Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 82 Review

When Morin received the news that His Highness the Crown Prince was coming to inspect the troops, he was leading the soldiers of the 1st Company in practicing earthwork operations.

In fact, the Saxon Army, or rather the armies of various countries, already had the concept of digging trenches, but most of them were early trenches that were half a person deep and allowed soldiers to lie prone at an angle.

Human armies have a long tradition of building civil engineering works, but currently they are not digging as thoroughly or systematically as they should be.

Meanwhile, Morin was teaching all the soldiers in the company the key techniques for quickly assessing the terrain and soil conditions, and then digging foxholes in prone positions (kneeling, lying, and standing) under enemy fire suppression.

Once you've learned enough about foxholes, trenches formed by connecting foxholes will naturally follow.

This scene of the company commander personally demonstrating tactical maneuvers was a novelty for most soldiers of the Saxon Empire Army, so everyone watched very attentively.

After Morin finished his demonstration, each platoon, under the command of its platoon leader and sergeants, divided up its area and began practicing.

However, the Saxon Army infantry is not currently issued entrenching tools on a large scale; these tools for earthmoving operations are only equipped by supply and artillery units.

So in order to complete this training, Morin made several trips to the supply depot and tried every means to obtain a batch of entrenching tools.

Incidentally, they also retrieved the dozen or so 'P08 artillery rifles' with 32-round drum magazines and long barrels that had temporarily become available after the field artillery regiment suffered considerable casualties in urban warfare, along with their accompanying tools and ammunition.
He did want to get his hands on a few of the famous C96 Mauser pistols, but unfortunately, this weapon was not currently in widespread use by the Saxon army, making it very difficult to acquire.

Even in the world before the time travel, it would be almost always after entering the trench stalemate phase that mass production of the 9mm version of the 'Red 9' would begin.
After receiving the news from the division's instructor, Morin also called off today's training, giving the soldiers a rare half-day off.

Of course, this "holiday" only refers to reducing tactical training by half a day. It doesn't mean that the soldiers of the 1st Company are actually resting, but rather that they have time to do something else.

"Did mushrooms grow on your uniform? How come you can't see such a big clump of mud? Swish!"

"Boots! Your boots! I could scrape a pound of mud off them! Clean them right now!"

Klaus and Bowman, these newly promoted sergeants, had all transformed into the strictest supervisors, glaring as they patrolled the ranks, their voices louder than the last.

Amid the roars of the sergeants, the soldiers frantically scrubbed the dried mud and suspicious stains off their uniforms with stiff brushes.

In addition to cleaning the military uniforms, the group also needed to clean and wipe other items.

Helmets, rifles, bayonets, belts, ammunition pouches, canteens—all leather and metal items must be wiped as clean as possible.

Throughout the camp, there were the sounds of wiping and the soldiers' hushed whispers.

Whether they were new recruits or veterans, they were all both excited and nervous at this moment. After all, being able to see the Crown Prince in person was a huge event for them.

Molin wasn't idle; as the newly appointed company commander, he also had to pack his gear.

As he carefully wiped the command sword that the division headquarters had provided him with a cloth, he listened to the discussions of the soldiers not far away and felt the vitality of the company being infused with fresh blood.

After all, after a few more battles, this 'vitality' will eventually turn into 'numbness'.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the platoon soldiers dragged everyone out of their dreams.

All soldiers shaved and washed their faces to ensure that everyone's face was smooth and free of stubble and dirt.

The requirements for this temporary honor guard are far more stringent than those for honor guards during domestic parades who only carry rifles and bayonets.

The experienced officer sent by the division headquarters emphasized that what His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to see was the appearance of the troops about to be put into battle, not a bunch of empty shells.

Therefore, everyone, including Morin, must wear full combat gear.

Backpack, water bottle, ammunition box, bayonet—everything is essential and must be carried on your body.

This is because entrenching tools are not considered standard infantry equipment; otherwise, this officer would most likely have made them carry them on their backs.

Once the soldiers were fully dressed, each of them felt a heavy weight on their shoulders, as if they had returned to the time of full-equipment training.
After leading their team to assemble in advance at the makeshift review area and taking their positions at the very front of the battalion, Morin and Klaus began the final adjustments to the formation. "Company Commander, what about the first few rows?" Klaus asked in a low voice.

“Pick out the oldest and most uniformed veterans and have them stand in the front row,” Morin decided without hesitation.

He wasn't just doing it for looks.

New recruits are prone to making mistakes due to nervousness in such a big setting.

Veterans have seen more of the world, have stronger mental fortitude, and are more composed.

Placing them first is both an honor for them and the safest form of insurance.

The veterans who were chosen to be in the front row stood up straight, their faces expressionless, but their slightly raised chins betrayed their pride.

After completing the formation, Morin stood at the front of the company and once again emphasized discipline to everyone.

"Listen up! When the inspection begins, everyone must remain absolutely still and quiet!"

"Keep your eyes straight ahead, no whispering, no looking around!"

"You are absolutely forbidden from speaking to His Highness the Crown Prince or any of the accompanying officers without permission! Unless they ask you a question! Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir!"

The thunderous response echoed across the reviewing stand.

After all that's been done, all that's left is a long and agonizing wait.

As the sun slowly rose, its rays shone on the soldiers' pointed helmets, reflecting golden light.

Time passed by, and many military reporters with cameras arrived at the reviewing stand ahead of time.

Their presence means that today's review will soon be featured in the major newspapers of the empire.

The soldiers of the 1st Company became even more excited. Their legs no longer ached and their feet were no longer numb. They stood up straight without needing any correction from the sergeants.

Just as Morin was wondering if all crown princes and leaders were this slow, a group of figures riding tall horses finally appeared on the road in the distance.

The Crown Prince of the Empire, Georg Albert Friedrich August Johann Maria von Wettin, has arrived.

The sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached. Morin, standing at the very front of the line, glanced at them discreetly out of the corner of his eye.

Leading the group was a young man dressed in a magnificent hussar uniform, who was undoubtedly Crown Prince George.

Behind him followed a large group of officers with gleaming military stars.

Lieutenant General Mackensen, the commander of the 8th Division, the commanders of its two infantry brigades and one field artillery brigade, and several regimental commanders—some of whom Morin knew and some he didn't—almost all the commanding officers from the division to the regiment were present.

The immortals are as numerous as hemp.

As the Crown Prince and his entourage dismounted and approached, Major Thomas, the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, quickly stepped forward from the side of the column after receiving a signal from an officer.

He snapped to attention five steps away from the crown prince, deftly raised his right hand, and lightly touched the pointed brim of his helmet with his fingertips, giving an impeccable Saxon salute, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince! The 1st Battalion of the 32nd Tsvika Infantry Regiment has assembled and is ready for your inspection!"

(End of this chapter)