Turning our attention back to China, Field Marshal Hindenburg, after accepting an invitation from the Berlin Provisional Government, led 100,000 elite German Army troops back to Germany to quell the rebellion.
Those hastily assembled workers’ armed forces proved utterly ineffective against a truly elite field army.
In just one week, the German Army successively recaptured a series of important cities, including Aachen, Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund.
Left-wing leaders, including Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, were arrested and subsequently sent to Berlin, where they were murdered by the right-wing government.
After quelling the workers’ uprising, Hindenburg did not stop there, but continued his northward march, leading his army to the outskirts of the naval stronghold of Kiel Port.
The catalyst for Kaiser’s abdication was the mutiny of the sailors in Kiel Port.
Although the sailors were not as strong as the army, they were still a regular army and much stronger than the hastily assembled workers’ armed forces.
Therefore, Hindenburg took it very seriously and personally went to the front line to command the German Army to surround Kiel Port, and then sent people to persuade the sailors to surrender.
“The sailors made some mistakes, but they did not deserve to die.” If they are sensible, consider the bigger picture, and are willing to surrender their weapons and give up resistance, I can forgive and forget what happened in the past and give them another chance!
German Communist Party: Meow meow meow?
What about me?
To demonstrate his sincerity, Hindenburg specifically sent his trusted subordinate, William Groner, to negotiate with the sailors.
They learned that 100,000 German Army soldiers had arrived outside, and that the famous Field Marshal Hindenburg was personally in command.
The rebels in Kiel Port were filled with anxiety: “I think we should just surrender.
There are so many of our troops; we’re no match for them!” The sailors’ representatives clearly did not want to fight this battle.
They were well aware of the disparity between the navy and the army on land, and knew that they had no chance of winning if a real battle broke out.
But the Soviet representatives on the workers’ side disagreed with surrendering: “What’s there to be afraid of?
We’ll meet force with force and water with water.
With our home advantage, we might just be able to thwart the enemy’s attack.” “That’s right.
If we continue to resist, we might still have a chance to survive, but if we surrender, our lives will be in the hands of others.
Haven’t you seen what happened to our revolutionary comrades in the Ruhr Industrial Area?” They had all witnessed the fate of the left-wing leaders in the Ruhr Industrial Area.
Hindenburg himself might keep his word and not kill them.
But Berlin’s right-wing government is not easy to deal with; if it falls into their hands, the outcome will be truly uncertain.
“So, the sailors in the city are willing to surrender, but the workers’ armed forces disagree?” “That’s right, Marshal.
As long as we can quickly disarm the workers with lightning speed, the Kiel Port uprising can be quelled.” When the sailors of Kiel Port mutinied, they received a positive response from the city’s workers.
These workers quickly armed themselves, formed an engineering corps, and joined forces with the sailors to establish the Kiel Port Soviet regime.
At this time, the workers’ representatives were in power, and they did not agree to surrender.
Even if the sailors surrendered, the Kiel Port rebellion could not be completely quelled!
“Then fight!
Fight them until they surrender!” Army General Seeckt was furious when he heard this.
They were just a bunch of ignorant workers, he had seen plenty of them in the Ruhr region before.
What kind of class do they have that they dare to negotiate with them?!
If you’re not convinced, then we’ll beat you until you are!
“No, Kiel Port is a major naval stronghold.
To prevent a surprise attack by the Allied Powers, a large number of fortresses and fortifications were built inside and outside the city.
The defense maps of these fortresses are in the hands of the navy, and we do not have detailed information.” Without familiarity with the enemy’s troop deployment and firepower, a hasty attack could easily result in unnecessary casualties, and even risk defeat.
Compared to Seekert’s impulsiveness, General Grener was noticeably calmer.
“Then what do you suggest we do?
Are we just going to stand by and do nothing?” Seeker glared angrily at Grena, and everyone’s eyes turned to him.
“We need an elite force skilled in night combat to sneak in under cover of darkness and carry out a decapitation strike.
Once we take down their leadership, Kiel Port will crumble on its own!” An elite force skilled in night combat?
All eyes turned to General Oscar von Huthier, who was standing behind Hindenburg.
As the originator of infiltration tactics, Huthir and his army were highly skilled in night fighting and raids, making them the most suitable candidates to carry out this plan.
But when he noticed everyone was looking at him, Hutil shook his head: “Gentlemen, our army excels in surprise attacks and infiltration, but the most skilled in night combat are not us, but the Stormtroopers under His Highness the Crown Prince!” ” Stormtroopers?
The elite force that, with only 8,000 men, routed over 100,000 enemy troops and breached two lines of American defense in one night?” Huthil’s reminder brought the entire group to mind this army.
When they first heard about the Stormtroopers ‘ record, they all thought it was fabricated to promote the Crown Prince and that it was fake.
After all, they are all people who have led troops into battle.
What kind of army can be so powerful, defeating a large number of enemies with a small force and creating such an exaggerated record?
But judging from Huthil’s expression, it seems that this is not an exaggeration or propaganda, but that such an army really exists.
“It is them!
If you, Marshal, can persuade His Highness the Crown Prince to send this army to support us, then the Kiel Port matter will not be difficult to resolve!” Asking the crown prince for support would make one appear incompetent, wouldn’t it?
He could handle a bunch of unruly soldiers on his own; why would he need to rely on external forces?
Just as Hindenburg was about to reject the offer, he noticed Groner giving him a frantic wink.
Curious, he made up an excuse to send everyone away, leaving Grena alone.
“Marshal, Hutil’s suggestion is good; you shouldn’t refuse it.” Hindenburg glanced at him, waiting for his explanation.
“I think we can take this opportunity to observe His Highness the Crown Prince’s strength and his attitude towards us.
If His Highness refuses to lend us troops, then he is using us as tools and not treating us as his own people.” If these so-called Stormtroopers are not as powerful as advertised, it proves that we overestimated His Highness the Crown Prince’s capabilities.
In that case, the Berlin government’s cooperation proposal might need to be reconsidered.
Hindenburg seemed thoughtful, and after considering it carefully for a while, he finally adopted Groner’s suggestion.
The telegram quickly reached Crown Prince Wilhelm, who, after reading it, gave a cold laugh: ” That old bastard Hindenburg is testing me!” I had originally planned to give this old man some dignity after the war, but now it seems there’s no need for that.
This guy is too ambitious, too calculating, not loyal enough, and difficult to control.
Moreover, as a remnant of the old era, he is destined to fall behind the pace of the new era.
Rather than letting him continue in his high position in the military, it would be better to promote some young people to higher positions.
Bock, Gerd von Rundstedt, Manstein, General Guderian, Rommel, Model … Germany’s roster of star players is never lacking; what it lacks is opportunity!