Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Meanwhile they can't abandon their colonial playing nature and try to practice imperialism. Against Germany at that.

Though he couldn't interfere at all with field command authority, Kuropatkin is clearly Chief of General Staff, head of the institution determining all army and navy strategy and tactics.

In other words, Kuropatkin could change grand strategy overnight with just Prime Minister Kokovtsov and the Tsar's permission.

The decision that should be made now as such a Chief of Staff.

"If you don't prioritize alliance... Fine, we'll also change our priorities."

While the majority of forces had been concentrated on the Eastern Front until now, Russia's main enemy is no longer Germany but the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

"Kornilov was it? Have him lead some Northwest Army Group forces to turn south."

The General Staff decided to reduce forces on the Eastern Front.

==

Moltke was a gambler who bet the nation on a short war, and Falkenhayn was also an unprecedented idiot who made strategic mistakes twice in '15 and '16.

While at least Moltke had a possibility of occupying Paris, there was no one more incompetent than Falkenhayn who couldn't even learn from failure.

Hindenburg, who harshly criticized former Chiefs of Staff, thought he came to this position too late.

"It's fortunate that I was deployed to the Battle of Verdun, otherwise this war would have ended long ago."

Though it might seem like baseless narcissism at first glance, Hindenburg sincerely believed so.

He was the type who was sick of former Chiefs of Staff's incompetence, and because of this he even openly declared he would retire if Falkenhayn wasn't dismissed.

In fact, Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz who shouted together then actually wrote his resignation.

1914's short war.

1915's end of two-front war.

1916's war of attrition.

This country's grand strategies all failed.

And Hindenburg finally sitting in the Chief of Staff position in '17.

His power was reaching its peak, enough to replace the Chancellor who opposed unlimited submarine warfare as soon as he became Chief.

What he needs now is victory. Only victory.

And this victory, in his experience.

"The Eastern Front... Not there. That's a battlefield where winning isn't winning."

Seemed easier to obtain on the Western Front than the Eastern Front.

However, it's difficult with the current force difference widened to 1:1.5. After all, Germany is in a two-front war.

Then as always, they need to block one side and break through the other but...

"If we pull forces facing Roman, Berlin will be in danger. Though it's a battlefield advantageous for defense, gambling against those Ivan bastards is difficult."

"...We know better than anyone."

Fundamental lack of troops.

In his view, to attack the Western Front requires at least 700,000 additional troops. 53 divisions armed with light machine guns.

'And that's before American forces properly join.'

Counterattack on the Western Front becomes more difficult as time passes.

"700,000 assault troops. Advocating General Hutier's infiltration tactics."

"Medium machine guns and mortar armament is insufficient now. We need an army that can quickly neutralize enemy defense lines and infiltrate the rear with only light machine guns."

"But we don't even have troops now, let alone elite divisions?"

Ludendorff's point struck at the core of Hindenburg's operation.

There are no troops to pull out from anywhere. What good is perfect tactics? When there are no chess pieces to execute those tactics.

"Moreover, infiltration tactics originally must not pull existing forces as it breaks through one point while defense lines face each other. Meaning currently we must resolve this through conscription..."

"I know too. It's impossible to create and use 53 divisions through conscription."

Already not just elite divisions but after continuously diluting regular divisions with reserves for three years, now the entire army was just conscript forces.

Meaning there are no more well-trained Prussian strong forces or Bavarian elite divisions.

Hindenburg who must now produce real results after becoming Chief of Staff.

Ludendorff stuck right beside that Hindenburg, destined to share his fate.

'...If only we could receive Austrian support.'

'I heard their war situation isn't good lately either. Even maintaining the front isn't easy.'

However, no matter how deep the worries, non-existent troops don't appear from thin air overnight.

Though it might seem just 700,000 considering the millions of troops wasted so far, that 700,000 doesn't exist.

The two men felt 1916's war of attrition especially painful today.

One day while anxiously watching the quiet Western Front.

"Košice in Slovakia has been occupied by Russian forces. They seem likely to attempt entering Hungarian territory soon."

"...This is maddening. Even with force difference, how are they pushed back this quickly?"

"Yes, regarding that point, our commanders made various conjectures, but it seems Eastern Front forces were extracted."

"...That can't be. When Russia's only advantage is numerical superiority besides force advantage, they abandoned that superiority on the Eastern Front?"

The Eastern Front was pushed back purely due to Russia's numerical superiority.

Naturally, Germany had never deployed more troops than the enemy since the war started.

Roman, who first conducted attrition warfare, surely wouldn't be unaware of this fact.

"However, cross-checking with the Eastern Front confirms enemy forces definitely pulled out from the east. Perhaps they made this choice because Hungarian army resistance was so strong."

"..."

Northwest Army Group.

They say this army's forces decreased. Meaning Russia turned the Eastern Front to defense and put force into the Southern Front.

Despite Germany's ally, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, being violated by Brusilov's cavalry.

Despite Slovakia and Hungary being in crisis.

"...Ludendorff."

"I understand without you saying."

"Yes."

For some reason, Hindenburg felt hope's light shining on him.

Though bewildered at first, as it became certain Eastern Front forces decreased, this feeling gradually changed.

Into excitement difficult to hide.

"Then... If we also pull just about 53 divisions..."

"It should be fine for now."

Somehow.

The final puzzle piece for counterattack was completed.

Though Hindenburg still didn't understand why this became possible.

"I trust you. This is the empire's last chance."

"I will absolutely end the Western Front." Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire

The Ludendorff Offensive was thus decided.