Königsberg, the capital of East Prussia, is also an important support point for Germany to defend Russia on the eastern front. Near Königsberg, German military built a large number of forts and other defenses as important fortifications to resist the Russian attack.
Among Schlieffen Plan, due to Russia's traffic factors and mobilization speed, German Army's main troops will be placed on the western front, striving to completely defeat France before Russia completes mobilization. Therefore, only ten Infantry Division are reserved on the eastern front to defend against Russia. Compared with Russia, which has more than one million standing troops, ten Infantry Division are undoubtedly too few. After all, once a war breaks out, Russia's standing army of millions will dispatch hundreds of thousands or even more troops to attack East Prussia. Therefore, German Army General Staff believes that they can only rely on defense to delay German military and buy enough time.
Oscar takes the special train from Berlin to Königsberg. Those who went to Königsberg with him included 8th Army Corps's deputy commander Paul? von General Hindenburg and acting chief of staff Brigadier General Erich von? Ludendorff.
8th Army Corps's army commanders and division commanders, except for a few individuals, all gathered at the train station, waiting for Oscar's group. Oscar is not only Commander of 8th Army Corps, but also Imperial Crown Prince. What a noble identity it is.
The three armies under 8th Army Corps are 11th Corps, 17th Corps, and 20th Corps. There is also a reserve army, 1st Reserve Corps. If you include the garrison troops and cavalry troops everywhere, 8th Army Corps's total strength can exceed 200,000 people after full mobilization.
On the platform of the train station, a group of German military generals were chatting while waiting for the Oscar special train.
"Your Majesty took the lead in forming our 8th Army Corps this time! However, no one expected that Crown Prince would serve as 8th Army Corps's Commander." A middle-aged general sighed. He is German 8th Army Corps 20th Corps Commander Lieutenant General Mackensen.
"Although Crown Prince is not from the army, his talent is certain. What's more, General Hindenburg and General Ludendorff from General Staff Headquarters are cooperating. I believe that 8th Army Corps will become more powerful under their leadership." Another middle-aged general said. He is 11th Corps Commander Lieutenant General François.
German Army's regular organization does not include a legion or group army. It is often only when war breaks out that armies, divisions, brigades and other units are mobilized to form legions. Therefore, naturally there are no permanent positions such as Commander in the corps. However, this time 8th Army Corps was formed in advance. The purpose is to allow Oscar to have more time to familiarize, control and arm 8th Army Corps, so that 8th Army Corps can play a greater role in future wars.
"Well, but I think some people will be very disappointed." General Mackensen said with a smile.
General François, also has a smile on his face.
The person they are talking about is Lieutenant General Prittwitz, the commander of 17th Corps. You must know that he is Wilhelm II's favorite. Among all the armies stationed at East Prussia, he relies on his relationship with Wilhelm II to become domineering. He even said more than once that if 8th Army Corps is formed, he will be the best choice for the legion Commander. But now, Oscar intervened, which undoubtedly completely shattered his hope. At the same time, it also made him lose face among the troops under 8th Army Corps.
This made Lieutenant General Prittwitz so angry that today was the day that Oscar arrived at Königsberg, but Lieutenant General Prittwitz claimed to be sick and did not come to greet him.
"I hope Crown Prince is an easy person to talk to! Otherwise, Prittwitz will be in trouble this time. If Crown Prince leaves a bad impression, he will no longer want to stay at 8th Army Corps." General François said.
"Hmph! It's best to transfer that guy away from 8th Army Corps. If he stays in 8th Army Corps, it will have no effect at all. It will only make the entire legion worse." General Mackensen said.
It can be seen that General Mackensen is very disgusted with Lieutenant General Prittwitz and wishes that he would be transferred.
"Woo!"
A whistle sounded in the distance, and the generals on the platform quickly stopped talking.
Soon, the special train Oscar entered the station and stopped in front of everyone.
The door opened, and Oscar, dressed in military uniform, walked off the train accompanied by Brigadier General General Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
"Crown Prince, welcome to Königsberg." Generals General François and Mackensen hurriedly greeted them.
General Hindenburg whispered in Oscar's ear to introduce their identities to Oscar.
"General François, General Mackensen, thank you for coming to pick me up." Oscar said with a smile. According to the information he had previously obtained, Generals General François and Mackensen are also rare talents in 8th Army Corps, especially General François, who is a genius and adventurous general. General Mackensen is also a general with outstanding talents, but he is just a little older.
Oscar glanced at the German military generals on the platform and found that Prittwitz was not there, which made him frown. Oscar undoubtedly knows Wilhelm II's favorite. However, almost all 8th Army Corps generals came, but he was missing. This made Oscar couldn't help but guess whether the other party wanted to give him a blow!
"Why don't you see General Prittwitz?" Oscar asked directly.
"Crown Prince, General Prittwitz is not feeling well and has asked for leave to return to Berlin." General Mackensen replied.
"Took a leave of absence to come back to Berlin? Why didn't I know?" Oscar's face suddenly became unhappy. As 8th Army Corps's Commander, Lieutenant General Prittwitz asked for leave, but he didn't know about it at all. Isn't it obvious that he didn't take him seriously?
"General Prittwitz should have asked for leave from General Staff Headquarters." General François said.
"Hmph!" Oscar snorted coldly and said nothing more. However, Lieutenant General Prittwitz has been sentenced to death in his heart. Oscar knows that Lieutenant General Prittwitz and Moltke the Younger have a good relationship. Who makes them both Wilhelm II's favorites? However, if the other party dares not to give him face, then don't blame him for taking advantage of him. He had just succeeded Commander as 8th Army Corps, and it was the time when he needed to establish his authority. Since Prittwitz has delivered it to your door, Oscar will certainly not be polite.
Brigadier Generals General Hindenburg and Ludendorff don't look very good at the moment.