Chapter 33: Patch Together Whatever’s Available, Use What Works
After reporting to Duke Rupprecht on the formation of the assault battalion, the relevant procedures were approved the next day.
Captain Lelouch Hunter, effective immediately, is transferred to Deputy Battalion Commander of the Assault Battalion directly under the 12th Division of the 6th Army Group, and concurrently serves as Company Commander of Company A.
This company was reorganized from the original reconnaissance company of the 12th Division, retaining almost all of the original personnel—well, to be precise, only the personnel were retained, while half of the horses were cut. Because the original reconnaissance company was a cavalry company, so many war horses were no longer needed after changing the branch.
In the 1914 German Army organization, a standard infantry company should have 240 men, subordinate to 4 platoons of 60 men each, and each platoon subordinate to 15-man infantry squads.
Going up from the company, a battalion should be 4 companies of 960 men, plus officers and battalion headquarters, totaling just over 1,000 men.
A regiment has 4 battalions, infantry troops over 4,000 men, plus artillery company and other support units, approximately 4,200 to 4,300 men.
An infantry division consists of 4 infantry regiments plus 1 artillery regiment, standard strength over 18,000 men. The German Army at that time did not have a standing “brigade” level organization.
Lelouch suggested forming an assault battalion this time because time was tight, so he didn’t want to make too many changes to the organization, lest his comrades couldn’t adapt for a while.
So each company remained at 240 men with a 4-platoon 4-squad structure.
However, considering that the reconnaissance company Lelouch had previously led was already a reinforced company, which had also incorporated a communications platoon, the total number had already exceeded 240 men. Building the assault team would also require bringing in some professional personnel, so the numbers would definitely seriously exceed the quota.
So in the end, Commander Rupprecht and Division Commander Karl both signed off with a flourish, specially approving an independent expansion for him.
The future 12th Division Assault Battalion, total strength 1,200 men, equivalent to a 5-company reinforced battalion outside. But in reality, Companies B, C, and D remained at 240 men with 4-platoon structure, while Company A was specially approved as a reinforced company, 480 men with 8-platoon structure, equivalent to two companies.
Fortunately, Lelouch’s company already had two captains—Deputy Company Commander Barrack of the previous cavalry reconnaissance company had been promoted to captain on the spot for meritorious service in the Nieuwpoort campaign, but was blocked by Lelouch’s parachute appointment and still could only serve as deputy company commander.
Now their company has 8 platoons subordinate, just right for Captain Barrack to actually manage half, so Barrack should not feel underutilized.
Other lieutenants and second lieutenants would probably need a few more supplements. Before leaving, Lelouch heard from the duke that he was allowed to select suitable young officers from the recent returning wounded soldiers of the 6th Army Group.
Moreover, the supplemented soldiers would mainly be battle-hardened veterans returning from wounds, to ensure the combat quality of the assault team.
When Lelouch received this authorization, he was secretly delighted inwardly: he was a transmigrator, well-versed in future war history.
On Earth, the famous generals who would dominate in World War II twenty-odd years later were generally only in their twenties or thirties now, basically at the lieutenant officer level. Being allowed to select from wounded officers or friendly forces with a one-level promotion, wasn’t this just perfect for picking up talented people?
It’s just a pity that the selection range could only be grassroots officers of the 6th Army Group, so all from the Baria Faction, unable to pick young talents from other states.
But this was enough, better than having no one to choose from.
Moreover, selecting officers didn’t need to be too urgent, because there should still be some time before the Battle of Ypres began. Many officers wounded at the start of the war were still recuperating.
On the other hand, deploying the weapons and armaments needed for organizing the Storm Commando Unit had to be expedited. Because improving and manufacturing weapons takes time, which is much slower than picking people.
Anyone who has been a project manager knows to schedule long-cycle work first, so that all branch lines can progress roughly evenly by the final closeout.
So after simply packing up in Blankenberge, Lelouch applied for early leave to return to the rear and help Duke Rupprecht handle important matters.
Because the battle situation had stabilized anyway, the 12th Division could also withdraw to the rear for a short rest, especially the 16th Regiment which had been in high-intensity combat, needing at least over a month of rotation rest—
Yesterday the British Royal Navy sent warships to bombard Blankenberge city, but after being counter-killed by coastal defense guns and losing two ships, the British Army finally behaved. Even ground attacks on the city had almost completely stopped. The 12th Division withdrawing from the defense zone in stages would not be a problem.
Lelouch just had urgent business, so he was only leaving a step ahead of the other comrades taking trains back to the rear for rest.
……
Morning of November 8.
Zeebrugge Port, located a dozen kilometers east of Blankenberge.
Most of the remaining officers and men of the 12th Division’s 16th Regiment had already marched on foot to here.
They would rest a bit here, and tomorrow morning barges would take them to the big city Antwerp 80 kilometers further east, then take a military train from Antwerp back home.
For the soldiers, this phase of the campaign had already ended, and they needed a good breather. The meritorious soldiers had all received medals and commendations, basically fair in rewards and punishments.
Only Lelouch was too busy with affairs to wait for ships and trains, so the Army Group Headquarters specially arranged an airplane to pick him up at Zeebrugge Port.
A group of officers on fairly good terms with him all went to the field airport to see him off.
“Captain Barrack, during the days I’m away, the company’s daily management is up to you. Platoon Leader Schweinsteiger, Sergeant Major Klose, take care of yourselves too. We’ll meet in Nuremberg or Munich in a bit, then contact by telegram.”
“Officer, take care too. You’ve been working too hard, just on leave and have to fly to the rear for business. As soon as I get back to Baria, I’ll come find you.” The loyal subordinate Klose gripped his hand and hugged him hard, then watched him board the plane.
And the one responsible for flying him turned out to be Captain Mark Immelmann from a dozen days ago. Perhaps because the fighting had temporarily eased recently, with attack and defense intensity down on both sides, the pressure on aviation reconnaissance had also lessened.
Immelmann sat in the cockpit, pipe in mouth, and when he turned and saw Lelouch climbing aboard with captain’s shoulder tabs shining on his shoulders, he was quite envious.
“You’re indeed unstoppable, only ten days and lieutenant becomes captain again. Duke Rupprecht must value you so much, even specially having me fly you back home.
And saying to give me leave this period too, no other tasks, just ferry you around—I’m practically your driver.”
Facing Immelmann’s complaint, Lelouch knew how to handle people and immediately assured him: “How dare I treat you as a driver, this is all for the duke’s business. This time going back, I might represent the duke in liaising with some military industry enterprises.
Those industry people, which one doesn’t spend lavishly? As long as we represent the military in stating needs and giving some guidance, are we afraid they won’t return the favor? Brother, I remember your family isn’t well-off either.”
Immelmann, starting the plane, chuckled lowly: “My father is just an ordinary technician, no need to mock my family background.”
Lelouch hurriedly clarified: “No no no, how could it be mocking, I’m speaking openly with you. Back in the rear, using your own skills to legally get some benefits, what’s there to avoid?
Your father is at least a technician, my parents passed away long ago, so I’m unattached, came from Ollie to serve in Baria. I don’t even have a place to live in Baria.”
Immelmann had already started the plane, no time for chit-chat, focusing first on takeoff, and only after climbing sighed: “I thought anyone appreciated by the duke must have some family background, didn’t expect you were that bad off. So no one left in your family at all?”
Lelouch searched the original host’s memories: “Just one married sister and one sister just turned adult. I finished university half on subsidies from Ollie authorities, half funded by my brother-in-law.
My father was a civil servant, per local policy, if a civil servant dies with underage children, living and education subsidies can be received until 18.”
Immelmann: “Then this time back to Baria, where do you plan to stay? Army convalescent home? But you have to run around for business.”
Lelouch wasn’t worried about this at all, he pulled a letter from his pocket and waved it in front of Immelmann, then quickly put it away lest the wind on the plane blow it away.
“This is a letter of introduction from the Crown Prince, can stay and eat at any royal family estate in Munich or Nuremberg. For Thuringia, can also use the letter for army convalescent home, but have to pay yourself. Though the prince’s secretary also gave me travel expenses, five thousand marks.”
“Five thousand marks? How long are you staying in the rear this time? You should pay me for the ride!” Immelmann couldn’t help teasing.
In 1914, a skilled technician in Berlin earned about 300 marks a month. For physical labor without experience needed, about 100 marks.
One kilogram of black bread about 30 pfennigs（0.3 marks）, one kilogram pure pork sausage 2 marks.
That is, a physical laborer’s monthly salary could buy about 50 kilograms of pure meat sausage or 300 kilograms of black bread.
But Lelouch had just made a great contribution to the country, so five thousand marks travel expenses was completely appropriate.
“Might stay a month and a half, at least a month.” Lelouch knew Immelmann was one of his own, so didn’t hide some words from him,
“Originally the duke thought this campaign prep period might just be twenty days, planning general offensive on Ypres by month’s end.
But before leaving I analyzed with Major General Karl and others, persuaded the duke to delay the plan, and also discuss with General Staff Headquarters.
Before the Belgians were wiped out, they had just blown open the Yser Canal creating a flooded area, need time for water levels to stabilize, that muddy environment too unfavorable for attack.
If waiting until mid-December, weather cold enough, some groundwater freezes, not so muddy. But delaying to year-end attack has one difficulty, can’t fight in autumn uniforms anymore. So taking this troop rotation rest, prepare winter clothing for all troops, which takes time.”
Immelmann: “Winter clothing also your concern?”
Lelouch: “Winter clothing doesn’t need my concern, but I also want to upgrade comrades’ protective gear, so bundle it together.”
Historically the French Army only invented steel helmets in 1915, German Army followed suit in 1916.
But steel helmets have no technical content themselves, also the personal equipment Lelouch could most easily intervene in, of course he had to do it.
Immelmann: “Then first stop back where? Straight to Munich? Nuremberg is further south, should pass Munich first.”
Lelouch: “No, before Munich, should pass Thuringia? Land in Thuringia first, then change transport later—right, can you teach me driving then?”
“One thousand marks, covers driving lessons and full holiday transport. Add two thousand more to teach you flying.”
“Deal.”
Lelouch was also straightforward, immediately agreeing to Immelmann’s quote.
Immelmann suddenly felt motivated, floored it, three hours to Cologne first, refueled and ate there, flew another three hours, arrived in Thuringia.
Upon landing, industry people were already waiting there to pick him up.
In the crowd, a balding Mediterranean old man, seeing Lelouch climb down the ladder, led the way over to shake his hand:
“Captain Lelouch, special envoy of Duke Rupprecht, right? I’m Emil Bergman.”
Hearing the surname, Lelouch knew this was the person in charge of the local famous light weapons manufacturer Bergmann Company.
“Mr. Bergman, honored to meet you. This is Captain Immelmann of the aviation unit.” Lelouch also hurriedly shook hands, and helped introduce.
