Ludwig returned to Saint Petersburg not long after, he was shaken up to be sure. But compared to when he was in the shelled-out village, whose name he could not even remember, he was much better off than he could have been.
The man was no doubt scarred for life. But not to the degree in which he might be considered disabled. Perhaps if he had stayed in the field for another battle or two, he would enter such a state. But luckily for him, Bruno had discharged him and sent him home.
After receiving a medal for distinction in combat, which came in the form of the Russian Cross for Saint George second class. Ludwig was overwhelmed with emotion. He had come to this hellscape seeking to gain glory on the battlefield and had returned as a literal war hero.
The wounds from shrapnel, bullets, and bayonets had ultimately been minor when compared to the silent injury to his mind. One which would not be a diagnosable condition for many years to come. But the price he had paid with blood here in Russia had taught him many life lessons.
It had been less than half a year since Ludwig had stepped foot on his first battlefield. A few months of that, less than a normal deployment abroad. And yet he had matured significantly in this time. It was said that one month on the battlefield was equal to a year in the outside world. And perhaps this was true.
Because Ludwig was a changed man. Any petty jealousy he had towards his younger brother was gone. Evaporated as if it was nothing more than a lingering memory, one which had quickly become one of the man’s deepest regrets in life.
The bond which was forged in Tsaritsyn as Bruno and Ludwig fought side by side in the trenches was one that was greater than the one, they shared by having the same blood in their veins. When Bruno finally returned to Berlin, he would be surprised that it would not only be his wife and children waiting for him at the train station, but also Ludwig and his family.
But that was the end of Ludwig’s story. At least for now… Instead, Bruno and Kurt remained on the battlefield. Pushing further into the Volga region as they dealt with the remnants of the Red Army in the region.
How did they deal with these Marxist revolutionaries? The same way which Bruno had in Saint Petersburg and Tsaritsyn. By killing them down to the last man. From the day Bruno had set himself on this course, one that was destined to clash with the Bolsheviks. He had resigned himself to deal with the enemy in a way that could be described by one simple phrase: “Kill them all!”
After taking Tsaritsyn, reinforcements and resupply came via the railway. Rotations had begun among the members of the Iron Division and the Red Army. Fresh faces from the German Reich, and the Russian heartland entered the field, with the haggard and battle worn soldiers who had endured months at war returning temporarily to a peaceful world free from the worries and suffering of combat.
Naturally, there were those that stayed put. Such as Bruno and his officer corps. They had vowed to stay in Russia until the last Bolshevik lie dead in the streets. And they would continue this fight for as long as they were required to.
Because of this, Bruno was currently sitting at a gathering in his tent. Sharing his cooked rations with the officers beneath his command. Among them were the likes of Kurt, Heinrich, and Erich. All of which, as well as the recently discharged Ludwig, had proven themselves exceptionally during the siege of Tsaritsyn.
With Heinrich and Erich both standing out earlier in Saint Petersburg as well. Because of this, Bruno had decided to use his authority as a Generalleutnant to promote some of the officers beneath his command. Not out nepotism, despite their friendship, but because of their repeated displays of ability in battle.
Whether that was in China, Manchuria, or here in Russia. Two of these men had proven during these last five years that they were far more suited to a higher rank than that of a mere captain. Because of this, Bruno raised the question over dinner among his entire officer corps, seeking to see if anyone disagreed with his decision. As the thoughts and feelings of the men beneath his command were always a concern that Bruno took seriously.
“Though it wounds my heart to see Captain Ludwig von Zehntner depart from the field so soon. It was a necessary decision, one which I have no regrets having made. I would also like to take this moment to press you all with a certain matter I have been pondering for some time now.
While it is most certainly in my authority to issue battlefield promotions to those, I deem fit as a Generalleutnant in the German Army, and the current commander of this division. I would like to make it known that the opinions of all the officers beneath my command are something I am more than willing to take into account before authorizing such a thing.
And since this issue is most certainly affected by my personal bias, having considered the two officers in question as among my closest friends for several years now. I would like to extend an invitation to you all about whether you believe it is appropriate to promote Captain Koch and Captain von Humboldt to the position of major?”
Nobody had expected Bruno to ask for their opinion on this matter. These two men had served beside Bruno for many years. They had also attended the academy together as cadets. Anyone else in his position would promote these two men without hesitation or question. If not, simply due to the bond they shared.
The German military was mostly a place of meritocracy, far more than any other similar organization in the world. But one could never get rid of corruption to begin with. For Bruno to ask permission from the other officers beneath his command.
Whether they were the lowest lieutenant or the highest-ranking colonel, it was a sign that he not only valued their opinions. But refused to engage in such a corrupt action such as nepotism.
And to do it while treating them all to a meal which he cooked himself using the same rations that everyone else in the Iron Division received it was ultimately an act which only further added to the respect that these men already had for him.
Bruno was young, having risen through the ranks of the German Army at such an expedient rate that there was no doubt resentment across the German Army’s Officer Corps towards him. And some of these men most definitely harbored these resentments until, that is, they served with him over these last few months in Russia.
But his actions just now had dispersed any resentments that might have lingered in the shadows of their hearts towards him. Quickly, everyone gave their thoughts on the matter. With Bruno not saying a word to interject, and instead listening to everything they all had to say, one by one, in an orderly fashion.
There were a few who had expressed worries about the matter in question. But they also shared that they felt with positions of authority over companies that provided significant contributions to battles such as Mukden, Saint Petersburg, and Tsaritsyn. It made sense that despite their age and relative lack of time in service, Heinrich and Erich were both worthy of such a promotion.
Especially since Bruno was not using his authority to skip over Major and give them the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Bruno was being fair by promoting his friends to the very next rank. After a majority agreement was made, which was damn near a consensus. Bruno announced that he would be promoting the two men and had presented them with their new rank insignia.
As a result, the officers celebrated the two men’s promotions with a night of drinking. In the morning Heinrich and Erich would be sent to their new regiments, which they would act as the third in command of such units.
Ultimately, this rank, despite being given to them during their time, officially recognized as “foreign volunteers” would carry over with them when they returned to the Fatherland. As Bruno’s “retirement” from the military was merely a cover for his actions in Russia, where he was unofficially acting on behalf of the German Army and the Kaiser by extension.
Thus, he still maintained full operational authority to promote soldiers beneath his command. A luxury that, though being used for the first time, was not something that would change in the future. As Bruno would make sure those men beneath him were appropriately awarded by merit alone. As the last thing he needed beneath his command was an over-inflated and inexperienced officer corps.
