20-27August/1915
I remained expectant, waiting for the Kaiser's answer while my men relaxed in the capital after a well-executed mission, since we had been given generous rewards for our achievement.
In many cases the rewards came in cash, so everyone was walking around with their pockets full of marks. Each of us received one thousand marks, while I was given nearly twenty thousand for leading the group and devising the ambush. Thanks to that, we had eliminated two Russian generals from their command, especially the most dangerous one among them, Brusilov. Now that we had him imprisoned, it was possible that Romania might never enter the war at all, surrounded as it was.
While my men drank beer in one of the best breweries in the area, I stayed behind, waiting for some good news. I was already used to being told no. Most of my ideas were rejected unless a truly powerful noble took interest, so I had stopped getting my hopes up.
Eventually I was summoned back to the Kaiser's palace. I presented myself again in my best uniform, perfectly pressed, my medals shining, and once more stood before the Kaiser, who seemed somewhat pleased with himself.
''Very well, Karl, it seems I have found the perfect place for you. Somewhere you can still serve the German Empire, but with less pressure from Hindenburg'' said the Kaiser while glancing at his advisors, who were smiling
''I am interested to know my destination, my Kaiser'' I said, clasping my hands behind my back, hoping for good news
''We are going to send you elsewhere as an advisor. I made a tentative proposal regarding your idea of becoming a private contractor, but the OHL rejected it immediately. They have no interest in a force outside the army. So I explored another option that may be similar. I spoke with Franz Joseph I by telephone. We quickly discussed Ukraine, since both empires are facing food shortages. There is not much we can do to help Ukraine for now, but the idea was raised that, just like Poland, we want to create a Kingdom of Ukraine'' said the Kaiser, looking toward several officials
I nodded. At least it meant I would be sent somewhere closer to home.
''After agreeing on some preliminary divisions of influence, we decided on the general structure. The Kingdom of Ukraine will be created, and we will attempt to place Wilhelm von Habsburg on the throne. The Polish crown will remain in German hands, and we will secure very favorable treaties with Ukraine regarding grain shipments. The details still need to be finalized, but I want to send you as a military advisor to the Ukrainian armed forces. You will also handle what you proposed: a military force composed of young Germans rotating through policing duties, preparing them for future service while securing our interests in Ukraine'' said the Kaiser
''Yes… I see it as feasible… but as you know, my main interest is… well… I have extensive knowledge of agriculture. I may not have academic titles, but I do have results that could…'' I said, somewhat nervous
''Yes, that has already been discussed. You will be granted the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture of the new Ukrainian kingdom, temporarily. We will test whether your ideas are truly as effective as you claim. If not, you will be removed from the position quickly'' said one of the Kaiser's advisors, interrupting me
''No… no… I can make it work. Ukraine has exceptional agricultural conditions. I can… but I will need funding. I cannot perform miracles'' I said, turning back to the Kaiser
''How much do you believe is necessary?'' the Kaiser asked
''It would require a very intensive program, my Kaiser. Securing food for the population, establishing labor programs, building local industry for agriculture and processing… Ukraine currently has almost nothing, not even seeds to plant. Taking into account my previous plan, and now including Ukraine's population, the total would need to reach around seven hundred million marks'' I said, nodding
I immediately saw the reaction. Every face in the room shifted.
''That is too much… Major Karl… far too much. The budget cannot support such a comprehensive plan. The war continues, and there is no guarantee that our investment would remain in our hands. A Russian offensive could wipe it all away'' said the Kaiser after a heavy sigh
''Then what is the available budget, my Kaiser? I cannot restore agriculture in a region without seeds or funding…'' I said, tense
''Thirty-five million marks is what can be allocated. Austria-Hungary will also contribute, though the amount has not yet been determined. You will have to work with that'' said the Kaiser
I wanted to rub my face in frustration, but that would have been a mistake.
''I will see what I can do, my Kaiser'' I said, lowering my head
''Good. And although it may annoy Hindenburg, you may recruit young men. I do not know your exact plan, but you are free to proceed as you see fit. Many are trying to volunteer for the army, but we must reject them, since the law only allows recruitment from the age of twenty onward'' said the Kaiser
''Something simple… a newspaper announcement. Though I doubt I can attract them with pay. Infantry wages are low, and there is no looting… so… land grants? Unused Ukrainian land? Perhaps establishing German enclaves in certain regions?'' I said, looking between the Kaiser and his advisors
''Yes… that is better… go with that idea for now'' said the Kaiser after glancing at some of his economic advisors
I nodded.
''Good… you have one week to depart, so make your arrangements'' said the Kaiser
''I will do so'' I replied, and left the palace
Without wasting a second, I went straight to the local newspapers to publish an offer aimed at young Germans who wanted to volunteer for the army. I offered them military training until they reached the minimum enlistment age, along with small land grants, deliberately avoiding specifying when those would be given, since it would depend on whether there were depopulated areas available to establish German settlements.
I made sure the announcement would be printed first thing the next morning.
The following day, young men from Berlin began gathering near the train stations, just as I had requested.
Using my military authority, I loaded the new recruits onto trains bound for posen, where they would be equipped.
This was repeated in several cities near Berlin, as time was limited and there was no room for delays.
In Posen we got to work. Since we already had contracts with the army to produce uniforms, adapting them was easy, especially for the younger recruits, some as young as sixteen.
As for rifles, we would rely on the large number of Russian weapons captured during the retreat, along with those left behind after Ukrainian desertions in the forests. Many had surrendered their arms once German forces took control.
I was pleased to learn that my father had acquired another factory from a failed business, and the facility was now available. He had also expanded his canned goods production.
I had already instructed that any production not required to be sold to Germany under contract would instead be sent to Ukraine. There was nothing to feed the Ukrainians, so arriving with trains full of mushroom soup and sacks of grain would likely earn us their favor.
I purchased large quantities of local grain to send to Ukraine, though that grain was not meant for consumption. It would be used for planting, so it had to be stored securely, away from the population. If they found out, they would steal it without hesitation, just as had already happened during the pogrom.
I used a significant portion of my personal funds to buy grain and pay my father to process canned food, ensuring that all surplus would be sent to Ukraine.
More recruits continued arriving in Posen. We housed them in the training camp, and during the few days they were with us we taught them the basics: marching, discipline, basic weapons handling. Anything beyond that was unrealistic given the time.
By the final day of my deadline, we had recruited around twelve thousand young men. It was a solid number, but for securing a country of forty million people, it was clearly not enough.
I would have to speak with Wilhelm and see whether we could apply the same method in Austro-Hungarian territories to expand recruitment.
It might also be possible to extend it into western Germany, though that would mean pulling workers out of factories, which was far more delicate.
Taking them from the countryside was less problematic. The harvest had already ended, and the plan was to put millions of Ukrainians to work in agriculture. Replacing a few thousand German workers with hundreds of thousands of locals was a worthwhile exchange.
Once the week given by the Kaiser had passed, and with our new force ready, we boarded the first train to Ukraine. The wagons were loaded with canned food and sacks of grain, while the following trains, scheduled to depart in the hours after, carried recruits along with my unit, which would serve as the veteran core.
Now that Hindenburg wanted nothing to do with us, we would at least operate behind the scenes, drawing a salary and doing something that could actually help the war effort. That man seemed more concerned with pride and honor than with winning the war.
Within hours we reached Kiev. Fortunately, Russian prisoners had already built direct rail connections from Poland to Ukraine, as well as a line from Vienna, so Ukraine was now integrated into the logistical network.
We quickly unloaded everything at the train station. The German army's general command had moved closer to the front, while the Austro-Hungarians remained north of the Dnieper. Only a small military police garrison remained in the city, barely able to contain the constant unrest. Several pogroms had already taken place, and as long as the trains kept running, the army seemed largely unconcerned.
We immediately occupied the Kiev fortress… or what remained of it. It had been heavily bombarded to force the Russian surrender, leaving most of it in ruins. Still, it was the best place for storage. Its underground depots were intact, or at least stable enough, and it allowed us to keep the grain hidden from the population.
We moved the recruits as they arrived, assigning them to clear rubble and begin repairing the fortress as much as possible.
My men helped supervise the work while supply transports continued to arrive.
As the day went on, more recruits arrived and joined the labor effort, moving debris and organizing supplies. However, we still had no sign of the Austro-Hungarian forces that were supposed to assist us, despite the overwhelming amount of work to be done.
After a few hours, I secured control of the city's arsenal, which contained all the captured rifles and ammunition. We moved everything into the fortress depots, where it would remain until the recruits had been trained in basic rifle handling.
By dusk, as the rubble began to clear and the area became more organized, trains finally arrived from the Vienna line.
A large number of soldiers disembarked, though they looked more like escorts than regular troops, judging by how well dressed they were.
I wasted no time and moved to meet the Austro-Hungarians.
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