"General Hindenburg, General Ludendorff, this is my suggestion for reforming the military system. You two have a look. If our command system can be made flatter, it will improve command efficiency. This will have great benefits on the battlefield." Oscar said, and then handed a document to Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
Hindenburg and Ludendorff took the file and read it. Soon, shock could be seen on their faces.
Indeed, they did not expect that Oscar would actually propose reforms to the military system. Although, over the decades, from Kingdom of Prussia to the German Empire, the army's military system has changed from time to time. But they are basically just minor modifications, unlike Oscar, which directly cuts off units at a certain level. If they knew that Oscar not only wanted to remove the "brigade" unit, but also wanted to remove the "army" unit, they would probably be even more shocked.
Brigadiers General Hindenburg and Ludendorff were silent for a long time after reading the plan of Oscar.
After a while, Hindenburg spoke.
"Your Highness, removing the 'brigade' unit can indeed simplify the command system. However, I am afraid this will cause turmoil. It will also make many people not used to it. The most important thing is that it will reduce many brigadier-level generals. This may make many people dissatisfied." Hindenburg is a little worried. After all, if a brigade-level unit exists, there will be many more brigade commanders, deputy brigade commanders, brigade chiefs of staff and other positions. These are the military ranks of brigadier general and Colonel. After cutting off the brigade-level units, where will these people go?
"General Hindenburg, we are only implementing this military system within 8th Army Corps and will not extend it to other corps. Even if it causes turmoil, we can completely suppress it. As for the placement of those brigade-level generals, we can completely transfer them to other departments. It does not mean that the brigade-level officers have been cut off. After that, there is no need for these brigadiers and Colonel. Regimental Commander of Artillery Regiment can be the brigadier general. The deputy division commander and the division chief of staff can also be the brigadier general. If you think about it again, there shouldn't be much of a problem. "Oscar said.
On this issue, he has made up his mind and will not back down no matter how difficult it is.
"Although it is a bit troublesome, after simplifying the command system, it does have great benefits for the army's command and operations. I think we can give it a try!" Brigadier General Ludendorff said. Compared with Hindenburg, Ludendorff is younger and more aggressive.
Hindenburg hesitated for a moment and expressed another concern. "Your Highness, if we change the military system without authorization, this may cause General Staff Headquarters's dissatisfaction. I don't know what the attitude of Your Majesty is."
"Don't worry too much about General Staff Headquarters. If Moltke the Younger wants to cause trouble, I will deal with it. As for Father Emperor, I will explain it to him." Oscar said. Anyway, he and Moltke the Younger are now incompatible with each other. Even if he does nothing, Moltke the Younger will still cause trouble for him. Rather than doing this, it is better to follow his ideas. Anyway, now that the position of Oscar and Crown Prince has become increasingly stable, naturally there is no need to be afraid of Moltke the Younger.
As for Wilhelm II's attitude, Oscar is still confident that he can convince him. After all, almost everything the Oscar has done over the years has been successful. In this case, Wilhelm II will believe him.
"Okay, Your Highness, then follow your plan!" Hindenburg nodded. He had already persuaded him, but Oscar was still stubborn, so he had no choice.
According to the plan of Oscar, all units of 8th Army Corps will be reorganized according to the new military system.
There are 12 people in a squad, equipped with ten rifles, one light machine gun, one Sniper Rifle, and one Grenade Launcher. The three squads plus Fire Squad and Platoon Headquarters form one platoon. The Fire Squad also has 12 people and is equipped with one Heavy Machine Gun and one mortar. Platoon Headquarters consists of a platoon leader, deputy platoon leader, a health worker, a communications soldier and two orderlies. In this case, a platoon has 54 people.
Three infantry platoons plus one Heavy Weapons Platoon and Company Headquarters. There are two Heavy Weapons Platoon light machine guns, three 60mm Mortar and one Heavy Machine Gun, and the number is 23 people. Company Headquarters is the chief and deputy company commander, two guards, a correspondent, a health worker, and two messengers. The entire Infantry Company has a total of 193 people.
Infantry Battalion consists of three Infantry Company, one Battalion Headquarters Company, one Heavy Weapons Company, and one Infantry Gun Company. In addition to the officers and soldiers who make up the battalion headquarters, Battalion Headquarters Company also includes Reconnaissance Platoon and Guard Reconnaissance Platoon. Heavy Weapons Company is equipped with 6 guns of 81mm Medium Mortar and 8 light machine guns, and 3 guns of Heavy Machine Gun. One Infantry Gun Company, equipped with six Type 08 Infantry Gun (type 92 infantry guns against the Japanese Army), with a total strength of 1,050 people.
The infantry regiment consists of three Infantry Battalion, one Artillery Battalion, Regimental Headquarters and the troops directly under the regiment. Regimental Headquarters includes Regimental Headquarters civilian personnel, Guard Company, Reconnaissance Company, etc. Other regimental units include Regimental Mortar Company, equipped with 6 107mm Heavy Mortar. There are also Logistics Company, Medical Company and so on. Artillery Battalion is Field Artillery Battalion, divided into three Field Artillery Battery, each equipped with 6 75mm Field Gun, and the total strength of the regiment reaches more than 4,500 people.
Infantry Division includes three infantry regiments and one Artillery Regiment and other Division Directly Subordinate Units. Division Directly Subordinate Units includes Division Headquarters, Reconnaissance Battalion, Guard Battalion, Supply Battalion, Armored Battalion (not included yet) and so on. Artillery Regiment is subordinate to three Artillery Battalions, two of which are 105mm Howitzer Battalion battalions. Each battalion is equipped with 18 105mm Howitzers. The other battalion is 150mm Heavy Howitzer Battalion, equipped with 18-door 150mm heavy-duty Howitzer. The total number of soldiers in Infantry Division is more than 16,500.
The biggest difference between the new Infantry Division and the old Infantry Division is undoubtedly the enhanced machine gun firepower and artillery firepower. In particular, artillery firepower has been greatly improved. The existing German military Infantry Division is equipped with 54-door 77mm Field Gun and 18-door 105mm Howitzer. The modified Infantry Division is equipped with 54-door 75mm Field Gun, 36-door 105mm Light Howitzer and 18-door 150mm heavy-duty Howitzer. The number of artillery pieces has nearly doubled. The intensity of firepower is more than twice that of the previous Infantry Division.
It can be said that after adding so many technical weapons, the new Infantry Division's combat effectiveness will be even more powerful after training, at least much more powerful than the previous combat effectiveness. If Oscar proposed to build 8th Army Corps into the German Army's most powerful legion before, Hindenburg and Ludendorff didn't quite believe it, but now, they completely believe it.