Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Stallupönen Battle (2)
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“Damn it, the firing order still hasn't come down.”
“They said the whistle sound would be the signal.”
The 1st Company Commander grumbled quietly, his impatience showing.
The Russian troops were marching down the road, close enough to make out with the naked eye.
A firing order right now would inflict devastating damage.
Yet even after quite some time since the Russians had begun passing through, no order came.
“If they spot us like this, we're screwed. Look at their numbers.”
“Firing prematurely would screw us too.”
“Damn it, attacking four times our number doesn't make sense in the first place. The regiment's taking on a division, for crying out loud.”
At that, the deputy company commander smirked.
“But... if we win...”
“...Yeah.”
The company commander slowly worked his parched lips.
“It'd be medal-worthy.”
In the tense silence laced with anticipation and complex emotions, they watched the Russian column pass.
They grumbled and fretted amid their fear, but their nature shone through.
Their eyes gleamed like those of excited tigers eyeing a rabbit bursting from its burrow.
“Relay to the troops again. Stand by for the firing order.”
In the forest, the tigers quietly awaited their hunt.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
...Meanwhile, the rabbits.
“Something's off.”
Sensing a chill, the Russian regimental commander kept staring at the woods on either side of the road.
The forest was eerily silent—no insect chirps, no birds, no other animal sounds.
But it seemed he alone felt the ominous vibe from the woods.
“We'll reach the division's requested position soon.”
As a mounted staff officer rode forward to report, the regimental commander muttered.
“Yeah, as long as we don't get ambushed.”
“Haha, what lunatic would be lying in wait right out in the open like this? With all the forces around?”
“Ugh. Fair point, I suppose.”
General Pavel von Rennenkampf's 1st Army—specifically the 20th and 3rd Corps—was planning a swift seizure of East Prussia via Stallupönen and Gumbinnen.
Thus, despite their numbers, this half-mobilized force had to sacrifice vigilance and scouting for mobility.
Their only path was to link up quickly with other units and strike key strongholds.
“Are you that worried?”
“...”
The staff officer, eyeing the regimental commander's poorly concealed anxiety, asked with concern.
But the commander just kept staring into the woods from horseback, saying nothing.
“If you show such unease, the troops will panic. Keep your composure.”
“...You're right.”
“Nothing will happen. Should I send a few men to check it out?”
“No, too late for that. We're in too deep now.”
The regimental commander shook his head.
No time for advance scouts, and sending them now meant the dice were already cast.
He was like Caesar crossing the Rubicon.
Except he wasn't Caesar, and this wasn't the Rubicon.
Styx or Jordan, maybe.
...!
A sharp tingle! The commander's hand trembled violently for a moment.
Staring into the woods, he soon bellowed.
“Did you see it?!”
“Y-Yes? See what, sir?”
The staff and soldiers looked at him in confusion.
Neigh—! The sudden shout and reins startled the horse, lifting its front hooves slightly.
But ignoring their reactions, the commander yelled again in excitement and terror.
“Something glinted between the trees! Metal, definitely...!”
He never finished.
That instant.
Weeeeeeee—!!!!!!
A high-pitched whistle pierced the entire forest.
Every soldier, staff officer, and the commander himself knew instinctively.
“Suka blyat!! (Fuck!!)”
We're fucked.
“Take cover now...!”
“Commence firing!”
“Fire!”
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!
“Gaaahhh!!”
“What?! Where?!”
“The woods!! From the woods—!”
“Colonel!”
Volleys and machine-gun fire from the forest blanketed the Russian column.
A few bullets punched straight through horses, which collapsed without a whimper.
“Urgh!!”
“Colonel! Are you al... ”
“You...”
Rat-tat-tat-tat! The staff officer, dismounting hastily, took rounds and staggered before falling.
Blood sprayed in arcs along the bullets' paths—unreal.
The commander bulged his eyes, screaming something, but screams and gunfire drowned it out.
Thud! Dirt kicked up, grazing his arm.
“Damn it!”
Huddled behind a horse corpse, he had no idea when a bullet would end him.
“Save me!!”
“Get down, quick!”
Chaos reigned everywhere.
With the command staff exposed, the regiment was paralyzed, unable to counter.
“This is why I had a bad feeling...!”
The first volley crushed the regiment's combat effectiveness; suppressive fire hammered it down. No cover, fully exposed.
Few regulars, mostly reservists—poorly trained overall—the Russians melted away fast.
“Mikhail! Ivanov!”
“Yes! Colonel!”
“Abandon counterattack! Retreat! To the prearranged position...!”
Bang!!
“Colonel!!”
“Ugh?”
Suddenly, the commander's vision went red.
Blood sprayed above his ear.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Hit... Impressive.”
“Your cadet marksmanship hasn't rusted.”
I smiled, confirming the fallen enemy high commander.
The one barking orders moments ago lay bleeding from the head—right where I'd aimed.
Credit to the quality custom telescopic sight.
“Still, we could've taken him alive. Bit of a shame.”
As I lowered my rifle and issued detailed orders, my adjutant smacked his lips.
What can you do? No margin for error.
“We're operating deep in enemy territory. Need to wrap this up fast and bug out.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Urgent from 4th Company: enemy vanguard surrendering.”
“Tell them to capture as many as possible, then disengage first. Withdraw to the rear as planned.”
“Understood.”
“Send a messenger to division HQ: Advance enemy regiment neutralized. Expecting reinforcements, so we'll pull out after. High chance of pursuit. Prepare intercept.”
“Yes, sir!”
Not even letting my adjutant handle dispatches alone amid the fight, I grabbed a pen too.
Later it'd be verbal reports, but early war meant strict protocols.
“Keep firing till white flags show! Use every round—neutralize them all!!”
As I barked orders busily, receiving and sending runners, white flags started popping up.
“Ha... Surrender! We surrender!”
“Drop your weapons!”
“Dropping them! Here!”
With halting German, a Russian tossed his rifle far away.
Magically, prone soldiers followed suit.
“Chto ty delayesh! Prodolzhay srazh... (What are you doing! Keep fight...)”
Bang!! Thud—one shot dropped the showboating officer for example; remaining fight vanished.
Satisfied in the sudden quiet (gunfire still echoed distantly), I spoke from the forest shadows.
“Kto vash komandir? (Who is your commander?)”
“Ooh, you speak Russian too?”
“Yeah, it'll come in handy. Study up yourself.”
“...Ah.”
My adjutant's face fell sharply.
And a far wearier, worse-looking officer rose slowly.
“The colonel is KIA. I'm the deputy, Colonel Viktor Ivanov, assuming command.”
“Hm.”
Colonel, huh. Probably just promoted to deputy before regimental command.
Pity, with the flower path ahead.
I stepped from the woods, out of shadow.
“Battalion Commander, Captain Erwin Rommel. I advise you order your entire regiment to cease resistance and surrender immediately.”
“C-Captain?”
“Adjutant, check the dead colonel and this guy for rank insignia.”
As my adjutant began searching, the deputy glared in humiliation.
“See here! I'm acting regimental commander. Shouldn't you escort me to your regimental commander for surrender proceedings first?!”
“Hm?”
What’s this guy on about?
Regiment's elsewhere? When did I agree to that?
Staring in bafflement, his face reddened further.
“A division! At least a regiment ambushing us! You should take me to whoever commanded this fight!”
“Ah?”
So... they didn't even gauge our numbers?
Even hidden in woods, didn't expect such effect.
Suppressing a laugh, I shook my head.
“Well, sorry.”
“Sorry my ass! Right now...”
“This op was just our battalion.”
His eyes twitched in disbelief.
“W-What?”
“No one else here but our battalion.”
I finally let out a chuckle.