Chapter 172: Tit for tat (100 votes plus more!)
August 1, 1914, the German Army General Staff. Kaiser Wilhelm II and Crown Prince Qin Tian visited the General Staff to listen to the army's combat deployment. Germany has declared war on Russia and is about to declare war on France. Therefore, the war is about to begin.
The German Army has begun full mobilization, and a large number of reservists are gathering. They will take battalions as units and go to designated areas for reorganization, forming infantry divisions one after another. With Germany's population and industry, there is no problem at all in mobilizing an army of more than three million.
If Germany is a sophisticated war machine, then now, this war machine has begun to run at high speed. Moreover, an unbelievably powerful force will erupt.
"Generals, are the Imperial Army ready to fight? Are you ready to win the empire and win glory for you?" William II looked at the generals of the Imperial Army. The entire meeting room can be said to be full of stars shining, and a large number of generals and lieutenant generals gathered here. The major general is not even eligible to attend this meeting.
"Get ready! Fight for the empire and defeat the enemy!" All the generals replied loudly. Everyone's face was full of excitement and excitement. Germany has been preparing for this war for a long time. Similarly, these generals have also prepared for a long time. They desperately hope to go to war, so that they can obtain higher glory and the military merit needed for promotion.
These generals are also very optimistic and believe that they will be able to win this war.
"Very well, the German Imperial Army is number one in the world. This time, we are going to teach those damned Russians and French a lesson." Wilhelm II said with satisfaction. He also seems to have seen the day when the German Army defeated the Allied Powers and became the world's hegemon. At that time, he will become the most powerful person in the world, bar none!
Next, the chief of the general staff, Mao Qi, began to introduce the army's combat deployment.
"Your Majesty, according to the previous combat plan we formulated, the battle against Russia on the Eastern Front will initially be handed over to the 8th Army. However, the Russians are mobilizing rapidly. The Russian standing army is also gathering towards the border. Their offensive will start soon. Therefore, I suggest to further strengthen the strength of the 8th Army, from the current ten infantry divisions to eighteen infantry divisions. In this case, plus the army of the Austro-Hungarian Empire , should be able to stop the Russian attack." Xiao Moqi said.
"No, the Eighth Army does not need to be strengthened. With our strength, it is enough to resist the Russian attack. Use those eight infantry divisions on the Western Front! Compared to the Eastern Front, the Western Front is more important. "Qin Tian flatly refused.
Although, it may be what everyone wants to strengthen the forces in their hands. However, for the sake of the overall situation, Qin Tian still refused. As Qin Tian said, the western front is the most important. If Germany fails to win a quick victory on the Western Front in this war, this war may fall into a stalemate. At that time, all hopes will be pinned on the Navy. This situation will be very unfavorable. Qin Tian hoped that the Army could open up the situation on the Western Front. In this case, Germany's chances of winning would be even greater.
"His Royal Highness, now is not the time to act impulsively. I have already made arrangements for the Western Front. Now, the situation on the Eastern Front is very critical. Once the Eastern Front cannot resist the Russian attack, we will not only lose East Prussia, but also our The capital of our country will also be threatened by the Russians. In that case, our previous efforts will be in vain!" Xiao Maoqi looked angry, thinking that Qin Tian was deliberately making trouble.
"No, Your Excellency the Chief of Staff, this is not because I am full of confidence in the 8th Army. I believe that the 8th Army will be able to withstand the Russian attack. In addition to ten infantry divisions, we still have There is an armored division." Qin Tian was full of confidence.
Little Maoqi was very angry and wanted to say something more. However, it was stopped by William II.
"Oscar, are you serious?" William II asked.
"Yes, Father. There won't be any problems on the Eastern Front. The 8th Army will teach the Russians a lesson. There is absolutely no problem in gaining a month for the Western Front. Therefore, the limited troops should be devoted to the Western Front." Let’s go to the front line battlefield. More sufficient troops are needed there.” Qin Tian said seriously.
King William II nodded: "Well, generals, we should trust His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Eighth Army will definitely have no problem dealing with those poorly equipped Russians!"
"Haha! Long live the 8th Army! The Russians are too weak." The generals all laughed.
Seeing this, Xiao Maoqi had no choice but to stop insisting.
Subsequently, Xiao Maoqi introduced the deployment on the western front. But Qin Tian frowned even more after hearing this.
Little Moltke has revised the battle plan left by his predecessor, General Schlieffen, beyond recognition. In particular, the essence of the entire Schlieffen plan is undoubtedly to gather heavy troops on the right wing of the western front, bypass the French defense line, and launch an attack from the weak area of northern France. But now, Little Maoqi has seriously weakened the right wing and strengthened the left wing and the center. In this way, it seems to be a little more secure. However, it will cause the right wing to have insufficient offensive power due to lack of troops, making them unable to complete the intended combat objectives.
In another time and space, the German Army missed the opportunity to win Paris because of this deployment. At that time, the closest troops to Paris were only tens of kilometers away. As long as they launched another attack, they might be able to take Paris. Once the German army takes Paris, France may withdraw from the war. Perhaps, history will be rewritten because of this.
In this time and space, Little Maoqi still modified the Schlieffen Plan. Although he was full of confidence, Qin Tian knew that with such a modification, the German army would not only be unable to win, but would even fall into the quagmire of war.
"Your Excellency, Chief of the General Staff, this seems to be different from General Schlieffen's plan. I remember that General Schlieffen said when he passed away last year that the battle must be fought, but the right wing must not be weakened!" Qin Tian said again Once stood up and raised objections.
Suddenly, Xiao Maoqi's face turned black as if it was the bottom of a pot. Qin Tian jumped out to accuse him again and again, still in front of so many army generals, this undoubtedly made him lose face! In addition, Xiao Maoqi always believed that he was stronger than General Schlieffen, but now Qin Tian accused him of revising the Schlieffen plan, obviously he did not take him seriously!