Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Last year’s first half Imperial Army casualties were roughly 1.35 million, dropping the last digit.

Russia still had no manpower shortage despite only using voluntary recruitment without conscription except for reserves.

It seems there couldn’t possibly be any manpower shortage until the moment the war ends.

In the original history, the Great War unfortunately broke out when Stolypin’s agrarian reform’s aftermath hadn’t faded, leaving no administrative capacity for conscription.

Naturally, since the army and mir were inseparable in 19th century Russia.

’Though there was no need for conscription anyway.’

Russia was a crazy country where 15 million volunteered even in those poor social conditions and unfortunate economic depression.

Kitchener, who struggles with conscription, would grab the back of his neck in disbelief, but we’re truly overflowing with just voluntary recruitment.

That’s not to say such casualties don’t affect us at all.

"Many died."

"...I apologize. The troop losses are entirely my fault."

"No, I’m not blaming General Staff. I expected this to some extent."

Then another question arises. Why did Russia, with recruitment conditions capable of gathering over 10 million troops excluding active duty, keep getting pushed back from late 1915 in the original history?

The cause lies in that Gorlice-Tarnów offensive.

Germany, fearing prolonged two-front war, sent 1.6 million troops determined to finish the East and South, driving back Russian forces.

No, it wasn’t just pushing back the front line or driving away enemy forces.

Scholars differ, but generally estimate around 250,000 Russian prisoners and 600,000 to 1 million casualties including missing at this time.

Through this battle, the Russian army lost hundreds of their already scarce machine guns and became even more poorly armed.

Naturally, they had to retreat in subsequent confrontations, causing morale decline and another command split regardless of troop numbers.

Like a patient taking a straight punch to the solar plexus and getting complications instead of recovery, a vicious cycle.

’Thinking again, General Brusilov was truly a legendary commander for history. Meanwhile he was chopping up the enemy like a meat grinder with quasi-great power forces.’

Anyway, while General Kuropatkin seemed to expect criticism for the first large-scale casualties, I truly wasn’t disappointed.

Because we can just replenish troops and no major units were taken prisoner.

However, what even I hadn’t expected was Roman’s battle.

The bloody battle between Hindenburg and Roman. This was a battle unrecorded in history.

"40km... How could Commander Roman push back the front line by 40km?"

"After enemy commander Hindenburg lost the war of attrition, he pulled back the entire front line for reorganization, and we skillfully pursued. However, we had to stop advancing after trenches were built again."

"That’s what I mean. Pushing back 40km in the age of trench warfare? While maintaining an engagement ratio close to 1:1?"

I knew Roman had fired enough shells to make Prime Minister Kokovtsov bedridden.

I understand having strong forces since we even sent the Far Eastern Army with rich combat experience.

Even so, this clearly isn’t something achievable by individual ability.

’New weapons can’t be this powerful... It’s not even tanks, just armored cars and slightly increased rifle firepower.’

Previous military reforms? Even though combat effectiveness of conscript units in this era depends heavily on NCO and commander abilities, that still can’t be the fundamental cause.

Above all.

"He was a defense commander. Just an engineering corps commander who knew a bit more about trench warfare than others."

"That’s certainly true."

Roman was someone who served as fortress commander and engineering school principal.

No matter how well he fought in the Russo-Japanese War, that was only under special conditions. He’s not Brusilov, in other words.

"Didn’t you say so too? He clearly didn’t want to attack. Meaning he didn’t even have prepared plans."

"From what I observed in Warsaw... Rather than Commander Roman winning through planned movements, it looked like he was gambling with the enemy."

"Gambling?"

"Yes. If German forces hadn’t engaged his battle and just accumulated damage while digging trenches in the rear and retreating, Roman’s offensive would have been blocked."

"That’s right."

Trenches in this era aren’t just digging one line and done. They’re dug like mazes of course, and even made with structures easy to recapture in case the enemy takes them.

If you still can’t stop the enemy, you just abandon them and hide in other pre-dug trenches further back.

However, even the city of Posen changed hands several times. In other words, this proves the enemy didn’t just hide in trenches.

"While Commander Roman’s excellent judgment in reading enemy psychology and winning is part of it-"

"For some reason, I think Roman tried to resolve Britain’s offensive demands with just one attack. And Hindenburg, with Berlin behind him, absolutely wouldn’t avoid it."

"...Actually, I think so too."

That’s right. That dirt-eating general couldn’t have become a Valhalla-seeking Viking overnight, he must have planned to go out just once, short and intense. Stay connected through empire

And when the enemy wouldn’t avoid his offensive, he went all in with a war of attrition.

This is an operation difficult to execute without extraordinary nerves, regardless of heavy artillery or troop quality.

What if Hindenburg and German command hadn’t given up and endured more?

What if Germany decided to abandon other fronts and block the Eastern Front?

What if the enemy had more troops than expected?

Then 40km advance would have been absolutely impossible regardless of heavy artillery or whatever.

Whatever the case, it’s good for now.

We also lost many, and did enough.

"The Prime Minister rejected the Supreme War Council. We clearly need reorganization, and fortunately my army is closer to Berlin. Now then, Chief of Staff, what should we do next?"

"...Since this is a war with many countries, after one battle ends, we should do diplomacy."

Indeed, someone with some political sense communicates better than a blockheaded soldier.

"Then what should you do right now?"

This question seemed a bit harder as he pondered for a moment, but soon Kuropatkin smiled slowly and said:

"Your Majesty, I haven’t rested once since the military reforms, and now I deeply feel responsible for the great sacrifices in this battle. Especially my qualifications as Chief of Staff are in doubt."

I couldn’t help but smile at Kuropatkin’s explanation that wasn’t quite a request.

"Good. If you say so, it can’t be helped. Go rest."

"Thank you."

The next day, Chief of Staff Aleksey Kuropatkin officially resigned voluntarily.

==

I feel this every time, but Russia isn’t America.

Where I feel this recently is:

"No matter how casualties increase, I can’t find anti-war sentiment no matter how hard I look."

Over a million died? Well, the enemy lost just as many? Then we won.