Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Twilight
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July 28, 1914.
A single telegram arrived before Serbia.
📰 Declaration of War
[The Kingdom of Serbia having failed to give a satisfactory reply to the ultimatum delivered to the Austro-Hungarian envoy in Belgrade on July 23, 1914, the Imperial and Royal Government is compelled to safeguard its rights and interests, and resorts for this purpose to an armed intervention against the Kingdom of Serbia.] [The Austro-Hungarian Government consequently finds itself compelled to declare that a state of war exists between the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the Kingdom of Serbia.]
It was a declaration of war written in French.
War had broken out between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia.
📰 Breaking News!
[Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia!]
Meanwhile, in Germany—in Berlin.
🇩🇪 Headlines 🇩🇪
The Fatherland Calls You!Youth! Glory Awaits!
"Deutschland, Deutschland über alles!"
Cheers and songs echoed everywhere.
"über alles in der Welt!"
"The government must issue mobilization orders immediately!"
"Death to the Slavic scum who attacked our comrades!"
Europe had been steeped in peace for far too long.
To the young men, war was something out of novels or epics—a chance filled with glory and honor, nothing but adventure.
Napoleon, Helmuth von Moltke, the 26 field marshals, and so on.
Admiring war heroes, they were confident they too could etch their names into history.
But the German government was different from the youths.
They felt a massive threat looming.
Telegrams flew back and forth between Berlin and St. Petersburg.
📝 Telegram from Nicky
Willi, I am under strong pressure, indeed overwhelmed, to take an extreme decision that may lead to a great war. In the name of our long friendship, I beg you, before it is too late to turn back, to do your utmost.
📝 Reply from Willi
The Austro-Hungarian Empire's declaration of war on Serbia is a grave matter. We hope you and the German government will exert appropriate pressure on them.
📝 Telegram from Willi
Nicky, Austria-Hungary's choice is just. Serbia bears great responsibility for the deaths of the Archduke and his wife, so we cannot press Austria for forgiveness.
📝 Reply from Nicky
Only an immediate and clear reply from your government can avoid endless suffering. Regrettably, we cannot proceed with discussions until then. I request you order your forces not to cross our borders under any circumstances.
📝 Telegram from Willi
Thank you for your friendly telegram, Willi. But the official message delivered today by your ambassador to my minister was in a very different tone. I request an explanation for this discrepancy. And perhaps it would be better to leave this matter to The Hague?
However, contrary to the wishes of the two emperors, the war machine had already been set in motion.
Not even they could stop the clock hands of the war that had already begun.
July 30.
Russia declared it would guarantee Serbia's independence.
And issued a general mobilization order.
Upon hearing this news, fierce debates erupted in the Berlin government and Reichstag.
"Russia's general mobilization is intended to attack Germany!"
"Thus, this war is not an imperialist war, but a defensive war to protect the Fatherland!"
"If Germany loses to Russia, the socialist movement and democratic progress will surely regress. You know how barbaric their Tsarist autocracy is, don't you?"
"...I acknowledge. Our Social Democratic Party withdraws its previous stance against the war and will vote in favor of war credits."
"We declare Burgfrieden—a truce suspending all political and social conflicts for national unity during the war."
"Our party joins this declaration."
"Our party as well."
In the end, the hardliners prevailed.
By this point, everyone was convinced war was inevitable.
📝 German Ultimatum to Russia
—Russia must cease all military preparations within 12 hours of receiving this telegram.
Russia rejected it, and the Schlieffen Plan was activated.
In other words, Germany issued its general mobilization order.
"Redirect the troops deploying to the west to the east immediately! Britain and France can handle themselves— we just need to beat Russia!"
"...Impossible."
Helmuth von Moltke clenched and unclenched his hands anxiously in response to His Majesty the Kaiser's triumphant shout.
The Kaiser furrowed his brow, not understanding.
"Why is it impossible?"
"Even with the Schlieffen Program pushing Germany's transport capacity to the limit, the core of the Schlieffen Plan is deploying forces to the west."
"And?"
"Mobilization, rail, and transport allocations are all executed by pre-set calculations. Canceling now would cause chaos and disaster."
Wilhelm II may have handled domestic affairs well, but he lacked talent in military and diplomatic matters.
Thus, he couldn't grasp that plans couldn't be canceled or altered mid-mobilization.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he decided to heed the expert Moltke.
"...Understood. Proceed with the Schlieffen Plan."
"Yes, si—"
"However, your illustrious uncle would have given a better answer."
"..."
Well, there was a bit of lingering resentment.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"General mobilization has been ordered. As of this moment, our 1st Military Inspection Group forms the 8th Army."
"Understood."
As officers moved busily in the calm atmosphere,
Lieutenant Colonel Max Hoffmann hurried over to me.
"We're short on officers, no choice. Rommel, you'll temporarily take command of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Fusilier Regiment, 1st Infantry Division."
"My rank isn't sufficient for that."
The offer the colonel extended was tempting, but my rank made it a poisoned apple, so I refused for now.
Hoffmann leaned in and whispered urgently.
"That's why it's temporary. We all have to staff the headquarters; you're the only one left."
"Ugh... It's only been days since my promotion, and everyone's working me to the bone."
As I grumbled, Hoffmann patted his chest.
"I'll take responsibility, so go. It'll be good for your career—just go."
"Sigh, alright."
A sigh escaped me, but I had no choice but to obey Hoffmann's order.
I know little about the Eastern Front. Only big events like Tannenberg...
I know Germany won, that's it.
I racked my brain but soon gave up.
"Hmm... whatever. Even if I don't remember, I'm confident."
"Ah, Battalion Commander, sir, you're here. We'll prepare a simple ceremony right away."
Before I knew it, I'd arrived at battalion HQ while walking.
How short on manpower were we that not only the previous commander but even the deputy had been reassigned elsewhere?
My head was starting to ache.
At least the adjutant and aides were still here—small mercies.
"Skip the ceremony and dive into admin work. It's temporary anyway."
My seniority was iffy, but my rank was higher, so I spoke bluntly. Being polite to an adjutant feels weird.
Fast promotions have their downsides. Authority gets undermined.
"Yes, sir."
"This way to the commander's office."
Fortunately, they didn't seem offended.
If anything, they looked pleased...?
"Whoa... Rommel as our battalion commander?"
"And promoted to captain too. Never seen such a fast rise in peacetime."
"Heard he was famous since cadet days... Great trees are different even from their sprouts."
"...I can hear you."
"Oops."
Just before the declaration of war, I became the battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Fusilier Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, 8th Army.
In that state,
August 1.
The German Empire declared war on the Russian Empire.
The German Empire occupied Luxembourg.
August 3.
The German Empire declared war on the French Republic.
August 4.
The German Empire declared war on the Kingdom of Belgium.
Guaranteeing independence, Britain declared war on the German Empire.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
In that twilight era, one man was laughing.
"Heh heh heh."
"What's so funny, Squadron Leader Richthofen?"
"Well... back in cadet days, I was in the cavalry branch."
At Manfred's sudden remark, the squadron member tilted his head.
"But in the end, I chose to become a knight of the skies."
"Isn't that a bit grandiose?"
"You fly worse than me. Rack up more hours if you wanna mock."
Manfred chuckled and slowly climbed into the biplane.
"Anyway, I was laughing because I'm glad I made that choice back then. It changed my life completely."
Suddenly, the clouds parted, revealing the red sun on the horizon.
Watching the aircraft and Manfred bathed in red light, the squadron member felt an inexplicable emotion.
"Alright, let's get ready for takeoff."
This was an age of twilight, where all things waned.
Yet at the same time, an age of dawn, where countless heroes emerged and epics were written.
Thus, the legend of the Red Baron began.