Re: Blood and Iron

Chapter 97: Cross of the Iron Division

Chapter 97: Cross of the Iron Division

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The time eventually came for the German Reich to reward its soldiers who had participated in the Russian Civil War. In the streets of Berlin, a wide celebration was being had. Specifically, a military parade. It was not, however, a parade for the actual German Army, but for the roughly 25,000 German Soldiers who had gone off and volunteered to put down the Red Menace.

This event had several major purposes in mind. One was, of course, to show appreciation to the men who had boldly taken up arms against the enemy of all of humanity. But two was to gain support for the Right-Wing within German politics of the era.

Frankly speaking the left-wing political parties had been in a state of disaster since all forms of Marxist thought were basically outlawed within the Imperial Powers of Europe, and at the same time parties which represented such beliefs were disbanded, with their leading members jailed under political extremist laws enacted in response to the Bolshevik Revolution.

Incitement to revolution, and treason were generally added charges to these politicians. In the end, the Social Democrats who were a heavily Marxist party, and one which Bruno personally held responsible for both the fall of the German Reich, and the pitiful state of the German Nation during the Weimar Republic and the 21st Century that Bruno had ultimately died in as a result of its suicidal immigration policies.

If he was Chancellor, he would round up every social democrat and have them shot in the street. But because they had wisely distanced their "official stance" away from Socialism and Communism. They had survived to some extent, albeit heavily persecuted.

But Bruno was not Chancellor, and instead at the moment he was focused on his military career rather than any form of political notions. Hence, he stood in uniform, or more specifically, the uniform of the Iron Brigade as he and his men marched through the streets of Berlin as if they were heroes returning from a great conquest.

Eventually the entire division, or more specifically its members who had survived the war stood in formation outside a venue built specifically for the Kaiser to reward those officers who had personally led the Iron Division and its many units over the course of the year and a half duration of the war.

As for the NCOs and enlisted personnel, they would receive their medals in the mail within the coming months. The Kaiser, of course, had a grand speech prepared for the occasion. He was dressed in a heavily embellished uniform belonging to the cavalry of the German Army as he began to recite the words he had thought of in advance for today's celebration.

"Standing before me are the brave men of the German Reich who volunteered of their own volition to fight against an enemy, not just to the Russian people and their Tsar, but to the entirety of Europe and our way of life.

In fact, I think it would be fair to adequately describe the red menace, those devils who adhere to the teachings of Karl Marx as an enemy of all humanity. No matter what they may claim themselves to be, Marxist, Communist, Bolshevik, or even Socialist, after the crimes we witnessed them commit in Russia, and in France I can say that it is the greatest honor of any man in this world, especially men of conscience to go out and confront this evil wherever it may reveal itself.

Because of the heroic actions taken by the men we all celebrate today, and those souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for humanity, I, Kaiser Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, first of my name, hereby decree the award of the Cross of the Iron Division to every man who took up arms to combat the evils of Marxism!

And for those of you here in our ranks who adhere to this inherently anti-German philosophy. Know this: there is no place for you and your ilk in the German Reich! And there never will be! Glory to God, Kaiser, and Fatherland!"

Bruno along with every member of his unit, which was now officially disbanded, and solely dressed in their unique uniforms and gathered together one last time for the sake of this ceremony immediately raised their right hands to a salute to the Kaiser while repeated the last few words he had spoken to him.

"For God, Kaiser, and Fatherland!"

The majority of the crowd cheered as the Kaiser called upon the leader and founder of the Iron Division to step forward and receive the first medal to be given to his unit. All the while, the small minority of those gathered who were Social Democrats eyed one another cautiously.

They were socialists by nature and were one of the first major Marxist parties in the world. Though they were forced to assert otherwise, they were already walking on thin ice. And the Kaisers' words were directed towards them.

No doubt the coming years would be rough for their political party, as bullying, harassment, and even violence towards their members would become normalized and accepted. As for Bruno, he stepped forward after being called upon by the Kaiser, and stood proudly in front of the man, saluting him as the Kaiser pinned the first cross of the Iron Division to the man's chest.

The Kaiser quickly shook Bruno's hand after doing so and leaned in to whisper to the man. "Your recommendations for the establishment of national institutions for sport performance have been greatly received by the members of the Reichstag and the Bundesrat. Once approved into law, we will have the first of them up and running within the year.

I must say, I'm surprised that you have a mind for matters other than war. Have you ever thought about pursuing a career in politics? Your father has been a very close member of my inner circle for years now, but I am convinced that you might one day excel well beyond his means. What do you think?"

Bruno chuckled while shaking the Kaiser's hand before whispering back to him his thanks. As well as his response.

"For the time being, my place is on the battlefield, fighting his majesty's enemies. Maybe one day I shall pursue a career in politics, but it will be long after I have won the war that is to come... In this regard, your Majesty might wish to invest in creating an organization like the Tsar's Okhrana.

They proved exceptionally useful in the war, especially when those rats turned to guerilla tactics. After all, not every enemy is to be fought abroad. There are those here in the German Reich who would continue the efforts of Lenin and his band of murderous thieves here on our own soil if given the chance.

And during a time of war, defeat is often the result of being stabbed in the back by the enemies within a nation, rather than military defeat by those abroad. You are, of course, free to reject my advice, but you would do well to remember my words..."

After saying this, Bruno's expression became far more excitable as he waved to the crowd along with the Kaiser, who quickly took Bruno's recommendation to heart. Afterward, he would pin medals to the chest of Bruno's officers. Such as Ludwig, Kurt, Heinrich, Erich, and all others who served beneath him during their participation in the Russian Civil War.

The Parade would last for some time and would have a full-scale celebration in the city of Berlin with beer and pretzels provided for the people to enjoy. Photos were taken of the event and spread in the news not only across the German Reich but also to all of Europe as well. With this, the Iron Division had made its last appearance in the world. Its volunteers would go on to continue their military careers. Many of them would serve in the upcoming Great War as NCOS and officers. And to great effect at that, as they had gained valuable experience in the Trenches outside Saint Petersburg and Tsaritsyn.

As For the German Strategy to deal with the potential outbreak of a Major War between the European Powers. Bruno would begin devising this strategy in the coming days while returning to active service within the Central Division of German High Command. Meanwhile, the Kaiser of the German Reich would begin holding conferences between the Central Powers as they currently existed, and would even extend invitations to the Russian Tsar, specifically in regard to mending the difference between him and Kaiser Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Kaiser would also take up Bruno's suggestion and begin forming his own secret police, similar to the Okhrana and other organizations like it that popped up throughout history. Such as the infamous Gestapo and Stasi that had existed in Bruno's past life.

Either way, Bruno's suggestions had made it certain that Germany would not be stabbed in the back during this timeline when the time for the Great War finally arrived.