1917-January-10-19
Although I would soon receive a pension granted personally by the Kaiser along with an important noble title, I still did not know what would happen to Ukraine's budget for the next harvest, nor what would happen with the occupation zones. I had no further information about whether Ukraine would remain my responsibility or if the Kingdom of White Ruthenia and the United Baltic Duchy would manage their own agricultural production independently.
So watching the Ottomans conduct firing trials with submachine guns and machine guns turned out to be a good distraction.
I had managed to establish contact with an important officer of the Ottoman Sultanate in order to conduct several firing demonstrations using the weapons I had brought with me.
And of course, while the sale of weapons went directly into my own pocket, the sale of ammunition went directly toward Ukraine, since the Ukrainian ammunition factories were operating far below capacity for the moment. Germany itself did not require enormous quantities anymore because much of its ammunition demand was already supplied by local industry.
That left us with a massive amount of unused production that could easily be sold to the Ottomans.
''Selling weapons and ammunition is quite lucrative'' I said while listening to the sound of my weapons firing as Ottoman soldiers used them exactly as we had instructed in front of a large gathering of high-ranking officers gathered in the capital.
''Are you sure we can do this? Shouldn't we already be preparing to move toward Anatolia?'' one of my subordinate officers asked while watching the weapons trials behind me.
''I have received no orders forbidding me from helping our ally arm itself with the best available equipment while simultaneously offering them the excess ammunition we possess, or rather, the unused production from the factories in Ukraine. We are simply optimizing resources to the fullest. I am almost certain Hindenburg would be very pleased with this behavior'' I replied with a faint smile while tilting my head slightly and continuing to listen to the echo of bullets flying through the air.
For some strange reason the sound of bullets flying carried a noise remarkably similar to a cash register.
Several minutes passed while the Ottoman marksmen completed their evaluations, and eventually a number of officers approached us. One Ottoman officer began speaking and a translator quickly relayed his words.
''Good weapons. Much more compact than the machine guns German contractors normally offer us. This information will be passed along to the Sultan so that some may be purchased, but the most important question, and the one that justifies larger acquisitions, is whether Germany possesses the capacity to supply ammunition shipments. We cannot redirect our current ammunition production to adapt to German calibers'' one of the Ottoman officers explained through the translator.
''Well, Germany itself does not have much capacity to spare, but the Kingdom of Ukraine does possess the industrial capability to manufacture and ship large quantities of ammunition in support of the front. Naturally, for the proper price, we can send tons of ammunition directly to Ottoman arsenals'' I answered calmly while observing another group of Ottoman soldiers beginning to test my weapons.
The high-ranking Ottoman officer began speaking again and his translator quickly repeated his words.
''Then you may provide us with a price list. We will evaluate the feasibility of placing a large order within our current possibilities'' the translator said.
''Excellent. I have the prices right here. This is the cost for the machine guns with or without tripod mounts, including several modifications that may prove useful. The submachine guns are sold as weapon-only packages with ammunition priced separately. These values are listed in Ukrainian marks, so you will need to purchase currency through the Ukrainian Mint'' I replied with a broad smile while looking toward the senior Ottoman officer.
I waited for the translation to finish before the officer nodded, accepted the documents containing the prices, and dismissed himself with a military salute which I immediately returned.
''Do you have anything else to offer or may we return to our duties?'' the Ottoman translator asked.
''No, only a single additional item. I brought an anti-tank weapon in case we encounter British tanks. I am not certain whether you would be interested in purchasing such weapons considering I do not know if tanks are even being used on this front'' I answered while looking toward the Ottoman officer.
''The same weapons used at the Somme to neutralize the advance of the British metal beasts?'' the Ottoman officer asked.
''Exactly. I brought one with me and it should already be loaded aboard the ferry, so I had not planned on displaying it, though orders may certainly be placed. They can be manufactured relatively quickly if there is interest'' I replied confidently.
''I will discuss this with my superior. We have not sighted British tanks on any of our fronts, but it could certainly prove useful to possess one or two of these weapons under our control'' the smiling officer replied.
''Of course. I am here to help. Well then, if there is nothing further to discuss, I should reach the front as quickly as possible since my time here is limited and I would rather take advantage of the cool season before the heat becomes unbearable'' I answered happily at the idea that I had secured several contracts that would fill both my pockets and Ukraine's agricultural funds.
With nothing more to discuss, we headed toward the city's harbor where all of our equipment destined for the Sinai front had already been loaded.
So while waiting for the workers to finish unloading the trains, we boarded the ferry and crossed the sea in less than an hour before disembarking at the port of Izmit, where the exact same process repeated itself once more as workers transferred our cargo back onto trains for the next stage of the journey.
The landscape here was completely different.
One could clearly see the terrain of Ottoman Anatolia stretching endlessly with valleys, mountains, and hills surrounding the railway lines as we passed through, making the journey far more visually impressive.
Unless we crossed some major city, however, there was little that truly caught my attention, and we mostly passed the time talking to one another simply to make the hours move faster since there was little else to do besides stretch our legs during stops and relieve ourselves whenever stations allowed it.
For several more days we moved across Anatolia station by station, making all the necessary transfers required to eventually reach the front.
More than anything, some sections of the trip nearly froze us to death due to the brutal temperature shifts while crossing mountainous terrain.
Eventually we finally left Anatolia behind and arrived in Syrian territory after several more days of travel.
Once inside Syria the climate became far more stable without the savage temperature swings we had experienced throughout Anatolia.
We were forced to disembark before reaching Antioch because part of our equipment had to be transported by horses and carts to the next station since the railway construction in the region was still unfinished. Several important sections of the Berlin-Baghdad Railway were not yet complete.
After traveling several kilometers mounted on horses and camels, we finally reached the next station near Antioch where our equipment was loaded once again and transported toward the battlefield.
Several more days passed traveling through the region before we finally reached our destination.
It was near Jerusalem where we were forced to continue the final stretch on horseback toward the front at Gaza where the German forces stationed in the region received us.
Recognizing my German uniform, the soldiers of the German garrison allowed me through so I could report directly to the general commanding the front.
''General der Artillerie, by order of the OHL I am joining the German expedition in the Ottoman Empire'' I said while saluting the general who, for some reason, was wearing an Ottoman uniform. He was even wearing one of those hats used by the Ottoman army which left me deeply confused.
''Ah… at ease, Oberst. Yes, I received the telegram informing me that veterans would be arriving to support us in combat. I have heard good things about both you and your conduct at the front. I hope you do not believe this will be a quiet posting because now that more reinforcements and equipment are arriving after Russia's collapse, I have several plans I wish to implement'' the general replied while returning the salute before lowering his gaze back toward his maps.
''On the contrary… taking the initiative is my specialty. That is why I would like to request an autonomous command sector at the front so we may begin harassment and reconnaissance operations against enemy lines'' I answered while placing my hands behind my back and watching the general carefully.
''Have you ever fought in a desert before, Oberst Karl?'' the general asked.
''Well… I have heard stories'' I replied while suppressing the urge to say that I possessed considerable experience.
''Stories do not win battles. The desert is dangerous. It can kill a man almost as quickly as a British soldier in these lands, so keep that in mind. However, I understand your Jaegerkommandos specialize in striking officers and high-ranking targets. First your men must acclimate and learn how to preserve water'' the general said.
''I understand that, General. I intend to operate during the colder season for several months, but I am fully aware that I must ensure my men remain hydrated, drink sufficient water, and account for the natural evaporation that occurs within our reserves'' I responded.
''Ah… finally they send me someone truly competent. The previous reinforcements were full of idiots who got themselves lost in the region, so feel free to supply your men with additional water. Give them one extra canteen each. For the moment you will remain under direct command until I am certain you know what you are doing. After that we will discuss your autonomous command'' the general replied while pulling out additional maps.
''There seems to be considerable British troop movement'' I observed while examining the map detailing recent enemy activity.
''Yes. It is no secret that the Ottoman army is unprepared for war. They are terribly equipped, their tactics are outdated, and the shortage of artillery pieces has caused me endless problems. However, by March I am supposed to receive around fifty artillery guns which should place us in a stronger position for future engagements, along with more ammunition and weapons now that the Ottomans will be supplying us with additional equipment. We still need the railway completed to improve water transportation though'' the general explained while beginning to fill his pipe with tobacco.
''Well, soon the Ottoman Empire will be purchasing weapons from a new contractor currently supplying the western front, so you will receive quality firearms along with large quantities of ammunition for them. In terms of supplies we should be fine, though it seems the British greatly outnumber us'' I answered while continuing to study the map carefully.
''Yes, the British are troublesome because they frequently target only Ottoman fortifications and try to avoid direct engagements against my forces since most skirmishes end in their defeat. But due to manpower shortages we do what we can. That is precisely why three thousand veterans from the eastern front were exactly what I needed'' he said while lighting his pipe.
''Would it be acceptable if my men begin reconnaissance operations in this sector and here? I prepared several camouflage uniforms specifically for this environment and I will need time to adapt them while waiting for more uniforms, since I never expected to be promoted recently and assigned two thousand additional men'' I said while pointing toward sectors of the front where British movement appeared heaviest.
The general studied the map for several seconds while slowly exhaling smoke from his pipe.
''Hmm… here and here the British frequently move mounted patrols along with several light vehicles. We have lost multiple reconnaissance teams attempting to approach too closely'' he said while drawing several lines across the map with a pencil.
''Then those are exactly the sectors where I want to operate. If we can identify their supply routes and the locations of their water depots, we can begin striking them without engaging in major battles'' I answered calmly.
''You plan to wage irregular warfare in the desert?'' the general asked while raising an eyebrow and smiling slightly.
''I plan to kill soldiers, destroy supplies, strike multiple areas simultaneously, and convince the British that we possess far more men than we actually do'' I replied while continuing to observe the map.
The general let out a small laugh while taking another draw from his pipe.
''You most certainly live up to everything I have heard about you…'' he said while removing the pipe from his mouth. ''Very well. You have permission to begin limited reconnaissance operations. I do not want large attacks yet. First I want detailed reports regarding enemy positions, routes, and any indication of offensive preparations.''
''Understood'' I replied with a nod.
''I will also assign you several Ottoman scouts familiar with the terrain. I do not trust their discipline very much, but they know how to survive in the desert better than any newly arrived German soldier'' the general said while continuing to draw lines across the map.
''Then they will be useful'' I answered.
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