Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 25: First Day at the Prussian War College



Bruno's life over the following week was rather peaceful. He spent every day at home with his wife. Free from any real worries that may have otherwise caught his attention. Luckily for him, he was not being deployed to some far-away corner in the world.

And instead, when the time came to resume active service, he was still able to return home to his wife every night. As their old manor was located close enough to the military base to be considered within the acceptable range of off-base housing for those soldiers who were already married.

As for Bruno's new unit. He was attached to another Infantry Company. He had a new commanding officer and new subordinates. What with Heinrich and Erich being sent off to other units across Prussia? Bruno found himself in a new and unfamiliar setting.

His daytime job during a time of peace was fairly simple. The usual bullshit that infantry had to do when there was no war to fight. Maintain physical standards, and every now and then go through some shooting drills. Other than that, the soldiers were left in the barracks with little to do. Most commonly turning to drinking and gambling to pass the time.

Bruno himself, as the leader of the Company was relegated to a desk job during the hours he was not actively training his company of riflemen. And because of this, he found his peaceful time in his new unit rather dull.

However, it was only a few weeks of this mundane activity before Bruno received a letter from the Central Division. It was not sent to his home, but rather given to him personally by his new battalion commander. A man who eyed the medal pinned onto Bruno's chest with a sign of respect.

He himself was a veteran of the Franco Prussian War, and had earned himself an iron cross during the conflict. In addition to this, he wore the Centenary Medal, which was an award established by Kaiser Wilhelm II, which honored the hundredth anniversary of his grandfather's birth.

This Medal was issued to soldiers only two years prior to Bruno's graduation from the Academy. And because of this, he did not have one to boast as well. Even so, the Colonel seemed to respect the fact that Bruno had volunteered to fight in the Boxer Rebellion, something that most of the Army, himself included had neglected to do.

It was because of this that his tone was more kind to Bruno than it normally was to his other subordinates, especially as he handed the young captain the letter in his hands.

"This is a letter from the Central Division of High Command, addressed to you personally. I have not read its contents, nor has anyone else for that matter. Whatever the reason, I suspect it is of grave importance. So stop what you're doing and focus on this."

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After saying this the Colonel departed after a short salute. Where Bruno opened the letter to find some surprising news. It would appear that his application to the Prussian War College had been accepted. There was a time and place designated for him to take the entrance test.

It would appear that his Colonel's letter of recommendation had been enough to convince those in the Army's High Command to make an exception for Bruno, and to waive the five- year minimum requirement that all other potential applicants would need to enter the academy.

Because of this, Bruno was quite convinced that he should begin studying for the test effective immediately. That is, after he concluded the mountain of paperwork that was on his desk.

Time flew by, and the weeks turned into months. In the end, the autumn came, and Bruno had passed the first series of tests that were required to enter the Prussian War College, and with flying colors, no less.

As an instructor at the modern equivalent of the Prussian War College during his past life, Bruno was naturally well aware of what would be required of him to pass the test. And had long since committed the material to memory.

Hell, as an infantry officer from the 21st century, Bruno had a far more vast understanding of modern strategy, tactics, and logistics than his instructors would have. Even so, if he wanted to become the youngest General in German military history, then he would need to spend the next three years of his life dedicating all of his spare time to being one of the bold few who would graduate from this unique military institute.

The first thing Bruno noticed upon sitting down in the first of his lectures was that he was surrounded by men of superior rank and was quite a bit older than he was. At 22 years of age, and less than a year in the military, Bruno had already surpassed the norm by receiving a battlefield promotion to captain.

In addition to this, he, unlike everyone else around him, was granted the sole privilege of attending the Prussian War College without meeting the minimum five-year service requirement. And it was because of this that he received many strange looks from the other students.

The first thing they would notice would be Bruno's young face. The second thing they would notice would be the bronze medal pinned to his chest, which signified his participation in the Boxer Rebellion, something he alone seemed to have in this class.

The third thing they would notice would be Bruno's shoulder tabs, which signified the rank of Captain. Because of this, those who had a proper understanding of what had happened in China immediately put the pieces together. With one man accidentally speaking his thoughts aloud.

"Is he the one they call the Wolf of Prussia?"

When this was said, all eyes turned to Bruno. After all, with the rumors they had heard of the young upstart, they figured he would be a far more menacing figure. But Bruno was a rather refined young man. His facial features were handsome and noble. Even his dueling scar was far from as menacing as others in his class wore with pride.

Sure, he was tall, and athletic, but not imposingly so. It was honestly quite surprising to them all to think that a man renowned for hounding the Boxer Remnants into oblivion was actually such a normal looking young man.

Bruno simply glanced over at all the attention he had gathered on his first day and sighed. He did not say a word, nor did he need to as the moment after the instructor entered the room. He was dressed in a rather prestigious officer's uniform, one that no doubt belonged to the

cavalry.

In addition to this, he wore many medals on his chest, seemingly having participated in the various conflicts that led to the rise of the German Empire. There were over fifty years' worth of medals pinned to this man's chest.

And that made sense, as he was clearly elderly. What with a bald head and a snow white imperial beard. The man looked remarkably similar to the current Austrian Kaiser Franz Jospeh I. Despite his years of service to the military, his rank had never quite reached that of the General, which would explain why he was a mere instructor.

Instead, he bore the proud insignia of a colonel on his shoulders as he began to yell at the various cadets in front of him, all of which jumped out of their seats to meet his orders.

"Attention!"

Bruno was naturally used to such a thing, considering the fact that he was now enduring his second life of military service. The grizzled old veteran was quick to look at the newest batch of cadets and commented on them all.

"You are here because you are the finest officers which the Reich has to offer. Look to your left, and then to your right. The odds are that only five of you will graduate from this institute within the next three years.

Those by your side will fail to endure the strictness of this academy and the standards that are required of you all. But after whittling out the weak and incompetent, make no mistake, those who remain will be assigned to vacant positions in the General Staff.

I am to be your primary instructor when it comes to military strategy, tactics, and logistics. If you fail even one of my exams, you will be booted out of this college and sent back to your units. So, despite the fact that you have all passed the entrance exam, we are going to start with a test of your knowledge regarding the tactics that our enemies employ.

And make no mistake, when I say our enemies, I mean the French. You, in the back, the young lad bearing the insignia of a captain. I hear you were personally recommended by the General in charge of the French expedition to China.

Supposedly, you were attached to his unit as an advisor. Surely you understand the French Army and its abilities better than anyone here!?! Go on then, enlighten us all!"

Having suddenly become the center of attention Bruno sighed internally. Regardless, this was

a trial he needed to pass if he wished to graduate from the Prussian War College and gain a favorable position within the Army.

Even so... Bruno couldn't help but feel as if the instructor was using this as a chance to purposely expel him from the College... Which was something that he could not allow to happen under any circumstances.