Prologue
Spa, German Headquarters
Crown Prince Wilhelm leaned over the table with his hands along the edge, his arms locked as they supported his weight. He stared at the classified battle plans laid out before him. He mulled over the details, ensuring he had not missed anything as he waited for Ludendorff, Hindenburg, and Major Bagger—a man he did not know and had never met. All he knew was this was the Major’s crazy idea to create a diversion around Verdun.
The Crown Prince did not know how the Major had convinced the Generals. He had thought Ludendorff and Hindenburg had written off Verdun since assessing the situation after rising to the General Staff.
His eyes looked towards Verdun on the map where another force, opposite his to the west, had been arrayed. He still did not believe that such a tunnel existed. But then again, he did not know about these machines.
Eisenwürmer he mused internally. The thought of an iron worm brought many images to his head, all fantastical and not very near to reality, but they all made him want to see the machine in person.
The double wooden doors to the room opened with a loud crack as their hinges groaned in agony. “Wilhelm!” called Hindenburg as his face lit up. Ludendorff added, “Crown Prince,” as dry as ever, entering behind Hindenburg. His face seemed gaunter than the Crown Prince remembered.
“Gentleman,” replied the Crown Prince calmly. He walked around the table and shook their hands. Hindenburg’s massive bear paws nearly crushed his hands, while Ludendorff’s felt like a cold fish. The Crown Prince turned towards the man he presumed was Major Bagger, who entered last. As soon as he laid eyes on him, the Major snapped to attention, clicking his heels.
“At ease,” replied the Crown Prince.
“Wilhelm, this is Major Bagger, the man I was telling you about,” introduced Hindenburg.
“Of course. The mastermind of the Verdun diversion and our newly built tunnel,” replied the Crown Prince with a hint of mockery as he shook the Major’s hand.
“It’s an honor,” said the Major.
“I am sure,” replied the Crown Prince sarcastically before turning to the Generals and continuing, “Shall we?”
“Yes. Of course,” replied Hindenburg, taken a little aback by the Crown Prince’s rudeness.
“First and Seventh Armies are in position between La Fere and Reims as you have planned, Chief Deputy,” started the Crown Prince as he looked towards Ludendorff, who reviewed the map from the other side of the table.
“Good. Will we be able to launch as planned then?” asked Ludendorff.
“As long as we don’t have any unforeseen issues moving material to the front, yes, we can launch within the week,” assured the Crown Prince with confidence.
Major Bagger stayed close to Hindenburg as the general moved to the other side of the table across from Ludendorff. “What is that, down there?” Hindenburg asked, pointing to the west of La Fere. The Crown Prince bit his lip as he looked towards Ludendorff, inviting an answer.
“It is my backup plan, Paul,” answered Ludendorff.
“For what?” asked Hindenburg. “Another offensive?”
Ludendorff stood up straight as he held his hands behind his back. He for a moment seemed to grow a head taller than Hindenburg as he replied, “Even with your gamble near Verdun…,” started Ludendorff.
“Our gamble…” shot back Hindenburg.
“Excuse me?” asked Ludendorff.
“Our gamble. These are plans we both agreed to. I want to make that clear,” finished Hindenburg. Such small men thought the Major, holding back a wide grin as he looked upon the scene.
Ludendorff foamed at the mouth as he continued, “Even with the diversion around Verdun, we need to plan for the possibility that the main advance will ground to a halt. If it does…” paused Ludendorff as he walked closer to the area of interest, using the dagger edge of his hand to draw a line towards Paris, “…I will unleash another attack supported by the remnants of our machines from Amiens to punch through the enemy flank, cutting off the enemy and opening up a final advance on Paris.”
Hindenburg was noticeably surprised. As the Major analyzed the Crown Prince’s expression, it seemed Hindenburg and himself were the only two in the room who did not know about this contingency.
“Do we have the men to spare?” stammered Hindenburg.
“They are nearly in position,” revealed the Crown Prince.
“Shouldn’t we use the machines in the main attack and avoid this fallback altogether?” questioned Hindenburg.
“The enemy has grown adept at defeating our new machines. Amiens proved that point quite clearly. We will use them sparingly this time, concentrating them near Noyon like an iron fist ready to be swung,” finished Ludendorff as he slammed his hand against the table.
“Even if Verdun keeps the enemy occupied and draws away some of their forces successfully…,” started the Crown Prince, looking at the Major with a wry smile, “…they will most certainly scramble to put everything in front of this attack. Verdun will limit their options, but this last punch we have created will ensure that our forces sweep away any resistance.”
If the enemy doesn’t observe you from the air massing all of these men and machines, thought the Major. He wanted to say it out loud, but he decided it was more prudent to play nice, especially with the heir of the German Empire in the room.
Hindenburg stroked his chin as he continued to ponder. “By my calculation, I believe we have placed all of our eggs in one basket.”
“What do you mean?” asked the Crown Prince.
“Our armies have taken a beating in the north. We didn’t take Amiens, which makes the ground we took useless. Hazebrouck is in our hands, but we can’t hope to hold it, putting the channel ports out of reach. And as these plans make very clear, taking Paris is our last hope. So much so, we have positioned some of our best remaining troops for this offensive.”
“Your point?” asked Ludendorff curtly.
If this fails, I fear this will be the end of us admitted Hindenburg. But he did not dare say that out loud. Instead, he swallowed hard before sighing and replying, “I am sorry. I just…I wish you told me about these other plans.” His eyes wandered back towards where Germany would be on the map as he thought we are running out of time.
“I am sorry. I should have informed you,” replied Ludendorff.
“What’s done is done,” replied Hindenburg matter of fact. The two Generals stared at each other as if dueling with their eyes.
The Crown Prince coughed to break the uncomfortable silence. “Come, let us dine and cool our heads over some spirits,” he said with assurance.
“We have not gone over the Verdun diversion,” argued Hindenburg.
“Well, it’s rather simple, isn't it?” asked the Crown Prince. “We are taking valuable troops from supporting my attack and throwing them at the Americans and the French around Verdun.” His tone was evident, and that made the Major’s blood boil. Arrogant like his father, he thought.
“It is more complicated than that,” shot back the Major. “We have handpicked French-speaking German troops who will use the tunnel to infiltrate and blow up the stores of the Citadel in Verdun and the fortress at Belrupt, Rozellier, and Haudainville under cover of darkness—this is to cause confusion. The men attacking the Citadel will raise the Imperial flag over the old Verdun gate before returning to the tunnel entrance. There, the main force will have completed trenches to defend the tunnel. After a preliminary bombardment, men will attack the American-held trenches from the front and rear through the tunnel. Our forces will hold off any counter-attack for as long as possible.” The Major turned towards the Crown Prince and asked, “Did you follow all of that? Or should I repeat it?”
“So, you intend to waste men to take and hold a few miles of trench?” asked the Crown Prince.
The Major smiled a devilish grin before saying, “No. We waste not. The men will take the trenches and throw the Americans back, forcing them and the French to send valuable reinforcements that they could have instead used to stop your attack—the important one,” the Major emphasized, stroking the Crown Prince’s ego.
“Then it’s settled. The Verdun offensive must seize the trenches and force some sort of breakthrough to ensure our success elsewhere,” outlined the Crown Prince.
Bagger nearly bit off his tongue. He had just realized the trap he walked into. He looked around at the stone faces of Ludendorff and Hindenburg before swallowing hard and saying with difficulty, “Yes. So long as your plans don’t fall on their ass.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes went wide, his nostrils flaring before Hindenburg stepped in, “That is good, Major. I think we all understand now. I believe we should step aside and take Wilhelm up on his suggestion for food and drink. We still have much more to discuss. Disturbing things regarding the home front.”
The Crown Prince held his gaze with Major Bagger, smirking as he replied through his teeth, “A drink sounds wonderful.”
“Come,” urged Hindenburg as he made his way towards the door. He opened it, waiting for the others to follow. The Crown Prince turned his torso sideways as he passed. Major Bagger started to make his way towards the door but noticed Ludendorff was watching him. Like two black daggers, his eyes followed the Major, piercing the back of his head, or at least that is how it felt, as they exited the room.
“One second, Major,” said Hindenburg, who stood near the door. Ludendorff stalked by, taking with him a storm of black clouds that seemed to follow him wherever he went.
When the Crown Prince and Ludendorff had disappeared down the hall, the Major looked at Hindenburg, who ordered, “Stand at attention.”
The Major cleared his throat, clicking his heels as he stood as straight as a rod.
“It seems your rank does not befit your responsibilities now,” finished Hindenburg as he handed Major Bagger new shoulder boards. In his hand, Major Bagger stared down at the emblem that represented an Oberstleutnant—a Lieutenant Colonel.
“Thank you, sir,” stammered Bagger.
“You will be in support of General Graf. A good Prussian man,” replied Hindenburg.
“You mean I am not in command, sir?”
“You will help the General oversee the operation. He has more experience than you, and Erich trusts him,” replied Hindenburg.
“Meaning he doesn’t trust me,” translated Bagger.
“Don’t take it personally. Erich doesn’t have many friends. Look at it this way; it’s a chance to win him over. And if you do that, I imagine more promotions will follow,” said Hindenburg smoothly.
“Sir,” said Bagger graciously as he saluted.
Hindenburg returned the salute and said, “Come now, Colonel.” Bagger and Hindenburg walked together after the Crown Prince and Ludendorff. Bagger worried that he was now being watched too closely by an ever-increasing number of enemies.
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