-----------------------------
If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
-------------------------------
27-September-1915
''The progress of the works continues along the right path, there has been a considerable increase in the arrival of the necessary materials to keep expanding the greenhouses from German steelworks and factories, now that they have more contracts selling their surplus production… and because of that there has been a significant increase in construction, we went from 3 greenhouses per day to 5 per day, while the hiring of locals has increased… we now have around 8000 new workers in charge of plant care'' said one of my subordinates, reporting what had happened over the past few days.
''I understand… is there any information about our shipment to Romania?'' I asked, interested, while beginning to coordinate some defensive measures in the northern area of Kiev.
''Not at the moment, negotiations are still ongoing, once the Romanian market opens to the Kingdom of Ukraine… ah… but this telegram arrived stating that Romania is requesting either German marks or Austro-Hungarian crowns for purchases, they are not accepting Ukrainian marks…'' he said while checking other documents.
''I understand… you may leave if you have nothing else to report'' I said while continuing my work.
''At your orders, major'' said the subordinate, saluting and immediately leaving my work area.
Some time had passed since our discovery of the partisans, and I had a group of Jägerkommandos in the area hunting the partisans moving through the region, as specialists led by Hans, his operations group was proving highly effective at eliminating them.
Of course, as long as the partisans did not kill each other first, since mosquitoes, wolves, and boars were far from ideal neighbors, as on several occasions Hans had only found wolves devouring the lifeless bodies of Ukrainian and Russian partisans who had moved into the area once we began reinforcing the garrisons north of Kiev.
We had also begun preparing basic fortifications, mostly to protect the roads in case of a large Russian offensive and prevent them from advancing as they had in Masuria, fortifying the roads with machine gun nests.
Recently the order from the Duke of Württemberg had been completed, as there was something I had not considered in production, worker specialization, apparently the more experience they gained in their tasks the faster they worked, which had significantly increased productivity to the point of completing the order ahead of schedule and leaving me with a large amount of available equipment, since production continued nonstop, because it was only a matter of time before another order arrived.
So those machine guns were being placed in hidden nests along the roads leading to Kiev, forming kill zones where several nests could cover each other, allowing a handful of men to easily massacre hundreds or even thousands in minutes.
I had informed the OHL of my findings, and they had sent reinforcements to certain areas with units from the Tenth Army, while the front against Russia had stalled in the Donbass, as the Regent of Ukraine frequently insisted that it was crucial to retake the Donbass or the Ukrainian economy would remain in constant decline.
I heard footsteps while I continued designing a defensive plan, although it was nothing more than a temporary solution in case a Russian army tried to advance through the Polesia marshes once they froze.
When I looked up I saw Ludendorff approaching and observing my plans.
''At your service, my general'' I said, standing up and saluting him.
''What am I looking at?'' said Ludendorff, tilting his head as he examined the plan.
''Ah… it is nothing major, just making my own contingency plans in case of a Russian attack while sufficient army forces are not yet deployed… since at the moment Ukraine has no armies, everything falls on my men'' I said, showing him the map.
''Machine gun nests… where did you get machine guns?'' asked Ludendorff while studying the map and noting the placement of the nests.
''Our own production, the Duke of Württemberg asked me to improve the MG-08 design, since the main issue with fixed machine guns is that they are destroyed by heavy artillery bombardments used to soften defenses, so he needed a lighter machine gun that could be moved from trench shelters to defensive positions, so I created one that weighs only 14 kilograms, with a higher rate of fire… but air-cooled, so it fires in bursts and not continuously or it overheats'' I said, pointing at the positions on the map.
''Huh… your ability to improve things never ceases to surprise me… Hindenburg has placed you in a dead-end position here… a shame… but lately he cannot stand even hearing your name'' said Ludendorff.
''There is not much to be done… this work may be less glorious, but it is still important, getting Ukraine back on its feet is critical for the war, because once the war with Russia ends, Ukrainian armies may be formed to support the western front, and for that we need food'' I said with a slight smile.
''Well said… now, the reason I am here is that we are going to deploy troops from the Tenth Army here to defend the area and avoid unpleasant surprises, with the Russians in their positions it is difficult to intercept messages, since everything is transmitted by wire'' said Ludendorff while looking at the map.
''And what does that have to do with me, if I may ask? my men are simply rear troops with limited training'' I said, looking at him.
''Oh… it is just that a large amount of supplies will be moving through the area and I want to make sure there are no partisans or theft, since given the food shortages in the region, I do not want issues with the locals, because obviously supplies for several weeks for thousands of men will be transported, and that could create tension'' said Ludendorff.
''Oh, of course, of course… there should be no problems… we have strict rationing ensuring people are fed… so at least they are not desperate… we will have more food soon, although… well, it depends on the first harvests to see if this holds, or… well, if Romania sells to us cheaply, although I doubt it'' I said with a slight smile.
''Right… giving up territory just so they do not enter the war… but what can be done, we do not need a new front, especially since Austria-Hungary should soon finish off Serbia now that Bulgaria will be joining us shortly'' said Ludendorff.
''What do you mean? Bulgaria will join us?'' I asked, interested, hearing how things were continuing along their natural course.
''Yes, their entry has been negotiated… they are mobilizing as we speak… so Serbia's days are numbered and those troops will be freed to fight in Italy and Russia to see if we can break the stalemate on the front… Mackensen was sent with the Eleventh Army to break Serbia once and for all'' said Ludendorff.
''I see… let us hope Serbia falls soon… hopefully they manage to block Serbia's access to the sea, since it is possible the Entente may try to save the Serbian army using their naval superiority…'' I said, remembering what had happened.
''True… that will have to be coordinated properly with the Bulgarians… I will inform Mackensen of your opinion and mine on that matter… also… can you show me those machine guns of yours?'' asked Ludendorff, very interested.
''Of course… come'' I said, motioning for him to follow me.
We left my office in Kiev and headed to the training ground I had established on the outskirts of the city, far from the local population to avoid stray bullets killing someone and causing problems.
There were many wooden structures where my men practiced anti-partisan combat in urban settings, watching flanks, covering windows while breaching buildings by kicking down doors and securing the area.
It did not take long to reach the firing range, and much of Ludendorff's entourage stood with us watching the training, observing everything closely.
''And this?'' he said, pointing at my men training in coordinated movement through streets.
''Applying experience from what we have seen so far and how to deal with it'' I said, pointing at the structures ''partisans inside cities usually use high buildings to fire from, second or third floors… we have also seen them in higher places like churches or factories… so we train the men to move in groups, assigning roles on which window to cover, watching the road, things like that… urban combat can be quite brutal, so training must be thorough…'' I said while watching the drills and how they fired at targets appearing in the windows.
''It seems your time as an instructor was quite useful'' said Ludendorff, nodding.
Without much more to say, we brought out the machine guns, with a group of soldiers we began live-fire drills, firing short bursts as the machine guns fired and repositioned frequently to demonstrate the use of a lighter weapon.
We also showed the option of swapping barrels for cooling in water.
''Hmm… this could be interesting… I will send my report on this to Hindenburg… it may interest him… holding positions will be much easier after taking them from the Russians if we can move machine guns in the field'' said Ludendorff.
''Of course… for now there are no contracts, but production continues, so whenever you need a shipment you can request several at once'' I replied, pleased at the possibility of more contracts.
''Good, coordinate with the staff supply officer of the Tenth Army so you can provide whatever is required, securing those supplies will be important'' said Ludendorff.
''At your orders, my general'' I replied, saluting.
I watched as the general left my sight and returned to my duties, clearly a few thousand infantrymen from the Tenth Army had arrived, and although there was nothing to discuss with the officers in command who would be setting up defenses and camps north of Kiev, I still had to meet the staff supply officer of this group.
So I quickly entered the camp looking for that officer and, after asking around, I found him, and to my surprise he was not a high-ranking officer as I expected, but he was a Hauptmann, as indicated by the insignia on his shoulders.
''Greetings, Hauptmann'' I said, approaching and removing my gloves.
He frowned when he saw me and looked me up and down ''And my salute… lieutenant?'' he said, staring at me seriously.
''Ah… right… partisan zone, Hauptmann… I would tell all officers to remove decorations and medals if possible… they would be the first ones shot… and no salutes… Major Karl, head of security of the Kingdom of Ukraine'' I said, looking at him with a slight smile.
He made a gesture to salute upon hearing my rank, but stopped himself.
''The Devil of Masuria… in person… I did not know I would be working with you, it is quite an honor'' he said, extending his hand.
''Of course…'' I said, shaking his hand ''…General Ludendorff asked me to assist you in whatever you require, Hauptmann…'' I added, gesturing for his name.
''Erich von Manstein'' said the Hauptmann.
''Oh… the pleasure is mine then, anything you need I am at your service'' I said with a slight smile.
''If you could place guards along the road from Kiev station to our operational area, I would appreciate it, that way we would not have to waste our patrols'' said Manstein.
''Of course… it will be done… we will place some Unteroffizier along the route guarding it day and night and keep the local villages under control, I only ask that your men do not openly display that they have food, the situation is serious and if people see Germans eating their rations or, worse, throwing them away because they did not like them, it could cause problems… rationing is very strict'' I said, nodding.
''I will do so, Major Karl'' he said, saluting.
''No salutes… active combat zone… from over there… they could blow my head off'' I said, pointing to a hill in the nearby marsh forests, looking at the Hauptmann who widened his eyes ''but do not worry, my Jägerkommandos are in the woods hunting, so if any of your men come back frightened saying there are bushes walking, those are my men, do not shoot them'' I said, turning and returning to my work area.
-----------------------------
If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
-------------------------------
Hello everyone! If you'd like to read chapters in advance, you can support me on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Currently, there are 9 chapters available
without spaces
p atreon. com/Chill _ean_GUY
Thank you all for your support!