If there was one man throughout human history, you wanted in charge of “holding the line” it was none other than Svetozar Boroević. The man’s abilities in defensive warfare were quite legendary among those historians who knew his name.
At least among those from the 21st century of Bruno’s past life. And there was a reason for this. Currently, he was tasked with holding the line in the Alps, and that’s exactly what he did. While Bruno had massacred Belgrade and dug in waiting for reinforcements to arrive, and for the enemy to attack in force.
Svetozar was high up in the alpine mountains, standing within his own fortifications as he gazed upon the Italian Army below, who was desperately trying for the third time this month to break through the defenses he had previously established in the region.
Among Bruno’s inner circle, there were only two foreigners. And Svetozar was one of them. He had known well in advance that the war was going to break out, and because of this used his time, contacts, and resources to help prepare for it.
Having been promoted to Feldmarschallleutnant in 1908, a rank exclusive to the Austro- Hungarian Armed Forces, Svetozar used his influence to place himself in a position of command within the alpine region.
In doing so he spent the last few years building proper fortifications in the area. To eventually hold the line long enough for Bruno to take the Balkans out of commission. Once that would happen, Bruno would march his army group into the Alps and crush the Italians together with his ally and confident.
Or so was the plan, and because of this Svetozar was holding the line, even now. An artillery shell hit in the distance, yet near enough that shrapnel pinged off of Svetozar’s Stahlhelm. The man didn’t even flinch, as by now he was so accustomed to such explosive weaponry that he quite literally remained motionless as he continued to smoke his cigarette with a stoic expression on his face.
As per usual, artillery barrages would precede an assault, once the guns stopped firing, and the whistles started blowing, the Italians would be running up the hills straight into rifle and machine gun fire. It was only a matter of time.
Thus, all the Austro-Hungarian and German forces could do was wait. In the meantime, Generalfeldmarschal August von Mackensen, who while technically in control of the Isonzo Theater at this point, had largely delegated authority over the defenses to his Austro- Hungarian ally, walked over and spoke to the infamous Croatian General with a letter in his hand.
The letter was addressed not to the German Field Marshal, despite the nature of its origin, but instead to the Austro-Hungarian General, who only moved a muscle once he noticed the elderly man approaching him.
“I have received word from Belgrade. The Serbian Army has arrived, and along with them are 200,000 Turks. Bruno states he will hold his ground until reinforcements arrive, and that we should do the same….
Although I have no idea why he addressed you rather than me with this letter, is he aware that I am relying on your expertise? Did you inform him of this without my knowledge?”
Svetozar finally spoke, and when he did, it was almost as if a statue had come to life. He flicked his cigarette away, over the edge of the trench, and by extension the Cliffside it was built into before snatching the letter from August von Mackensen’s hands.
Briefly reading its contents before handing it back. The man looked completely unphased as he spoke rather openly about the ties he had to Bruno.
“It’s not exactly a secret that he and I are acquainted. Where do you think my men acquired the MP-05s that are otherwise exclusively sold to the German Army? And before you comment, we received permission from your Kaiser to do so after the assassination of the Archduke.
It was seen as a necessary war preparation by both of our nations’ leadership. If you must know he told me at the start of this that he would seize control of the Balkans and force the Serbians to capitulate by year’s end, after which he would, send his forces here so we can take out the Italian Army together.
He is merely giving me an update on his situation after certain unforeseen circumstances arose out of that hellish region…”
August von Mackensen looked at Svetozar strangely while asking the question, which perplexed him.
“Hellish Region? Are you referring to the Balkans? Aren’t you from Croatia?”
Svetozar looked at the German Field Marshal as if he were an idiot before explaining exactly why he had said what he said.
“Of course, nobody knows how atrocious the Balkans can be more than those of us who live there. Now, do you have any other questions? Because in case you didn’t notice, there are whistles ringing in the distance. Which gives us about two minutes before we have to deal with a horde of screeching Italians-”
August von Mackensen simply shook his head, before unslinging the MP-34 on his shoulder, and making to shore a round was chambered and that it was ready to fire. After doing so, he held it by his side, thinking about how great of an advantage such a weapon was in trench warfare.
Svetozar returned his gaze to the distance, where he saw a field of greyish green uniforms were rushing up the hill towards their defences. He couldn’t help scoff at the absurdity of the situation they were all in.
“Is it just me, or did everyone and their mother decide on the same color of uniform for this war? I swear to God, if it weren’t for the fact that the Italians had opted for those shitty French Adrian Helmets I would have a hard time determining who precisely is friend or foe…”
August von Mackensen gazed through his binoculars upon the hostile force and realized that the Austro-Hungarian general had made a valid point. It wasn’t strange for the German Army and the Austro-Hungarian Army to both adopt Feldgrau as the primary color of their uniforms.
The Germans had been among the first to adopt an earthly tone as their standard uniform, and due to the close relations between them and the Dual Monarchy, it made sense that the Austro-Hungarian Army would follow suit.
But it was very strange that the Italian Uniform not only shared a near identical color, but also a similar overall design to the German Army attire which was based upon the designs used by the German Reich during the latter years of the Great War from Bruno’s past life. Ultimately, they didn’t have much time to ponder the absurdity of the situation they were in as soon enough gunfire was exchanged between the two factions on the front lines, and the two generals were busy communicating orders to the men stationed there.
For the third time since the Great War had begun less than a month prior, the Isonzo Theater continued in its intensity.