Chapter 109: Introducing Stormtrooper Tactics

Chapter 109: Introducing Stormtrooper Tactics



Stormtroopers, a term used to apply to specialized units during the Great War who had mastered the art of trench raiding. So effectively, that they were generally able to traverse the distance between the two trench lines with little to no exposure in no-man's-land.

It was an entirely alien concept that made use of small, specialized teams, which were highly mobile, and equipped with the most modern of weapons. Realistically, the submachine guns, semi-automatic rifles, and general-purpose machine guns that were currently being produced to replace the older weapon platforms would be ideal for this conflict.

But these weapons were state secrets of the German Reich. And because of this, Bruno chose to make use of older equipment that he had already displayed in the Russian Civil War. Such as the Mauser C96 "Trench Carbine" which was based upon the 1917 prototype that was beaten by the MP 18 during military trials. Albeit with an added select fire capability.

It fed from 20 round, or thirty round detachable magazines, and basically fulfilled the operational purpose of a submachine gun, even if it was inferior in this regard to the actual guns that would be employed en masse in the coming years by German soldiers.

Along with these 1917 Trench carbines, semi-automatic Browning Auto-5 12-gauge shotguns were used by these stormtroopers, having been initially procured in small batches for the purpose of the Iron Division's use in Russia by the American Browning firearms corporation. The Reich recently received the licensing, tooling, and blueprints required to manufacture them domestically for service in the German Army. These two weapons were equipped with blank firing adapters and currently fired blanks for the purpose of the operation.

Because of this, the small units were quick to mobilize into the field following the Austro- Hungarian retreat, rapidly, and covertly covering the distance between the two trench networks dug into the mountainside in preparation for this joint military exercise.

The Austro-Hungarian generals watched as the men on their machine guns were caught unawares by the German stormtroopers who entered the trenches and opened a gap for the rest of the Division of Bruno's soldiers to pour through.

As Bruno predicted, the mock battle ended shortly after that, with the German soldiers raising the banner of the German Reich over the Austrian trench line for an added degree of boasting to their defeated allies.

The looks on the faces of the Austro-Hungarian generals were as if they had just been forced to watch their wives get pounded in front of them by Bruno, who was smiling smugly at them while finishing off the last cigarette in his packet.

"So, are we done here?"

"Oh, and which one might that be? Truth be told, in every war I fight in, somebody gives me a new nickname, whether the enemy or the men beneath my command. It's hard to tell these days what people are specifically referencing when they make such comments."

Svetozar Boroević smirked after hearing this, before making his thoughts on the matter known in no hidden way.

"Oh, by all means, allow me to clarify which one I was referring to. You earned yourself the nickname the Wolf of Prussia. At first, I thought it was mere banter from lower ranked men who had no idea what a truly cunning leader could be. But I have to say, after witnessing your guile in person, and your rather revolutionary takes on trench warfare, I have to say you have more than earned such a fearsome reputation.

I am Generalmajor Svetozar Boroević. It is a pleasure to meet you sir..."

The man then saluted Bruno, to which he returned the gesture before speaking to him with equal praise.

"The pleasure is all mine. Believe it or not, I have heard quite a bit about you. I figured that out of all the generals beneath Kaiser Franz Jospeh's command, you would be the one to recognize what I did here. If it is not too much of an imposition, would you care to have a drink with me back at my division's encampment? I am sure there is a lot for the two of us to

discuss."

Needless to say, Svetozar Boroević was not expecting Bruno to make such an extensive gesture to him. Nevertheless, he was quick to seize the opportunity, and he did so with a

friendly smile on his face.

"By all means, lead the way, sir."

After this, the two of them would have a rather extensive chat on the current issues plaguing the Austro-Hungarian Army, and the best solutions to those problems. By the end of the discussion, Svetozar Boroević began to realize that he had still underestimated Bruno's intellect, and the man's capacity to wage war.

He was simply glad that the two of them were allies rather than enemies. Because he was not certain that if Austria-Hungary was forced to face such a fearsome foe as adversaries, that they had even the most remote chance of emerging victorious in such a dreadful conflict.