Chapter 351: The Past
Samuel, now stationed in Eritrea, was well aware of the challenges they faced in this unfamiliar environment. He discussed the importance of caution, especially in Eritrea, as nightfall could bring the risk of being cut off from their supply route and facing indigenous attacks.
Zapeto, who had his own views on the Italian-Austrian War, questioned the supposed "military genius" of the Italian kingdom, wondering how they could stand against the mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire.
With a touch of contempt, Zapeto remarked, "General, you seem to overestimate the Abyssinians. Can they really stand up to the fully armed Italian army?"
Samuel disagreed, shaking his head. "Mr. Zapeto, if that's what you believe, you're mistaken."
Zapeto inquired, "What advice do you have, General?"
Samuel explained, "Do you know how I gained success in warfare?"
Zapeto couldn't help but shake his head, eager to hear Samuel's story.
Samuel began recounting his early days in the army. "When I first joined, Italy was under the threat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Conscription was hasty, and my company consisted of farmers who had just left their fields. They couldn't even tell left from right, let alone follow military orders. I was a young and inexperienced leader at the time. Could Italy have any hope against the Austro-Hungarian Empire?"
Zapeto answered firmly, "No."
Samuel continued, "In fact, our situation was even worse. Despite the urgency, only half of my men were given rifles, and some were old relics from the Napoleonic era. During training, we had to take turns with the few usable rifles. It was a disaster for a fledgling like me."
Zapeto expressed disbelief, "The kingdom didn't even have enough rifles?"
Samuel explained, "I thought the same, but it was the reality I faced. When I reported the issue to my superiors, the stubborn battalion commander claimed that Italy was unprepared because the Austro-Hungarian Empire's surprise attack came too soon. In truth, our mobilization had started well before they declared war, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire hadn't even entered the war yet."
Zapeto angrily criticized the corrupt officials responsible, stating that their incompetence likely led to the dire situation.
Samuel continued, "I'd bet that most soldiers never received their military pay for the Italian-Austrian War. Apart from casualties, we faced a funding shortage after the war, and many were in debt. This was all without the Austro-Hungarian Empire demanding compensation."
Zapeto's eyes widened in shock, "This is outrageous!"
Samuel added, "It gets worse. When the command system collapses, and morale is low, orders from above become irrelevant. The Italian army was retreating in disarray, and I had to adapt quickly. My battalion commander disappeared, but they didn't realize that the faster they ran, the more vulnerable they were to the Austro-Hungarian pursuit. They were too timid to engage in combat."
Zapeto inquired, "How did you manage supplies without the command system?"
Samuel revealed, "Our supplies were virtually nonexistent. My troops mainly relied on captured weapons from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which were far more reliable than our own. We used cold weapons in hand-to-hand combat when necessary. A machete is more dependable than the kingdom's antique rifles. I figured that if I could do this against the Austro-Hungarian army, the indigenous people of Abyssinia could do the same to us."
Samuel concluded, "In essence, I did what any soldier would do, not what they call a military genius."
Zapeto's admiration for Samuel grew. He offered his full support and shared valuable information about the Abyssinian Empire and its surrounding forces.
As they continued their discussion, Samuel realized the need to gather intelligence about the Abyssinian Empire and formulate a reliable plan before taking any further actions in this unfamiliar land.