Army: The Return to the Hell of Warfare

Chapter 8: Imperial Division 207

My paper caused a great stir within the Imperial Army General Staff as they wanted to find out who published this paper however, General Von Moltke covered for me saying it would be a great loss for the Empire if the publisher of this paper were to run away and defect to an enemy nation in fear of their life.

“Hehe. With this, I’ve definitely taken one more step towards my ideal life in the rear,” I said to myself with a satisfied face.

I proceeded to go into my room and take a well-deserved rest as I spent the last few months researching my paper. However, for the most part, I just retold in the paper as to how the ‘Great War ’ happened in my previous life as I guessed that in this world, they still haven’t experienced it yet. “I just hope I don’t get dragged into that war myself” I said as I started changing into my ordinary clothes.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“Good morning Major! I’m a messenger from the Imperial General Staff! I’m delivering you a message from Brigadier General Hans Erich Von Moltke” the messenger answered to me

“From the Brigadier General?! Just a second, I’ll be right there!” I answered as I hurriedly changed my clothes.

“Ah! Major, Brigadier General Von Moltke has a message for you. He says he wants you to go to the General Staff’s office tomorrow for a brief meeting. That is all, I will now take my leave, Major,” the messenger said to me. 

“Oh SH*T! What the hell did I do?! Did I probably go too far with my paper?! Am I going to be court martialed?! No no no, in the first place, General Von Moltke covered for me about that. Then what is it?” I said to myself wondering why I’m being summoned to the General Staff’s Office. 

When the night came, I couldn't even properly sleep as I was thinking about why I would be summoned to the General Staff’s office. Luckily, I was able to find some sleeping pills in my medicine cabinet. 

“Damn, the dorm is pretty well stocked, huh,” I said to myself before taking the sleeping pills.

Once I felt drowsy, I immediately went to bed and went to sleep.

The following day, I woke up early and prepared my officer cadet’s uniform and wore my Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds award on my collar and went to the staff car that was provided to me by the General Staff. 

I was pretty lucky as it was the same chauffeur that brought me here was the one who was going to drive me today.

“Good Morning, Major Von Staufenberg,” The chauffeur greeted me with a smile.

“Good morning,” I greeted him back as well.

“To the General Staff’s office, correct?” He asked.

“Yes” I answered.

After a couple of minutes of driving, we reached the gates of the Imperial Army General Staff’s Office. 

Before we entered, a soldier knocked on the car’s window and asked what our purpose here is. 

I showed him a letter of authorization from General Von Moltke.

“I’m sorry for the delay Major Von Staufenberg,” the soldier said as he salutes at me

I salute back at him and our car drives off to the front of the General Staff’s Office.

As I got out of the car, I saw General Von Moltke standing at the door and waiting for me along with other members of the General Staff. 

I immediately stood at attention and saluted as it is a very high honor for a soldier to be waited on by a member of the General Staff, no less even the Brigadier General and Chief of Staff himself.

After we finished with the formalities, we immediately went to the General Staff’s office.

The room consisted of a large table at the head of the table sits the Chief of Staff himself, Brigadier General Hans Erich Von Moltke himself and the rest of the General Staff sits at the side of the table. I was escorted to my seat at one side of the table and once I was seated, the meeting started.

“Major Von Staufenberg!” General Von Moltke shouted, his voice echoed throughout the room.

“Yes sir!” I answered.

“Please present to the rest of the General Staff what you presented to me during that day,” General Von Moltke said.

“Understood, Sir” I responded

As I went on and said to the rest of the General Staff what I said to General Von Moltke, I could see at the corner of my eye, General Von Moltke himself was smiling. 

After a while, I finished my presentation and my attention was suddenly called by General Von Moltke, “Major Von Staufenberg! Very good presentation, you’re definitely the ideal Imperial soldier. Now, the real purpose of this meeting is to inform you that you are being assigned to lead an Imperial Division and turn them into soldiers that will fit your theoretical doctrine of Mobile Warfare” 

I couldn't believe it! How could this be?! I was supposed to be promoted in the rear and work safely from there. Why?! 

As I was still left shocked by this, the General went on and continued saying, “Your division will be used in a field experiment and if it proves to be successful, the army will start adopting the doctrine. Now, with your case in the officer school, you will be immediately pulled out to have you focus in training the new division. You will be assigned with having the entire division trained. You may pick commanding officers to supervise the training of each battalion. Your division will have a total of 14,750 soldiers which will be divided into 3 regiments. Henceforth, on this day, your division will be numbered Imperial Division 207 which will be under the direct command of the General Staff.”

“Now then, Major Von Staufenberg. I wish you the best in training the division! May God be with you and Long live the Empire!” General Von Moltke shouted

“Long live the Empire! Long live the Empire!” the other members of the General Staff shouted.

I saluted and left the room.

“GODDDD YOU SET THIS UP AGAIN DIDN’T YOU?!” I said to myself in anger. I managed to hold in my anger and prevent anyone from the General Staff’s office to see my displeasure at this order.