Chapter 205: New Orders

“Let’s go, Captain Morin. The General is waiting for you.”

Seeing Morin frozen in place, the Major officer urged him again.

“Yes, Captain,” Morin recovered, shoved the three letters into his inner pocket, and followed the officer to board the Staff Car.

The small car sped north, quickly arriving back at the Second Army Group’s temporary headquarters. Walking into the familiar yet somewhat detested command tent, Morin immediately saw General von Bulow standing around the map.

Seeing Morin enter, General von Bulow immediately stopped his discussion, offering a genuine smile.

“Captain Morin, you’ve arrived. Come here quickly.” He beckoned Morin over to the map.

Morin saluted and walked to the map, mentally prepared to argue against any ‘unreasonable’ mission.

“It’s like this, Captain Morin.” General von Bulow pointed to an area on the map, getting straight to the point: “The General Staff has just issued new operational directives. We need to launch a large-scale assault against the junction of the Britannian Expeditionary Force and the Gallic Fifth Army Group facing us.”

“The junction?” Morin followed his finger, the area situated between Arras and St. Quentin.

“Correct.” General von Bulow nodded and continued: “The First Army Group will launch the main attack from the north, commanded personally by General Mackensen, while our Second Army Group’s mission is to detach a portion of our elite troops to form a temporary Battle Group. This group will coordinate the First Army Group’s action from the south, completely severing the connection between the Britannians and the Gauls.”

Morin listened, vaguely understanding the strategy. This was simply a classic pincer movement.

“This temporary Battle Group will be commanded personally by General Ludendorff.” General von Bulow turned his gaze to Morin: “And your Instruction Assault Battalion will serve as the spearhead of this Battle Group, participating in the operation.”

Hearing this, Morin felt relieved. Thankfully, he wasn’t being sent alone on some flanking maneuver. Instead, he would be cooperating as part of a larger force. Moreover, this operation involved coordination with the First Army Group, and they would be backed by two divisions of friendly forces. The safety coefficient was much higher than the last time in Charleroi.

“I have no issues, General! I will resolutely execute the order.” Morin answered crisply.

“Very good.” General von Bulow nodded in satisfaction.

Morin thought for a moment and couldn’t help but ask: “General, I’m curious why we are suddenly assisting the First Army Group? Wasn’t our main objective to advance south?”

Hearing the question, General von Bulow’s expression became slightly unnatural. He cleared his throat and vaguely stated: “This is a unified allocation by the General Staff, for the victory of the entire Western Front campaign… well, that is how it is.”

He certainly wouldn’t tell Morin that just last night, the Commander of the First Army Group, the highly prestigious and respected old General Mackensen—whom even von Bulow held in awe—had sent him a ‘friendly’ telegram.

The content of the telegram was simple. General Mackensen first offered his ‘warm congratulations’ on the brilliant victory achieved by the Second Army Group at Charleroi. Then, he ‘suggested’ that von Bulow dispatch ‘including but not limited to the Instruction Assault Battalion’ elite troops to assist the First Army Group in launching a ‘decisive’ strike against the enemy’s junction point.

von Bulow nearly spat out his coffee when he received the telegram. That wasn’t a ‘suggestion’; it was a direct order! And it specifically demanded the Instruction Assault Battalion. von Bulow knew clearly that General Mackensen, who had a deep connection with Morin, had likely learned that he had used the Instruction Assault Battalion as cannon fodder a few days ago, and had also recognized the Instruction Assault Battalion’s combat effectiveness.

Could he refuse? He could not. Firstly, Mackensen’s seniority and prestige were immense; he dared not offend him. Secondly, he had sought Mackensen’s help to borrow the precious Armored Airship during the attacks on the Liège and Namur Fortress Clusters. It was time to repay that favor. Therefore, von Bulow had no choice but to begrudgingly agree, while maintaining a façade of ‘active cooperation and prioritizing the big picture.’

Of course, he would never discuss these high-level political machinations with Morin. Morin watched General von Bulow’s evasive manner and guessed much of what had happened. It was probably another high-level transaction, with him being used as a bargaining chip.

But he didn’t care. As long as he wasn’t being sent to his death, what difference did it make who he fought? And this new mission sounded quite promising.

“General, regarding my unit…” Morin began, ready to bring up the issue of unit rest and resupply, as they had agreed.

Before he could finish, General von Bulow preemptively waved his hand: “Don’t worry, I have already made all arrangements for the Instruction Assault Battalion.” His face displayed an expression of ‘I’ve handled it; trust me.’ “I know your unit has just gone through a major battle and needs rest and resupply, but the situation is urgent, so I must ask you to endure this hardship… However, the compensation will definitely satisfy you!”

General von Bulow’s tone carried a hint of boastfulness.

“In addition to the full replacement of personnel, I specifically ordered the Logistics Department to prepare ample supplies based on three times the ammunition consumption rate your unit demonstrated during the Charleroi campaign! I guarantee you’ll have a great fight!”

“Furthermore…” General von Bulow paused, dropping a bombshell. “The 77mm Field Artillery Battalion that was temporarily assigned to you will be formally placed under the command of your Instruction Assault Battalion starting today! And that’s not all…”

General von Bulow looked at Morin’s eyes, which were now sparkling, and his smile widened: “This Field Artillery Battalion has also been reinforced!”

He walked to the map and drew a circle on Charleroi with a red pencil. “The First Imperial Guards Cavalry Division captured twelve 75mm Magic Guided Cannons south of Charleroi, didn’t they? And you captured a few during the Street Fighting… I discussed it with General Hoeppner, and we have managed to gather 8 75mm Magic Guided Cannons to form two Magic Guided Artillery companies, which will also be attached to your Artillery Battalion!”

“Oho~” Morin raised his eyebrows in surprise. The Generals’ sudden generosity made him wonder if the new mission was not as simple as they made it sound.

One 77mm Field Artillery Battalion consists of three artillery companies, totaling twelve 77mm Field Guns. Now, it was being reinforced with two additional Magic Guided Artillery companies, totaling eight guns. This meant he now commanded a reinforced Artillery Battalion with twenty artillery pieces! Furthermore, an infantry battalion being assigned an entire artillery battalion was unprecedented in the history of the Saxon Army.

Seeing Morin’s look of astonishment, General von Bulow laughed heartily, seeming very pleased.

“Hahaha, surprised? I also ordered those captured Gallic Artillerymen to do nothing else for the past two days but train our gunners on how to operate those Magic Guided Cannons… How is that, Captain Morin? Isn’t my arrangement generous?”

“Very generous! General, you are a good man!” Morin nodded. The reinforcement of artillery power was absolutely good news for the Instruction Assault Battalion. This was like Roasted Pig Knuckles falling from the sky! He now understood the saying, ‘The squeaky wheel gets the grease.’ His little scene at the headquarters a few days ago had an immediate effect. He had not only secured his unit’s position and improved their treatment but had also secured a reinforced artillery battalion.

“Alright, Captain Morin, these artillery pieces are not being reinforced for free.” General von Bulow patted Morin’s shoulder, his tone becoming serious: “Giving you such strong firepower means we expect you to achieve even greater, more brilliant results in the upcoming battle. Don’t let me, or General Mackensen, down.”

“Yes, General!” Morin immediately snapped to attention and saluted, his voice booming.

“Hmm.” General von Bulow nodded, then added: “Oh, and one more thing: regarding your achievements at Charleroi, the telegram reply from the General Staff was very quick. All soldiers killed and wounded will receive the highest level of compensation and honors. All soldiers who participated in the operation will also receive corresponding medals. As for you personally…”

General von Bulow looked Morin up and down, a look of amusement in his eyes.

“…Once this battle is over, your rank should be advanced as well~ Work hard, Captain… or rather, Major-to-be.”

No one could be unhappy about a promotion. Morin was no exception, and he saluted General von Bulow again.

“Hehe, thank you for your support, General!”

“Alright, enough with the flattery.” von Bulow waved his hand. He knew Morin was joking now; just two days ago, the young Captain probably wanted to kill him. “Go prepare quickly. General Ludendorff has already left with the main force of two divisions. Since your Instruction Assault Battalion is highly mobile, I give you until noon sharp to complete all preparations. Then, you must immediately depart via Military Truck to catch up with the main force.”

“Yes!”

After concluding his discussion with General von Bulow, Morin left the Army Group Headquarters with a light step. Upon returning to the camp, Morin immediately found Kleist and Manstein and relayed the new operational mission and departure time to them.

“What? Prepare to depart now?” Kleist and Manstein were both surprised.

“Correct, the order is urgent.” Morin nodded, then continued to instruct: “Immediately notify the entire battalion to complete all pre-departure preparations at maximum speed! Check weapons, distribute ammunition, pack personal equipment! Also, tell the Supply Train drivers to check their precious Military Trucks thoroughly, fill them up with Radiant Crystal Fuel, and make sure they don’t break down mid-journey!”

“Yes, Battalion Commander!” The two acknowledged the order and immediately departed to relay the commands.

The Instruction Assault Battalion’s camp instantly became a hub of activity. Soldiers rapidly switched from resting to combat readiness. Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

(End of this Chapter)