Marshal August von Mackensen, commander-in-chief of the Alliance's Southern Front, had been in an increasingly foul mood lately. As the Entente opened a new front in Italy and threatened Austria, the pressure on him grew even heavier. He knew the reinforcements promised by the Austro-Hungarian Empire would not be coming!
The troops fit for combat under his command now numbered fewer than six hundred thousand, and that figure continued to shrink as time dragged on.
Although the enemy's losses were even greater, Marshal August von Mackensen felt not the slightest joy. Germany had won far too many tactical victories already; there was nothing to celebrate. In his view, if they failed to achieve a strategic breakthrough, then this war had been fought for nothing!
August von Mackensen was hesitating over whether to tell the homeland to abandon the Southern Front Campaign and shift to the offensive elsewhere. After all, there truly was not the slightest hope of victory on the Southern Front now. Then a familiar voice came from outside, interrupting his thoughts.
"Marshal, good news! Our frontline troops have captured Salva! We've torn open a gap in the enemy's defenses in Transylvania!"
The newcomer was General Staff Service Colonel Berg-Irma. It was clear that he was extremely excited! (Note: General Staff Service Colonels held a very special position in the German Army. Their status was higher than that of ordinary officers, roughly akin to military supervisors.)
August von Mackensen asked in astonishment, "What? The enemy's line has been torn open?"
With that, August von Mackensen walked over to the map and studied it closely.
No wonder he was surprised. After fighting for so long, he had more or less gauged the enemy's strength. Their weakest units were colonial troops, and by this point in the war they had been