Chapter 491: A New Era of Military Doctrine
Heinrich had been a busy man since the war came to an end. While Bruno was reorganizing military doctrine and experimenting with procurement channels to ensure that soldiers were equipped with the latest and most optimized weaponry, it was actually Heinrich’s job to institute these reforms in a practical field setting, specifically for the 8th Army, which he now commanded.
Following Bruno throughout the years had been kind to him. He had walked the same rapid ladder to success that Bruno had. And being roughly the same age, approaching or just surpassing his 40th year, while holding a rank just below Field Marshal, it was rare, but well earned.
Currently, he was overseeing the training and deployment of wheeled APCs built on the E-10 chassis, along with E-10 light tanks retrofitted with larger guns to be used as scouts and covert tank killers.
At the same time, the soldiers of the 8th Army drilled constantly in panzergrenadier tactics, utilizing deployment from wheeled 8x8 APCs and tracked IFVs—both of which provided armor against small arms and heavy machine guns in active combat zones, as well as fire support via 20mm and 30mm auto cannons. These weapons could be loaded with a variety of munitions depending on the target that needed to be suppressed or eliminated.
The new E-25–based Panzer IIs acted as the armored spearhead of the force, supported by self-propelled artillery of various calibers and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns for mobile air defense.
While the E-50 weapons platforms were still under development, and would eventually increase the size and firepower of the German Army’s combined arms doctrine. The doctrine itself was already fully integrated into the 8th Army using smaller platforms.
The troops drilled as frequently as possible to perfect their knowledge, muscle memory, and overall combat performance.
Heinrich himself wore a camouflage smock over his general’s field uniform, along with a camouflaged helmet cover on his new-pattern Stahlhelm, which featured minor upgrades over the version used during the Great War.
These improvements included a PASGT-style liner that allowed the steel helmet to sit perfectly over the skull, preventing whiplash, TBI, and concussions. The ventilation holes which had once thought useful were also been sealed, as they ironically trapped frost and moisture in the winter, doing more harm than good.
Gazing through his binoculars, Heinrich watched the mock battle unfold. Needless to say, he was impressed. The test ended exactly as he expected: with the combined arms unit steamrolling the more traditionally armed and entrenched OPFOR unit attempting to hold the line. It was utterly "obliterated."
Had live munitions been used, it would have been a massacre, especially once BF 109 pilots swooped in to provide air support. After the mock battle ended even faster than it began, Heinrich simply sighed, shook his head, and recorded what he had seen before handing the report to his nearby radio operator.