Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 182 Fruit or Seed (8)

Meanwhile they can't abandon their colonial playing nature and try to practice imperialism. Against Germany at that.

Though he couldn't interfere at all with field command authority, Kuropatkin is clearly Chief of General Staff, head of the institution determining all army and navy strategy and tactics.

In other words, Kuropatkin could change grand strategy overnight with just Prime Minister Kokovtsov and the Tsar's permission.

The decision that should be made now as such a Chief of Staff.

"If you don't prioritize alliance... Fine, we'll also change our priorities."

While the majority of forces had been concentrated on the Eastern Front until now, Russia's main enemy is no longer Germany but the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

"Kornilov was it? Have him lead some Northwest Army Group forces to turn south."

The General Staff decided to reduce forces on the Eastern Front.

==

Moltke was a gambler who bet the nation on a short war, and Falkenhayn was also an unprecedented idiot who made strategic mistakes twice in '15 and '16.

While at least Moltke had a possibility of occupying Paris, there was no one more incompetent than Falkenhayn who couldn't even learn from failure.

Hindenburg, who harshly criticized former Chiefs of Staff, thought he came to this position too late.

"It's fortunate that I was deployed to the Battle of Verdun, otherwise this war would have ended long ago."

Though it might seem like baseless narcissism at first glance, Hindenburg sincerely believed so.

He was the type who was sick of former Chiefs of Staff's incompetence, and because of this he even openly declared he would retire if Falkenhayn wasn't dismissed.

In fact, Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz who shouted together then actually wrote his resignation.

1914's short war.@@@@

1915's end of two-front war.

1916's war of attrition.

This country's grand strategies all failed.

And Hindenburg finally sitting in the Chief of Staff position in '17.

His power was reaching its peak, enough to replace the Chancellor who opposed unlimited submarine warfare as soon as he became Chief.

What he needs now is victory. Only victory.

And this victory, in his experience.

"The Eastern Front... Not there. That's a battlefield where winning isn't winning."

Seemed easier to obtain on the Western Front than the Eastern Front.

"...This is maddening. Even with force difference, how are they pushed back this quickly?"

"Yes, regarding that point, our commanders made various conjectures, but it seems Eastern Front forces were extracted."

"...That can't be. When Russia's only advantage is numerical superiority besides force advantage, they abandoned that superiority on the Eastern Front?"

The Eastern Front was pushed back purely due to Russia's numerical superiority.

Naturally, Germany had never deployed more troops than the enemy since the war started.

Roman, who first conducted attrition warfare, surely wouldn't be unaware of this fact.

"However, cross-checking with the Eastern Front confirms enemy forces definitely pulled out from the east. Perhaps they made this choice because Hungarian army resistance was so strong."

"..."

Northwest Army Group.

They say this army's forces decreased. Meaning Russia turned the Eastern Front to defense and put force into the Southern Front.

Despite Germany's ally, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, being violated by Brusilov's cavalry.

Despite Slovakia and Hungary being in crisis.

"...Ludendorff."

"I understand without you saying."

"Yes."

For some reason, Hindenburg felt hope's light shining on him.

Though bewildered at first, as it became certain Eastern Front forces decreased, this feeling gradually changed.

Into excitement difficult to hide.

"Then... If we also pull just about 53 divisions..."

"It should be fine for now."

Somehow.

The final puzzle piece for counterattack was completed.

Though Hindenburg still didn't understand why this became possible.

"I trust you. This is the empire's last chance."

"I will absolutely end the Western Front." Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire

The Ludendorff Offensive was thus decided.