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The Pancho Villa expedition was a major test of American military power.
In Congress, debates over a new National Defense Act were already underway, and hardliners such as Theodore Roosevelt were calling for militias and training while arming themselves.
Truly America.
A country where guns were everywhere.
This expedition would also mobilize the National Guard from each state alongside the federal army to test overall military strength.
Of course, as a mere second lieutenant, it did not concern me much.
After parting with Patton, I returned to the office and found fresh orders assigning me to the Pancho Villa expedition.
The purpose was field testing of the prototype tank and various other tasks.
In other words, leftover work.
Still, for me it was a perfect opportunity, so after spending one last night with Dorothy, I packed only the essentials at dawn and departed immediately.
“Welcome to San Francisco!!”
As I stepped off the train, Patton spread his arms wide in greeting.
“This is my hometown.”
“Is it?
Hahaha!
That doesn’t matter.
What matters is that I welcome you!”
He laughed shamelessly.
“At last, our time has come!
Blood, sweat, gunpowder!
And now steel!”
Patton was clearly excited.
How does he say things like that without hesitation.
I wanted to watch the tank being unloaded, but I could not ignore him hopping around impatiently.
“Uh… sir?”
“Yes, Lieutenant Kim!
You must be excited!”
“No, the unloading will take time-”
“Then report first!
Come with me!
Can you ride a horse?”
“I learned at West Point-”
“Good!
Let’s go!
Hahaha!”
I cannot match that energy.
This assignment was clearly going to be chaos.
Bang.
“General!
The chick has arrived!”
Patton burst into headquarters.
The man inside slowly raised his head.
“So you are the one involved with Ford’s new weapon.”
“Yes.
Lieutenant Eugene Kim.”
“Young.”
I saluted.
He stood and offered his hand.
“I am John Joseph Pershing.”
“Y-yes!”
Black Jack Pershing.
Legend of World War I.
Symbol of the U.S.
Army.
“Did you come alone?”
“No.
The tank is being unloaded at the station.”
His expression hardened.
I looked at Patton.
“I told him to report first!”
“Reporting is more important than unloading?” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“A meeting between Black Jack and the army’s dark horse is urgent!”
Pershing stared at him.
“Explain properly.”
“The engineers and engineers from Ford are handling unloading.
It is more efficient to receive a briefing first.”
“…I will overlook it this time.”
“What?”
“Sit.
Begin the briefing.”
We sat.
He stared again.
“…I will prepare drinks.”
“Water.”
“Water for me as well.”
This is suffocating.
I explained the tank’s performance and purpose as concisely as possible.
“This expedition includes testing of new weapons.
Aircraft, wireless, armored cars, and your tank.”
He tapped the table.
“Patton.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think of it?”
“It will dominate future battlefields.”
That is not what you said in Detroit.
Patton continued.
“Mobility, fire support, survivability.
Soldiers will want it beside them.”
“Unexpected praise.”
“Still negative about supply and maintenance.
But I see potential.”
Pershing thought.
“Then it is the future cavalry.
Give me a mixed unit and I will capture Villa.”
“The order is capture, not kill.
And you are my aide.”
“I will capture him alive.”
So naturally he was pushing tanks into cavalry.
Not happening.
“General.
May I speak?”
“Of course.”
“Have you seen it in person?
It is a moving shield.”
Patton frowned.
“More importantly, the cannon destroys fortifications, and tracks clear obstacles.
It is designed for infantry support.”
“You want to give that to infantry?”
“It can be used flexibly.”
I am not giving tanks to cavalry.
I want infantry with tanks.
“I have heard both opinions.
We will decide after staff discussion.”
“Yes.”
“Patton.
Assign quarters and handle administration.”
“Yes.”
We left.
The army really is something.
The next day.
Decision came quickly.
“Split in half?”
“Yes.
Two to cavalry, two to infantry.”
Perfect compromise. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Patton clicked his tongue.
“They should be massed.
One or two is useless.
Imagine hundreds charging together.”
“That makes sense.
But technology is not there yet.”
He had to agree.
Not yet tested.
Except I already knew.
A mess.
The real enemy was not Pancho Villa.
It was Mexico itself.
And outdated generals.
Pershing dealt with incompetent superiors.
Soldiers suffered under heat.
Equipment broke constantly.
Trucks were introduced.
From 27 units to hundreds.
Fuel consumption exploded.
Logistics collapsed.
Mechanics suffered.
Even Ford engineers joined repairs.
So now we ride trucks?
No.
Because of pride.
“Ride trucks?”
“If they break, advance stops.”
“Marching is a soldier’s virtue.”
Unbelievable stubbornness.
“Get on the trucks.”
“Only for supplies.”
“Just get on!”
As we moved deeper into Mexico, roads worsened.
Trucks broke down.
Tanks broke down.
No recovery vehicles.
Everything was chaos.
How did this army win World War I?
Pershing must be incredible.
“Damn it!
I can’t take this!”
Patton snapped.
“I volunteered for war!
Why am I pouring water!”
So that was it.
Eventually Pershing gave him a unit.
“Lieutenant Kim!”
“Yes.”
“Our time has come!”
“Ours?”
“I insisted you come with me!”
…What.
This is good, but also bad.
My original plan was to stay quiet and build reputation.
Now…
“Let’s go!
Glory awaits!”
“…Yes.”
Right.
This is my fault.
I should have avoided Patton.