Re: Blood and Iron

The initial concepts of the Panzer II, built upon the E-25 Chassis, had proved to be effective, and in the years since they first crossed past the alps, and in into Austria as the bulwark in stabilization efforts, improvements had been made to the overall platform, and the chassis had now been perfected in a way for mass production.

And naturally, that meant that experimentation with full scale combined arms integration of the platform had also begun production in Germany. But as always, the world was watching what Germany was producing, just beginning to understand their failures during the Great War, and was now trying their best to produce machines that could keep up.

Interestingly enough, on English soil, the Mk III tank had begun to see its prototyping complete. It was no longer a crude misunderstanding of the Panzer I, but a similar design overall.

Boasting a simplified suspension, albeit not to the level of the torsion bar used on the Panzer I and II in this timeline, the low height, sloped armored tank mounted with a QF 2 pounder main gun, on a rotating turret that was less than ideal when compared to those mounted on German tanks.

The 2 pounds, or 40mm main gun was subpar when compared with the 50mm gun on the German Panzer I, and its ammo was not quite as advanced, but for a tank manufactured in 1918? It was well above and beyond its competition during Bruno’s past life.

There was a reason for this. After all, German advancement had outpaced their competition and their rivals who were defeated and forced to prepare for the future were desperately trying to copy the Reich’s homework.

And this was not the only weapons platform Britain was trying desperately to pump out after more or less having unquelled the majority of unrest across their Empire’s borders. Or what was left of them after the Great War had come to a close in their defeat.

Biplanes with aluminum fuselages, wings, and propellers entered British service—primitive attempts at imitating the German He-51. Even so, to say the plane managed to mimic the Gloster Gladiator from Bruno’s past life was a fairly accurate assessment of the prototype. At least in terms of outward appearance.

Practically speaking, its Powertrain was still lacking, while Britain and other major players like Italy, and those watching overseas in the lands of the United States might be able to mimic Germany’s homework in structural innovation, when it came to producing engines capable of matching said performance, they were woefully behind the times.

So, this was a flying aluminum-wood hybrid coffin, and only so because it was operating with a WWI era Hispano-Suiza 8F, that produced a mere 300-330 horsepower and was designed to carrier wood and canvas planes into the air, not aluminum.

Quite honestly, semi-aluminum construction biplane, with synchronized Vickers, and a speed of a little over 100 miles per hour? This would have been the most advanced plane on the planet in 1918 of Bruno’s past life.

But the Germans were already fielding He-51s en masse, of multiple variations to perform every role it currently needed to fulfill in the German Air Force. In addition to this, Bf-109s were in pre-production prototype variants, soon to replace these already obsolete fighter planes, which would be relegated to reserve service, training new pilots, and export to more minor nations like Greece and Hungary.

It was truly a testament to just how much ahead of the world Germany had become under Bruno’s guiding hand.

Thus weeks later when photographs and film taken by German intelligence agents in Britain of their new prototype fighter made their way to Bruno’s desk at the office of the General Staff, he alone sat there inspecting the film footage, and the still pictures, taking in what he was seeing take flight for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Air force generals and Naval Grand Admirals who also sat by his side for this intelligence report had an entirely different approach to the briefing they were receiving. The first response from the others who stood in the room was to jeer and mock the British Empire and their vain attempts to catchup.

These were petty comments made by shortsighted men who sat on the laurels of Germany’s previous victory, and overall technological dominance was to be expected, as they didn’t understand who was truly behind the reason why Germany was so advanced compared to the rest of the world.

“That thing appears more like a glider than it does a plane. Is that supposed to be our competition? What did they trade speed for metal? Do they think it’s the aluminum that saved our pilots from their flak?”

Bruno did not immediately respond to the question. In fact, he was quiet as the insults continued to fly through the room faster than the gladiator prototype would ever be capable of. Instead, Bruno’s words shook the room into silence when they were spoken.

“It’s truly impressive how far the British have come, without direct access to the He-51s blueprints, and just a few pictures and stories taken during the war to go off of. They must have some very talented minds working for them to pull this off in a mere two years of development.

It’s a pity it won’t matter, the He-51 already outperforms it, but the more they begin to understand this prototype of theirs, what works, and what doesn’t the faster they will develop something better. We should increase intelligence activity within the British Isles, as I want to keep an eye on their future products.”

The Air Force generals remained utterly silent as the intelligence agent conducting the briefing pushed to the next slide to show their new tank. He felt a bit awkward asking what immediately came to mind, but felt compelled to do so.

“And what of the new Mk III tank design?”

Bruno gazed upon it for a few minutes before giving his honest thoughts.

“A vast improvement, thicker armor that appears welded instead of riveted, a true sloped shape hull, a better gun, and a more functional turret. Could it go one to one and emerge victorious against a Panzer I? perhaps a ten percent chance if I’m being generous, but still a remarkable attempt.

Britain is advancing quicker than I thought they would, and we would do well to increase counter espionage and begin psychological operations to trick them into thinking our development is heading in other, less practical directions.

If they were to have a functional idea of the Panzer II it would not be good for us… Luckily for us only whispers exist of it, as anyone who actually saw it and lived to tell the tale would not be in a mental state to be believed.”

Bruno’s words were once more challenging the arrogance of those who sought to rest on the victory he had created for them. But Bruno was not the type of man to let victory and technological superiority to create a mindset of complacency, and because of this, after he took a sip from his glass of water that sat on his desk, he looked over at the Air Force General who had dared to mock the British prototype fighter and said the most devastating words to him he had never expected.

“By the way… If you can’t perceive the danger this plane represents, then you are unfit to lead the Luftstreitkräfte going forward. I want your Generalfeldmarschall collar and shoulder tabs on my desk by tomorrow morning, if not I will have them removed by force…”

There was no protest that erupted after hearing Bruno, the man who was technically the Joint Chief of Staff, and in command of all Military Units above all others except for the Kaiser himself, strip the man of his rank and kick him down a peg on the hierarchy, because after Bruno had spoken, they all understood what the man had done wrong, and how such a mentality could lead to ruin, eventually.

Contrary to what anyone was expecting however, the man himself, who had been demoted, did not protest either, nor throw a fit, he simply bowed his head and admitted fault as he tore off his insignia then and there and handed them over to Bruno while maintaining a deep bow of respect.

“You are right. I have proven unworthy of this prestigious rank that you had previously entrusted me with. I will seek to reclaim them when I have earned them rightfully again. I will remember this lesson you have taught me today for the rest of my life…”

Bruno’s waning confirmation that the correct lesson had been learned was quick to raise his brow in suspicion as he demanded an answer in front of all the others so that they could know his intent, too.

“And what might that lesson be?”

The Air Force General still did not raise his head as his voice contained pure resolve as he spoke every word with the conviction of a man who had seen hell and determined never to walk its path again.

“We should never underestimate our enemies, no matter how powerful and advanced we may perceive ourselves to be…”

Bruno grabbed hold of the Generalfeldmarschall insignia that the other man had worn moments before, and pocketed them with an approving smile on his face, assuring the man the path to redemption had truly begun.

“You will get these back when I am sure the lesson has stuck… As for the rest of you, you would do well to remember these words as well. Victory has defeated more great men and the Empires they have built than defeat ever has, and if left unchecked, will be our undoing as well…”

With that Bruno looked at his watch and noticed it was time for another appointment, a far more personal one which he had promised someone far more important than these generals, which he was quick to make a lighthearted remark about as if it were only natural for him to do so.

“Now, that will be all for today, gentlemen. I promised my wife we would be having tea with tea at noon, and the time for my departure has arrived.”

Nobody dared complain about Bruno meeting with his wife at their old estate during work hours, especially if it was a lunch break… He was after all the man who had earned them victory, and if anyone deserved a bit of flexibility in his work schedule, it was him.

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