"Your Highness, congratulations, we have won!" General Hindenburg's face was filled with joy. To defeat 200,000 enemies in a single battle, annihilating over 150,000 of them, was an astounding victory by any measure.
Moreover, the Battle of Tannenberg was only the opening act of the Eastern Front campaign. Ahead of them, a much larger Russian force was already caught in the Germans' strategic trap. If this army could also be destroyed, the 8th Army would achieve an even greater triumph, one that would reverberate across the entire Eastern Front and throughout the war itself.
"Indeed, the soldiers fought valiantly, and it is through their efforts that we secured victory," Qin Tian replied. He had no habit of claiming all the credit for himself. He understood well that fair rewards and not vying for accolades with his subordinates were the key to earning their loyalty.
"Your Highness, there's no need to be so modest. Without you, how could the 8th Army have transformed so dramatically? How could we have equipped ourselves with so many advanced weapons? If we win this war, you will undoubtedly be the one who deserves the greatest credit," said Major General Ludendorff earnestly.
The other generals all nodded in agreement.
Qin Tian smiled but said no more. It was true that he had made significant efforts to ensure victory for the German Empire, not only for the army but also for the navy. In fact, his contributions to the navy were even greater.
The current German High Seas Fleet was far stronger than it had been in a different timeline, almost unrecognizably so. And with the addition of a powerful submarine fleet and two aircraft carriers that were nearing operational readiness, the German navy was now poised to secure a decisive victory at sea. All of these changes were a direct result of Qin Tian's influence.
Of course, Qin Tian's efforts were driven by self-interest. He had no intention of becoming a deposed prince in exile, nor did he wish for his wealth to become a source of danger. Through his hard work, he was on the verge of achieving his goals. He had not only changed his own fate but also that of the entire German Empire. This realization filled him with pride.
"How heavy were our casualties in this battle?" Qin Tian asked.
Germany's population was over 60 million, second only to Russia in Europe. But to Qin Tian, this number was still too small. Every soldier's life was precious.
"Your Highness, we lost over 2,000 soldiers in this battle, many of them during the earlier phase when we lured the enemy. Thanks to the 8th Armored Division's formidable assault capabilities, the Russians never managed to organize a serious defense. Otherwise, our losses would have been at least double," Major General Ludendorff reported.
Qin Tian nodded, but he still felt a pang of sorrow knowing that so many men had died. Of course, if it weren't for his leadership, the German losses would have been far higher.
"Ensure that the families of the fallen are properly compensated. As for the wounded, make every effort to treat them. Those who recover will undoubtedly become elite soldiers. As for those severely wounded and disabled, do everything possible to ensure they can lead self-sufficient lives. This way, they can continue to live with dignity," Qin Tian instructed.
"Yes, Your Highness. Rest assured, we will take care of everything," General Hindenburg and Major General Ludendorff promised.
Both men came from noble families and were wealthy enough not to worry about their livelihoods. But as military leaders, they were well aware of the difficult circumstances faced by ordinary soldiers. A severe injury could bring devastating consequences, leaving them in dire straits. That Qin Tian, as the Crown Prince of the Empire, would consider these matters showed remarkable empathy.
This deeply impressed Hindenburg, Ludendorff, and the other generals, increasing their loyalty to him.
Though Qin Tian was now the commander of the 8th Army and heir to the empire, in the beginning, he had struggled to earn the generals' respect. Most of them had simply refrained from opposing him but had not been willing to pledge their full allegiance.
However, Qin Tian's extensive reforms of the 8th Army and his massive investment in rearming the forces had greatly improved its combat effectiveness. This had caused the generals to reassess their opinions of him.
Now, with Qin Tian's sincere care for the ordinary soldiers, free from any pretense, the generals had made up their minds to pledge their unwavering loyalty. Not even the Emperor could change this. If both the Emperor and Qin Tian were to issue orders, they would unhesitatingly follow Qin Tian's commands. Though such loyalty might seem rebellious, it was the result of Qin Tian's personal charisma.
"Gentlemen, we have won the Battle of Tannenberg. Although a small number of the Russian 2nd Army has managed to escape, they pose no real threat. Now, we must turn our attention to the destruction of the Russian 1st Army at Masurian Lakes. The 17th Corps is under immense pressure trying to hold them back. If we don't act quickly to assist and neutralize the Russian 1st Army, the 17th Corps will suffer heavy losses," Qin Tian said.
"Your Highness, tomorrow the main forces of the 11th and 20th Corps will leave Tannenberg and head to Masurian Lakes. We've prepared a large number of trains, and within three days, the troops will be in place to launch an assault on the Russian 1st Army. However, the 8th Armored Division suffered heavy losses in this battle and will need to be reequipped before it can regain its combat strength," Major General Ludendorff replied.
The 8th Armored Division had originally fielded over 200 tanks, but due to various mechanical issues, only about 100 were operational when the battle began. After intense fighting, only a few dozen remained.
Of course, most of the tanks had been lost due to mechanical failures, with few actually destroyed by the Russians.
Although Qin Tian's German Armament Company had developed tanks and begun mass production for the army, technological limitations meant that issues with reliability had yet to be fully resolved.
"Don't worry about the tanks. German Armament Company has already dispatched a new batch of tanks. Have the trains take them directly to Masurian Lakes, and the 8th Armored Division can rearm there," Qin Tian said, having already prepared a solution.