Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 124 400-meter obstacle course I love you

"400-meter obstacle course?"

Upon hearing this unfamiliar term, the officers in the conference room all looked puzzled.

They were all veteran officers who had served in the Saxon Army for many years and were very familiar with all kinds of military training subjects.

But this '400-meter obstacle course' was something they had never heard of before.

"Yes, the 400-meter obstacle course."

Morin nodded, and then, without batting an eye, began to apply the classic training subjects from another timeline to himself.

"Ahem. This is a comprehensive training method that I developed based on my combat experience on the front lines of Aragon. It can comprehensively improve soldiers' physical fitness, willpower, and battlefield mobility."

As he spoke, he took out another sketch he had drawn himself from his briefcase.

The image clearly shows a track composed of various obstacles.

"The so-called '400-meter obstacle course' specifically refers to a track consisting of eight sets of obstacles: slalom, trench, low wall, high platform, ladder, balance beam, high wall, and low stake net."

"The runway is about 200 meters long. I require soldiers to pass through it once in the forward direction and once in the reverse direction while carrying their full personal equipment. The total distance is about 400 meters."

"So, I call it the '400-meter obstacle course'."

As Morin explained, he used his finger to demonstrate the route on the sketch to everyone.

"Starting from the starting point, you must first sprint 100 meters quickly, turn around the marker flag, and then cross a three-step stake and the ditch behind it."

As Morin described it, the officers' mouths slowly and involuntarily opened.

"Completing all of this counts as a positive pass."

"Then the soldiers need to turn around immediately and go through the obstacles in the reverse order, with some of the obstacles being passed in a different way. Only then is a complete training session finished."

“全程下来，2分30秒及格、2分15秒良好、2分05秒优秀”

Everyone: "?"

Listening to Morin's description and looking at the daunting obstacles on the sketch.

The five officers present exchanged glances, and cold sweat began to bead on their foreheads.

They are all professional soldiers, and just from the description, one can imagine how much physical exertion it would take to complete such a training exercise.

Manstein, an operations staff officer from the General Staff, hadn't done physical training in a long time. After thinking about it for a while, he realized that he probably wouldn't be able to finish the race.
However, what Morin said next made everyone, including him, feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave.

"I want to emphasize one point."

Morin's gaze slowly swept over everyone present.

"This '400-meter obstacle course' is the most core and fundamental training subject for our training assault camp in the future."

"It will be a training program that everyone in the entire battalion must participate in."

"Starting from myself as the battalion commander, down to every officer and operations staff member in our battalion headquarters, and then to every soldier in the front-line companies, and even..."

He paused, his voice growing increasingly cold.

"All cooks and grooms in the field kitchens and supply corps must participate in training and meet the assessment standards I have set."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire conference room fell silent.

The expressions on the faces of the five newly transferred officers were indescribable.

Not good!

Especially Manstein from the General Staff, he felt his worldview was about to collapse.

After being selected to join the General Staff as a staff officer, he always believed that he would be strategizing and winning battles from afar.
Even though he was assigned to this battalion-level unit, he believed he should advise the commander from the battalion headquarters.

But things are turning out differently than he expected?
He cautiously asked Morin:

"Sir, do operations staff also need to participate in this level of training?"

Morin looked at him, her face expressionless, and coldly gave a positive answer.

"of course."

“I’ll repeat myself, it’s ‘everyone’.”

He tapped the table, emphasizing his words.

"Furthermore, I must make one thing clear to you."

“Our ‘Training Assault Battalion’ has been a front-line combat unit that dances on the edge of a knife since the day it was born.”

"In future battles, in order to grasp the battlefield situation as quickly and accurately as possible and make the most timely responses, our battalion command will deploy as far forward as possible, and may even launch attacks together with the front-line assault troops."

"This means that every member of our battalion headquarters, including you, Operations Staff Officer, must also possess the ability to fight independently."

"I need my battalion adjutant and staff officer to be able to take up arms and charge with me when necessary."

"I need my medic to lead a stretcher team to rescue the wounded amidst gunfire."

“In my assault battalion, there is no rear and no non-combat personnel.”

There are only two kinds of people—soldiers who are capable of fighting, and soldiers who have already died in battle.

“If any of you feel you can’t do it, then I suggest you submit an application to the Army Department now to be transferred out of this unit.”

"The training commando battalion doesn't support idlers, much less cowards." Morin's cold words echoed in the conference room.

"Yes, sir!"

Looking at the crowd he had intimidated, Morin felt no sense of pride.

For a brand-new force designed to overturn traditional combat models, it is essential to unify thinking and hone willpower from the very beginning through the strictest discipline and the most brutal training.

Only in this way can we increase our chances of survival in the increasingly brutal battlefield.
He paused for a moment to allow everyone to process the information, then softened his tone and continued:

"Of course, I won't just make demands of you while indulging myself."

"I will be the first to complete all the training subjects."

“If I fail to do so, you are welcome to challenge my authority at any time.”

"Now, does anyone still have any questions?"

The meeting room was completely silent.

Who would dare to have any doubts now?

Looking at the imposing young officer before them, their only thought now was to pray that they could meet his standards in the upcoming training.
The next day, the group met again at the Army Headquarters—this was their office before the training assault battalion's base was completed by the fortification troops.

With the preliminary drafting and training outline finalized, the atmosphere at today's meeting was finally less serious than yesterday.

Morin also dropped his 'devil instructor' demeanor and began discussing more specific and practical issues with the group.

For example, the construction of troop bases, the application for weapons and equipment, and when the procedures for troop deployment will be completed, etc.
"Sir, I personally went to check on the location yesterday."

Battalion adjutant Kleist reported proactively, demonstrating his exceptional efficiency as a veteran Imperial Guard officer.

"The fortification troops responsible for the construction are making normal progress, and the garrison will be repaired before the troops allocated to us arrive."

"Moreover, the area allocated to us already had troops stationed there, so the facilities were quite complete. With just some simple construction, it can be put into use very soon."

"As for the '400-meter obstacle course' training ground you mentioned, I have already given them the blueprints to determine the specific location and to design it. Once the preparatory work is completed, construction can begin at any time."

"very good."

Morin nodded in satisfaction. Having such a capable deputy certainly saved him a lot of trouble.

What about weaponry and equipment?

Morin looked at Manstein, and he always found it hard to connect this young staff officer with the 'Manstein' from another time and space.

Since the supply officers have not yet arrived, the application for weapons and equipment for this new unit has been handed over to him as the operations staff officer.

Upon hearing Morin's question, the young Manstein quickly opened his notebook.

For some reason, the 27-year-old army officer felt like a greenhorn in front of Morin, and was extremely nervous.

"Sir, the Army Ministry's directive is that we, as the 'Training Assault Battalion,' have the highest priority in the allocation of weapons and equipment."

"We can prioritize selecting and applying for all currently serving standard equipment of the Army."

"but."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"The General Staff suggested that in the early stages of the unit's formation, we should use the same standard equipment as other units so that the soldiers can quickly become familiar with and adapt to the new environment."

"Once the troops have achieved combat capability, we will apply to the logistics department for the allocation or customization of some special weapons and equipment based on our specific operational needs."

Morin understood what he meant.

The Army Department was reminding him not to take too big a step, and to train the troops using standard weapons first.

Maureen expressed her understanding of this.

After all, Helga's air-cooled light machine gun was still on paper, and the submachine gun he wanted was nowhere to be seen. A distant solution couldn't quench an immediate thirst.

"I understand."

Maureen nodded.

"Then let's apply for it according to the standard infantry battalion configuration."

"However, I need to make some adjustments in some details."

"Request more P08 artillery pistols for our assault battalion as a temporary measure, and also more hand grenades."

"Also, I need a lot of training explosives and detonators."

These are all valuable experiences that Morin gained on the battlefields of Aragon, at the cost of his soldiers' blood and lives.

In narrow spaces such as trenches and towns, and in close-quarters combat, the compact and efficient artillery version of the P08 is far more effective at close-range fire suppression than the long and cumbersome bolt-action rifle.

Before submachine guns came out, it could be used in conjunction with the Gew.98.

Hand grenades and explosives are indispensable "pathfinders" in assault operations.

"No problem, sir."

Manstein immediately wrote down Morin's request in detail.

"These all fall under the category of standard equipment, and I will submit an application to the logistics department immediately."

(End of this chapter)