Chapter 1186: Chapter 195: Making Enemies
The main reason for the combat effectiveness of the troops in the Neretva region, besides the fierce local customs, is greatly related to the composition of the troops.
Due to the unfavorable situation in the early stages of the war, Austria-Hungary lost most of its carefully trained officer corps and regular army. Although emergency replacements were made, the composition of the troops was complex, including Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Ukrainians, Slovenes, Croatians, etc., making it difficult to form combat power.
However, divisions 54 and 59 did not have this problem, so compared to non-Empire main troops, divisions 54 and 59 could efficiently execute wartime commands.
Therefore, even without military training, divisions 54 and 59 could not perform worse than other patchwork troops of Austria-Hungary.
Thus, after being criticized by Clyde, General Frank realized the seriousness of the problem.
He changed his tone and said humbly, "Commander Clyde, please don’t get excited. First, report the situation of your division to me in detail, and I will verify it clearly. I won’t let you suffer any injustice!"
With Frank’s assurance, Clyde naturally wanted to pour out his grievances: "Currently, my division’s personnel has decreased by nearly thirty percent, with only a force of less than eight thousand men, losing more than four thousand, and we haven’t received any reinforcements yet, not counting the wounded."
"There are only less than ninety shells left, there’s a huge shortage of rifle bullets, and we’re short on medicine, horses, and artillery as well."
"Most terrifyingly, my division’s ration supply is far below that of other units, even wheat flour is scarce and of poor quality. Other items like tobacco, alcohol, and meat are even worse..."
As Clyde continued, Frank’s face grew darker and darker. He interrupted, "Alright, enough, make a list of your division’s shortages, and whatever’s lacking, I’ll replenish within two days. You don’t need to participate in tomorrow’s combat mission. I’ll send someone to investigate and give you a satisfactory reply."
After hanging up the phone, Frank slammed his fist on the table and said, "Get the quartermaster responsible for supplying the 54th division over here!"
Soon, a thin quartermaster with glasses was brought before General Frank.
"You are the quartermaster responsible for supplying the 54th division! Do you know why I’m calling for you?"
This quartermaster originally lacked confidence, and under Frank’s enormous pressure, he directly collapsed onto the ground.
The guards on both sides helped him up, and Frank’s face looked frighteningly grim. In the late winter season, a mist surged aggressively.
"General, I’m also acting under the instructions from above, I had no choice! This was instructed by Director Abutir!"
"Quartermaster Abutir is a Bosnian; he looks down on the 54th division, so he intercepted the supplies for the 54th division and allocated them to other Bosnian units. We dare not say anything!"
With the revelation of this quartermaster, the reason for the 54th division being treated differently was finally unveiled.
Frank asked, "Who exactly is this Abutir? How is he so bold?"
The quartermaster replied, "Director Abutir, a native Bosnian Serb, his father was granted the title of Viscount by the Empire for his contributions."
Sensing something, Frank asked, "Is it possible that Abutir is colluding with the Serbians?"
After all, the 54th division, as the new rising star on the Serbian battlefield, achieved great achievements at the expense of Serbian blood.
If Abutir is colluding with foreigners, particularly the Serbians, everything would make perfect sense.
Of course, this quartermaster naturally wouldn’t dare think that way; he clarified, "We dare not suspect Director Abutir. After all, his influence is substantial, and his family has been operating in Bosnia for a long time. Many Bosnian units have good relations with his family, which is the main reason he’s able to deceive. Many officers participated in this targeting activity against the 54th division..."
Without evidence, one can’t make random accusations. But as a subordinate of Abutir, he was an accomplice, so facing Frank, a high-ranking official of the Empire, he did not hide the truth.
From this incident, Frank realized quite a few hidden issues. After all, the 54th division not only offended the Serbians; their distinguished performance posed a threat to their colleagues as well.
General Frank threatened, "Tell me everything you know, I can guarantee your safety. If you hide anything, I believe you know the consequences!"
Frank certainly wouldn’t fear the family behind Abutir. Frank had greater influence; otherwise, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity for redemption, especially considering Austria-Hungary had lost tens of thousands in last year’s unfavorable Serbian campaign. This loss couldn’t possibly be borne by Potiorek alone.
The key reason for Frank’s preservation was his family’s operations in Vienna. Leveraging the previous three months of exceptional performance by the 54th division and other units, Frank regained the trust of the Empire’s high command.
So now, anyone who moves against the 54th division moves against Frank’s military achievements, hence becoming his enemy. This audacious Abutir cannot escape Frank’s retaliation, alongside those officers who colluded with him.
Three days later.
The investigation results finally came out. Although Abutir was not a traitor to the Serbians, he was indeed a staunch supporter of "Greater Serbia."
Therefore, against the strong 54th division, Abutir employed insidious tactics. Most importantly, the 54th division had no backing within Austria-Hungary.
After all, its commander Clyde was previously just a small battalion commander; he couldn’t possibly have connections with high-ranking officers from other Austrian units, not to mention the 54th division was merely a local unit, and now the Neretva region had separated from Bosnia, joining New Dalmatia Kingdom.
Thus, Abutir treated the 54th division as an easy target, leveraging family connections and other units envious of the 54th division’s achievements, pocketing most of their supplies.
This enraged both Frank and the high command of Austria-Hungary, for a hidden "Greater Serbia" member doing such things to a unit with contributions to the Empire was utterly disgraceful to the Empire’s military.
Abutir and the Austria-Hungary officers who collaborated with him naturally faced retribution. Rudolph personally ordered the stripping of his family’s title and property, with corresponding actions taken against the involved officers.
The 54th division, after receiving new personnel and supply reinforcements, joined the siege of Belgrade.
And knowing they’d been targeted by "Greater Serbia" ideologues, the 54th division directed their rage entirely at Belgrade’s defenders, displaying extremely strong combat power.
March 4, 1915.
The 54th division was the first to break into Belgrade’s urban area, shattering Belgrade’s defense system, becoming the first unit to enter Belgrade in the Second Battle of Belgrade.
The 54th division became a thorn in the side and a pain in the flesh for the Serbians, signifying that future relations between the New Dalmatia Kingdom and Serbia would never be eased. The hatred between both sides accumulated rapidly during the war.
Moreover, the New Dalmatia Kingdom not only offended the Serbians but also riled up the Croatians. As the 54th division advanced triumphantly, the New Dalmatia Kingdom’s revised conscription bill provoked resistance from some Croatians, but the New Dalmatia Kingdom government suppressed it, causing dissatisfaction from the Croatian government.
The two major Yugoslav ethnic groups on the Balkan Peninsula, Serbia and Croatia, both formed feuds with New Dalmatia, which will become a new factor in the future turmoil of the Balkan Peninsula.
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