Chapter 397 Compromise
"Even if we want to launch an attack, we must consider the weapons and equipment of the soldiers, the supply of ammunition and food for the logistics! The launch of the East Prussia Campaign and the Galicia Campaign has already consumed most of our logistics reserves. If we think about it again, When planning a war, you must at least reserve enough supplies to have any hope." Grand Duke Nicholas continued to express his views and refuted the proposal of the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.
There is a relatively unique situation. Unlike all European countries, Russia's military currently supports suspending the war, but the government supports expanding the scale of the war and continuing to launch large-scale battles to win results.
This is completely opposite to the current situation in most European countries. Whether it is the Allied Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary or the Allied Powers of Britain and France, their domestic military is more willing to participate in the war than the government.
Hearing the rebuttal of Grand Duke Nicholas, Russian Foreign Minister Alexei had already expected it and said: "Your Highness, Grand Duke, please rest assured that logistics is the least of our worries. Our offensive has already won the support and support of Britain and France. For sure, Australasia will also promise to continue to provide us with more supplies, weapons and ammunition." "
If His Highness the Grand Duke is not worried, logistical assistance from Britain and France will arrive soon, and Australasian weapons and equipment will also Arrive in Vladivostok within a month."
After all, this is the beginning of the war. The weapons and material reserves of various countries are still sufficient, and Russia can also obtain enough weapons and equipment to launch a war.
Although the equipment of the Russian army is not that good, at least it will not be like in history, where several soldiers share a rifle, and the rifle will fall into the hands of others only if they die in battle.
One rifle per person and dozens of rounds of ammunition per person are currently common equipment in the Russian army. As for what type of rifle it is and whether the ammunition can match it, it depends on the conscience of the Russian logistics department.
Fortunately, the weapons and ammunition supported by Australasia are matched and account for most of the Russian main force.
At least the combat effectiveness of Russia's main force can be guaranteed. Judging from the final results of the current wars, the war still favors Russia.
The war has been going on for half a year, and there is actually a clear contrast in the combat effectiveness between the armies of various countries.
The country with the strongest combat effectiveness is Germany. The combat effectiveness of the German Army is at the highest level, and it is also the ceiling of the current Army's combat effectiveness.
Ranked second is France. The combat effectiveness of the French army is slightly inferior to that of Germany, but the French army can withstand the offensive of the main German forces. The combat effectiveness of the French army is evident.
The current French army is not like World War II. It can be regarded as the last glory of France, the last dance of white France.
The third most powerful force is the British army. The British troops here do not refer to all British troops, but to a small number of the British elite main force.
Compared with the armies of Russia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the British elite main army has better equipment and sufficient logistical supplies.
Ranking fourth and fifth are Russia and Austria-Hungary respectively. The combat effectiveness of the Russian army is still relatively weak compared to Germany and France, but after all, it has manpower that is far beyond the reach of other countries. The human sea tactic is still very powerful in this era without destructive weapons.
As for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the defeat in Galicia made the Austro-Hungarian Empire's combat effectiveness lag several notches in the eyes of the people, and it was considered the weakest among the major European powers participating in the war.
As for Australasia, it does not participate in this ranking because it does not send many main troops.
But no one will underestimate the combat effectiveness of the Australasian army. The main force is comparable to or even better than the British equipment. In addition, the Fourth Division once fought evenly with a German division and even had a slight advantage. This proves that Australasia The main army in West Asia is not weak in combat effectiveness.
"Your Majesty, Britain and France have promised us that as long as we are willing to launch an offensive, they can bear all the costs of our offensive and forgive us part of the loan. Moreover, they will do their best to persuade Australasia to provide us with all the weapons for the offensive In terms of equipment and resources, we only need to provide soldiers and organize this offensive." Seeing that Grand Duke Nicholas began to fall silent, Foreign Minister Alexey looked at Nicholas II and said brightly.
The reason why Foreign Minister Alexei is so looking forward to launching another offensive is because the British and French masters privately approached Alexei and offered him a bribe of 500,000 pounds in exchange for Alexei's strong support for the Russian government to launch a new offensive at the meeting. .
As for the condition that Alexei said that Britain and France would bear all the costs of the campaign and Australasia would be responsible for all material and logistical supplies, well, 30% of it was true.
This is also the current practice of Russian officials, deceiving superiors and concealing information from subordinates.
Anyway, the Russian logistics department is not sure how much material reserves the country currently has, and they are hesitant about the amount of materials that Britain, France, and Australia have to support Russia, but there is no clear figure.
"Britain and France really promise to bear all the costs of the campaign? Will they also forgive part of the loan?" Nicholas II asked with some worry. In the eyes of Nicholas II, this kind of thing is really no different from pie in the sky.
The cost of the campaign, the consumption of weapons, equipment and supplies are all borne by the allies. Russia only needs to use its own manpower, which it has no shortage of, and can also get part of the loan exemption. Isn't this a free benefit?
"Yes, Your Majesty. Britain and France also promised that if the supplies cannot be transported from the North Sea or the Mediterranean, Australasia will be temporarily responsible for the supply of supplies and transported by land from Vladivostok to the front line." Foreign Minister Alexei nodded calmly. Nod and say.
Although the British and French representatives did not promise so much, if Nicholas II asked, the British and French representatives would definitely support Alexey.
After all, the purpose of Britain and France was to allow Russia to launch a campaign on the Eastern Front to relieve the war pressure on the Western Front.
As for the small issue of how much of the cost to bear, no one would care, and Nicholas II didn't know anyway.
After hearing Alexei's assurance, Nicholas II nodded with satisfaction. When he looked at Grand Duke Nicholas, he asked: "If Britain and France can provide us with weapons, equipment and resource supplies, then can we Do you have the ability to launch the next offensive?"
Archduke Nicholas still wanted to fight for it, thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, I don't think it is suitable to launch another offensive at the moment. German reinforcements have arrived, and what we have to face is more German army. The better decision at present is to reduce the scale of the war and reduce our losses and casualties to a relatively small number." "That's enough,
Nicholas." Nicholas II was a little dissatisfied and called Nicholas directly The name of the Grand Duke.
"The difficulties you raised have been solved by Alexei, why are you hesitant now? You don't look like a grand duke or chief of general staff! I know you are worried about the losses and casualties of the empire. Don't you know it yet? ? In order to resolve the current contradictions faced by the empire, quickly resolve this war, and get the licking wounds of the spoils we want is the top priority."
Nicholas II said dissatisfied: "Because of this damn war, Our international trade, foreign resource exports, etc. have almost all stopped. Britain and France do not have enough loans to help us. If the war continues, our economy will collapse and the country will collapse! And at this time, my dear Grand Duke, you still want to reduce the scale of the war and fight a continuous war. It may bring fewer casualties to the people, but the country cannot support that time. I can't support that time either."
Nicholas Although Nicholas II had shortcomings of one kind or another, as the ruler of a huge empire, Nicholas II was obviously not an idiot.
As the highest authority in this country, Nicholas II naturally knows all the current situation of the empire.
Although the life of the entire Russian top brass seems to be very prosperous and prosperous, it has not been affected in any way by this war.
However, the life of the Russian civilian class is not easy. Affected by the war, the Russian people currently have no enough food and clothing, and they are always worried about the danger to their lives due to the war.
In the first two months of 1915, more than ten workers' strikes broke out in major factories in Russia. This all means that the crisis in Russia has become very serious, even reaching the dangerous level of subverting the country.
Any country can fight a war of attrition in this war, but Russia cannot. According to the estimation of Nicholas II, Russia can currently persist in the war for more than a year at most. If it cannot win the war as soon as possible and use the joy brought by victory, a large amount of loot, and huge profits to make the Russian people change their minds, I am afraid that Roman The Nov dynasty will be destroyed.
"I understand, Your Majesty. I will organize the army to conduct a large-scale battle, and strive to determine the situation of the entire Eastern Europe in one battle." Grand Duke Nicholas nodded helplessly and agreed to Nicholas II's request.
Nicholas II talked about this. Even if Grand Duke Nicholas no longer wanted to start this war, he had to carry out Nicholas II's orders.
Because this is not only related to the casualties of the people, but also related to the survival of the royal family and the country.
If Grand Duke Nicholas disobeys Nicholas II's orders, it will be regarded as a betrayal of the Russian royal family in the eyes of others, and he will be abandoned by the entire Russian aristocracy. It is also very likely that Nicholas II will be dismissed from his position.
Rather than letting others sit in the position of chief of general staff and launch a campaign, it is better to let yourself stay in this position that can determine the outcome of the campaign and do your best to achieve smaller casualties for the Russian people and soldiers.
"But Your Majesty, I also hope that during the entire campaign, the army can receive all the supplies promised by Minister Alexei. This is not only related to the victory of the battle, as you said, it is also related to the country and The survival of the royal family," Grand Duke Nicholas demanded at last.
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(End of chapter)