Chapter 296
Chapter 296
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 296
Chapter Title: Mock Battle & Reserve Forces
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Though I said that, until the advent of gunpowder weapons, it would be nearly impossible to devise training more efficient than those two—guerrilla training and drill training.
Guerrilla training uniquely builds soldiers' mental fortitude and the stamina to endure extreme conditions, while drill training works miracles by turning raw recruits who look like scarecrows in human form into spear-wielding soldiers in just four weeks.
That said, I could certainly prepare training to teach soldiers and officers who have never seen real combat just how brutal and grueling it truly is.
The Emperor listened to me and asked with a deeply curious expression.
"What might that be?"
"It's mock battle training, but in a version I've refined myself."
"... Mock battles are held not only at the academy but also in regular units from time to time. What's different about yours?"
"It aims to be as close to actual combat as possible. So, we'll conduct it in ways that mimic going to war for real."
Whether it was in Korea before I possessed this body or in the Reich Empire afterward, every officer I knew talked endlessly about running training as close to real combat as possible.
But the Empire's mock battles tended to be overly simplistic and uniform.
What I mean is, even in the mock battle I ran back when my promotion to major was on the line—which was admittedly just for show—we fought battalion against battalion like it was a friendly match in an auditorium.
Other units' mock battles were conducted almost identically, so even calling it mock battle training, they never simulated scenarios like being ambushed by the enemy during a march or having your unit shattered by an attack on your camp.
Moreover, one crucial lesson I learned rolling around on the battlefield is that the most important thing in war is coordination at the division level.
Yet the Empire's mock battles, due to logistics issues and such, were limited to regiment-level friendly competitions...
Such training alone falls short of producing officers and soldiers fully equipped to handle real combat.
So after some thought, I realized that even without the tech for something revolutionary like MILES gear, adopting the format of KCTC training for realistic mock battles would be enormously helpful.
Officers and soldiers who go through it once would accumulate experience close to actual war, and simply analyzing the problems that arise and countermeasures—then sending them to the Staff College—would greatly aid in developing more combat-oriented doctrines.
"Officers claim unanimously that they'll run realistic training, but in reality, most fall short. Surely you can show me something beyond my expectations? How exactly do you plan to do it?"
"We'll organize opposing forces into one division each, and both sides will move to a designated combat zone to fight the mock battle."
"The Staff College officers advised that division-level mock battles are needed for realistic combat training, so that sounds promising. Go on."
The Emperor couldn't hide his curiosity about how this new battle would unfold; interest lit up his face.
"Past mock battles followed fixed rules like a joust, fought on flat terrain as a matter of principle. But in my version, the entire period from the start of training until the mock battle ends is part of the exercise. In other words, it proceeds just like real combat—you never know when the enemy might strike."
"Which means you could scout the enemy's route at any time and set up an ambush for a surprise attack. It's a far cry from the Empire's standard mock battles. One session would provide ample experience."
"On top of that, officers and NCOs can pick up clever tricks from each other to outfox the enemy."
Petty dirty tricks I could use later, after I'm dealt with—whether fairly or not—and make my comeback.
For instance, send one soldier to the enemy HQ to memorize their challenge phrase from the passphrase protocol, then have him flee.
Once secured, use it to slip our troops into the enemy camp at night for arson on supplies or assassinating commanders.
Or send our entire unit to the rear to cut their supply lines, choking the enemy where it hurts.
Sometimes, you'll see brilliantly devious strategies no one saw coming; other times, idiotic blunders that get you wiped out. The beauty is learning from all of it.
"Those who participate in this division-level mock battle will experience firsthand how different it is from classroom lessons or other drills, making it easier to adapt to the front lines even after five years without war. Officers who read analyses of issues uncovered here will make fewer mistakes in real combat."
Training, after all, is ultimately about honing the ability to fight without making stupid mistakes on the real battlefield.
In that sense, mock battles offering such lessons could be considered as efficient as guerrilla or drill training.
"Do you plan to extend service terms or increase troop numbers? Personally, I think conscripting another 50,000 would be fine. War Minister Keitel said the same—up to 50,000."
Conscripting 50,000 more means a loss equivalent to 100,000 in food and productivity.
Turning over 50,000 prime working-age men into soldiers leaves that many key hands idle nationwide, cutting food production accordingly.
And under peacetime assumptions, soldiers are like money pits devouring food and supplies.
Factoring in the extra rations to feed 50,000 more, you can't avoid the 100,000-man equivalent drain on food and output.
"The Empire is already devastated after nearly a decade of near-constant war. Increasing troops now wouldn't be wise. Instead, I believe introducing a reserve force system is the best path."
The Emperor's face showed keen curiosity at the term "reserve force."
"Reserves, eh? Sounds like an army ready for emergencies."
"Yes, exactly. With no telling when we'll face a coalition of neighboring states, we must prepare to mobilize over a million if needed."
A million—human wave tactics straight out of China—springs to mind, but in this fantasy world's Reich Empire, the standing army alone exceeds 500,000.
Add two million reservists within five years of discharge, and we could field a million-strong host in a crisis.
The catch: without post-discharge training, when war breaks out, officers might manage, but most soldiers would barely make third-line troops.
In the worst case, we'd give them a week's retraining to make them minimally useful.
"Here's the detail: Every year, young men who've served and been discharged in each city and village undergo three days of training. Day one covers muster points, organization, and drills upon call-up. Day two is all-day drill training. Day three pits them against neighboring village reserves in a mock battle to keep their edge sharp."
Back in Korea, I'd heard tales of reservists, years out of service, outshining instructors in weapons handling or fitness—real monsters.
And with "early dismissal" as bait, plenty more shape up like active-duty troops.
I figure this level of training, for men with three years' service including combat, should suffice for minimal battlefield roles.
"Women get the same three-day reserve training, but focused on rear support rather than combat—cooking during battles, first aid, obedience to command, that sort of thing."
The Emperor grimaced at my words.
"We'll become a nation obsessed with the military. It doesn't sit well..."
Truth be told, I wouldn't have brought up reserves if I had a choice.
But there's one reason I propose it.
"Your Majesty, the reserve system is the sole lifeline for the Reich Empire and its people in the worst-case scenario. Failing to prepare for the worst leaves the Empire vulnerable to destruction at any moment."
"...... If we prepare thoroughly, the Empire can secure peace for its people, safety for the realm, and a path to soar. I'll have your two proposals sent straight to General Staff Headquarters as is."
"Thank you. Then if you'll excuse me..."
As I turned to leave, His Majesty called me back.
"Ah, before you go—Parliament ruled tonight on your punishment for purging the Manstein clique last time. It won't formally reach you until tomorrow, but I'll tell you now. It's not military business, but since I have a favor to ask anyway, perfect timing."