Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Into Rommel's Trap (1)
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"Too easy. I never thought the Guard Regiment would be this stupid."
The company commander of the attacking battalion's cavalry company, Captain Hermann von Goette, peered through his binoculars at the chaotic battlefield unfolding in the distance.
The Guard Regiment, the pride of the German Empire, certainly displayed superior combat prowess, but something was off—like a screw loose somewhere.
Even as their left flank was under assault, the troops on the right flank just stood there dumbfounded. And their trenches were poorly constructed to begin with.
Look at that—even with their limited mobility, they hadn't assigned a single unit to screen against the cavalry company.
"Well, thanks to that, we can freely target their rear, whether it's the left or right flank."
His deputy company commander chuckled and continued.
"How about we scout all the way to their command post? Our company could—"
"Hey, easy there. Wouldn't those plump asses be more tempting than some command post we can't even locate?"
His words were casual, his tone light. With battlefield superiority firmly in their grasp, how could he not feel good?
The evaluators and referees, who kept making impressed faces, only boosted his mood further.
At that moment, the entire right-flank force suddenly began to maneuver in the distance.
About 300 men surged toward the beleaguered left flank via communication trenches and switchbacks. Their intent to reinforce was obvious to anyone watching.
It was like a swarm of bees in motion—swift and agile, as befitting the Guard Regiment.
The right flank was left with only a token force, which immediately caught the eye of the cavalry company positioned on the hilltop.
"Right flank forces maneuvering to the left."
"Finally responding, huh? About time."
Goette promptly issued orders to a messenger.
"Relay this to the infantry right below us: Enemy right flank is joining in, so stay alert. Our company will sweep the right flank and then reinforce."
The deputy quickly jotted it down and handed it to the messenger, who dashed off.
"We're hitting the right flank?"
"Yeah, time to tighten formation. According to the messenger, their trenches aren't heavily armed, so we'll clean it up quick and support the left."
"Victory is in sight! Haha, who knew it'd be this straightforward!"
"Calm down. Advance at the trot."
As the cavalry company reformed its lines, something odd caught their eye at a peculiar moment.
"...Hm?"
The forest near the left flank... the trees were shaking. Subtly, but unmistakably.
The company commander spoke to his busy deputy, who was overseeing the formation.
"Hand me the binoculars. Doesn't that forest look strange?"
"...Huh, you're right. An ambush?"
"Would an ambush make the trees shake like that? Something heavy, and plenty of it..."
Peering intently through the binoculars, the company commander grinned.
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
"What is it?"
"See for yourself."
He passed the binoculars back to the deputy.
The deputy looked through them at the forest, as instructed.
Soon, he burst out laughing too.
"Hahaha! Are those guys trying to resupply in the middle of battle? Haha!"
Wagons were clearly visible through the leaves, heading toward the left flank.
There were so many, and they were so heavy, that the trees swayed slightly.
On a battlefield, wagons meant supplies, of course. But resupply typically happened outside of combat.
Moreover, the enemy had to know about the cavalry company's flanking success. Putting it all together...
"The reason they'd resupply mid-battle, even with an enemy cavalry company lurking."
"Their left flank must be that desperate."
"Hahaha, underestimating us has its limits. Did they really think that sloppy hidden resupply wouldn't be noticed?"
The company commander let out a hollow laugh, and the deputy quickly chimed in.
"They can't pull any more forces to the left anyway. The right flank stays wide open. How about we assist the left-flank assault and rack up merits by hitting those supplies on the way?"
"Fair point."
This exercise was undoubtedly crucial for promotions.
The deputy's suggestion to pile on more merits was too tempting to ignore. No other variables in sight.
His deliberation was brief, and he grinned.
Then, raising his voice loud enough for the evaluators to hear clearly:
"Alright! Our company will raid the enemy supply route and head for the right flank!"
That was the moment they were certain of victory.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The cavalry company ambushed the supply convoy that had just emerged from the forest.
"Now! Fire!"
"Ack!"
Bang! Rat-tat-tat! Blank rounds cracked, and referees scurried about declaring casualties and wounds.
The defenseless supply unit surrendered on the spot, and the cavalry company basked in their mounting merits.
Amid the chaos, Goette was having an in-depth chat with a particularly conspicuous officer prisoner.
"Oh ho, so the battalion commander sent you staff officers along to guard a mere supply unit?"
"Damn that guy. Thanks to him, the battle's as good as lost. If things had gone as we calculated, your infantry would've hit their limit by now."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, if we'd thrown the right flank in at that point, we'd have won easily... Total tyrant, that one."
The staff officer shook his head, spouting nonsense, as the deputy quietly asked:
"Was there booze in this exercise's supplies?"
"At least I know the command staff's heads weren't right. No wonder, with clowns like these in charge."
"Now that we've booted the trash, their command should be back to normal."
"Wha... Still, they don't seem all that skilled."
Goette glanced at the wagons full of confiscated goods around them and muttered:
"So, what do we do with all this?"
It had just occurred to him while mocking the arrogant command that tried resupplying mid-battle.
Boxes of blank ammo were strewn everywhere. Great for the ambush, but now they were a hassle to handle.
Hauling the wagons would kill mobility, and dragging them to headquarters was a chore.
Burning them seemed wasteful... A real dilemma.
And to top it off...
"The prisoners say more supply convoys are inbound."
"What? Same route?"
"Report from mounted scouts. Multiple enemy supply units approaching our position. Distance: 1 km."
"Damn it!"
The situation left no time for the company commander to ponder.
"Factoring in messenger travel time, they're even closer now! Quick, hide the wagons and prisoners! Then prep for another ambush outside the forest!"
"Yes, sir!"
But the company commander, deputy, and the entire cavalry company were glowing with excitement.
Merits! More merits! They're falling into our laps!
The enemy command's hasty call to reinforce the left was a massive blunder!
With our invincible cavalry company blocking the road!
Complacency toward the enemy and greed for merits were making things graver by the minute.
Unaware of the plot forming beyond their sight...
"Hahaha! Surrender!"
The cavalry company remained oblivious, relentlessly stripping more supply units.
Like Midas reveling in gold.
Blind to how that gold was tightening around his neck...
"...Report from mounted scouts. All clear."
"Looks like they caught on."
"..."
The deputy smacked his lips in frustration, but the company commander stayed silent.
The battlefield hadn't shifted.
The infantry were locked in a stalemate.
Initial recon had confirmed no reserves, so no other variables.
Yet somehow...
"We've wasted too much time."
A sense of unease gnawed at him.
The Prussian officer's intuition subconsciously flagged what his conscious mind had missed.
What is it? What the hell is it?
"...Well, sure, but we've cut a ton of their supplies, and we still hold battlefield initiative, right?"
Battlefield initiative. Open to interpretation.
If it meant dictating attack timing and place, it fit the cavalry company.
But in the broader sense?
Controlling the battlefield, not dancing to the enemy's tune, forcing the enemy to yours?
"...Haven't we been too reactive?"
A cavalryman's greatest strength was proactive mobility—striking when and where they chose.
But now? They'd severed supplies, sure, but had it helped their infantry? Unclear.
Like pigs rooted in one spot, gorging on merits fed by enemy command—illusions of glory, nothing more.
"..."
"..."
Anxiety surged.
Did the enemy plan this? Did we fall for it? No evidence. No basis for suspicion. No variables expected, none apparent.
But... why did it feel like we were playing their game?
In the heavy silence, the company commander spoke first.
"...No, nothing's changed. We still hold the advantage."
"Yes, that's true."
"Even if they pull something... we have the forces to handle it and a plan to win."
"Exactly. The right flank."
Ah... There it was, the classic German trait rearing its head.
'Payback.'
To Germans, 'payback' had two meanings.
'Hit 'em back,' and...
"Just take the right flank, and we're done."
'Even if we take a hit, hit back harder.'
The latter had kicked in.
Well... but we usually know how these stories end, don't we?
"Alright, back to the right flank."