
Following the sound we advanced and soon spotted the first Russian patrols moving through the area, small groups conducting reconnaissance, mapping terrain and identifying defensive positions, already preparing for control once they secured the zone.
Using hand signals and taking cover behind trees we aimed our suppressed submachine guns and fired, cutting down the patrol before they could react, they fell almost silently under concentrated fire.
We paused, listening for any reaction, but none came, the noise of battle had drowned out our weapons, I quickly searched the officer and the scout.
I pulled out a map and saw marked positions, using a compass I identified a large clearing that matched the direction of the artillery fire.
I confirmed it with the group's surveyor who agreed, so we moved immediately.
Continuing deeper into the forest we encountered a large Russian force marching through, only breaking formation to navigate terrain, we resisted the urge to open fire from our elevated position, a few bursts would have slaughtered them, but it would expose us, so we circled around them and continued toward our objective.
Time passed and after eliminating more patrols, using the growing artillery noise to mask our actions, we advanced with little resistance.
At one point we heard cavalry movement, we dropped instantly and hid in the nearest cover as hundreds of horsemen passed by, remaining completely still until they were gone.
As soon as they disappeared I rose.
''Move we need to hurry it is only a matter of time before they find the bodies we left behind'' I said pointing toward the sound.
We continued and came across a group of Russians cutting trees, smoking and talking casually
We moved faster now, still silent but with urgency.
Drawing my knife I approached from behind, lunging at one of them leaning against a tree with a cigarette, grabbing his shoulder I drove the blade repeatedly into his heart, he barely managed a groan before going limp.
I turned and saw Ernst drive his knife into another's spine at the base of the neck, while those farther away were cut down by submachine gun fire.
I wiped the blood from my knife and we moved on, leaving the bodies behind as we pressed toward the artillery.
Another massive infantry column passed nearby and again we had to detour to avoid detection, delaying us further.
But at last the artillery grew unmistakably loud, and we saw it, a large Russian camp in a clearing filled with guns.
''Alright… we throw explosives at the artillery and if possible detonate their ammunition do everything you can to get your comrades out of there'' I said knowing the risks were high.
We took position and reloaded our weapons before setting up several machine guns on the highest ground..
I raised my hand and gave the order and several machine guns opened fire on the Russian camp which instantly descended into chaos.
Bursts of bullets tore through the area and we heard Russian screams.
''Go go go'' I shouted as I stood up and ran toward the camp, moving through rows of torn tents.
The sound of submachine guns echoed everywhere as we cut down those rushing out of their tents.
I fired at a group of Russians trying to understand what was happening, shooting from a kneeling position.
''Move do not waste time get to the artillery'' I said as I advanced after dropping the men in front of me and reloading my submachine gun.
''Cavalry'' someone shouted and we soon saw riders charging toward us.
Machine guns spat fire, the screams of horses and men could be heard from hundreds of meters away.
The ground was turning red under our advance, but it was not cheap, several of ours had fallen while machine gun fire kept us moving forward.
After a brutal fight inside the camp, cutting down hundreds of Russians, we reached the area where hundreds of artillery pieces were set up and saw their crews fleeing in panic.
''Quick the explosives make their deaths count'' I shouted covering my men as they carried the charges.
Without hesitation they began placing explosives on the heavy guns and also on the massive ammunition stockpiles.
Once everything was rigged and the sounds of pain and gunfire filled the air, we began to withdraw, extending the detonation cable as we moved.
I glanced back at wounded Russians screaming and clutching their guts or bleeding out from horrific wounds.
Reinforcements were already arriving from multiple directions so we had no time, we grabbed our wounded and dead and began pulling back.
Once we had enough distance we connected the cable to the detonator and took cover behind the hill.
I triggered it.
The largest explosion I had ever heard shook the earth, trees were torn apart by the blast and dirt rained down from the sky.
When I lifted my head I saw the camp had been erased, hundreds or thousands of Russians lay wounded, torn apart by shrapnel, wood fragments, and debris driven into their bodies.
The artillery was completely destroyed, nothing recognizable remained.
Carrying one of our dead we began an organized withdrawal from the area.
As we moved back we encountered the cavalry unit that had passed earlier.
I dropped the body and grabbed a machine gun from one of my men, bracing it against a tree.
''Abracadabra'' I shouted as I fired into the cavalry, guiding the others to open fire, machine guns and submachine guns cutting them down until the formation collapsed and scattered.
We kept moving as Russian shouts rose behind us.
My chest felt tight as we carried the wounded who could not keep up, maintaining a steady pace away from the area.
It was not easy, we ran into several patrols trying to cut us off or track us down, most ended up ambushed as we kept moving.
''Damn it ahead looks like a whole regiment'' said Friedrich, breathing heavily as he crouched and dropped the man he was carrying.
''We go around we cannot fight that many especially with them chasing us if we engage they will have time to encircle us'' I said, struggling forward.
Once again we adapted and avoided the Russian force which luckily was returning toward their camp.
We continued along their flank and pushed toward our lines.
Clashing with another patrol of about twenty Russians we killed several and captured their officer after wounding him in the leg and arm.
By dusk after a bloody day we finally left the forest, but it was not over, the lines had shifted and where the German camp should have been there were now Russian troops.
We had to move under cover of night, nearly beating the Russian officer unconscious when he started shouting for help, we silenced him and kept moving.
In the darkness we finally reached German lines where guards were scanning the terrain.
''Who goes there'' a German shouted, aiming his rifle at us.
''Jägerkommandos returning from mission'' I called out.
He leaned forward trying to see in the dark.
''Alright move forward'' he said without lowering his weapon.
We passed by the fire where they finally recognized us and we were allowed back into camp.
After handing over the prisoners we began assessing our losses.
A bitter day… we had lost nearly a hundred Jägerkommandos and close to two hundred wounded, flesh torn by shrapnel and bullets, fractures, cuts, broken ribs saved only by their chest armor.
It had been a successful operation at a heavy cost.
We immediately took the wounded to the medics and requested that the dead be prepared for burial and if possible sent home, I would not leave them in a mass grave after leading them into what was essentially a suicide mission.
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