Chapter 1172: Unfair Treatment of the 54th Division
It is easy to understand why East Africa is separated from the so-called Neo-Dalmatian Kingdom. Although East Africa intends to support a mixed-race German region in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, it does not mean that the interests of East Africa and the local area are completely consistent, and the local mixed-race Germans are engaged in Even after understanding the rules of the European game, it may not completely obey the instructions of the East African government.
This is fundamentally different from the overseas territories directly managed by East Africa, so the original Neretwa region was originally a pro-East African force supported by East Africa, not a complete puppet.
And due to the uncertainty about the final fate of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is impossible for East Africa to further intervene in the local situation. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire disappears like in its previous life, there is a high probability that the Allies will liquidate the local area after the war, so a flexible foreign policy can ensure East Africa remains invincible.
This is the same as Europe and the United States' support for Ukraine in previous lives. Everything is the Ukrainian people's own choice, and they will never admit their "insignificant" help.
Therefore, the New Dalmatian Kingdom is doomed to have a bad fate, and whether it can gain a foothold in Europe depends on its own resilience. East Africa will never admit that it is the supporter behind it, even if all countries know it.
…
Belgrade.
At this time, Belgrade became the front line of the battle between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. After briefly capturing Belgrade last year, due to Potiorek's incompetence, the Austro-Hungarian Army fully retreated into the territory. Only at the end of the year did the Austrian army stop its decline.
At the beginning of the year, the reorganized Austrian army once again entered the land on the outskirts of Belgrade, and the Serbs were forced to start another battle to defend the capital.
Southwest bank of the Sava River.
The newly formed 54th Division based on the Neretva regional army was stationed here to rest and recuperate.
This time, the 54th Division followed the Austro-Hungarian Empire's troops, starting from Mostar and advancing eastward for nearly three hundred kilometers. For three months, there was almost no pause.
Division Headquarters.
"Reporting to the division commander, General von Frank called. He asked us to fully cooperate with the task of attacking the 523rd position in the west of Belgrade tomorrow." The signal corps sent the telegram to Division Commander Clyde to report.
Division Commander Clyde said impatiently: "Call back to the general headquarters. Our division has not yet finished its rest. The troops have suffered serious attrition, weapons and ammunition are seriously insufficient, and they are unable to undertake the main combat mission."
After the signal troops went out, Clyde slapped the branch in his hand on the edge of the sand table and said to his subordinates: "These bastards are really trying to drag our division to death. Before setting off, our division was There are more than 13,000 people, and now the number is less than 9,000. The supplies are also stepmother, and we still expect our division to continue to work hard. "
The 54th Division is one of the two divisions formed in the Neretva area. The other is the 59th Division, which has already gone to the Russian battlefield.
The fundamental reason for this result is that the Neretva region performed very well on the battlefield.
The 54th Division was established before the 59th Division. It was the first division-level unit in the Neretva area. It was organized from the 2nd Infantry Battalion of Neretva that originally retreated to Neretva.
Division Commander Clyde, the former commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, was quickly appointed as the commander of the new 54th Division. This span is not a big one.
But Clyde is obviously not a small person. Although commanding a battalion is completely different from commanding a division, Clyde performs with ease on the battlefield.
This was mainly due to the fact that his father was a grassroots military commander in East Africa. Later, because of the "0" document in East Africa, his father joined the Austro-Hungarian Army and became the company commander of a guard company in the Neretva region.
With the influence of his father and the support of East Africa's allocation to the Neretwa region, the young Clyde not only graduated from the Trieste Military School, but also got the opportunity to study at the Hechingen Military Academy in East Africa. .
It can be said that Clyde's life was arranged by the mastermind in East Africa from the beginning, so Clyde received a complete and systematic military education.
Of course, East Africa could only infiltrate the grassroots army of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it was never expected that Clyde could become a member of the upper echelons of the Austro-Hungarian Army. This shows that war is indeed an opportunity for rapid class advancement.
According to general logic, Clyde could not reach the position of battalion commander within a few years before the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia. However, as soon as the war started and the Neretva region expanded its troops, Clyde directly became the battalion commander. , and now taking a few steps further to directly become a division commander, which is simply magical for Clyde who does not have rich personal connections within the Austro-Hungarian Army.
Faced with Clyde's anger, many people in the headquarters were convinced. The subordinate brigade commander Carrington said: "Our brigade suffered the largest casualties in the war. In the past three months, it has carried out many critical missions. Generally speaking, It should be done by the main force of the empire."
"Our artillery shells have basically been exhausted, but we have not received any new supplies. However, the 46th Division next to us just took over a batch of ammunition, as well as food and medicine three days ago... It is obvious that the superiors did not transfer a bowl of ammunition If the water is level, do we have to attack Serbia’s strong military fortresses with rifles in hand?”
As the capital of Serbia, the fortifications built by Serbia near Belgrade can be said to be copper walls and iron walls. Without heavy artillery coverage and support, suppressing the Serbian firepower output is not much different from dying.
As Carrington spoke, others also started a grievance meeting. Anyway, by now, war weariness is basically spreading within the 54th Division.
"Dingling bell..."
The phone in the command center suddenly rang.
"Division commander, this is General von Frank's phone number!"
Clyde came to the phone and took the receiver, only to hear General von Frank yell angrily: "Clyde, do you want to disobey me?"
Clyde was unmoved by General von Frank's anger. He asked confidently: "Your Excellency, General, our 54th Division is not a steel giant, but also a mortal body. If the basic personnel and supplies are not replenished, it will be a disaster." I will accept a military court."
"If the domestic situation is difficult, we will admit it, but now the material supply is obviously very sufficient. The 46th Division and the 28th Division next to us have received supplies and personnel in the last round, but they have only carried out how many combat missions. You This is treating our soldiers in the Neretva area as disrespectful, so our division resolutely refuses to carry out this mission and will withdraw to Mostar. At that time, everyone will be embarrassed together..."
Clyde was confident. At worst, he could rely on his old father's organizational connections to return to East Africa. The official of the Austro-Hungarian Empire should be whoever he liked. When he thought of the unfair treatment the 54th Division received, he might as well be in East Africa. basic military personnel.
But at this time, General von Frank was directly stunned by Clyde's words. What is going on?
Who gave Clyde the courage to disobey orders on the battlefield and go to court-martial? And what is the situation with the 54th Division?
General von Frank was also a veteran of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was the top commander at least in the last war against Serbia, but most of the blame was taken by Potiorek.
On the contrary, General von Frank and some others were not punished too much. After all, the Austro-Hungarian army was defeated too quickly before, so these people were needed to stabilize the morale of the army. This combat mission to Belgrade was an opportunity for General von Frank to redeem himself and make meritorious deeds. If he fails, Crown Prince Rudolf will not let him go again.
The 54th Division is now a trump card under General von Frank. Although the 54th Division is a scratch creation, the residents of Neretva who have received military training since childhood are full of martial virtue. Relying on their performance in the past few months, they directly became Not inferior to the main force of the empire's elite local troops.
At least General von Frank has regarded the 54th Division as a trump card force under his control. Based on the 54th Division's previous outstanding achievements, the newly established 59th Division will be dispatched to the Russian battlefield by the empire.