21-28-November-1915
Observing the two generals approaching the training field with their entourages, some of my men quickly formed up and we saluted the officers on the field.
''At ease Major'' said Erich Ludendorff as he carefully observed the training ground.
''At your orders General'' I said, lowering my salute along with the rest of the troops.
''Any idea why I am here'' he said with a slight smile, glancing at his companion.
''Honestly I do not know… I believe I have done everything within my reach so I do not think it is due to falling short of the Wilhelm II's expectations'' I said, looking at him directly.
''Ah… no, no, quite the opposite, your efficiency with the King of Ukraine handling security is something worth noting, since in Poland and Lithuania we are facing more problems with partisans than in Ukraine, where your methods seem to be working… the main reason I am here, aside from congratulating you on your actions during the defense against the Russians, since we finally received the report on how you eliminated several thousand Russians and their artillery pieces… as all the prisoners keep talking about a group of demons attacking them as if they were mad, is due to the high ammunition consumption… someone believes you might be using it for other things'' said Ludendorff, making a subtle gesture with his eyes.
''The Ober Ost'' I asked, raising an eyebrow at what seemed obvious.
''Yes… I do not blame them, from one moment to another you went from consuming a few thousand rounds per month to tens of thousands in just a few days, so unless you were in active combat on the front or fighting large numbers of partisans, no one understands how the ammunition usage increased so much'' Ludendorff said, nodding.
''Ah… it is because I am changing equipment… I was using the Mosin-Nagant because it is cheap, or rather free… gifts from the Russians and we have thousands stockpiled, so I do not need to request spare parts or anything like that, and I can use the ammunition scattered everywhere from the Russian arsenals we captured… during combat against the Russians we realized that with only machine guns we could not stop their waves, the moment they exhaust our machine gun ammunition they launch massive charges to force us to retreat, so I am switching to a weapon with a much higher rate of fire'' I said, taking the weapon from one of my soldiers and showing it.
''Ah… and this uses 9x19 Parabellum ammunition, I think I saw something similar before, but it had a large suppressor at the muzzle, did it not'' Ludendorff said, taking the weapon.
I picked up another submachine gun and handed it to the other general, who also began to examine it.
''Yes… 30 rounds, each magazine carries 30 rounds and it can be emptied in seconds… half the rate of fire of a machine gun in the hands of a single soldier… the problem is the weight… I cannot find a way to reduce it with the materials available, so it could be improved significantly if I found a way to lighten it without compromising the structure'' I said, removing the magazine and showing it to the general.
''I see… that explains the spike in ammunition consumption, since your requisitions changed so drastically that it looked like something else entirely'' said General Hermann von Eichhorn while inspecting the weapon.
''Yes, in combat it could help us greatly, either to take positions by overwhelming defenders with suppressive fire while another group flanks, or to defend positions by providing covering fire while the machine guns reload'' I said, nodding as I disassembled the weapon piece by piece.
''Cost'' Ludendorff asked after removing and reinserting the magazine.
''180 marks per unit including my margin'' I said quickly.
''For that price we produce three Gewehr 98'' said General Hermann, raising his head.
''But with nearly ten times the rate of fire and a production only twice as complex'' I replied, aiming at a target and emptying the magazine while pulling the trigger, hearing the rapid fire and the bullets striking the dirt.
Repeating the process, I removed the magazine, inserted another, and emptied it in seconds, firing 60 rounds.
''I fired the same amount a squad of German soldiers would fire in the same time'' I said, observing the weapon.
It seemed General Hermann had little interest in it, but Ludendorff's eyes were lit with interest, clearly seeing its value for killing.
''Good… this is far more affordable… we had interest in your machine guns, but you will understand that we wanted to field two Polish armies fighting alongside us, half a million Poles under our banner against the Russians… it is something Hindenburg wanted, so it was a matter of spending several million marks replacing the 1000 machine guns distributed among our armies, or spending it equipping around 250000 Poles… you understand that having more soldiers in the field is preferred, especially as the front keeps expanding'' Ludendorff said, making a slight grimace.
''Completely understandable… in any case I also received a contract from the Western Front armies, so I could currently produce more machine guns… unless of course I stop producing these weapons'' I said, showing the submachine gun.
''Look… you can sell us 1000 to test them in combat… but 160 marks, that should fit within what remains of this year's budget'' Ludendorff said after thinking for a moment.
''160000 marks…'' I said thoughtfully.
With the latest improvements I had made to my factory, designed for maximum efficiency, the price I had given was closer to a 60 percent profit margin.
''Of course… actually… Hans, the new shipment that arrived with the generals, is it still on the train'' I asked Hans, who had been observing our conversation.
''In the station warehouse Major, but it can be moved back to the train immediately''
''The shipment is ready… only the payment is missing and those weapons are yours'' I said, looking at the general with a slight smile.
''Fantastic… I will take it… I hope that next year, when we have more budget, we can make some additional improvements to the equipment'' said Erich Ludendorff.
''Of course… I will be expecting it… I will try to keep equipment in storage, although I do not know if more orders will arrive from the Western Front… you know, sniper combat there is intense and replacements are constantly needed, along with these machine guns that are so useful for defense after massive bombardments'' I said, calmer after securing a small military contract.
''Excellent… excellent… well, also… good work there with the Russians… the Kaiser is busy reviewing the fronts, but he will surely approve some medal for what you did'' Ludendorff said.
''I had to do it… they were tearing us apart, and if they reached Kiev they would put at risk the armies fighting in the Donbass, so it was vital to defend that area… even at the high cost in the lives of my Jaegerkommandos we managed to destroy the Russian army's artillery'' I replied, making a slight grimace.
''Your sacrifice saved many…'' said General Hermann in a tone of approval. ''Stopping the artillery, or at least part of it, saved many who could have died… many of those I had positioned there survived because of your actions… actions like that are what win wars… not attacking from the shadows and running away, but a proper strike directed at the enemy.''
''Thank you…'' I said, clenching my jaw and staring ahead.
''Good… we will review some things to verify that the information you provided is correct and we will continue with the inspection of our forces ahead of the next offensive… I do not know if you have already been informed, but the campaign in Serbia has concluded'' Ludendorff said, clearly pleased.
''No… that information had not reached me yet, I was more focused on what I had to do than on listening to rumors or searching for information'' I said, interested in first-hand details.
''The Serbs did not anticipate the combined offensive… the Bulgarians advanced quickly in their sector, facing poorly organized units… they managed to cut the route to Albania… they tried to evacuate through there, as you said… August von Mackensen pushed to close that exit before securing cities… it was the correct decision'' Ludendorff said, satisfied, handing the weapon back to the soldier.
''The Greeks remained neutral and refused to allow British and French forces to land… they did not enter the war, but they did not facilitate enemy operations either… for now, that is enough'' added General Hermann.
''Those are good news then…'' I said, nodding.
''Austro-Hungarian forces have been freed… they will be redirected to the east… Serbia has signed an armistice after the capture of its leadership… the territory is already being divided between Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria… that stabilizes the southern flank'' Ludendorff continued without changing his tone.
He paused briefly before continuing.
''The next step is Russia… in spring we will launch a decisive offensive… if we destroy their operational capacity, the war in the east ends… after that, all resources will be concentrated in the west… and a resolution will be sought there'' Ludendorff said while observing the training field, tilting his head slightly.
''So we will march to Moscow'' I asked with interest.
''It is more a manner of speaking… first we have to break Russian operational capacity… the Donbass is the priority, after that we will see where to strike… we need those resources so that Ukraine serves for something more than being a fiscal drain'' Ludendorff said, pressing his lips together.
''If the Kaiser can send more budget next year, I see it as quite likely that Ukraine will begin producing enough food to cover German shortages and keep the local population fed'' I said, nodding.
''Let us hope… it is expected that next year new taxes will come to better finance the war, so there may be more budget to buy weapons from you'' Ludendorff said, finally beginning to walk to inspect the camp.
The generals, along with their aides, began inspecting warehouses and asking for documentation regarding ammunition expenditure, and soon left to continue inspecting other camps, as they were calculating munitions for the spring offensive against Russia.
After delivering the shipment of submachine guns, I simply returned to overseeing training, as I now had the problem of many recruits arriving, seeking to serve in the military occupation force.
So I continued training and began filling the surveillance gaps that still remained after the losses of the last battle, while also trying to secure most control zones, as for now the population remained calm, although it was unknown when someone would begin pulling strings to stir unrest and take advantage of the chaos, so it was important to maintain garrisons throughout Ukraine, although of course watching thousands of villages and hundreds of cities with the men I had was not easy, but it had to be done.
On one of those days when I was working to coordinate the hiring of workers for the tractor, while inspecting one of the villages near Kiev, as partisan movement had supposedly been observed, at least armed individuals moving through the area who were not recognizable as soldiers from any German or Austro-Hungarian army,
I came across something very strange, there was a large number of members of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the area distributing food… long lines handing out rations.
Until I noticed they were carrying the symbol of the Catholic Church, so it seemed they had been sent by the Pope.
I stayed observing what was happening, as I had not been informed of this aid.
So I began checking the nearby granaries, just in case some authority had fabricated something to extract food from our reserves.
''Major'' one of my men said while inspecting the contents of the local granary.
''What is it'' I said while counting the grain sacks stored there.
''One of these Red Cross members wants to speak with you so that you can provide food for the people'' my subordinate said, pointing at someone.
I turned, raising an eyebrow. ''Is this a joke, there is barely enough food to be giving it away for charity'' I said, shaking my head. ''Tell him there is nothing… and send a message immediately, no one has authority to remove food from the granaries unless it is with my signed order'' I said, clenching my jaw as I noticed a couple of sacks missing.
''Have the entire garrison assemble… I am going to court martial whoever handed out those sacks of food'' I said, irritated.
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