155 – Tactical Victory & Strategic Defeat (2)
The Crown Prince’s camp a few days before the Battle of Jungfrau began.
A division and 2,000 SS troops commanded by the crown prince were marching in a relaxed atmosphere, almost as if they were on a picnic.
So, soldiers who met a few company commanders well were able to walk comfortably carrying not only their armor but also their long spears on the company cart, provided they matched their walking speed.
High-ranking officers, including the battalion commander, looked at him like that and clicked their tongues, saying, “Young guys these days are falling into such filth.”
However, on the way here so far, they have only encountered 1,000 enemies, and according to information from scouts, there is a report that there are no enemies within 3 days distance from the current location.
The company commander who relaxed the restrictions in that way was not specifically restrained.
“Corporal Tones, that’s what I heard. I heard that Swiss women have pretty big breasts. How is it? To win this war and settle down here with the mountains and good air. “Wouldn’t it be possible with the money I saved until I was discharged?”
“Private is missing. In my time, a private couldn’t even talk to a corporal. “Agh, you arrogant bastard.”
“Ah, there was a story that the corporal got into a drunken relationship with Anna, whom I helped him with, during his last vacation. “Are you sure you’re already engaged?”
“Honestly, isn’t Anna so pretty that even nobles would covet her? So I decided to just look at Anna. So you go, Switzerland.”
Originally, chatting while marching was strictly prohibited under military law, but now, for the sake of the soldiers’ mental health, military police and officers tolerate it, pretending not to hear anything.
No, even the officers were chatting while marching. However, since the vigilance itself is strictly enforced, no problems will arise.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince was marching with young officers whom he was training as his own, separate from Major General Jaeger.
“Your Highness, isn’t it soon Liechtenstein Castle? hahahaha, only this time will Your Majesty’s military capabilities shine.”
“Yes. Although there was a good news that there was a connection with the Count of Bern, according to the reports of ours and the other four divisions, as His Majesty predicted. It is said that they only fought a light battle with less than 1,000 soldiers and did not encounter much resistance.”
“Everything is going well as you predicted. I am hopeful that everything will work out well in the future.”
The young officers, including Major Max, the successor to the Marquis Benner, eagerly praised the Crown Prince’s military abilities, and the Crown Prince smiled as if he were embarrassed.
And there is reason to think so because strategic operations in war are always highly variable and difficult to predict.
This is because the smaller the deviation from the initial plan in strategic operations, the higher the likelihood of victory.
Even though the most important large-scale rotation in the war has not yet occurred, all the assumptions we had in mind while getting here are consistent.
Unless something serious happens, the crown prince’s victory is almost certain.
“Uh huh, hasn’t the 7th Division’s report yet? Also, didn’t you learn it at the Academy and Staff College? “The war is not over until the peace treaty is signed.”
What is being said is quite serious and seems like a stern scolding, but the speaker has a smiling expression and speaks in a relaxed voice.
“I think we were too excited.”
“hahahaha, I haven’t won yet. Please forgive me.”
“I made a somewhat excited statement in the hope that His Majesty the Crown Prince would win.”
The faces of the young officers also looked very comfortable for apologizing.
And even though the Crown Prince was already busy with assignments and studying for exams at the Staff College, he thought it was special that these people came to him at night and stayed up all night working hard with him.
“I just need to know. Anyway, why don’t I know that you, including Major Max, went through a lot of hard work in establishing this operation? “We couldn’t play until the final plan of the plan came out, so every night the guys put their foreheads together and planned the plan.”
When the officers heard those words, they were truly moved by the crown prince recognizing their hard work.
“Of course, we had a lot of fun after the operation was confirmed. Still, compared to what I went through back then, I feel like it’s a bit lacking. So, after I conquer Switzerland, you will all be promoted, so wear your lieutenant colonel badge and have a drink. “Let’s drink to death with a beautiful woman in both hands.”
To be promoted to lieutenant colonel before you turn 30. These were very sweet words for the officers.
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Because, unless you were a genius like Major General Peter Yeager, which is unprecedented in the history of the empire, even the captains who were ranked 2nd or 3rd were not promoted to lieutenant colonel before the age of 30.
If the crown prince’s words are followed, it will not be just a dream for them to wear the rank of captain and face their enemies.
Then the crown prince grumbled to comfort them a little more.
“I feel like taking Director Jaeger with me. That guy doesn’t touch any other woman other than Laura. When I saw that his exclusive maid, a girl named Charlotte, was holding on like a stone despite having her tail pounded like that, I really stuck out her tongue. So the only ones who play with me are you.”
Since the beginning of human history, being able to enjoy entertainment in the same place as those in power meant being favored.
Considering that this alone gives him power, it can be said to be a great privilege to be able to hang out with the crown prince, the next emperor, and even talk about women.
So, I was able to laugh happily because I didn’t envy Director Jaeger at least for this one thing.
While they were chatting like that, an ensign came to the crown prince, paid his respects and delivered a letter.
“hehehe, you’ve had a lot of trouble. So, this is from Director Yeager? “First of all, this is a small gift, so take this and return to your original position.”
Then the crown prince opened the letter, expecting to report that there were no problems…
[This is a report from Major General Peter Yeager, commander of the 7th Division. Let me put it bluntly: Count Bern is a double agent. Therefore, a rough outline of the current operation would have been conveyed to the Duke of Switzerland, and the expedition was a failure.]
If someone other than Director Yeager had sent this letter, he might have gotten angry and tore it up.
The Crown Prince thought that Major General Jaeger, who had already been selected as the next Marshal and who thought it would be a waste to give Louise, his most beloved younger sister, could not possibly be talking nonsense.
I started reading the following.
[According to the information he brought, the maximum number of troops that Count Ticino could mobilize was limited to about 3,000 due to strategic conditions. However, Count Ticino was waiting with over 9,000 troops, plotting a vicious plan to annihilate our 7th Division. From a realistic perspective, it can be seen that the Count of Bern handed over all of our military information to him before we invaded.]
The Crown Prince, or rather Michael von Reich, a young man of only 30 years old, felt the back of his neck stiffen.
[Therefore, His Highness the Crown Prince, please hasten preparations so that the entire army can retreat as soon as it arrives in Liechtenstein. Furthermore, give up the idea of capturing Liechtenstein Castle. If you get caught while attacking the castle, something irreparable may happen.]
After reading the general information, the crown prince forgot all the good feelings he had just felt and cried out in anger until his face turned red.
“Count Bern, you filthy son of Satan! For the past few years, you have been targeting my head by pretending to abandon Switzerland and work only for the Empire!!! Ugh, f*ck!!”
However, Director Peter Yeager is not the type of person to talk nonsense about important issues, and when you think about it rationally, looking back and forth.
If you think about the content of the letter and the fact that the situation went very well.
“Why, why! Why is Deus putting me in such confusion? “I was a monkey baby dancing in the palms of the Count of Bern and the Duke of Switzerland!”
The officers felt the reaction of the crown prince.
‘f*ck it, life is over. No, depending on what you do, you may be able to survive. Still, what should I do with my military life from now on?’
“Major Max, please bring the second-in-command immediately. You all disperse immediately and put the entire army on high alert. “We must gather all troops near Liechtenstein!”
The relaxed atmosphere that had been so relaxing up until now was suddenly shattered, and the crown prince blamed Deus for why such a tragedy had befallen him.