Three more years passed in the blink of an eye. And Bruno had an exceptional time at the Prussian War College. Though its nature was highly competitive, with each of the students seeking to become one of the five or so men who would eventually graduate and fill the vacant roles in the General Staff. Bruno’s peers quickly came to respect his knowledge and insight into military matters.
Whether it was strategy, tactics, or logistics. Bruno excelled in every regard. And his thesis papers on the future of warfare had unknowingly changed the German High Commands’ ideas on how war would eventually be fought in the European Theater should the day come for a conflict to arise among the Great Powers of the World.
In the end, Bruno succeeded in his goal, becoming not only one of the five officers to graduate from the Prussian War College. But also becoming the most successful in his class.
Having aced every exam with perfect scores, he had proven to himself, his instructors, and the other generals who were keeping a close eye on his progress that he had what it took to proudly boast the rank of Generalmajor.
Generalmajor was the lowest rank among generals within the German Army, at least in this era. Its modern equivalent within the US Army would be that of a Brigadier General. Even so, it meant Bruno had rapidly risen in the ranks, and at the mere age of 25 he was now the youngest general in the history of the German Reich.
He proudly wore the insignia of a Generalmajor on his collar, and his shoulders, walking around his new office with his shoulders high, and his singular medal proudly displayed on his chest. No doubt he was lacking in medals when compared to his peers. Which was one of the many reasons some of the other generals looked down on Bruno.
Though he had had proven himself in combat, which was more than most officers in the Army could currently say. He was still completely and utterly lacking in the experience that his peers considered worthy of holding such a prestigious rank.
As for his home life, Bruno’s family had grown in these three years. After Eva’s birth, Heidi quickly became pregnant again, having a son who was named Erwin roughly a year after the day Eva was born.
This trend was followed by another daughter being born a year after Erwin, who Bruno and Heidi decided to name after Bruno’s mother. Elsa was the youngest of the three siblings, and by now, was only a year old.
After being given the rank of Generalmajor, Bruno was granted a position at the German High Command, where he was currently working a desk job. This meant that he was close to home, and could easily live with his family during these peaceful times.
Of course, while Bruno’s life in the Reich had been peaceful and prosperous. The same could not be said for other parts of the world. Russia and Japan had, as predicted begun to feud over matters in Korea and Manchuria almost immediately after the Boxer Rebellion ended.
Though the Russian Tsar had promised to vacate the region following the end of the Boxer rebellion three years prior, he had instead fortified his position, sending 100,000 soldiers over the course of the next three years.
In addition to this, he began building fortifications in the area, and began assisting the Korean Empire in its attempts to reject Japanese influence in the region. All of these disputes had suddenly and violently erupted into war.
The Russo-Japanese war erupted in the early months of 1904. Of which Bruno would not graduate until the end of spring. At first, the Germans maintained an official stance of neutrality. This was despite them shamelessly providing material aid to the Empire of Japan under the guise of civilian commerce.
After all, the relations between the German Reich and the Russian Empire following the Boxer Rebellion and Bruno’s actions within it had worsened to an all-time low. The vast material support which the Germans provided in the previous timeline did not flow into Russia in this one. Meaning that the Russian Army was suffering from a lack of supplies in addition to incompetent leadership.
Meanwhile, as previously mentioned, trade flourished between the German Reich and the Empire of Japan. Further strengthening the relations between them. So much so that in 1902, a mere year after Bruno had begun his tenure at the Prussian War College, the treaty that was destined to be signed between the Empire of Japan and Great Britain did not manifest itself in this timeline.
Rather, a treaty of military cooperation was assigned between the German Reich and the Empire of Japan. It was not a formal defensive, or even offensive alliance. But a promise between the two empires, to cooperate together with their global ambitions.
This was a move that Bruno had not anticipated, but one that isolated the Empire of Japan away from the Entente, which it otherwise would have joined as a result of this treaty when the Great War began in 1914.
Meaning that it was starting to look more and more likely that as a result of Bruno’s interference in the timeline, the Empire of Japan would join the Central Powers in 1914 when the war officially broke out.
But for now, this was a mere possibility for the future, one of many. Instead, Bruno was more focused on matters at hand, and somehow getting himself sent over to Manchuria to aid the Japanese in the conflict between them and the Russians.
After a mere two weeks of being assigned to the German High Command as a glorified assistant, Bruno finally made a request to his superiors. He did so with a solid salute and a sign of respect to those Generalfeldmarschalls who were at the highest ranks of the German Army.
“With your permission, I would like to be sent to Manchuria to act as a military advisor to the Empire of Japan!”
This was a rather surprising request to the old men in charge of the German Army, as up until now there had been no real communication between the Empire of Japan and the German Reich for military assistance beyond material aid.
Even so, Bruno was considered a go-getter by some of the other generals. The type to volunteer in any capacity that would allow him to lead soldiers into battle. General Alfred Graf von Schlieffen was the current chief of the General Staff within the German Army. And he was quick to reject Bruno’s request for a variety of reasons.
“I appreciate your desire to prove your worth in the field, and gain more valuable experience. You are, after all the youngest general in history, Generalmajor von Zehntner. But I must say that the Empire of Japan has yet to request any aid from the German Reich other than that of material assistance.
If we were to propose sending military advisors to them, it may insult their pride… Unless they deliberately make the request of us. I simply cannot grant you permission to head to Manchuria…”
Bruno was about to argue this point, when another famous general who he had learned about by studying the history of his past life stepped forward. General August von Mackensen was one of the most prominent and competent generals in the German Reich.
As a result, when the man spoke, even the Chief of the General Staff was forced to listen to him. He had a gruff and masculine voice as he gave his support on Bruno’s behalf.
“The Japanese are rapidly trying to modernize their military to match that of the Great Powers. Would they really be so offended by us offering them a helping hand? We have, after all established a treaty of mutual cooperation with them just a couple years back. I see no reason that would prevent us from at least making an offer of further assistance.
If they accept, then send the boy. He may hold the rank of Generalmajor, but he has yet to properly prove his worth in that regard. Let Manchuria be his proving ground. I mean what exactly do we have to lose? If he helps the Japanese achieve victory against the Russians, despite the odds against them, then wouldn’t that bring glory to the Reich as well?”
Bruno had to force himself from scoffing when he heard the phrase “despite the odds against them.” He knew that with or without German support. Japan would win this war. But he also knew that it would be a shocking thing to the western world where the Great Powers lie.
As much as Russia may be considered a backwater part of Europe, the Great Powers still accepted the Russian Empire as one of them no matter how distant they might do so. The same could not be said for the Empire of Japan who at best were considered by Europeans to an upstart on the other side of the world, and at worst as inferior in every way.
It was because of this that the world would become surprised when Japan inevitably emerged victorious in this conflict. Something that was even more sure to happen now that the Russian Empire was no longer receiving material and military aid from the German Reich.
After careful consideration of the matter at hand, Generalfeldmarschall Alfred von Schleiffen ultimately relented, and decided he would listen to his peer’s advice.
“Very well, I will mention this matter to the Kaiser. If his majesty deems it necessary to reach out and make an offer of support to the Empire of Japan, then we will dispatch Generalmajor Bruno von Zehntner and a cadre of officers to assist him in Manchuria.
That will be all for now, Generalmajor, I am sure you have plenty of work to do in the meantime. You are dismissed!”
Bruno saluted the Chief of Staff once more time before departing as he was ordered. The conversation between the Kaiser and the Emperor of Japan would ultimately determine whether or not Bruno was sent to Manchuria to further display his abilities in the field.
