Reincarnated as Nikolai II

The deployment includes four dedicated combat corps operating at the front, with a crucial strategic element in the form of two additional Guard Corps specifically drawn from the Petersburg Military District to reinforce and support the 8th Army's operations. These Guard Corps serve as a vital strategic reserve force.

The positioning of these two Guard Corps in the rear serves multiple critical functions: they provide a secure fallback position should a tactical retreat become necessary, offer comprehensive logistical and combat support to the forward units, and maintain a steady pipeline of fresh troops to replace casualties and maintain combat effectiveness in the frontline corps. This depth in force structure reflects classical Russian military doctrine of maintaining substantial reserves to ensure operational flexibility and sustained combat power.

This is just one army.

And there are eight such field armies.

Nevertheless, Brusilov had no intention of recklessly charging ahead full of groundless confidence.

However, by this point.

'Did the enemy really abandon Poland?'

The General Staff judged at least 70% of enemy forces headed west after Belgium's invasion.

Also, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is desperate to somehow occupy Belgrade, attempting initial decisive battle.

Looking at these points, the eastern front is truly like an empty house.

No, actually Brusilov wanted to know the answer to a question he'd held much longer.

'A mere cavalry lieutenant general rose to Commander-in-Chief.'

Why? There were plenty of generals with better careers and more brilliant records.

Among over ten infantry generals, was there really no one to sit in the offensive commander-in-chief position?

'That can't be. Without the General Staff's support, this position should normally have gone to someone else.'

General Ivanov or General Alekseyev who knew Polish geography well should have come.

General Aleksandr Samsonov, called the soldier's standard, or General Keller who commanded excellently during the Russo-Japanese War could have come too.

In the end, there was one reason Brusilov could guess.

'...General Sergei Dukhovskoy.'

Yes. Must be that war hero who put him in this position.

The retired old general who raised a mere corps commander to commander-in-chief in just a few years.

'Just how far ahead did you see?'

The Tsar's order was just one.

Occupy Poland.

It takes just about 5 days by rail for the enemy to move forces from west to east.

So to occupy Poland within the given time and not be pushed back by returning German main forces, initial offensive must be carried out quickly, which is impossible without cavalry.

And among current army generals, it was fair to say none excelled in cavalry like Brusilov himself.

In that sense, this offensive plan is a battle he dedicates to the great cavalry senior, General Sergei Dukhovskoy, who arranged everything.

"Kornilov, is the enemy commander-in-chief confirmed?"

"Not yet confirmed, but rumors say retired Army General Paul von Hindenburg is coming east. He once rose to Chief of Staff candidate for the General Staff. You must be careful."

As German forces pouring into Belgium increase day by day, could a mere military officer overcome this massive force disparity?

Already First, Fourth, and Eighth Armies gathered in East Prussia.

Three army groups.

'If I can't win even with this much, I should commit suicide if only for shame before General Dukhovskoy.'

He has confidence.

"Though occupying Poland is important, first we must take Danzig to either receive supplies from the capital or block the enemy's sea."

Then the place to head first is obvious.

"Kornilov, lead the cavalry corps here."

"Where German railways pass through. The place name..."

Instead of Kornilov trying to read the small German place name, Brusilov read it for him.

"Tannenberg."

His first offensive point.

==

Aleksei Brusilov, though his thin build and beard hiding even his small face seem different from a strong Slavic man, I pride myself on knowing this man better than anyone.

'Might he be the most insane commander in Russian army history?' Continue reading at empire

During the Great War, the records of Brusilov holding command authority and fighting the enemy are few.

However, if anyone studies original history's Brusilov Offensive even once, no one could call this guy normal.

This shows in his abnormal operations - Brusilov's plans reflect no fear at all. Meaning no backup.

'He's nuts from charging at enemies four times larger with poor supplies where you might have to fight with bayonets if bullets run short.'

In original history, Brusilov starts rampaging while ignoring Russian Army General Staff's recommendations and strategic situation from spring 1915.

He thought his superiors were all idiots and field judgments weren't respected. So he just arbitrarily abandoned areas or counterattacked while building military achievements.

And his solo run reached its peak in summer 1916.

The battle called the Brusilov Offensive by later generations, and the Lutsk Breakthrough at the time.

'Leading 500,000 weak Russian troops to charge at 2 million German-Austro-Hungarian allied forces and erase 1.9 million enemies from the front.'

If 95% of forces were lost, this means they fought and lost without even being able to flee.

How was this physically possible?

The answer lay in Brusilov's insane operation plan.

Brusilov split the insufficient troops into four, then ordered each to break through toward specific regions.

Naturally this scattered Russian forces into four, but amusingly, they all succeeded in breakthrough so the enemy couldn't devour the scattered Russian forces.

Looking at the map, it's like ant colonies cutting a huge elephant into four pieces then eating it.

Of course, Brusilov's army was also annihilated with nearly 80% casualties. Add to that poor communications and frequent engagements leading to missing in action in tens of thousands.

However, with just one offensive Brusilov changed not only the Eastern Front, but the Balkan Front and Western Front situations.

To such a Brusilov, I requested.

The Schlieffen imitation plan.

What would happen if this man was given sufficient troops and materials?

'Wouldn't Bydgoszcz easily fall into my hands too?'

If someone must sit in the offensive commander position in this country, I dare not think of any name besides Brusilov.

Actually after the Brusilov Offensive, the Austro-Hungarian Empire switched the Eastern Front to defense while Germany blocked the east with trenches.

If he had just a bit more troops.

If he had just a bit more time.

If he had gained command authority just a bit earlier.

Wouldn't history have been different then?

Changed history. Even I who've ruled the empire for nearly twenty years sometimes feel history's weight is hard to change.

"Your Majesty, large-scale engagement with the enemy has begun at Tannenberg."

"The beginning?"

However, sometimes.

One person's ability can change history.