Joseon Needs a Coup - Chapter 390



Only Noblemtl

#1 Side Story Episode 2. – The Retrograde Struggle of the Dual Empire (5)

However, there were stubborn traditionalists in the government, the royal family, and the military who could not fully accept his claims. Even Hötzendorf, who had called him up here, was basically acting in a similar way to them.

And it should not be overlooked that the Habsburg leadership, with its old reputation, had long been filled with pride in its past successes and a reaction to the new 20th century.

“But we could also draw another conclusion from the wars of the past fifty years. And from the Far East War that took place quite recently. Despite the technologically advanced firearms and tactics, in the end, isn’t it the infantry, with its strong attack spirit and bayonet charge, and the cavalry, which charges through the gaps in the enemy’s defenses, that are the weapons that can end everything?”

It was quite a funny story, but the traditional infantrymen were defending their own logic by citing examples from the Japanese infantry, and the cavalrymen were defending their own logic by citing examples from the Russian and Korean cavalry, who had won many battles in Mukden and the peninsula with classic cavalry charges.

“It is a special case, and can never be a universal case. A war of a different dimension from the infantry tactics of the past that you know has already begun, and it will become a milestone for all future wars.”

As if he had just returned from a trip to the Far East a few years ago, where he had seen the army of the Apocalypse, Burchani took a deep breath before continuing.

“The battle at Mukden was bloody, but the bottom line was this: the infantry and cavalry, backed by powerful firepower, overwhelmed the fanatic Japanese infantry.”

“But in the end, wasn’t the main focus of the battle the use of infantry and cavalry…?”

The conservative traditionalists were not very convinced by Lieutenant Colonel Burchani’s words. Rather, they were focused on the tactics and doctrine of the Japanese army, which was a proven fear and an immediate threat, and which had suffered considerable losses at the hands of the Russian army, the primary enemy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

“Anyway, it was the Japanese army that defeated the Russian army that had been resisting fiercely in Lushun, and it was also the Japanese army that had been on a winning streak until the Battle of Mukden. Rather, I found evidence here that the existing battle doctrines were correct. That a single infantry unit achieved its objective even when it suffered losses of more than 50% in a fortress attack or in a field battle, and even when its artillery firepower was lacking.” “Shouldn’t we pay attention to the fact that those Japanese believe in Shinto? Even under the terrible enemy’s fire, the fanatical Japanese who believe in Shinto advanced, fought, and finally achieved their objective, calling out for their country and emperor.” “Furthermore, didn’t the General-in-Chief force us to wear dull blue-gray uniforms as soon as he took office? I think we’ve learned enough lessons about the war in the Far East.”

The traditional infantry and cavalry supporters who were friendly to or loyal to Hötzendorf took Lieutenant Colonel Burchany’s words lightly. They simply recognized that Russia had not mobilized elite troops from the West in this war, but had won by leading with auxiliary Korean troops and second-class troops.

“Absolutely not, gentlemen. While we concentrate on infantry and cavalry, the enemy is wide awake in the firefight. The fanatical Japanese infantry, who went on the offensive at Mukden and Pyongyang, lost 40 percent of their officers and 50 percent of their mobilized men to the Russian and Korean troops, supported by skilled enemy artillery and machine-gun fire. But our infantry and artillery are completely unprepared for this modern war. Especially our artillery, which is our sickest child…”

Lieutenant Colonel Burchani sighed deeply and lamented his country’s artillery. Of course, as expected from the Habsburgs of old, the scale of the artillery itself was quite impressive. There were over 3,000 pieces of artillery equipment deployed throughout the imperial army, and it was impossible to ignore the assessment that the mountain artillery was at its peak in terms of operation.

But this was only on paper, and if you look closely, the story is completely different. The number of heavy guns and howitzers suitable for modern warfare was always insufficient, and most of them were armed with cheap steel-bronze field guns suitable for the limited budget, so they could not avoid being evaluated as outdated.

“Compared to the Russian Army, our artillery is inferior in numbers, performance, and training. If things continue as they are, our artillery firepower will be crushed and we will have no choice but to push back. Whether it’s infantry or artillery, we must not forget the necessity of reorganizing in one area.”

As he said, the actual deployed artillery firepower was also insufficient compared to the original organization. The artillery brigades deployed to each infantry division were supposed to operate 54 artillery pieces, but due to the lack of equipment supply, in reality, only 40 pieces were available, two batteries short.

This was 20 guns short of the Russian artillery that they would have to face in the future, so a lack of firepower was inevitable in the actual campaign. Even then, most of them were light artillery, and the number of howitzers and heavy artillery that were actually evaluated as capable of destroying the enemy was insufficient, and even those had many difficulties in operation due to their range and lack of retreat devices.

In addition to the widespread assessment that there was a lack of interest in cooperation between infantry and artillery, the training budget and time given to the artillery, as well as the amount of ammunition received for training, were always insufficient. Unlike other European armies that received an average of 600 to 800 rounds of training ammunition, the field artillery of Austria-Hungary received only about 250 rounds, a mere one-third of that amount.

However, most commanders surprisingly did not pay much attention to this. It was because they believed that it was a valuable branch, but not a decisive weapon on the battlefield. After all, artillery was only there to provide an environment for infantry to charge, and they even thought it was cumbersome for movement.

“…the real problem we face is not a lack of innovative thinking. It is a chronic, chronic disease: a lack of budget.”

And among them, artillery was the biggest victim of the chronic budget shortage problem. Hötzendorf thought so as he sat in his chair, straightening his back and leaning back against the backrest. France did not provide loans like Russia, and Budapest was not very active in increasing the armaments necessary for the imperial defense strategy.

“But we can’t just sit back and do nothing, Chancellor. Whatever the choice, we have to make a change.”

“I agree in principle.”

He too had no choice but to acknowledge this problem, for he could not suppress the empirical fear that lay before him, and simply ignored it.

“It is true that we need a new method, as the lack of funds, ammunition, and firearms cannot be resolved in a short period of time.”

“General, shouldn’t we remain faithful to the traditional roles of infantry and cavalry? Rather, the lessons of the Far Eastern War, which showed such behavior, can serve as an example for our Habsburg army.”

Some commanders who were less interested in tactical innovation still defended the old ways. Of course, in terms of the grand scheme of things, Hötzendorf agreed with this movement, but he had a slightly different idea about the direction. If the army was to prepare for the coming war, it had to accept the method that could produce the greatest effect within the limited resources.

“No, that’s not it. If we are to remain faithful to our traditional roles, we need to adopt some of the lessons of the recent war.”

He said, gently placing the book written by Burchani on the table.

“Ultimately, the solution to all these problems is directly connected with the training of an army loyal to the Habsburgs and the Kaiser. And the roots of the fierce infantry offensive that I have been advocating for some time can also be said to originate here.”

“What are you talking about?”

Everyone listened to his words and expressed their doubts.

“We have to learn some lessons from the last war in the Far East. In any case, the infantry of Russia, Japan, and Korea, although using different methods, achieved the same result. That only the powerful infantry spirit of attack and advance can bring about all victory, honor, and salvation.”

Hötzendorf decided to twist his tactical view. Victory on the battlefield was based on ‘iron discipline and superior will’, so even if the enemy was buried in fortified positions or trenches, the iron infantry offensive could clear everything. However, there was no need to follow the old methods.

“Please note that Russian artillery is much more skilled than ours, and their field guns are also superior in performance. Since our artillery is chronically short of funds, we cannot reorganize it in a short period of time, so how about partially reorganizing the infantry, which is obviously going to suffer the most damage from the artillery? In the end, it is just a difference in method, but in the end, it does not deviate from the main tactical view.”

He drew on a piece of paper a rough sketch of Russian artillery and infantry formations, and a colored pencil sketch of the Habsburg infantry.

“The Habsburg infantry, armed with traditional determination and commanded by an officer corps that has learned the lessons of the last war, will be able to disperse the enemy’s fire and subdue him with bayonets, rather than in a dense formation.”

“But isn’t it difficult to expect that from units with low training levels?”

“Wouldn’t it depend on how well you control and train your troops? In the end, it all depends on the will of the infantry to fight.”

Hötzendorf looked at the traditionalists and said, He intended to present a compromise that both the traditionalists and the progressive young officer corps could not help but agree to. To the traditionalists, it would be enough to change things as long as they were not going to destroy the essence, and to the young officers, it would be enough to send a signal that they would not ignore the new doctrine in any way.

“…Besides, I heard some very explicit stories from the German attaché about last year’s training exercises, so is there anything else I can say?”

Towards the traditionalists who were about to complain, he dropped a bombshell. It was a comment by Kagenek, the German military attaché in Austria-Hungary, on the military exercises of the previous year, 1910. He was a very sympathetic figure towards the Habsburgs, but also a sharp critic of their military.

Already last year he had given a series of disappointing assessments of the Habsburg army, from the criticism that the units from the backward regions were not following a proper chain of command and that they were acting in a very low-level tactical manner to the officer corps that, despite being caught in enemy fire, would instead form tight formations, move too slowly, or underestimate the deadly fire of artillery and machine guns.

“He said that if it had been a real battlefield, the unit that had been training would have returned to God’s side within a few minutes of the battle.”

Of course, it was added that high-level German and Hungarian units demonstrated outstanding combat capabilities, but it could not be denied that the overall evaluation was that they were underprepared.

“After all, even when viewed through the eyes of a third party, it cannot be denied that our military has major problems. However, that does not mean that we can forcefully squeeze out the insufficient budget and hastily change everything.”

As he spoke, as if he was carefully moving chess pieces, the noisy crowd fell silent for a long time.

“Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently improve these points in the newly revised infantry regulations this year. In that sense, I will appoint Major General Burchany, the Chief of Staff of the 9th Army Corps, as a professor at the Imperial and Royal War College (KuK Kriegsschule).”

And the implications were quite clear. It could also be interpreted as meaning that Major General Burtzany, who had great influence on the young officer corps, was responsible for improving the doctrine of the newly changing Habsburg Army and the officer corps that would be trained on its basis.

“As the Korean general said, change things little by little, starting with the smallest things. Habsburg will live forever, and the Kaiser, the Empire, and the Double-Headed Eagle will live forever.”

Perhaps these small measures were the ones that would allow the declining empire of the two-headed eagle to sharpen its talons and beak and flap its wings once more. Furthermore, believing that they would also lead to the revival of the dual empire with its numerous members, Hötzendorf stepped outside, leaving the officers watching him behind.

***

“No, the Russian army suffered a major blow in Galicia?” “It seems that they were crushed by the Austrian army from the start. They say the casualties are enormous. If we continue like this, aren’t we going to get dragged into the war too?”

Since the beginning of the Great War, I have been faced with a rather dizzying situation. According to the original history, the Austro-Hungarian army had suffered a bitter defeat in the Galician campaign against the Russian army, and was forced to face a triple front, including the Serbian and Italian fronts.

Serbia was still holding out, but some of the elite troops were slowly breaking through the front line, causing the Russian army in Galicia to suffer greater casualties than expected. And when it came to the elite troops… you could tell what kind of formation they had without me having to say anything.

“…I made a huge mistake. I didn’t know it would turn out like this. They learned too deeply.”

It seems that the answer sheets and blueprints that I had taught Lieutenant Colonel Burchani had helped them breathe a little easier. The use of powerful elite infantry had a great impact on the Allied forces on the Eastern Front, and they had caused considerable casualties in the early campaign.

Of course, the main front of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was in Serbia, so the Russian army began to counterattack with a huge number of trains and the troops reinforced by them, and although they eventually pushed back to Przemysl, they suffered considerable losses in the process.

The snowball that had already rolled changed many things. The field units of the Austro-Hungarian Empire had lost less manpower and fighting capacity, while the Russian field units had suffered excessive casualties and were advancing in a straitened manner, greatly reducing their fighting power.

And in the long-awaited Battle of Przemysl, Russia achieved a Pyrrhic victory. And this was also a different direction from the original history.

“It was good that they surrounded and attacked Przemysl… but they all ran away from there.”

“From Warsaw, the troops of the Turks and Austrians struck the Russian field units in a timely manner…”

In the Battle of Przemysl, which was the turning point of the entire Galician campaign, the Russian army was forced to surrender the 120,000-strong Austro-Hungarian garrison without destroying them. The counterattack of the German-Austro-Hungarian army from Warsaw dealt a fatal blow to the Russian army, which suffered heavy casualties.

Of course, the Russian army also intended to weaken the ability to wage war by counterattacking East Prussia and to annihilate and destroy the 120,000-strong Habsburg army trapped in Przemysl, but everything fell into chaos under the advance of the allied forces, which was one step ahead of them. Fortunately, the entire Galicia itself was under Russian control, but in the current situation, it was of little significance.

“…Then, the record of Noseo-ah is too bad.”

“They said it was gloomy overall. That’s what our spectators said too.”

As the Russian army, which had been holding back the German and Austro-Hungarian armies on the Eastern Front, failed to do its job, the Entente also faced a rather real threat. With the German army pouring into the Western Front in greater numbers, and the British and French armies being torn apart, barely holding back the war machine, it could be said that the entire European front was in a state of panic.

And such a situation was inevitably forcing blood upon us. At the moment, the Russian cabinet and the leaders of the Entente powers were persistently demanding that we directly support the exhausted Russian army, send our army, which was even called the “Prussia of the East,” to crush the Austro-Hungarian army, and then call back the German army from the West to the East to relieve the pressure on the entire front.

“Are we going to end up in that meat grinder, Director?”

“…If Verdun is to not collapse, there may be no choice.”

I said, catching my shaky breath. After all, if Verdun was not to fall, the Russian army had to do something in Galicia.

“First, I will go to Gyeongungung Palace and attend the cabinet meeting. Gather information coming from Europe and report any unusual signs immediately.”

“All right.”

Unable to shake off my uneasy feeling, I hurriedly walked to the conference room being held at Gyeongungung Palace. Somehow, the sound of cannons and drums, heard thousands of miles away, seemed to be gradually approaching the east.

-Part 1 Side Story Fin-

[Author’s Note]

Part 2 begins shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914. See you again mid-week in March.