Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 90 Klaus, take note. (Bonus chapter for the Alliance Leader)
This news greatly boosted the morale of the company commanders present.

People might not have paid much attention to heavy machine guns in the past, but now they all know how deadly they are.

Aside from artillery, this is currently the most reliable firepower support for infantry offensive and defensive operations.

Major Thomas's gaze fell on Maureen again:

"Lieutenant Morin, you previously achieved quite good results by leading the heavy machine gun team in a rapid advance, and this time the 1st Company is also responsible for the main attack mission."

"Therefore, I have decided to reinforce your 1st Company with both heavy machine guns that were assigned to our battalion!"

This decision drew envious looks from the other three company commanders, but no one raised any objections.

The main attacking force should rightfully receive the strongest fire support, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

“Lieutenant Morin, I hope these two heavy machine guns can be used to their fullest potential in your hands.” Major Thomas’s tone was full of anticipation.

Morin nodded: "They will, Major!"

"Alright, you all go back first and let the soldiers get some rest. You few should also prepare for battle."

Major Thomas paused for a moment, then continued:

"Before the formal attack, I will summon you again to inform you of the specific attack time and the exact time when the division's artillery units will provide us with fire support."

"Artillery fire support?" Morin keenly grasped this point.

"Yes."

Major Thomas nodded.

"San Lorenzo de la Parilla was one of the key targets of our division's attack. The division headquarters specially reinforced us with a 77mm field artillery battalion to provide direct artillery support for our offensive."

This means that twelve 77mm field guns will be used to prepare fire on the enemy's positions before the attack begins.

Next, the other three company commanders also hastily consulted Morin on the key points of civil engineering work.

Maureen, of course, didn't hold back at this point. After obtaining Major Thomas's permission, he picked up a pencil and began drawing a schematic diagram on the map.
After completing his instructions on the earthwork operations for the entire battalion and leaving the camp tent, Morin's mind began to wander to other things.

He didn't say much at today's operational meeting; it was mostly led by Major Thomas himself.

The performance of this veteran battalion commander and the other company commanders made him realize that a new tactical mindset had begun to emerge in this battle-hardened unit.

The Saxon Army has a long tradition of 'mission-based command,' which has given junior officers a good sense of initiative and the ability to make on-the-spot decisions.

Such an environment undoubtedly fosters a variety of infantry tactics adapted to modern warfare.
And he, Morin, is fortunate enough to be a participant in and a driving force behind this transformation.

Back at the 1st Company's encampment, Morin immediately summoned his three platoon leaders and Company Sergeant Klaus to hold a tactical meeting in a newly erected tent.

At the campsite, most of the soldiers had already finished their first hot meal in days and were now resting, exhausted both physically and mentally.

The tense atmosphere of an impending battle, mixed with a hint of excitement about the unknown, permeated the air.

Inside the tent, an oil lamp was lit, its dim light illuminating the serious faces of the group.

Maureen spread out a simple map on the folding table, and Klaus handed him a pencil at the opportune moment.

"Come and take a look, everyone," Morin called out, gesturing for everyone to gather around.

"According to the battalion headquarters' orders, our 1st Company will be the main force, attacking the town of San Lorenzo de la Parilla from the left flank."

He used a small twig to mark the attack direction of the 1st Company on the map.

"Klaus, and the three of you, take note of this. I have the following instructions:"

"The first and second platoons, as the first echelon, will launch an attack. The third platoon, as the second echelon and also the company's reserve, will be ready to follow up at any time, expand the results of the battle, or support the first echelon."

The three newly appointed platoon leaders—Kahn, Barak, and Ram—stared intently at the map, afraid of missing any detail.

This was their first real battle, and they were immediately thrust into the main offensive, so the pressure was immense.

After seeing the sergeant take out his notebook, they belatedly took out their own notebooks as well.

"In the first echelon, 1st Platoon Leader Kahn, your platoon will serve as the main attacking force of the entire company."

Molin's branch pointed towards the 1st platoon leader.

"I will give you most of the company's grenades, as well as the two MG08 heavy machine guns that the battalion reinforced for us, to enhance your firepower."

Kahn's breathing quickened instantly, and he nodded vigorously, his face filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

With the main firepower concentrated on his side, he was well aware of the responsibilities he still had to shoulder.

"The total width of our company is about 700 meters."

Morin continued gesturing on the map.

"The 1st platoon is in the center, the 2nd platoon is on the right flank. Our right flank—that is, the feint attack from the front—will be the responsibility of the 2nd Company. We must ensure contact with neighboring units."

After setting up the basic formation, Morin took a deep breath and made a decision that surprised everyone.

"In addition, I will personally lead a 20-man assault team composed of the most skilled soldiers drawn from various platoons, who are proficient in shooting, grenade throwing, and tactical maneuvers."

His gaze swept over everyone present, his tone resolute.

"After the general offensive begins, I will personally lead this assault team to take advantage of the artillery preparation and quickly penetrate the front line to attack enemy machine gun positions and the weak points in their defenses!"

"What?!" The three new platoon leaders were all dumbfounded.

They stared at Morin with their mouths agape, their faces filled with disbelief.

On their way here, they had actually imagined countless possibilities for their first battle.

But what he never expected was that his company commander would personally lead the assault team to the front lines.
This completely overturned everything they had learned at military school.

Even a company commander should be positioned at the rear of the formation to give orders, right?
What kind of company commander personally leads the charge with a gun?

Even Sergeant Klaus was getting anxious. If Morin had been a platoon leader before, then leading the attack would have been understandable.

But now that he's a company commander, he has to command all 280-plus men in the company. How can he be a commando?

However, as a professional soldier, Klaus knew very well that no matter how many thoughts he had, he could not express them at this moment.

Offering one's opinion while an officer is making deployments is, for traditional Saxon soldiers, a practice that greatly undermines the authority of superiors.

So Klaus didn't say anything and simply confirmed Morin's order.

The other three platoon leaders, seeing that even the sergeant major had said so, dared not offer their own opinions and could only nod in agreement.

After making the general arrangements, Morin told them to go back and get some rest, since they would probably be working on civil engineering all night.
After Kahn and the others left, just as Morin was thinking about whether she should take a nap, Klaus walked into the tent again.

"Company Commander, I've thought about it and I think I should lead the assault team. You are the company commander and should stay behind to direct the overall situation. The charge and fighting should be left to us."

Klaus sincerely offered his opinion; he genuinely didn't want anything to go wrong with Maureen.

Morin naturally understood what Klaus meant, but he knew that no one else could take on the current position of assault captain.

The reason is also very simple.

"Klaus, I'm asking you, are you a spellcaster?"

"Uh, no."

"So you see, I'm a spellcaster, I can use magic to protect myself, so when we charge into battle, am I safer than you?"

"Company Commander."

The sergeant major wanted to try again, but then he heard Morin lower his voice and say:

"Klaus, actually your mission is more important than mine. If I rush in, the rear of the company will be left to you and the old sergeants like Bowman."

Morin's voice turned serious.

“Our 1st Company has received too many new recruits. Even these three platoon leaders are going to the battlefield for the first time.”

"They've never experienced gunfire or seen real blood. I'm fucking worried they won't dare to charge in if something goes wrong!"

"So you have to act as the 'ballast' for the whole company from behind, understand?"

Klaus opened his mouth as if to say something, but he knew that Maureen was right.

Training grounds, exercise grounds, and battlefields are actually three completely different places.

Only when you've truly experienced the line of fire from a heavy machine gun sweeping overhead will you understand just how much courage it takes for those who charge into battle under enemy fire.

The sergeant major ultimately swallowed his words, but instead pounded his thigh hard and snapped to attention.

"Yes, sir!"

On the other side, the three new platoon leaders, having received their assignments, found Sergeant Bowman, who was still checking weapons and hadn't gone to sleep yet.

"Sergeant Bowman."

Kahn hesitated for a moment, then asked curiously:
"Our company commander... did he always lead the charge during battle?"

Bowman was carefully wiping his Gew.98 rifle with an oilcloth. When he heard Kahn's question, he looked up at the three second lieutenants who had just graduated from military academy and showed a matter-of-fact expression.

He nodded.

"Yes, sir. From the very first battle, the company commander has always been at the forefront of every fight."

Upon hearing Sergeant Bowman's words, the three men were completely speechless.

They stood there, stunned, watching Bowman lower his head again and continue to focus intently on wiping his rifle, as if he had just mentioned something trivial.

But for the three of them, the impact of these words was enormous.

They had previously been discussing in private how Morin, a playboy with a bad reputation at the military academy, had been promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant and even become the commander of a main force company in less than a month.

Some people guessed that he used some back channels, while others guessed that he falsified the battle reports and exaggerated his achievements.

After all, such a rocket-like promotion speed was simply too incredible in the hierarchical Saxon army.

But now, they seem to have found the answer.

After leaving Bowman's tent, Kahn suddenly muttered to himself:
"I think I understand why the company commander was able to get promoted so quickly."

Barak: "I understand too."

Ram: "Me too."

(End of this chapter)