Re: Blood and Iron-Chapter 491: A New Era of Military Doctrine

Heinrich had been a busy man since the war came to an end. While Bruno was reorganizing military doctrine and experimenting with procurement channels to ensure that soldiers were equipped with the latest and most optimized weaponry, it was actually Heinrich's job to institute these reforms in a practical field setting, specifically for the 8th Army, which he now commanded.

Following Bruno throughout the years had been kind to him. He had walked the same rapid ladder to success that Bruno had. And being roughly the same age, approaching or just surpassing his 40th year, while holding a rank just below Field Marshal, it was rare, but well earned.

Currently, he was overseeing the training and deployment of wheeled APCs built on the E-10 chassis, along with E-10 light tanks retrofitted with larger guns to be used as scouts and covert tank killers.

At the same time, the soldiers of the 8th Army drilled constantly in panzergrenadier tactics, utilizing deployment from wheeled 8x8 APCs and tracked IFVs—both of which provided armor against small arms and heavy machine guns in active combat zones, as well as fire support via 20mm and 30mm auto cannons. These weapons could be loaded with a variety of munitions depending on the target that needed to be suppressed or eliminated.

The new E-25–based Panzer IIs acted as the armored spearhead of the force, supported by self-propelled artillery of various calibers and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns for mobile air defense.

While the E-50 weapons platforms were still under development, and would eventually increase the size and firepower of the German Army's combined arms doctrine. The doctrine itself was already fully integrated into the 8th Army using smaller platforms.

The troops drilled as frequently as possible to perfect their knowledge, muscle memory, and overall combat performance.

Heinrich himself wore a camouflage smock over his general's field uniform, along with a camouflaged helmet cover on his new-pattern Stahlhelm, which featured minor upgrades over the version used during the Great War.

These improvements included a PASGT-style liner that allowed the steel helmet to sit perfectly over the skull, preventing whiplash, TBI, and concussions. The ventilation holes which had once thought useful were also been sealed, as they ironically trapped frost and moisture in the winter, doing more harm than good.

Gazing through his binoculars, Heinrich watched the mock battle unfold. Needless to say, he was impressed. The test ended exactly as he expected: with the combined arms unit steamrolling the more traditionally armed and entrenched OPFOR unit attempting to hold the line. It was utterly "obliterated."

Had live munitions been used, it would have been a massacre, especially once BF 109 pilots swooped in to provide air support. After the mock battle ended even faster than it began, Heinrich simply sighed, shook his head, and recorded what he had seen before handing the report to his nearby radio operator.

"Send the report to His Majesty. It would appear Bruno was being generous in his estimates. We'll begin the second mock battle tomorrow at noon, giving the OPFOR access to better firepower.

We will grand them access to the Panzer Is, improved small arms, and air support from the old HE-51s that are still in reserve. Let's see if giving them the technological parity of our last war changes the result... but I suspect it won't."

The radio operator looked at Heinrich with respect and admiration, but said nothing. He rather simply saluted and got on the wire, sending an encrypted telegraph straight to the Kaiser and the General Staff of the German Armed Forces.

Needless to say, those higher up than Heinrich were impressed with the performance of the new doctrine, and most eager to see the results of the next test, which would prove how effective the recent innovations truly were compared to what remained standard across much of the Army.

By half past noon the next day, Bruno had the results on his desk. The new combined arms force had completely overwhelmed the OPFOR, despite their improved armaments and doctrine modeled after the early days of the Great War.

Even the most conservative generals could no longer deny the brilliance and necessity of Bruno's reforms. What was once considered radical was now simply effective. Even his critics had either been converted or replaced by a younger, more meritocratic, and forward-thinking generation of military officers.

Bruno couldn't help but celebrate alone in his office with a particularly fine glass of port. It had been imported from his new friends in Portugal, who had used his covert assistance to restore authority to the crown. In a way, that was a permanent reminder to those agents of chaos no matter what ideology they might claim to live by: The Crown was absolute.

A letter had arrived with the shipment. It was unsigned, but it didn't need to be. Bruno recognized the tone instantly. It was King Manuel II.

"My new fiancée says that you are a man who should not be trusted, and that every favor asked has a steep price to pay in return. Unfortunately for me, her advice came too late. I'll consider this pallet of Portugal's finest beverage an advance on the interest I will owe you going forward."

Bruno chuckled as he swirled the port in his glass. He accepted the gift without hesitation. A fine wine was one thing. But what he had really gained was leverage, and that was worth more than all the wineries in Portugal. freewebnσvel.cøm

Ultimately, Bruno drank a single glass before sticking the cork back in the bottle and stowing it away for another time. A brief celebration was one thing, but he still had much more work to do, and not enough time in the world to do it in. First on the list was sending a letter in return, as thanks for the gift he just received.

At the end of the day, no matter how terrifying Bruno may be to some, he was still a gentleman, and a gentleman always responded with proper manners.