Academy Genius Commander

38 – Personality before the war (2)

Three days after receiving the order from the prince to carry out the mission as an advanced scout.

The Jaeger Battalion led by me arrived at the border of the Reich Empire and Czechia, and ordered the soldiers to rest overnight to replenish their stamina and boost their morale.

Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and even junior officers were able to enjoy alcohol and food to their heart’s content in the village thanks to my instructions.

To discuss the next policy after crossing the border, I called the company commanders and Laura and started a meeting.

“Then, from now on, in order to carry out His Highness’ orders, the battalion commander will deliver the Jaeger Battalion’s future policy. First of all, this is a fact that everyone here knows, but I’ll say it again. Our role is to be an advance reconnaissance. It is our duty to grasp the topography of Visochia, where the main force of more than 40,000 will be fighting, and the location and number of enemy forces.”

What I have just told them is the basic information that everyone in the Jaeger Battalion knows, from a junior officer such as a second lieutenant to a private soldier.

So, I just mentioned it to draw attention and prepare in advance to get to the main point.

The important story starts now.

“However, His Highness the Crown Prince has granted us the discretion to do anything within the scope of our responsibility, except for an all-out war with an active offensive by the entire battalion or massacre of civilians. I have a plan to actively use this discretionary power to make the most of it before the real battle begins. Are you interested?”

As I raised my luck like this, the company commanders looked at me and said with their eyes shining with joy that something had come.

“Only the battalion commander will trust me and follow me! I am ready to do anything, just leave it to me!”

“Shouldn’t we seize the opportunity when it comes?”

“If you give me an order, I will jump into the fire!”

It seems that the Reich Empire, which feels like a medieval fantasy, and the soldiers of Korea and the military have the same desire to make a contribution.

Considering that the unit’s capabilities are maximized when subordinates and superiors move in unison.

With subordinates who actively follow my proposal, it is like eating half of any strategy you try.

Thinking so, the corners of my mouth went up so high that I couldn’t hide it, and the commanders began to focus on my story with bright eyes, thinking about building military exploits.

“good. Then I will explain the details of the actual operation. First, we will divide the unit into two. One will be organized as a detached unit composed of pure cavalry, and the other as the main unit performing the role of advanced reconnaissance. The detached unit will be composed of about 20 people carefully selected from among the entire knight company and infantrymen who can ride horses, and I will be in charge of the detached unit’s command.”

Upon hearing this, the officers agreed to the formation of the detached unit in the battalion, but when they heard that the battalion commander would direct the detached unit, they looked at the faces of the guys around them and opened their mouths.

It is common for another officer under the commanding officer to command a detached unit, but it must have felt unfamiliar to break that and say that the battalion commander would go out on his own.

At that time, the 1st company commander, the second-in-command of the Jaeger Battalion, asked on behalf of everyone.

“I don’t understand why the battalion commander would take the risk. If you are going to organize a detached unit and carry out the operation, wouldn’t it be better to appoint me or another company commander as the commander?”

“Certainly, if I had formed a detached unit in a normal battle, I would have entrusted command to other officers, such as the 2nd company commander, as you said. But now it is far from the normal situation you speak of.”

And I took a deep breath and continued.

“As everyone knows, Czechia has issued an order to assemble a significant number of its soldiers in the rear area 20 days away from the border to fight against the Crown Prince, so there are not many troops in Visochia, our scouting area close to the border. . Therefore, even if we act as an advanced reconnaissance battalion, there is no great danger. Still, it is very dangerous to cross the border and wander around enemy lines in numbers of 20 or so.”

Of course, since they are active on horseback, they are unlikely to be easily chased and killed.

If we were to get off our horses, in the worst case, we would be in danger of being killed by the serfs or citizens living in the village.

Because our number is only about 20, if you want to get rid of us at any time, you can mobilize farmers several times the number.

Even with excellent swordsmanship and equipment, there is no business in front of numbers.

“In addition, the operation our detached unit will execute this time is not to attack enemy soldiers on the battlefield, but to confuse the enemy forces. So, it would require a high level of command that is incomparable to the tactics of general detached troops. In my opinion, battalion commander Vaughn, I, Peter Yeager, is the most suitable person to lead this operation.”

The tactic I will use while commanding the detached unit is a hit-and-run operation based on guerrilla warfare developed by a small number of weak people to deal with many strong people.

What if the commander of the 1st company or other guys who lack understanding of these tactics are entrusted with a detached unit and told to try a guerrilla operation?

I just didn’t say anything to protect the pride of the 1st company commander and other officers.

It would be really fortunate if I came back with halfway results.

There is a considerable probability that the plan will fail due to being discovered after trying, or in the worst case, all of the detached corps may be killed by the enemy’s strategy.

Then, not only the lives of my precious subordinates, but also the military life of my officers will be completely over.

After sorting out the situation, I looked at the 1st company commander, who was a bit sullen, and said.

“So, while I’m away, you act as the 1st company commander, lead the unit well, and thoroughly carry out the mission as the advanced reconnaissance battalion. Otherwise, the enemy will be suspicious and think the advance scouting unit is not coming. Even I, who commands the detached unit and the detached unit, could fall into a crisis, so it’s no exaggeration to say that my life depends on you and the other commanders.”

Strictly speaking, the role of the advance reconnaissance battalion and the lives of the detached unit have nothing to do with it.

Usually, when people feel that they are in charge of a big task, they work more passionately with the thought that a high-ranking person believes in them and they want to meet that expectation.

Also, from my point of view, the 1st company commander is a person who will do well even if he is entrusted with the position of company commander or battalion commander of another unit, so if he is motivated and performs reconnaissance work, he will definitely bring good results.

While I was active as a detached unit and put the enemy in a state of confusion, I was able to leave behind a career as a commander who thoroughly conducted advance reconnaissance.

“Now, finally, select two soldiers or noncommissioned officers who can ride horses well from each infantry company, and one wizard who rides well from the wizard company and let them know. We will be leaving the day after tomorrow, so prepare well. In addition, Lieutenant Laura goes with me.”

That’s how the meeting ended, and that night, our unit selected people who rode horses well from each company and formed a separate unit completely.

**

About a week after the formation of the detached unit.

The detached corps led by me succeeded in coming almost to the end of Visochia, looking at the crude map the prince had secured in advance.

I wanted to record detailed geographic information on the way here, but I wanted to put it in.

In order to carry out their mission as a detached unit, they had to move while saving their sleeping time as much as possible, so they moved while recording only the locations of large rivers, mountains, hills, villages, and castles on the map they brought with them.

Still, I think it’s fortunate that the problem I didn’t expect didn’t happen, and I’m relieved and taking a break for a while.

Corporal Velcro, who is on duty with the detached unit, approached and said.

“Smoke is rising about 300 meters from here. I think only scouts and hunters would light a fire like this in the mountains. What would you like to do?”

Hearing that, I sang joy in my heart.

Because I haven’t noticed any signs of wildlife when I’ve been around here, so the smokers are likely scouts.

“Let’s go immediately.”

That’s how we finished our break and hurriedly moved to where they were supposed to be.

There, what appeared to be three scouts were resting.

Besides, even though they are scouts, ‘Couldn’t the Reich guys have come this far already?’ Perhaps he was complacent, he was resting in a relatively relaxed state without sentries.

So it would be most efficient to attack them while mounted, but instead of doing that, I put a little more dirt on my face.

Then, I sent a signal to the detached team members behind me, ordering them to cover me if I was in danger, and ordering them to surround me.

Now that I’ve done this, the lightly armed guys won’t be able to easily harm me in the armor.

It’s a number that I can handle alone even if a battle breaks out, but it’s the most advantageous to capture it while being careless.

In order to induce their vigilance, I approached them with the same attitude as when a battalion commander checks the alertness of new recruits, revealing my presence to them.

“Nice to meet you. I live now I am Lieutenant Sand Baumann of the 7th Regiment of the Palatinate Division of the Principality of Czechia. I got lost while scouting. Please help me get back to normal.”

When I said that, the one who looked the tallest among the scouts came out and answered.

“Password…”

“When did I get lost, do you know the password today? Damn… When I return to the unit, do you want me to take care of you one by one, starting with your platoon leader?”

Then the soldier in front of me let out a sigh as if he couldn’t help it.

“I see, Lieutenant. Then sit here and eat a little at least for now. Miller, cook another bowl of porridge for the lieutenant to eat.”

The moment he caught his guard and turned around, I covered the mouth of the soldier in front of me and made him kneel.

At the same time, the detached corps members also shot crossbows at the legs of the soldiers who were staring blankly at me, immobilizing them and subduing them.

Now we just need to dig up some information from them.