182 – Preparing for the invasion of Austria (2)
And two months later, in a small conference room at the Imperial General Staff.
Now here, captains who had been called from all over the empire to discuss a large-scale expeditionary operation were having a light chat.
“That was back in my day. I couldn’t even imagine getting a star before I turned 30. But these days, young people…”
“Even if he is a young guy, who else is there other than Lieutenant General Yeager? Honestly, isn’t it more strange that he can’t be awarded the rank of Lieutenant General for his achievements? “He said that even when he was a company commander and I was a deputy company commander, and that habit never goes away.”
“Well, Lieutenant General Yeager is an exception. But these days, they have no manners. No, this captain said he would teach him valuable lessons while drinking, but the major’s brats were having a hard time nagging him for only three hours. “I couldn’t even imagine it back then.”
If you just listen to what they’re talking about, it’s like a conversation that only old men looking for their old days would have, which is common in the neighborhood.
The people who actually came here are captains with 4 stars, one of only about 10 in the empire.
If you remove the rank insignia, you may even be mistaken in thinking that even stories that can be heard in one ear and passed out in the other are actually important teachings.
So, I was sitting down and checking the data, trying to close my ears if possible, when someone tapped my back.
“Oh, isn’t he our son-in-law? I feel good every time I see your face, hehehehe. “I’m planning to go see Friedrich and Laura next month when I have time.”
“No. Then I will come see you next month.”
“No, no. Laura doesn’t know, but Friedrich is still young, so it will be difficult for him to ride in her carriage. I’ll take my annual leave and go, hahahahaha. “If I’m behind on work, I’ll make time by asking Etvin for some help.”
When I said that, the face of the person sitting on the far left of the desk in front of me crumpled.
However, my father-in-law and Captain Etvin had already been acquainted personally, so my father-in-law just smiled mischievously and looked at him mischievously.
There was no sign of much displeasure between the two.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Now it’s time to talk about the invasion of Austria. “Let’s hurry, so we can have dinner together, right?”
“Yes, Excellency Marshal. Then, let’s get straight to the explanation of the strategy.”
“Very desirable. “I don’t have to say anything, but you just have to show it as much as you normally do.”
Just like that, His Excellency Marshal Benner returned to his seat, fluttering the dignity of the five stars.
“Then, let’s review the draft plan for the invasion of Austria at the current time. If passed here, a detailed plan for the operation will be drawn up by the Imperial General Staff Headquarters. So, if you think there are still some shortcomings, you can go back with a plan.”
His Excellency Marshal Benner said this formally on behalf of everyone, but it was written on his face.
‘There is no way my son-in-law’s plan is wrong. So the General Staff just needs to flesh it out.’
I should do my best to repay that heavy trust.
“Thank you for your consideration. However, we are fully prepared. “Now, I will explain the invasion of Austria.”
Having said that, I pointed to the bulletin board with the baton in my hand.
“The reason I decided to go to war is simple. “This is because I thought that before a disaster occurred where the three grand duchies of Czechia, Warsaw, and Austria in the east joined forces to attack the empire, the Reich Imperial Army should first attack the grand duchy of Austria, which could become their focal point.”
It is simple, but it is the most important and obvious of the reasons I prepared for war.
Because if those three grand duchies join forces, they can move a large army of at least 200,000 and up to 250,000.
Just because a large army of more than 200,000 soldiers has invaded with the current capabilities of the imperial army does not mean that it is powerless to block such an attack.
However, bad things usually happen over and over again, so if problems snowball, it can become unmanageable.
“For now, I will first consider the worst-case scenario in which the three Grand Duchys directly joined forces. First, if the three countries unite and lead their armies, the eastern sector of the Reich Empire will face up to 300,000 enemies.”
“So, do you think that the empire’s army cannot deal with the enemy’s 300,000-strong force?”
If the entire capabilities of the imperial army are mobilized, it will be fully possible to block the 300,000 enemy troops who invaded the east.
From noble mtl dot com
Because there are over 30 million people in the empire, soldiers can be replenished through wartime conscription when faced with difficult situations.
However, measures such as general conscription, which have been the case in all eras, are best avoided as much as possible.
“Speaking as a soldier of the Imperial Army, no one here would think that the Imperial Army would be unable to handle even an enemy force numbering 300,000. However, doesn’t the current empire have too many potential enemies?”
Warsaw, Czechoslovakia, and Austria to the east, the François Republic to the west, Switzerland to the south, and the Kingdom of Sweden to the north.
Potential enemies of the empire exist everywhere.
However, we maintain a mutually inviolable relationship with them and allow smooth trade, so they appear friendly on the outside, but if we can encroach on the other side’s territory, we will stab them in the back without a second’s hesitation.
So, if the three allied powers, including Austria, invade the eastern part of the empire with 300,000 troops, the three countries of Francois, Italy, and Sweden will come to eat away at the metallurgy empire, saying this is an opportunity.
“Hey, it’s not wrong. Because, as you said, the empire is so great that there are many people who are jealous of us.”
“So this war is an action to eliminate potential risk factors before the empire falls into crisis.”
“I like it very much. It’s about sorting out risk factors before we fall into a bigger war and deeper trouble.”
When one captain agreed to this plan, other captains also added their words.
“Certainly, Czechoslovakia is currently fighting the Principality of Brati and Budapest and cannot even think of fighting the Empire.”
“In the future, we will defeat Austria before those three guys join forces. “It’s not bad from a diplomatic perspective.”
“It is easier to pull weeds as quickly as possible. “Isn’t that a good idea?”
Looking at their positive reactions, it can be said that the first and most difficult hurdle was safely overcome.
“However, our Imperial Army is an army that not only overcomes any perceived danger, but also perfectly handles follow-up measures and prevention. Therefore, I, Lieutenant General Peter Yeager, would like to request the dispatch of an expeditionary force of over 100,000 troops to Austria for a more complete treatment.”
The harmonious atmosphere up until now quickly cooled like ice upon hearing the call for mobilizing more than 100,000 soldiers.
“First of all, at a strategic level, His Excellency the Marshal and the generals here have said that they do not want the empire to fall into crisis. Therefore, we must eliminate any possibility for Czechoslovakia and Warsaw to unite around Austria. Only then will the empire be safe.”
All the captains nodded at those words.
“To do so, we must ultimately occupy a significant portion of the northern and western plains that support the Grand Duchy of Austria economically. If we cut off the arms and legs of His Excellency the Archduke of Austria, the empire will be safe.”
It seems like a way to predict a larger-scale war and unfavorable situations that may arise in advance and then wage war in advance.
It was a type of war that was often waged against the Jurchen tribe in Joseon, and through this policy, Joseon stabilized the frontier.
In order to prevent a crisis that could threaten the survival of the empire of the three-nation alliance, we must step on them in advance, like getting a vaccination.
“In addition, the plains occupied by Austria will greatly help the empire develop further. So for the future of the empire, we must go to war with Austria and win.”
If you lose, you will fall into the abyss faster, but haven’t you already laid several paving stones for victory?
“From a strategic point of view, this expedition is inevitable. So wouldn’t it be better to mobilize more than 100,000 troops like Lieutenant General Yeager said?”
“Once the Czech Republic becomes stable, woodcutters from the west will attack.”
“No matter how much you think about it, there is only one path the empire can choose. Let’s do it, war.”
After that was concluded, His Excellency Marshal Benner asked:
“It looks like you’ve been preparing for quite some time. Please reveal the full extent of the plan.”