On December 18, 1915, the weather was clear and bright. Though the temperature was somewhat low after a recent snowfall, the accumulated snow had already been cleared away. The square in front of the Imperial Palace was crowded with people from all over Germany, who had come in great numbers to witness the grand military parade.
On the platform that had been set up, Emperor Wilhelm II, along with foreign heads of state and government leaders, diplomatic envoys to Germany, high-ranking military and political officials, and social elites, took their seats.
At 9:00 AM, General Krook, the commander of the parade, reported to Qin Tian that the review troops were ready. Qin Tian nodded, signaling that the parade could officially begin.
The first event of the parade was Qin Tian's speech.
Instead of reading from the prepared speech written by the cabinet, Qin Tian delivered an impromptu address. He praised the contributions of the German army and people to the war effort, expressing gratitude for the soldiers' efforts and the sacrifices made by the public, attributing the victory to their collective dedication. Qin Tian proclaimed that without their sacrifices, Germany would not have triumphed.
He also emphasized that the German Empire was a peace-loving nation, and that their involvement in the war had been merely a defensive response. This statement, of course, provoked skepticism among the foreign dignitaries present. If Germany was truly a peaceful nation, how then had it acquired so much new territory and overseas colonies? If they hadn't defeated other nations, how could those nations have willingly ceded land and handed over rich colonies to Germany?
In truth, Qin Tian's words were nothing more than blatant fabrications. However, the German public wholeheartedly accepted his speech, believing that the Emperor's words were both true and noble.
After Qin Tian finished speaking, the crowd erupted into spontaneous and loud cheers.
"Long live the German Empire! Long live the Emperor!" The shouts of the people reverberated through the air, further enhancing Qin Tian's already soaring reputation.
Next, Qin Tian proceeded to review the troops in an open-top car.
The reviewed units included 14 infantry formations and other divisions. The soldiers were selected from elite units, with stern faces and fiery eyes, radiating loyalty to the Empire and their Emperor.
"Soldiers!" Qin Tian's voice, amplified through a speaker, rang out across the square.
"Your Majesty!" came the response from the troops.
"Thank you for your hard work!" Qin Tian continued.
"Fight for the Empire!" came the unified cry from the soldiers.
The entire event unfolded according to Qin Tian's wishes, following a model similar to future military parades. This style of review was something new to the foreign heads of state attending, and some of them even resolved to replicate it upon returning to their own countries.
Following the infantry review was the march-past.
As the imposing infantry formations marched in perfect synchrony, their powerful voices chanting patriotic slogans, the spectacle was a tremendous sight, leaving a profound impression on all who witnessed it. While many countries held military parades, none had ever been as grand as Germany's. Each formation consisted of more than two hundred soldiers, and the precision of their steps demonstrated the discipline of the German military.
Moreover, many of these soldiers had fought in battle, and the palpable aura of deadly resolve was intimidating. There was no doubt that this was an elite fighting force.
The 12 army corps each contributed an elite detachment for the parade. Additionally, the Marine Corps and Navy formed their own units, while the logistics troops also had a formation. In total, there were 15 infantry formations.
Following the infantry came the cavalry. Although cavalry had gradually become obsolete, most nations still maintained some cavalry units. Over two hundred skilled horsemen rode their steeds through the square, saluting the Emperor with drawn sabers as they passed the platform.
After the cavalry, came the artillery units. There were three artillery formations: a 75mm field artillery division, a 105mm light howitzer division, and a 150mm heavy howitzer division. All the artillery pieces were towed by trucks, and the sight of these massive cannons left a profound impression on the spectators.
"I hear this artillery is from a German infantry division? A total of 54 75mm field guns, 36 105mm light howitzers, and 18 150mm heavy howitzers! Such artillery strength is truly formidable!" remarked one of the foreign military observers.
Crown Prince Hirohito overheard this remark, and his shock grew even deeper. A German infantry division was equipped with so much artillery, while an entire division of the Japanese army—despite having a larger total manpower—was far inferior in terms of artillery. Not only was the quantity of German artillery overwhelming, but even the caliber of the guns was superior. The stark contrast made the Japanese Prince acutely aware of the gap between the two nations.
"Upon returning to Japan, I must push for a significant improvement in our military equipment. Otherwise, if war breaks out with the Germans, we will not stand a chance!" Hirohito silently vowed.
Next came the armored units. There were only two formations: one for tanks and the other for armored personnel carriers.
As these steel beasts slowly passed the platform, the visiting foreign delegations were again stunned. The combat strength of the German armored forces was already well known. Tanks and armored vehicles had become highly sought-after weapons for every nation, and the tactics of armored warfare were the subject of intense study. It was universally understood that, in future conflicts, no nation could hope to compete without a powerful armored corps.
As the armored units passed, the roar of aircraft engines filled the air.
Everyone looked up to see 36 F2 fighter planes flying slowly overhead, followed by 18 H1 bombers, also flying at a low altitude. The sight of these aircraft passing overhead was truly awe-inspiring.
The crowd was shaken to its core. The message was clear: Germany was not only powerful on the ground and in the air but also had the world's strongest air force. In such a situation, who could challenge Germany?
Of course, many nations, particularly Germany's adversaries, quietly resolved to accelerate their military development. If they did not, they feared that the only future they had in store was one of certain defeat at the hands of the Germans.