East Prussia is a piece of land located in the south of the Baltic Sea. This is the birthplace of Hohenzollern family and the bridgehead for the German Empire to fight against Russia. In the German Empire, it plays a very important role.
According to Schlieffen Plan, once the war breaks out, German Army will be divided into eight legions from 1st to 8th. Among them, the first seven armies Regimental Headquarters will be deployed on the Western Front to strive to defeat France in the shortest time. The task of 8th Army Corps is to cooperate with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and contain Russians.
According to Schlieffen's estimate, Russia will need 6 to 8 weeks to complete mobilization. So, Germany has one month to defeat France. Before that, 8th Army Corps could only hold on to East Prussia.
However, after Moltke the Younger took over, he began to modify Schlieffen Plan. Not only did it reduce the troops on the Western Front, but it also weakened the right-wing troops on the Western Front. When German military attacked France, it eventually lacked attack power and had to stop dozens of kilometers away from Paris. Oscar hopes to change this, so he volunteers and hopes to be Commander of 8th Army Corps. At that time, once Moltke the Younger wants to strengthen East Prussia's army, he can clearly express his refusal and minimize the damage Moltke the Younger does to Schlieffen Plan.
"Oskar, have you really decided to serve as Commander of 8th Army Corps? If you want to go back on your word, I can re-issue the order and appoint you as Commander of other legions." Wilhelm II said.
Wilhelm II, of course, knows everything about Schlieffen Plan. He knows how much pressure 8th Army Corps will face once the war breaks out. Although the mobilization of Russia will take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. However, don't forget that Russia's standing army is as high as 1.4 million. After the war breaks out, these standing armies will probably launch an attack on East Prussia as soon as possible. Even though the transportation facilities in Russia are very poor, Russians's army will definitely launch an attack before German Army defeats France. It would be very difficult for 8th Army Corps's troops alone to withstand the attack of hundreds of thousands or more Russian Army.
According to Schlieffen Plan, 8th Army Corps will only have 10 Infantry Division, with a total strength of about 160,000 people. This was before the outbreak of the war and the situation was full after mobilization. When there are not enough people, 8th Army Corps only has more than 100,000 people.
"Father Emperor, I have decided to become Commander of 8th Army Corps." Oscar said.
"Once the war breaks out, are you sure you can withstand Russians's attack? Don't expect the Austria people to provide you with much support by then. The combat effectiveness of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's army is very bad. He If we can withstand personal attacks without our support, it will be God's blessing." Wilhelm II also has great distrust in the combat effectiveness of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's army.
"I know. Father Emperor, I am confident that once the war breaks out, I can withstand Russians's attack." Oscar said confidently.
He has decided that after taking over as 8th Army Corps's Commander, he will immediately arm this legion according to his plan, even if it costs a huge amount of money, he will arm this legion to the teeth. In this case, it would be a delusion for the poorly equipped Russians to take advantage of the situation and attack East Prussia at the beginning of the war. It can even make Russians suffer a big fall on East Prussia.
"Okay, Oskar, since you have decided, I won't say anything more. I believe that with your intelligence, you will not do stupid things. I also believe that you will succeed." Wilhelm II said.
"Yes, Father Emperor." Oscar nodded.
"After the New Year, you go to Königsberg! After sorting out 8th Army Corps's affairs, come back." Wilhelm II said.
"Yes, Father Emperor." Oscar hesitated for a moment, and then continued, "Father Emperor, this time I go to Königsberg. I hope Father Emperor can send two people to me!"
"Oh? Which two people?" Wilhelm II asked.
"Paul? von? General Hindenburg and Erich? von? Ludendorff Colonel." Oscar said two names.
These two people were famous in another time and space. It is also Commander and the chief of staff of another time and space German 8th Army Corps. It is with their cooperation that German 8th Army Corps was able to fight on the Eastern Front and inflict heavy losses on the Russian army. Now, Oscar appears, and Commander is appointed as 8th Army Corps. But he hopes that 8th Army Corps can create greater glory under the leadership of the two of them. After all, Oscar, as Crown Prince, cannot stay at 8th Army Corps forever. He has other things to do. Daily training can only be taken care of by Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
Wilhelm II looked a little ugly, Oscar knew both of the two people he was talking about. Paul? Feng? Hindenburg is a famous general. Although Erich von Ludendorff is just Colonel, he has outstanding talents and is also very famous in Army General Staff.
However, Paul? Feng? Hindenburg just made a big mistake, that is, in the army exercise that just passed, the command unit defeated the exercise unit led by Wilhelm II, which made Wilhelm II lose face.
Wilhelm II is originally a headstrong and conceited person. Naturally, this is somewhat unacceptable. This also made him feel disgusted with Paul? Feng? Hindenburg.
"Ludendorff Colonel can be dispatched to you, but Hindenburg is a competitive person. Are you sure he is suitable to assist you?" Wilhelm II asked.
"Father Emperor, although General Hindenburg's character is not very good, there is no doubt about his personal talent. I believe that he will definitely regret it this time. If we give him another chance, he will never let us down." Oscar looked determined.
Wilhelm II thought about it for a while, but in the end he did not refuse Oscar's request. Although he didn't like Hindenburg, he had to admit that Hindenburg was still very capable.
"Okay, Oskar. This time, I will make an exception to help you." Wilhelm II said.
"Thank you Father Emperor!" Oscar was very happy.
At Oscar's request, Wilhelm II will subsequently appoint Paul von Hindenburg as deputy commander of 8th Army Corps, and Erich von Ludendorff will be promoted from Colonel to brigadier general and serve as 8th Army Corps's acting chief of staff. Generally speaking, the chief of staff of a corps must be at least a major general. Even if Erich von Ludendorff was promoted, he was not qualified to become the chief of staff of a legion. He could only act as an agent first and wait for a while before finding a way to get promoted.