The Second Reich: Beginning with the Prince of Prussia

"Do you think it's possible for the red side to turn the tables?"

Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on the sand table, Andrews asked.

At present, both the warring parties and the European countries watching the excitement are generally convinced that the sun will not set on the defeat of the people in the Balkans is a foregone conclusion.

The fall of Constantinople was only a matter of time!

Therefore, according to the general people's point of view, there is actually no suspense about this issue of the emperor.

However, everyone present was a soldier, and he was a leader in the army.

It is impossible for them to look at this matter so simply, if they don't think twice and give a direct answer that is no different from the general public, wouldn't it seem that they are very unskilled?

Thinking of this, these young generals racked their brains one by one, desperately thinking about the opportunity to turn defeat into victory without the sun setting.

Although the situation is very unfavorable for the sun never sets, it does not mean that it is necessarily a dead end.

Soon, someone cleared their minds and raised their hands to answer.

Andrews saw that someone raised his hand, so he took a special look and recognized the other party as August von Mackensen, the major captain of the Praetorian Guard cavalry unit.

Mackenson is a 69-year-old veteran who joined the army and is now 40 years old, but he has been in the military for 20 years.

150 Although Mackensen's current military rank is not high, his ability should not be underestimated.

Historically, he was promoted to marshal for his outstanding performance during the First World War, and was one of only five generals in the Second Reich to receive the Grand Iron Cross.

These honors are enough to demonstrate his ability.

For the point of view of such a famous player, Andrews naturally will not ignore it.

"Major Mackenson, speak your mind!"

Andrews said to him with a smile, and made a gesture of invitation as he spoke, motioning for him to go to the sand table and explain it to everyone in combination with the sand table.

Mackensen didn't expect the Emperor to remember his name, considering that he was just a small cavalry major

Such an inconspicuous military position is impossible for the emperor to remember in his opinion!

Therefore, Mackensen was very surprised that the emperor called out his name, and at the same time he was extremely excited - the emperor actually knew himself!

Since the emperor remembers himself, then this time he must seize the opportunity to perform well and strive to impress His Majesty!

Mackensen took a deep breath and said:

"Constantinople was a fortified city, known for its fortification from the Byzantine period, and was almost constantly fortified until the eighteenth century.

So, it would be more accurate to say that it is a city than a fortress!"

Everyone nodded, when the Ottomans besieged Constantinople, they also failed several times, until they later bought off the Renaians, crossed the sea from the Golden Horn, and took the city with great effort.

"The fortress itself is located on a peninsula, bordered by the sea on three sides, and the only way to attack is to the west.

As a result, it was difficult for the attacker to deploy its forces, and it was difficult to gain superiority in troops, so it had to use refueling tactics to attack the defenders.

Modern weapons are more powerful and have a longer range than they were 400 years ago.

The defenders occupy this narrow terrain and can rely on the echelon firepower configuration to inflict great damage on the attackers in the rear.

Not to mention the fact that the British also had a huge naval advantage and could shell the flanks of the Russian army from the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara on both sides.

This will make it more difficult for the Russian army to exert its strength, and they will probably have to pay a huge price in casualties if they want to take the city!

Therefore, even if the British army falls into the upper hand, as long as they do not avoid the battle and fear the battle, do not flee from the battle, and wait until the Russian army suffers heavy casualties and the offensive weakens, and launches a counteroffensive with the cooperation of the navy, I think they still have a great chance of turning the tables!

After listening to Mackenson's words, everyone had to admit that his analysis was indeed very reasonable.

He combined the topography of Constantinople, the weapons of the British army, and the superiority they possessed in the sea to make such an analysis, which was not only coherent, but also a good insight into the big picture.

This kind of vision is not like that of a small cavalry major. (If you read a violent novel, go to Feilu Novel Network!)

Sure enough, none of the famous generals in history are simple!

"Yes, your analysis makes a lot of sense!"

Andrews was not stingy with his praise, and even after the verbal praise, he did not forget to promote him:

"Marshal Moltke, you said before that you would recruit a few young staff officers, I wonder if you have recruited them? If not, I will nominate Major Mackensen to you!"

Old Moltke smiled and nodded, looking at Mackensen's eyes full of appreciation: "Hehe, the General Staff recruits talents, and we have no quota for talented people."

Of course, our staff will not miss a young talent like Major Mackensen, thank you for your Majesty's recommendation!"

The monarchs and ministers looked at each other and smiled, very tacitly, and everything was silent.

When Mackensen heard the conversation between the Emperor and the Chief of the General Staff, his heart was immediately excited.

He never imagined that he would have the opportunity to enter the General Staff!

For the officers of the German army, the General Staff was the only way on their way to generals and even marshals, and working here was of great help to their future promotions!

And he can get all this, all thanks to the appreciation and promotion of His Majesty the Emperor, if it weren't for his insight, he might not have such a good opportunity in his life!

Seeing that Mackenson was reused by the emperor because of his speech just now, the other young generals were eager to try it one by one, and they all wanted to behave well in front of the emperor and get the emperor's appreciation.

Andrews was patient and gave each of them a chance to express their opinions.

And among these people's speeches, Andrews and Moltke Sr. selected a group of people with good ability and vision.

These include Moltke Sr.'s nephew Moltke Jr., Hindenburg, who had been excavated by Andrews, Seckert, who was born in the Junker aristocracy, Leopold, the Bavarian crown prince, and Army Major Goerz.

These people are all young generals with good ability, a certain strategic vision, and great training value.

Among them, Andrews valued Makensen, Hindenburg and Moltke Jr. the most.

Of the three, Moltke Jr. is suitable to sit in the General Staff and cooperate with the current deputy chief of staff, Schlieffen, to carry out the battle plan at the strategic level.

Hindenburg and Mackensen, on the other hand, were fit to lead the Germans on both the Eastern and Western Fronts to defeat the enemy they faced.

As for Seckert, Goltz and Leopold, it is suitable to lead an army group under Hindenburg and Mackensen and others, give full play to their respective strengths, and let the army under their command become a sharp blade for the German army!

At this point, in Andrews's mind, for the First World War, the arrangement of the German army's military personnel from top to bottom has basically been determined!