Capítulo 128: Friedrich Rocket
"Fire round 35!" shouted a soldier as he adjusted the angle of the guide rail. His voice rang out clearly over the din of the battlefield. "Ammunition ready!" another soldier called out soon after, his voice equally loud and determined.
"Launch!" commanded the officer in charge, his order slicing through the air with authority. As the rockets were fired, their tails ignited, blowing up dust and mixing with the thick smoke of combustion. In moments, the entire rocket launch site was enveloped in a dense, smoky fog.
The Friedrich rocket launcher, Germany's latest military innovation, was capable of deploying 32 rockets simultaneously, targeting and potentially devastating enemy battalion-level units. The 9th Motorized Infantry Division was fortunate to have a battalion equipped with this formidable artillery weapon, boasting 20 such rocket launch vehicles. This marked the first recorded use of the Friedrich Rocket in combat, sending a staggering 320 rockets hurtling towards the target area in a single salvo. The cost of this barrage was equivalent to the price of a Leopard tank—a hefty price, but one that was justified by the rocket launcher's effectiveness.
Artillery personnel favored this weapon for its efficiency, as it could deliver the firepower of two artillery divisions from just one battalion in a mere 25 seconds. Although many units of the National Defense Forces were equipped with this new weapon, it had been kept as a closely guarded secret. Now, facing a rare and opportune target, concerns about maintaining secrecy were set aside, making this moment a historic one. For the first time in large-scale warfare, humans employed a self-propelled rocket launcher.
Meanwhile, the assembled Polish forces were oblivious to the impending disaster. Soldiers and animals alike trudged along crowded roads, transporting artillery shells and bullets. Fuel shortages forced tanks to wait, giving precedence to the movement of vehicles and livestock. The Polish commanders, assembling such a large force for the first time, were only beginning to grasp the complexity and challenge of mobilization—a skill that the Germans had honed to an art form through ten years of study and five years of practical integration.
Poland was struggling with logistics; the deployment of oil, the consumption of ammunition, and the organization of the front lines all required experienced professionals—experts that Poland sorely lacked. However, these concerns became moot as the German attack commenced.
A rocket struck a donkey laden with munitions, the resulting explosion turning the immediate area into a bloody inferno. Before anyone could react, another rocket hit, scattering limbs and organs. The realization that they were under artillery fire dawned on the Polish troops, but it was already too late. More rockets rained down, wreaking havoc on vehicles, tanks, and soldiers alike. The scene was one of utter chaos, with explosions tearing through the roads and nearby hills.
The scale of the German artillery was unknown to the Poles, but the survivors, emerging from a literal sea of fire and corpses, found that the Polish Lodz Army Special Forces—once 5,000 strong with dozens of tanks—had been nearly annihilated.
This barrage effectively ended what would have been an extended tank battle. The Polish forces had deployed all available tanks from the southern region to engage the German SS Armored Third Division. The confrontation involved 273 tanks, with 157 ultimately destroyed—74 by German forces and the remaining 83 by the rocket artillery.
The following day, as the 9th German Motorized Infantry Division passed through the area, the soldiers were met with a scene of devastation. The ground swarmed with flies, reminiscent of the Luftwaffe's formations. German soldiers, sickened by the sight and smell, vomited beside telephone poles, cursing the Friedrich rocket artillery units as they passed.
"How many tanks did you destroy that day?" Marcus stood next to Rennes, trying to engage him in conversation. He didn't look at Rennes but stared straight ahead, pressing for information about the Friedrich Rocket.
Rennes, seemingly lost in thought with his eyes open, took a moment before responding, "I heard. It's a powerful weapon."
"Is that all?" Marcus seemed disappointed, having hoped for a more engaging discussion.
"What else should I say?" Rennes replied, somewhat irritably.
"You're right," Marcus conceded, realizing that Rennes preferred not to dwell on the topic.
Suddenly, a loud announcement interrupted their conversation. "General Dord, the commander of Group D Army and Chief Guderian are here!" The chatter in the room ceased instantly as everyone turned their attention to the entrance.
"Congratulations!" Guderian entered with a smile, looking more weathered than Rennes remembered from their last meeting. He proceeded to distribute medals, starting with the artillery's war participation medal and the Iron Cross Second Class to several tank captains.
The Iron Cross medals, modified by the head of the Akado, were awarded based on merit, with the possibility of being upgraded through various prestigious levels. Rennes, despite his youth, was decorated with the Iron Cross Second Class, a commendable achievement that many older soldiers only dreamed of.
Guderian's presence at the ceremony was a surprise, as General Model, the general commander of the D Group Army, typically presided over such events. However, Model wanted to personally encourage the young soldiers, expressing pride in their accomplishments and urging them to continue serving their country with dedication.
After the ceremony, the soldiers applauded warmly, their excitement palpable despite the irregular clapping. General Model praised Guderian as a talented young general and expressed his pride in having such capable men under his command.
As Model handed out medals, he finally reached Rennes, hanging the Iron Cross on his chest. "I hear your name is Ren?" he asked, looking at him curiously.
"Long live the head of state! Report, General! I am Ren!" Rennes responded proudly.
"A very reassuring boy," Guderian commented with a smile, acknowledging Rennes as the top ace in his army.
Model, impressed by Rennes' record of destroying 11 Polish tanks, asked about his experience in World War I. Rennes, recalling the tough battles, affirmed his commitment to the head of state.
"Truly a good soldier," Model nodded, clearly pleased with Rennes' dedication.
"Thank you, General, for your compliments!" Rennes replied, saluting in the traditional German manner.
On September 28, 1937, during the birthday party of Head of State Akado, a telegram arrived from the front lines. It reported that the Third Panzer Division of the SS had repelled a Polish counterattack, killing 9,700 enemy soldiers and capturing 1,100. Akado announced this victory at the banquet, which was met with continuous cheers from the assembled nobles and celebrities.
"This Renn is very interesting," Akado remarked to Mercedes, his companion, as he reviewed the documents. He recounted how Rennes, orphaned in childhood, had risen from the streets of Berlin to become a leading figure in the military, thanks to being sent to the Wolf Knight Class of the Armored Force Command Academy by Lai Inhart.
Mercedes suggested that Akado should visit the Polish front soon to boost morale and ensure his presence was felt among his generals and troops. Agreeing, Akado planned a trip, but not before attending the inauguration of a new synthetic oil processing plant in Munich, highlighting the busy schedule of the head of state.
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