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12-January-1918
The days had continued passing and our greatest dilemma had already begun. The first outbreaks of Spanish flu had started, which immediately set our machinery in motion to begin delivering masks to the soldiers.
I had something very valuable on my side, which was the authority of the Crown Prince, who fortunately was a man more concerned with saving lives than continuing the fighting, so it was not difficult for me to make him the highest-ranking officer who was the most vocal about the disease.
So my first victory had been the purchase of hundreds of thousands of masks to distribute among the soldiers, in addition to quick courses on how to handle their masks with the disease.
The cases remained isolated, because the symptoms were quite clear for differentiating common illnesses from the disease for which we were preparing.
It was difficult to prepare for a viral disease, considering that some kind of defense against bacteria had only just been discovered, but the most important thing for the moment would not be trying to keep information about the disease silent. The goal was to change the name of the disease, blame the French, British or Americans for it, and for that we had to wage a media campaign, not trying to hide the information, but joining the efforts to make people know what was happening.
And there was our main weapon for that: Maximilian von Osterode, who had been the doctor to whom I had given all the credit for the discovery of penicillin and who was now the visible face of German medicine, since the press that the OHL allowed to operate had not taken long to make the discovery of penicillin publicly known.
So his name was already being heard everywhere, giving him a prestige and influence that would never have been attributed to me, considering that my prestige was very bloody.
But we were already working so Maximilian would say certain things to the press, that the disease came from the arriving Americans and also that it was not a bacterial disease, but a virus, so it could not be treated as such and drastic measures were necessary.
In addition, on my part, together with Abteilung IIIB, we had begun moving as much information as possible to neutral countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, saying that the disease was American and that the American government knew it, only that it was hiding it.
Although France and the United Kingdom had press censored by the war, sooner or later that would reach the right ears and cause problems.
''How serious are we talking? What are the symptoms?'' the Crown Prince said while looking at Maximiliam, pressing his lips with one hand.
''Very severe, Your Majesty. High fever, muscle pain, changes in skin tone, headaches, vomiting, nosebleeds and, in some cases, mucus production so severe that it begins to fill the lungs. The symptoms are proving to be more serious, which is why we must redouble prevention efforts'' Maximiliam said, repeating what I had told him he had to say.
''And is this certain? That it is the Americans? I know it is very tempting to point the finger at them, say that they are to blame and all, but it is not right to accuse them of a disease either'' the Crown Prince said while the other generals in the tent looked at one another.
''Completely. The first cases are observed among Entente prisoners, but mostly among American soldiers, and of course, this is causing it to spread into our own camps and later into the rear when those soldiers begin using their free time. We have to restrict them from withdrawing to the safe cities, since we currently have no way to cure it beyond alleviating the symptoms. That is why prevention is the most vital thing we can do'' Maximiliam said, raising his voice a little.
''We are weeks away from beginning the attack against the enemy trenches. Could this compromise our offensive?'' one of the generals said while looking at the map.
''With complete certainty. We have to keep distributing masks to prevent the virus from continuing to spread and, at the same time, prepare isolated areas of the camps and transport all the sick there. If we have an outbreak, surely this will continue affecting us, with hundreds of thousands of men gathered in one place becoming sick and unable to act in the offensives'' I said, taking a step forward while looking at the generals of the Army Group.
''That will be very unpopular among the men, having to deny leave… Will we also have to deny rotations of men?'' another general asked, looking at Maximiliam.
''The recommendation is to keep the camps isolated until we can isolate the infected, but at the same time spread them into more camps and not have them all packed together in the area in case of an enemy offensive. I know it is risky, but if a general outbreak spreads, it is like losing all the men'' Maximiliam said, nodding.
''It is the most viable option. We cannot delay the offensive. Giving our enemies more time is putting the result of the offensive in doubt'' another army officer said.
''But this has to be decided by Hindenburg. We cannot make a change in strategy that leaves our defenses open'' another of the officers said.
''I will speak with Hindenburg. What matters now is that such a dangerous disease does not spread through our camps, much less through the cities. So do what the doctor said: disperse the camps, make them wider, mandatory mask use for the moment and we will have to quarantine any city that shows symptoms'' the prince said.
''It would be more advisable for all occupied French territory to have restrictions on moving from city to city, and to create a supply transport system that allows us to place train drivers in temporary quarantine when they arrive at their destinations, since they will be the main points of transmission of the disease if they become infected'' Maximiliam said, interrupting while the generals began to move.
''That also has to be discussed, since I cannot simply prevent supplies from arriving because of the disease, but it is certainly something we must consider'' the prince said.
The generals said their farewells and, with their officers, disappeared from the command tent to carry out the order and begin dispersing the camps.
''How many of those masks do you have ready to deliver to the army stock?'' the prince said while making a grimace and pressing his lips together, looking thoughtful.
''Several hundred thousand, probably close to a million that are here and ready right now. You can send for more from what comes out of the factories producing them, so we may bring in several tens of thousands every week'' I said, nodding.
''Your shipment is confiscated. You will be compensated in the future, however feasible, since until April we do not have many funds to pay you, and unless an emergency budget is approved, there will be no way to keep paying what you ask for the masks'' the prince said, looking at me sternly while frowning in irritation.
''Eh, but I am only earning 2 marks for every 100 masks'' I said, raising an eyebrow at this sudden expropriation.
''I know you are asking little, but you know very well how army budgets work, and until April no more will arrive, since the entire budget is committed to buying weapons and ammunition from the military industry. You will be paid as soon as this year's budget is received, so it will not be so terrible either. I need you to produce as much as you can. I do not want a medical tragedy because we are not doing everything possible'' the prince said, standing up and beginning to walk in circles in front of his assistants.
''Understood. I will deliver everything I have under my control so it can be distributed, although I doubt it will be enough for everyone'' I said, clicking my tongue at this situation.
''That much is clear to me. We have to produce more and apply those quarantines Maximiliam requests with severity. We have to control this disease, because if the spring offensive fails, only God knows what we will have to do to win, so we have to make sure our offensive is prepared as it should be'' the prince said.
''More doctors and nurses must be brought to the front as soon as possible, in addition to more medical equipment. We will have to drain some lungs, is that not right, Maximiliam?'' I said, elbowing the doctor, who was adjusting his glasses.
''That is correct, Your Majesty. We need more doctors and nurses, and isolated medical camps must be raised to treat the patients, since they must be kept in a cool and open space for treatment and to try to contain the symptoms'' Maximiliam said.
Seeing that Maximiliam closed his mouth, I elbowed him again and looked at him seriously.
''Also, Your Majesty, we should try to obtain an emergency budget to attempt to create a vaccine as quickly as possible. It is feasible to isolate the virus and extract it so it can be cultivated, then later carry out experiments to immunize the population against the most devastating effect of this disease'' Maximiliam said after rubbing the spot where I had elbowed him.
''Yes, I believe that would be prudent, but do you have any idea how to do it?'' said one of the prince's doctors standing beside him.
''As we speak, several of my colleagues are trying to extract the virus from the infected Americans we have under care. With that, we will be able to try to make cultures with the virus once it has been isolated and we will see how to introduce it to the population, but for the moment we have to obtain funding. The Herzog has offered funding for the creation of a vaccine, although that depended heavily on the sale of masks and penicillin'' Maximiliam said.
''I will speak with my father and with Hindenburg and do everything within my power so that vaccine receives proper funding, but I expect your work to be quick, since we cannot completely stop the attack against the Entente. We must attack and win now that we have the advantage, so I hope that advance comes quickly. And Karl, speak with your contacts in the east. Try to get support for this. Speak with the kings of Ukraine and Ruthenia and make them put up a budget'' the prince said, looking at me sternly.
''Understood. I do not know what you expect me to do, an order from Germany would be more than…'' I tried to say until I was interrupted.
''I know very well that you control the gold payments for the captured weapons and that many payments are still missing. Make sure part of that reaches the vaccine funds'' the prince said, staring at me.
''Fine, I will put some pressure on them for it, but let us hope that later brings a return, because this will affect the plans for the Baltic'' I said, returning his gaze with a smile.
''Certainly. Now go work and try to keep your troops from being infected, because we will need them for the offensive'' the prince said.
''Understood. Maximiliam, we are leaving'' I said, saluting the prince, and Maximiliam copied my movement.
We left the prince's tent and quickly walked toward our area of the camp.
''Good, Maximiliam, make sure you can isolate the virus. I do not have much idea of what must be done, but consider that you have unlimited resources. We need that vaccine no matter what, so prevention may be a temporary solution, because the spring offensive will not be stopped and therefore, when we advance against the French and Americans, there will be many infections, so we have to inoculate as many as possible'' I said, looking at the doctor.
''This will take time. Even if we manage to make a vaccine by weakening the virus, it may require many tests to do it and we will need many trials… as you will understand, there will be few volunteers for that'' the doctor said.
''I will see if I can get you volunteers with a large and generous payment for those who offer themselves, although we could always resort to the murderers and rapists in the prisons so they can do something good for society'' I said, looking at the doctor.
''It is not ideal, but if we do not get volunteers, it is the best that can be asked for'' Maximiliam replied.
''Good, go do your thing. I have to prepare the shipment of trucks and armored cars that has arrived for the spring offensive'' I said, turning around and beginning to walk toward the train station to inspect the shipment.
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