General Ivanov furrowed his brow, grappling with the two operational plans presented by the army staff, both of which posed a daunting choice.
"Gentlemen, the operational plans have been devised. Let us consider which one we shall adopt," Ivanov inquired.
"General, if we seek security, the first plan is undoubtedly the most prudent. However, whether two armies can withstand the assault of the German Eighth Corps remains uncertain. Moreover, this approach may lead to a stalemate, causing us to lose the advantages we have gained," General Ruski responded.
Ivanov nodded; they had only recently inflicted significant damage on the Austro-Hungarian forces and were on the brink of a decisive victory when the Germans emerged as a formidable threat. Abandoning the opportunity now would mean all their efforts would be in vain, a thought he found deeply unsettling.
"If we choose the second plan, can we swiftly defeat the Austro-Hungarian Empire?" Ivanov asked.
The second plan was indeed risky, as one army alone could hardly withstand the onslaught of the German Eighth Corps. Should they falter, they would find themselves caught between the Germans and the Austro-Hungarians, losing not only their advantage but potentially facing dire consequences.
"General, that is exceedingly difficult. The Austro-Hungarian forces have three armies stationed at the front, with manpower comparable to our own. To dismantle them swiftly is a formidable challenge. Moreover, the arrival of the Germans will undoubtedly boost their morale, complicating our task," General Dmitriev stated.
"General, despite the difficulties, I believe that if our progress is swift, we may indeed have the opportunity to vanquish the Austro-Hungarians. Previously, we had them under pressure. Currently, the three Austro-Hungarian armies are largely understrength. If we launch a full offensive, we might defeat them. Once they are defeated, we can concentrate our forces against the Germans. The Eighth Corps is formidable, but should we encircle them with our four armies, victory could still be within our grasp. This time, we will reclaim our honor and achieve a decisive victory on the battlefield!" exclaimed General Brusilov, commander of the Eighth Army. A man who thrived on risk, he saw this as an opportunity for substantial gain.
The current situation indeed mirrored this sentiment for the Russians. If a calculated risk could lead to an overwhelming victory, Brusilov considered it an invaluable prospect.
Of course, losing the war would yield disastrous consequences, and Ivanov was acutely aware of this, causing his hesitation. He yearned to seize the chance to defeat both the Germans and Austro-Hungarians, securing victory for the Russian Empire. Yet, failure would have repercussions he could hardly bear.
"General Dmitriev, can your forces withstand the German assault for half a month?" Ivanov posed the question, as though he had resolved to make a decisive choice.
"General, that would be exceedingly difficult. The Germans are exceedingly strong. Once their tank divisions launch an attack, our troops may struggle to hold their ground. The defenses we have built could be easily breached by them," Dmitriev said, swallowing hard at the prospect of withstanding the might of the Eighth Corps.
"While the German tank divisions are indeed formidable, we can employ alternative means to deter them, such as constructing robust defensive fortifications. The command believes that by digging wider trenches, we may halt the advance of the German tanks, potentially bolstering our defensive efforts," Ivanov asserted.
"Indeed, General. However, half a month may not suffice to defeat the Austro-Hungarians," Dmitriev remarked.
"If you can hold for half a month, the Thirteenth Army will arrive. At that point, they will support you in repelling the German assault. The remaining three armies must endeavor to defeat the Austro-Hungarians as swiftly as possible. This is our singular opportunity. If we can defeat the Austro-Hungarians, victory will be ours. Otherwise, we risk catastrophic defeat," Ivanov explained.
"Understood, General. We shall do everything within our power to halt the German advance," Dmitriev affirmed. He recognized that Ivanov had made his decision; further debate would be futile, and they could only commit to their mission with unwavering resolve.
"I will report the operational plan to Prince Nikolai. Should His Highness approve, we will launch our attack immediately. Time is of the essence; we must seize this opportunity!" Ivanov declared.
"Yes, General!" the assembled Russian commanders replied in unison. They understood that with Ivanov choosing this audacious operational plan, they would all have to strive with utmost determination. The stakes were high—not only for Russia's potential victory but for their own fates. A win would undoubtedly lead to promotions and wealth, while failure could spell disaster.