Chapter 1185: Chapter 194: Unfair Treatment of the 54th Division
East Africa separating itself from this so-called New Dalmatia Kingdom is quite understandable. Although East Africa intended to support a mixed-blood German region within the former Austro-Hungarian Empire’s territory, this doesn’t mean that East Africa’s interests are completely aligned with the local ones, and the local mixed-blood German, after understanding the European game rules, may not entirely follow the directives of the East African Government.
This is fundamentally different from the overseas territories directly managed by East Africa. Thus, the original Neretva region was initially supported by East Africa to foster a pro-East African force, rather than being a complete puppet.
Moreover, due to the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate fate of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, East Africa cannot interfere further in the local situation. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissipates like in the past, after the war, the Allies are likely to carry out settlements there; thus, flexible diplomacy is necessary to ensure that East Africa remains undefeated.
This is similar to how Europe and America supported Ukraine in the past; everything is ultimately the Ukrainian people’s own choice, and they would absolutely not acknowledge their "trivial" assistance.
Therefore, the New Dalmatia Kingdom is destined to have a turbulent destiny, and whether it can establish itself in Europe fundamentally depends on its own resilience; East Africa will absolutely not admit to being its supporter from the shadows, even if all countries are clear on this.
...
Belgrade.
At this time, Belgrade has become the frontline of clashes between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia. After briefly capturing Belgrade last year, due to Potiorek’s incompetence, the Austro-Hungarian Army completely retreated within its borders, only stopping its decline at the end of the year.
At the start of the year, the regrouped Austrian Army once again stepped onto the outskirts of Belgrade, forcing the Serbians to defend their capital once more.
Southwest bank of the Sava River.
The newly formed 54th Division, based on the Neretva region’s military forces, is stationed here for rest.
This time, the 54th Division followed the main forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and set off from Mostar, advancing nearly three hundred kilometers east with almost no pauses for three months.
Division command post.
"Report to the commander, General von Frank sent a message requesting us to fully cooperate in tomorrow’s mission to assault the 523rd position in the west of Belgrade." The communication soldier handed the telegram to Commander Clyde and reported.
Commander Clyde said impatiently, "Send a reply to the headquarters; my division has not finished resting, the troops are severely depleted, and the weapons and ammunition are seriously lacking, making it impossible to assume the main force combat mission."
After the communication soldier went out, Clyde slammed the twig in his hand against the edge of the sandbox and said to his subordinates, "This group of bastards is really squeezing our division to death. Before setting off, we had over thirteen thousand people; now there are less than nine thousand, and our supply is as if treated by a stepmother. Yet they still expect our division to continue fighting desperately."
The 54th Division is one of the two divisions formed in the Neretva region, the other being the 59th Division, which has already been deployed to the Russian battlefield.
The fundamental reason for this outcome lies in the Neretva region’s impressive performance on the battlefield.
The 54th Division was established before the 59th Division; it was the first division-level unit in the Neretva region, formed from the originally retreated Neretva’s second infantry battalion.
Commander Clyde was originally the battalion commander of the second infantry battalion, quickly appointed as commander of the newly formed 54th Division, a considerable leap.
However, Clyde is evidently not an insignificant figure; despite the differences between commanding a battalion and a division, Clyde has performed competently on the battlefield.
This is mainly due to his father being a grassroots military commander in East Africa, who later joined the Austro-Hungarian Army because of East Africa’s "File No. 0," becoming a company commander in a guard company in the Neretva region.
Under his father’s influence and East Africa’s financial support for the Neretva region, the young Clyde not only graduated from Trieste Military School but also obtained the opportunity to study at East Africa’s Heixinggen Military Academy.
It could be said that Clyde’s life was arranged by East Africa, the hidden hand, from the very beginning, thus he received comprehensive and systematic military education.
Of course, East Africa at most infiltrated the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s grassroots army, not expecting Clyde to become a member of the Austro-Hungarian Army’s upper echelons, which clearly proves that war indeed offers rapid class elevation opportunities.
Originally, by general logic, Clyde wouldn’t reach the position of battalion commander before the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia without a few years’ time. But as soon as the war started, the Neretva region expanded its forces, Clyde was directly made a battalion commander, and now advancing several steps, he’s a commander; this is practically magical for someone like Clyde, who lacks extensive inside connections within the Austro-Hungarian Army.
Facing Clyde’s anger, many people in the command room deeply empathized, and the brigadier under him, Carrington, said, "Our brigade has suffered the greatest casualties during the war, executing multiple assault missions in these three months, which generally should be completed by the Empire’s main force."
"Our artillery shells are almost all used up, but there were no new supplies, yet our neighboring 46th Division just received a batch of ammunition, food, medicine three days ago... It’s quite clear the higher-ups haven’t been impartial, are we supposed to clash with rifles against Serbia’s solid military fortresses?"
As Serbia’s capital, Belgrade and its surroundings have military fortifications described as impregnable; without the cover and support of heavy artillery to suppress Serbia’s firepower, it would be virtually suicide.
As Carrington spoke, others began pouring out their complaints as well; by now, within the 54th Division, the sentiment of war-weariness had practically spread.
"Ring, ring..."
The phone in the command room suddenly rang.
"Commander, it’s General von Frank’s call!"
Clyde went to the phone and picked up the receiver, hearing General von Frank shout angrily, "Clyde, are you intending to defy orders?"
With General von Frank’s anger, Clyde remained unfazed, confidently retorting, "Sir General, our 54th Division is not made of iron giants; we are flesh and blood. If basic personnel and supplies aren’t replenished, I would accept going to the military tribunal."
"If the domestic situation were difficult, we would concede, but now the supplies are clearly abundant. Our neighboring 46th Division and 28th Division received personnel and supply reinforcements in the last round, yet they executed far fewer combat tasks; you’re treating the soldiers from the Neretva region as expendable. Thus, our division resolutely refuses to execute this task and plans to retreat to Mostar; at that time, everyone will face the shame together..."
Clyde spoke with confidence; in the worst case, he could rely on his father’s organizational connections to return to East Africa. This Austro-Hungarian official position can go to anyone; thinking of the unfair treatment the 54th Division received, being a basic military personnel in East Africa seems preferable.
At this point, General von Frank was dumbfounded by Clyde’s words; what were these circumstances?
Defying orders on the battlefield, heading to the military tribunal, who gave Clyde this courage! And what’s the situation with the 54th Division?
General von Frank is also an old general of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; during the last war against Serbia, he was a high-level commander, though most of the blame was borne by Potiorek.
Instead, General von Frank and some others weren’t heavily punished, as the Austro-Hungarian Army couldn’t disintegrate too quickly, so they needed these men to stabilize the troops; this combat task against Belgrade is General von Frank’s chance to redeem himself, and failure this time, Crown Prince Rudolph won’t spare him.
The 54th Division was now General von Frank’s trump card. Although newly formed, the Neretva residents, trained from a young age in military skills, had vigorous martial virtues. Based on their performance from the previous months, they have become a primary local force on par with the Empire’s elite.
At least General von Frank has already considered the 54th Division as a trump card unit under his control. Relying on the 54th Division’s brilliant achievements, the newly established 59th Division was immediately designated by the Empire to be dispatched to the Russian battlefield.
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