Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 149 Promises Must Be Kept: Pacta sunt servanda (3)

Last year's first half Imperial Army casualties were roughly 1.35 million, dropping the last digit.

Russia still had no manpower shortage despite only using voluntary recruitment without conscription except for reserves.

It seems there couldn't possibly be any manpower shortage until the moment the war ends.

In the original history, the Great War unfortunately broke out when Stolypin's agrarian reform's aftermath hadn't faded, leaving no administrative capacity for conscription.

Naturally, since the army and mir were inseparable in 19th century Russia.

'Though there was no need for conscription anyway.'

Russia was a crazy country where 15 million volunteered even in those poor social conditions and unfortunate economic depression.

Kitchener, who struggles with conscription, would grab the back of his neck in disbelief, but we're truly overflowing with just voluntary recruitment.

That's not to say such casualties don't affect us at all.

"Many died."

"...I apologize. The troop losses are entirely my fault."

"No, I'm not blaming General Staff. I expected this to some extent."

Then another question arises. Why did Russia, with recruitment conditions capable of gathering over 10 million troops excluding active duty, keep getting pushed back from late 1915 in the original history?

The cause lies in that Gorlice-Tarnów offensive.

Germany, fearing prolonged two-front war, sent 1.6 million troops determined to finish the East and South, driving back Russian forces.

No, it wasn't just pushing back the front line or driving away enemy forces.

Scholars differ, but generally estimate around 250,000 Russian prisoners and 600,000 to 1 million casualties including missing at this time.

Through this battle, the Russian army lost hundreds of their already scarce machine guns and became even more poorly armed.

Naturally, they had to retreat in subsequent confrontations, causing morale decline and another command split regardless of troop numbers.

Like a patient taking a straight punch to the solar plexus and getting complications instead of recovery, a vicious cycle.

'Thinking again, General Brusilov was truly a legendary commander for history. Meanwhile he was chopping up the enemy like a meat grinder with quasi-great power forces.'

Anyway, while General Kuropatkin seemed to expect criticism for the first large-scale casualties, I truly wasn't disappointed.

Because we can just replenish troops and no major units were taken prisoner.

However, what even I hadn't expected was Roman's battle.

That's right. That dirt-eating general couldn't have become a Valhalla-seeking Viking overnight, he must have planned to go out just once, short and intense. Stay connected through empire

And when the enemy wouldn't avoid his offensive, he went all in with a war of attrition.

This is an operation difficult to execute without extraordinary nerves, regardless of heavy artillery or troop quality.

What if Hindenburg and German command hadn't given up and endured more?

What if Germany decided to abandon other fronts and block the Eastern Front?

What if the enemy had more troops than expected?

Then 40km advance would have been absolutely impossible regardless of heavy artillery or whatever.

Whatever the case, it's good for now.

We also lost many, and did enough.

"The Prime Minister rejected the Supreme War Council. We clearly need reorganization, and fortunately my army is closer to Berlin. Now then, Chief of Staff, what should we do next?"

"...Since this is a war with many countries, after one battle ends, we should do diplomacy."

Indeed, someone with some political sense communicates better than a blockheaded soldier.

"Then what should you do right now?"

This question seemed a bit harder as he pondered for a moment, but soon Kuropatkin smiled slowly and said:

"Your Majesty, I haven't rested once since the military reforms, and now I deeply feel responsible for the great sacrifices in this battle. Especially my qualifications as Chief of Staff are in doubt."

I couldn't help but smile at Kuropatkin's explanation that wasn't quite a request.

"Good. If you say so, it can't be helped. Go rest."

"Thank you."

The next day, Chief of Staff Aleksey Kuropatkin officially resigned voluntarily.

==

I feel this every time, but Russia isn't America.

Where I feel this recently is:

"No matter how casualties increase, I can't find anti-war sentiment no matter how hard I look."

Over a million died? Well, the enemy lost just as many? Then we won.