Chapter 8, The Last Lesson
In the autumn of 1888, Maxim came to our country to demonstrate his Maxim machine gun. His Majesty the Emperor personally visited the Spandau Arsenal to observe the performance. After the shooting was completed, His Majesty was greatly astonished and believed that this was exactly what our army needed. The Maxim machine gun could be operated by just one or two gunners, while our Gatling gun required four soldiers to operate. Consequently, His Majesty immediately ordered the troops to be equipped with it. However, some believed that although this machine gun had a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute, its accuracy was too poor, and it consumed ammunition excessively, making it less effective than a line of soldiers firing. I want to say that those who hold such views are mistaken, gravely mistaken!" Hindenburg furrowed his brow and continued to speak
Use balloon-borne artillery or deploy small assault teams to destroy their heavy artillery positions, and then gradually bombard their defenses
Cut off their retreat and then use rumors to undermine their morale
Oh! That's enough for today! I am very satisfied with everyone's performance. After Christmas, you will enter the Royal Military Academy for your studies. I hope you all study diligently there. You are the smartest students I have ever seen, and the future of Germany depends on you!" Hindenburg said loudly, puffing out his chest to everyone.
Chen Tian patted his shoulder and gently sighed: Talent!
Oli lowered his head in silence, feeling wronged
When the heavy snow fell once again, the first cohort of graduates from the Konigsberg Military Academy was celebrated. In the graduation photo, twenty-four young men, full of vigor and ambition,...
Hindenburg also shook his head, quickly passing by? Using cavalry? It is easier said than done! I fear that while you are bombarding with all your might, the enemy's artillery is already being prepared! By the time you charge, the enemy's artillery fire and the remaining machine gun fire on the positions will shred these poor cavalrymen to pieces!
On the morning of July 3, 1866, the Swiep Forest in the Czech Republic was as quiet and peaceful as usual, showing no signs of impending violence. At that moment, approximately 15,000 Austrian soldiers from 49 infantry battalions, armed with their muzzle-loading flintlock rifles, were slowly approaching the area. Concealed within the forest were a comparable number of Prussian soldiers. The advancing Austrian soldiers could never have imagined that the Swiep Forest would become their massive grave. However, the cause was quite simple: the guns in the hands of the Prussian soldiers were different from theirs.
"Then, I would like to test everyone. In a situation where the opponent's defensive positions are well fortified and equipped with heavy artillery, if you were the commander, what tactics would you employ to break through their defenses?" Hindenburg, with his hands behind his back, looked at his students, eager to know what these children had learned during their six years at military school. He thought they might say, "Use more heavy artillery to crush them," or "Just hold the line and wear them down." However, the responses from these children began to astonish him.
Confound them from the front, and encircle them from both flanks
War is the best catalyst for weapons, and the development of technology continuously enhances weapon performance. In 1835, the Prussian inventor Dreis successfully invented the breech-loading rifle. The Dreis rifle utilized fixed ammunition, marking the end of the era where gunpowder and projectiles were stored separately. Furthermore, the Dreis rifle employed a firing pin mechanism, which is quite similar to modern rifles, thus concluding a 500-year history of loading ammunition from the muzzle.
Uh... you are absolutely right, intelligence is also very important; knowing oneself and knowing the enemy, hehe!" Hindenburg raised his eyebrows
In battle, Prussian soldiers, lying prone on the ground, calmly and mercilessly fired at Austrian soldiers with the Dreyse rifle, which could shoot 6 to 7 rounds per minute. Meanwhile, the Austrian soldiers could only stand amidst the hail of bullets, futilely operating their muzzle-loading rifles. This was undoubtedly a massacre, as the firepower of 10,000 Prussian troops was equivalent to that of 40,000 to 50,000 Austrian troops.
Oh? Everyone is quite surprised
Hindenburg opened his eyes, and the classroom fell silent all at once. This strange thought astonished everyone, who then began to search for the source of the sound, ultimately fixing their gaze on Chen Tian— the sound had come from his direction
Prussian soldiers equipped with the Dreyse rifle, under the command of the "Iron Chancellor" Bismarck and Chief of Staff Moltke, employed clever tactics and fierce firepower to force the once-dominant Austrian army in Europe to retreat. On July 3, the Austrian army, having retreated into the territory of the Czech Republic, decided to launch a counterattack, dispatching 49 infantry battalions to occupy the Swiep Forest; however, this place was destined to become their place of sorrow.
Hindenburg closed his eyes and nodded repeatedly
This day marked the last class of Hindenburg, during which he recounted the battle that left the deepest impression on him during the Austro-Prussian War—the Battle of Spicheren Forest
Even Oli was surprised and looked up at Chen Tian
After each shelling, advance slightly, and then suddenly cease shelling and launch a full-scale attack
I hope that when we meet again, we can walk together towards victory
Your Highness, do you have any insights? Hindenburg noticed that Chen Tian had not yet expressed his opinion. Usually, this young prince asks the most questions during class and often presents views that take everyone by surprise; however, upon careful consideration, these views are indeed very effective
Concentrate all firepower to attack a relatively weak point in the enemy's defense, then quickly pass through this position, and subsequently encircle and flank the enemy in other positions!
My opinion is the same as Oli's! Chen Tian said with a smile
In the struggle for leadership in Germany, on June 20, 1866, both Prussia and Austria deployed a total of 500,000 troops, engaging in an unprecedented major battle in modern European history
After the battle, 4,580 Austrian soldiers lay dead in the forest, 6,942 were injured, and 3,573 soldiers raised their hands in surrender. The thrilling Austro-Prussian War ended in just 7 weeks. Prussia defeated Austria at the cost of approximately 10,000 casualties, creating conditions for the unification of Germany
Chen Tian helplessly shrugged his shoulders and pointed to Oli beside him. He felt that the current weapon situation seemed not yet suitable for such blitzkrieg thinking, after all, the concept of armored units had not yet emerged at this time. However, he had considered the possibility of creating tanks before World War I, intending to use blitzkrieg tactics at that time. Yet, for some reason, Oli suddenly had this idea.
Of course, but it is not entirely so. Sometimes the quality and morale of the troops are also very critical factors, a trainee responded
Before Chen Tian, there was little understanding of the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars, only knowing that Prussia achieved German unification through these two conflicts. However, under the description provided by Colonel Hindenburg, he gradually came to understand those two wars
A good intelligence system is still needed! It seems that Thomas is very interested in intelligence systems
Moreover, the commander is also of great importance; an average commander often leads to the downfall of an excellent army, much like Napoleon III and his staff
When the opponent charges in a dense formation, the lethality of machine guns is far greater than that of a line of rifles. The ridiculous Russians even stipulated that machine guns could only be used for defensive operations and only in specific areas, how foolish!
Do you all think that weapons can determine the outcome of a war? Hindenburg asked after recounting this story
An excellent commander requires sensitive judgment, a keen awareness of the enemy, a humble attitude, sufficient patience, and much more
Chen Tian silently nodded, indicating that Hindenburg's understanding of machine guns was indeed quite accurate. In fact, during the Battle of the Somme in World War I, the German army used Maxim machine guns to launch intense and sustained fire against the densely packed formations of British troops, resulting in nearly 60,000 casualties for the British in a single day
"What is your view on the role of machine guns? For example, the Maxim heavy machine gun?" Chen Tian suddenly asked
"So how does one become an excellent commander?" Hindenburg asked again
Hahaha! How absurd! The people in the classroom suddenly burst into laughter
Every Monday afternoon, Paul von Hindenburg arrives punctually at the military academy to give a lecture. Both Chen Tian and everyone else are very interested in this afternoon's class. Hindenburg always vividly recounts the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars, especially the series of battles he participated in, and he also explains the latest tactical concepts and developments in weaponry
Thank you, instructor