World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

Lieutenant General Shiba Goro stood beside the command vehicle at Platform One, holding a troop loading schedule. More than 20,000 soldiers from his 3rd Division had already boarded the trains, but the other seven divisions were still arriving one after another. The platform was filled with dark gray figures, soldiers carrying heavy packs, moving slowly in long lines. Apart from the sound of footsteps and the occasional cough, almost no other sound could be heard.

"Your Excellency, Division Commander," the adjutant jogged over, his forehead covered in sweat, "the 7th Division's convoy was attacked by guerrillas on the way, causing a two-hour delay. They are expected to arrive at nine o'clock."

Shiba Goro glanced at his pocket watch: 7:20.

"Notify the railway dispatcher to adjust the departure order. Let the trains of the 3rd and 5th Divisions depart first, and then the trains of the 7th Division will arrive last. We cannot let the entire railway line wait idly."

"Yes, sir." The adjutant took notes. "In addition, the German liaison group requested that all division commanders go to headquarters for a meeting to discuss the details of their deployment after arriving on the Western Front."

"Okay. I'll go right away."

Shiba Goro handed the schedule to the chief of staff and turned to walk towards the main station building. It had been converted into a temporary command post, with staff officers from the German Tenth Army Headquarters coming and going, and the sounds of telephones ringing, typewriters typing, and conversations in a mix of German and Japanese filling the air.

The conference room was on the second floor. When Shiba Goro pushed open the door, most of the other seven division commanders had already arrived and were sitting around a long conference table. At the far end of the table was Lieutenant General Hans von Seeckt, the German liaison commander, who was studying a map with several German staff officers.

"General Chai, perfect timing," Seekert said, looking up and greeting him in German. "We were discussing the unloading and assembly plans for the troops upon their arrival. Please have a seat."

Shiba Goro sat down in the empty seat. A servant brought him coffee, but he didn't touch it.

"According to the latest intelligence," Seeckt pointed with his baton at the map of the western front on the wall, "the French second line of defense in the Verdun region is located here—the hills on the east bank of the Meuse River. In the past two weeks, the Germans have launched three probing attacks at the regimental level, all of which have been repelled. The conclusion is: a frontal assault is too costly; we must find a weak point."

On the map, the Verdun region resembles a cake with a bite taken out of it; the Germans occupied the northeast, while the French controlled the southwest. The two sides' positions were intertwined, densely marked with red and blue lines.

"The mission of the Tenth Army," Seeckt continued, "is here—in the forested area of ​​the upper Meuse River—to open up a new axis of attack. The terrain in this area is complex, and the French defenses are relatively weak, but it is also not conducive to the deployment of large forces. Therefore, what we need are elite infantry capable of infiltration and assault, rather than traditional front-line advancing troops."

He looked at the eight commanders of the Japanese division: "This is precisely where your troops' strength lies. Experience on the Eastern Front has proven that Japanese soldiers excel in forest warfare, mountain warfare, night fighting, and small-unit infiltration operations. We will make full use of this."

The commander of the 1st Division raised his hand and asked, "General, what is the specific battle plan?"

"It will be divided into three phases." Sekter walked to the map. "In the first phase, the troops will complete final preparations in the rear assembly area, replenish ammunition and supplies, and conduct three days of terrain adaptation training. In the second phase, regiments will infiltrate into their attack positions at night. In the third phase, a simultaneous assault will be launched at dawn, with the objective of capturing these three high grounds—"

The commander pointed to three hills marked with numbers: "Controlling these hills will threaten the flanks of the French second line of defense. Once successful, the main German forces will immediately follow up to expand the gains."

The meeting room fell silent. The officers stared at the map, their minds racing. They were professional soldiers, and they could immediately see the advantages and risks of the plan: the advantage was its surprise, which could potentially create an opening; the risk was that if the infiltration was discovered, or the assault was thwarted, these troops deep behind enemy lines could be encircled and annihilated.

"General," Shiba Goro began slowly, "this plan requires precise intelligence support. We need to know the details of the French army's deployment in these areas, their patrol patterns, and the locations of their artillery positions. Otherwise, it's suicide."

"Intelligence work is already underway," Seeker nodded. "German reconnaissance aircraft have been taking intensive photographs of the area over the past week, and special forces have also dispatched multiple reconnaissance teams. When you arrive in three days, we will provide you with detailed topographical maps and intelligence reports."

He paused, his tone turning serious: "But I must also be frank: there is no such thing as absolute certainty in war. The Battle of Verdun has proven that even the most perfect plan can encounter unexpected problems during its implementation. Your troops will face a severe test—the French resistance will be fierce, their firepower will be intense, and casualties... will be heavy."

The officers exchanged glances. No one spoke, but a heavy sense of resignation hung in the air.

"One last question," said the commander of the 2nd Division, "How should our command authority be divided? On the battlefield, should we follow the direct orders of the German commanders, or maintain a relatively independent command structure?"

This is the key issue. The Japanese army has its own unique command culture and combat style, and if it is completely handed over to the German army for command, friction may arise.

Seeckt had clearly anticipated this problem: "At the army group level, I will have unified command, but at the division level and below, you will have considerable autonomy. The German army will provide artillery support, logistical support, and intelligence support, but the specific tactical execution will be determined by you based on the actual situation. We have faith in the professional capabilities of the Japanese officers."

This answer relieved the officers. At least they wouldn't become mere puppets blindly following orders.

The meeting lasted another hour, discussing specific issues such as supply details, communication coordination, and the evacuation of the wounded. At nine o'clock, as the meeting was about to end, Seeker suddenly called out to Shiba Goro.

"General Chai, please wait."

After everyone else had left, Seeker closed the door and went to the window. Outside, another military train pulled into the station, its piercing whistle breaking the morning's tranquility.

"What is it, General?" Shiba Goro asked.

Seekert turned around, his face no longer displaying the confidence and determination he had shown during the meeting, but instead appearing somewhat tired: "General Chai, we are both professional soldiers, so there are some things... I'll just say them frankly."

He walked to the map and pointed to Verdun: "I know the risks of this plan better than anyone. But the Germans have no other choice. If there is no breakthrough in the Battle of Verdun, the Western Front will be completely deadlocked, and Germany... cannot afford a stalemate."

Shiba Goro listened quietly.

"So the Tenth Army must succeed, at least achieve some substantial results," Seekert said in a low voice, "but that means many people will die. Many of your soldiers, many of my soldiers."

He looked directly into Shiba Goro's eyes: "I know this collaboration... is unusual. I know your soldiers have emotions, they have confusion. But on the battlefield, emotions and confusion can kill. I need you to ensure that when orders are given, your troops can execute them without hesitation."

Shiba Goro was silent for a few seconds: "General, my soldiers are all professional soldiers, and they will fulfill their duties. But I would also like to ask you to guarantee one thing."

"Speaking."

"Don't treat them as expendable resources." Shiba Goro's voice was calm, but every word carried weight. "Don't send them to their deaths to achieve some political goal. Every soldier is a human being, with a family, and a reason to want to go home alive."