Interactive History VI: Warrior's Ambition

Prologue

14th of December, 1942.
The snow was falling like the petals off cherry flowers. Not as densely as to obscure the vision, but not as lightly as to make it nothing more than a white specked vision. It was falling just perfectly... Perfectly for one person that is.
Oleg lay on his stomach on an old table, obviously discarded long before the war, peering out a small hole in the wall, his trusty scoped Mosin-Nagant made everything seem much clearer, while at the same time so far away. He could see the Germans were talking as they entered the town. He didn't know either German or mouth reading, but after some time you learn the basic of communication, even in languages you can't hear or even understand. These Germans were obviously a bit anxious and they were warning each other about dangerous ambush sites and such.
Off to Oleg's right, by one of the bigger holes in the wall sat the spotter, a nice young lad of 17 years, not that Oleg himself was very old, only 20. But his spotter, Dimitri, was small in both height and stature and didn't look any more than 14 years old, he was but a boy, and shared the same enthusiasm to combat that boys often do.
Despite Dimitri's somewhat lacklustre appearance, he had hawk eyes, he could spot anything and everything, an he had a knack for knowing when the German would show up. Just like this occasion. It had been him that had said they should hide in the attic of the old communal storehouse. And he had chosen very well since the house was low enough to not be conspicuous, but high enough to offer a good view.

So here they were, and the Germans advancing through the town. Obviously something would happen sooner or later.
"Boy, are you seeing anything good?" Asked Oleg, stressing the first word. Dimitri, well used to the little pokes, calmly answered back, "Yes, I see about two companies of infantry, five halftracks, two StuGs and some trucks in the rear... Blind Man..." The last came with a half concealed snicker.
"Just give me a target, I can't make much out with the limited vision of my scope."
Dimitri grunted in acknowledgement and kept scanning the column.
"Hmm... I see a few Feldwebels and Leutnants, nothing important enough." Oleg was perhaps a sniper, but he would not risk getting exposed for a low rank. No, he had advanced too far with his 42 confirmed kills and numerous unconfirmed kills. His trusty Mosin-Nagant wasn't any run-of-the-mill rifle, it was in fact hand built by a master rifle smith, accurate out beyond his capability to even see the target. "Keep looking."
While Dimitri scanned for officers or highly decorated soldiers, those were important targets as well, Oleg caressed his rifle, whispering to it. "You won't fail me, I know it. I lay my life in your care Jelena." He had named his rifle Jelena in memory of the beautiful girl from his hometown that had introduced him to the wonders of the female charms. While there had been more later, especially after his storming success and subsequent decorations, she had retained a big part of his heart. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of that warm summer... Perhaps he would some day see her again, but his town was currently in German hands, far away.
"Oh I think I have found something Blind Man." Dimitri's words drew Oleg back to the real world. "What? Where?"
"Third halftrack, standing in the back. He only just popped up."
Oleg quickly found the halftrack and centred on the man standing in the back. "My dear... You have indeed found something worthy. Hauptmann, Infantry Assault Badge in bronze, two Tank Destruction Badges, Iron Cross and Close Combat Badge in Bronze... Damn, he is a hero!"
"Take him out..."
Oleg lined up for a heart shot. The German officer was moving about too much with his head to attempt a headshot. The wind had picked up a bit, blowing gusts now and then. A small winter storm was coming, a good opportunity to get away in. It was time to finish this. Oleg calculated the distance, corrected for both snow and wind, kissed Jelena gently on the side, then he took a deep breath, lined up for the heart (the Close Combat Badge made an excellent target), exhaled slowly and squeezed the trigger, at the last split second the officer looked up and a gust of wind blew in.
The rifle, as always, almost surprised him with the kick, the sharp bark it made faded away even before Oleg could register it. He quickly sighted back on his target. "What? You missed him?" Dimitri softly said, clearly puzzled. The German officer was still standing, but then he looked down on himself in bewilderment, then he collapsed on the rear deck on the halftrack. Oleg hissed a soft cheer at the vision. Meanwhile the German infantry ran for cover and into houses. Clearly searching for the unseen assailant. Orders could be heard, but there was no return fire.
"Boy, go to the stairs and keep an eye on the floor below, we might have to stay here for a little while." The storm was approaching, and in the dense snow they could escape, just as Oleg had a knack for, until then they would have to stay still to avoid detection.
Dimitri scurried over to the stairs silently and laid down, his PPSh next to him as well as two hand grenades. Useless if the Germans found them, since they would be trapped up there, but good for keeping the spirit up. Oleg on the other hand crawled next to one of he holes in the wall, big enough to let several men walk through, to observe the Germans in the streets. The scene below surprised him. He had looked away for a couple seconds only, yet not a single infantryman was to be found in the open or even in bad cover. These troops were good, but then again they were Panzer Grenadiers of some of the best Panzer Divisions the Germans had. At least Oleg had halted their advance for a short while, he had been told it was important they didn't reach Stalingrad again. He knew nothing of strategy, but that in itself was obvious enough.
Suddenly a StuG rolled back from the street going next to the storehouse. The commander, shielding himself with his hatch while still out in the open. Oleg could easily have taken him out, but two shots always mean detection. No he would stay his hand for the time being. The StuG rolled back and back and back until it reached the officer's half track, there the commander engaged someone in conversation. The logical conclusion would be that the StuG commander was taking over command, but something was off... The Germans usually didn't formally hand over command in combat situations, nor was there a need if the officer was dead.
Dread set in...
"Dimitri!!! Get up!" Oleg called out, the young boy looked at him in surprise as he began to rise up. Oleg looked back at the StuG, the gun pointing right at him. "Oh crap..." That was as far as he got before the gun flashed. In an instant the shell arrived and exploded on the back wall. Oleg was thrown out of the hole in the wall, and while in the air everything seemed alright... There was no sound, there was no pain, only a white sky. Then he hit the ground, he could feel bones crack, and something in his back snapped. At once he caughed up blood, and within a few seconds a couple Germans towered over him. He looked at them... They were no different from him really, young men fighting a war, but they had this look... A look of hate. One of them said something, but Oleg could hear nothing, then he pointed his weapon at the wounded Russian. One of the others grabbed his weapon and said something, and the first one reluctantly nodded.
What had happened to Dimitri? Well, as life slowly faded while the Germans watched, Oleg found he didn't care. He wasn't even afraid anymore, he wasn't in pain, but it was unpleasant to be looked at like that, and he was hurting inside now that he would never see Jelena again. But soon darkness overtook his eyes, and then there was nothing.


"Chief! Chief! Stay awake! If you surrender now you might as well lie down on a hand grenade." The medic had a concerned look as he spoke to Walter. Walter however wasn't troubled. He was smiling on the inside, if he died he would die a hero, if not he would get the Wound Badge in Silver. But it did worry him it would be a sniper's bullet that took him down. Next to him on the rear deck of the half track, was the radio operator. He was calling HQ for new instructions. "Dragon's Den, Dragonling 1, Hauptmann Schleizinger has been wounded. No clear succession of command, what are your instructions?"
"Dragonling 1, Dragon's Den, don't use names for Christ's sake! Whelp 3 assumes command. Keep on schedule, and bring back the Hauptmann."
"Understood."
Oberleutnant Weser, Whelp 3, came into Walter's vision and spoke to him. "We got him... He was right where you said he would be. Here I think you should have this." He said and showed a scraped but fine rifle with a scope. "It is the rifle that nearly killed you." Weser said with a laugh. "And now you are off for some nice relaxing time at a hospital with beautiful nurses all around. Lucky prick!" Even the concerned medic couldn't help but give a little grunt of amusement.

Within a few minutes Walter's situation was stabilized enough to move him with a truck to the rear. He would see no further action during the relief effort to Stalingrad. He had suffered a complicated wound to his left lung, just off the heart. The heart itself had just managed to avoid damage, but the lung would require time and care to heal. So Walter von Schleizinger, hauptmann of the Wehrmacht was shipped home to Germany...

Note: So, who are you playing as? Dimitri or Hauptmann Walter? Because I can easily see how you could play both characters.

Nice Tarrak

Hmmmm, interesting start. Good to have you back Kraxis.

Excellent start Kraxis. Got me thinking for a while that we were the now dead sniper, which got me very confused.

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Originally Posted by DemonArchangel

Note: So, who are you playing as? Dimitri or Hauptmann Walter? Because I can easily see how you could play both characters.

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Can't tell you directly, though there are a few signs out there.~;)
I direct you to a previous IH for the connection.

But don't worry, soon it will all be much clearer who it is, and what the connection will be.

Wait... he's the Admiral's son :tongue:

"Poor Oleg, I knew him well"

Great start, can't wait until we can influence the further occurences.

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Originally Posted by DemonArchangel

Wait... he's the Admiral's son :tongue:

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Good call Demon, good call. And drink lots of milk.

Hang on a minute - if he is the Admiral's son then WW1 finished differently - no onerious Treaty of Versaille, no Hitler, no WW2...... unless he has fallen through a wormhole in the space time continium into a paraell universe (ours)...... the plot thickens!!!!!!!

Wonderful start Kraxis, I look forward to the story unfolding:2thumbsup:

Or perhaps these people are just...doing target practice?

Great story, btw. Looking for more :2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by DemonArchangel

Wait... he's the Admiral's son :tongue:

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Not going to say you are wrong, but consider this:

The Admiral was in his late 50s, early 60s in 1918, and a Hauptmann (Captain) is generally not more than in his middle 30s (often younger). In a time when people got their children at a much younger age than today.

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Originally Posted by Kraxis

Not going to say you are wrong, but consider this:

The Admiral was in his late 50s, early 60s in 1918, and a Hauptmann (Captain) is generally not more than in his middle 30s (often younger). In a time when people got their children at a much younger age than today.

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But that would not matter if he came from a Parallel Universe!!:laugh4:

Sniggers slightly and steps back into the Tardis:2thumbsup:

Ok, more like the Admiral's.... grandson. I hit close enough.

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Originally Posted by discovery1

Good call Demon, good call. And drink lots of milk.

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lol.

And I thought for a moment we'd be playing Vasily Zayts...I mean, the Russian sniper there!

Now, a game at captain-level is going to be really, really interesting. And a perfect choice, really. I thought at first that repeating World War II again might not be the wisest decision, but then when it comes to this level of warfare which scenario is better?

So presumably the Hauptmann has childhood memories of his nutty old grandfather.

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Originally Posted by AntiochusIII

lol.

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What? Demon busted up his leg not to long ago, and calcium will help him heal.

And yeah, that level is just great. And if we play well we'll probably see the him advance in rank, maybe even up to general? Course then we might end up in such poor locations such as being in charge of the defense of Berlin, or on the defense stand at Nurenburg. Lets try to avoid that.....

So, sounds good. When's it start?

Btw, Im new at this so if I dont know whats going on, its just me.

Just wondering:

A while ago Kraxis confessed that he used to be an adjutant at Manstein`s staff during Zitadelle. Now we have Dec. 42. I guess we are still close to Manstein. I think there will be the Soviet invasion, following and supporting the cutting off of Stalingrad. Manstein repelled it. I guess this will be our theatre and the German officer will be our man. Maybe he is a former life of Kraxis himself. ~;) No doubt - we are going to win!!

So guys, hows it going?

Don't worry.

Kraxis is like....
He is like a beautiful girl.

He appears, and flirts, but then just as quickly is gone, leaving only a good story. Then he reappears, and you get options. You have another good story.
You have to give him (her?) their space.

In other words, Kraxis will post his options when he post's his options. We can't change that.

Thanks for putting an end to my long period of interactive history abstinence Kraxis, ever since the awesome WWI Naval IA I've been hooked on your IA's, unfortunately you haven't made any since then...

so do we know who were playing as?

Chapter 1: Delirium and Decisions

Walter speedily reached the dressing station behind the frontlines. And while there were plenty equally, or worse, cases than Walter, he got treated with considerable speed.
The complexity of the wound meant he was almost at once sent off to the Army field hospital further in the rear. There a Major General had a quick inspection of the wound, while Walter watched both the wound and the man with fascination. The doctor turned and looked him in the eyes, "Hauptmann, I'm afraid you are going to be out for months. The wound is complicated, the bullet has broken a rib, and you will soon suffer an infection. This isn't likely fatal, especially not to men in your good physical condition, but we have to ship you home to Germany for proper treatment."

So, Walter thought, Weser was more right than he had known. He knew Weser had only said what he did to cheer him up, but really, this was not what he had hoped for.
Within 20 minutes Walter was on a medical train bound for Germany, all around him were the most serious, or debilitating, cases. Lost limbs, headwounds, shellshocked men, all kinds of ruined soldiers. There was no segregation of officers and enlisted, but by now Walter didn't care, he could feel a fever coming.

The next week Walter spent in transit on bumpy trains, his fever getting stronger and stronger, until finally one day he simply didn't really know if he was awake anymore. He was caught in the delerium of the fever, strange dreams and his brain was slowly starting to give in to it. Despite being a warrior at heart, this was too much, and the delirium took over...

Walter was walking along a long, whitepainted corridor, doors to one side.
"Dad? Where are we?" He asked the man walking next to him.
"It's a hospital, son." His voice was familiar and quite warming to the heart.
"But this isn't like any of the hospitals I have been to... It is strange here."
"Walter my boy, that is because this isn't a hospital for people with broken legs and pneumonia. This is a hospital for those who have hurt their head." Walter's father talked slowly and gently.
"You mean like when Heinrich fell and hurt his head from that tree?" Walter tried to understand, but his father gave him a short smile.
"At times that can be a reason to come here, but most people have never really hurt their heads on the outside. They are hurt on the inside, and some have been ill in the head since they were little children." The way Walter's father spoke differently this time made Walter a bit afraid, would there he dangerous people, half monsters, here? Would Frankenstein's creation come at him?
"What are we doing here dad?"
"We are here to see my uncle. You know that grandpa died before you were born, well my uncle sort of took over."
"Oh... But have I ever seen him?"
"Not that you can remember. You were very little, and he had just gotten a big promotion. After that he didn't have much time to visit our family, however much he wanted to. He was quite fond of you."
Walter and his father walked a little while more until they reached a door. It simply read: Rear Admiral Friedrich von Schleizinger
Walter's father knocked the door and entered. Inside they found a man in his early 60s, he had a close cropped white beard and thinning white hair, his body was strong and healthy. As he saw Walter's father he lit up in a great smile. "Martin! What a pleasant surprise! And I see you have brought young Walter." Martin himself had a great smile. "Oh yes, I thought it was time for him to meet you, now that you have so much time on your hands." With the last they both laughed a little bit.
Marting and the old Admiral spoke back and forth about many things, but Walter wasn't interested in what grownups talked about. He was more interested in his great uncle's cap. A white cover, shining oak leaves and a beautiful leather brim. When he tried it on it was way too big, the old man was powerfully built with a big head, and Walter was duly impressed. Now and then the Admiral called him over and asked him things about his life, and unlike so many others he seemed to actually listen and care about the little problems Walter faced. But suddenly, as Walter was playing with a model of what he thought to be a big battleship, he could hear the tone in the old Admiral change, and so he listened.
"I could have made a difference... I really could."
"Uncle, it wasn't your fault. We were outnumbered and outgunned."
"Yeah, but I know I could have led the High Seas Fleet to victory over those perfidious Brits. Have you noticed that they are planning to use our ships for target practice... TARGET PRACTICE!"
"It isn't that bad..."
"But it is. What did we suffer for? What do I continue to suffer for? I know I could have beaten the British and secured victory for our landforces in the spring. If only I had gotten the chance... But those buffoons in charge were timid, afraid to risk anything, and so we lost everything. They never learned from Jutland. It was our timing and tactics that were wrong, our ships and crews were superior to the British. Good leadership could have handled the problems we faced."
Martin squinted and leaned back on the chair he was sitting in. "Uncle, you can't let these things burn at you. It isn't healthy. Besides it is in the past."
"It is, but sometimes I wake up feeling I was meant to do something great, but at some point that was robbed from me. As if this entire world took a turn where it should have gone in another direction. I failed in my life."
"Don't say that, that isn't true."
"It isn't? What about my dead wife who died while I was out sailing? Or my son who died in the scuffle when the communists mutinied in the Navy? Or even you, whom I never ha enough time to look after. Or what about the men I lost due to bad decisions. Do you know that they haunt me? That right now a onearmed man with a raspy voice and blood dripping is standing behind me, staring at me?" The old man was afraid and something more that Walter couldn't understand. His father was shocked to find his uncle in this state.
"No, I didn't know that. But you are stronger than that. I still need you, and Walter needs a grandfather who cares."
Suddenly the old man cleared up again, "Yes..." Then he turned to Walter. "Walter, I see a warrior's spirit in you. You have the strength of our family." Martin tried to cut in, "Uncle..." "You are young now, but don't worry, your time will come, and when it does you will serve your county." "Stop it uncle!" "You will regain the honour I lost, and you will undo the lost chance I never got. You will be like our ancestor Peter first Count of Schleizinger, vital to our country and our family's future." "Friedrich!!! STOP IT! You are scaring the boy, he is only 8 years old. Don't put that kind of responseability onto him. The war is OVER!" Walter's father was standing, towering over the old man. Walter could clearly see that all his previous strength was gone, it had been a selfportrayed image really, and now the old man shrank back. But his words burned in Walter's mind, for he knew they were the truth.
In rage Martin pulled his young son with him, out of the room, while Walter could hear the old Admiral speak a soft plea, "Please come back... Please Martin." But Walter's father heard nothing or wanted to hear nothing as he dragged the boy along.
Only the next day Walter heard that Friedrich von Schleizinger was dead, he had killed himself with a bullet to his head. How he had gotten the pistol Walter didn't know, but from that day he was furious at his father for letting it happen. He had robbed him of a grandfather, someone who cared what Walter thought, and what he would become.

Walter woke up with a jolt. He felt a hand with a damp piece of cloth move away with a shriek of surprise. He looked around. He was in a nice room in what he thought to be a real hospital, outside the snow was falling gently, next to his bed stood a scared young nurse. Her eyes were wide and she was breathing fast. She was the first woman Walter had seen in almost half a year, and he could barely keep his eyes off her. She quickly composed herself and pushed him back down in the bed again. "Relax, your have been in a heavy fever for a week. I'll get the doctor."
The doctor told him that the wound was getting much better, and should be healed up soon. However, he had ben forced to remove the broken rib, and it would take a long time recovering and getting into shape again.
Walter spent another week bound to the bed more or less, but finally he could begin to strengthen his body once more. But it was quite limited, and his lungcapacity was greatly weakened as the lung was still not healed up, it had merely closed the wound.

Then one afternoon while Walter was walking around in the park outside, an SS officer approached him. The lanky somewhat arrogant man was obviously not a frontline soldier. He put far too much effort into looking his part. Stiff steps, puffed up chest, cap slightly cocked. But he was a posterboy image of an SS officer.
As he reached Waler he said "Hauptmann Walter von Schleizinger." Walter held his silence. Then the man continued, "That wasn't a question. I know who you are. I have this for you."
He held out an envelope, clearly adressed to Walter, but what surprised him was the insignia of Heinrich Himmler. He opened it.

Hauptmann Walter von Schleizinger
It is my sincerest hope that you recover from your wound with all haste. People like you are in short supply, and we really wouldn't like to lose you to a silly thing like an infection.
You might wonder why I'm contacting you, it is quite simple, we want to recruit you to the SS, and I feel that people of your ability and history are most definately worth my time to recruit personally. The SS is no longer the armed forces of the party alone, it is an international force for fighting the communists. We are giving people a chance to fight the red hordes that seek to destroy the very foundation of Europe. But we need good officers to lead these people. It would be a shame to waste them when they are so willing to defend Europe. But remember, you will always fight for Germany and the Führer.
I can offer you an immediate promotion to Sturmbannführer, the equivalent of the Heer's Major, in case you were uncertain of it's meaning.

The bearer of the letter can answer any question you might have regarding the offer.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery
Signed Heinrich Himmler

"Well, that was quite short... What is going on here?" The blackdressed SS officer smiled and answered in a most assuring way, obviously he was a recruitment officer. "You have been noticed by the higher ups, they are impressed with your capabilities, and they wish to take advantage of your obvious skills at warfare. In the SS you will have access to better trained soldiers, better equipment and more supplies. That way your skills and abilities will be boosted that much more. And we truly do need to combine our best men with the best equipment, otherwise we will waste both."
"That sort of makes sense, but I'm not a member of the party."
"That is not a problem, we can solve that in time, no need to worry about it now."
"What kind of position can I expect?" The man began what seemed to be a half rehersed line. "You will take over a recon battalion in one of our divisions. Being the commander of such a force requires aggressive maneuvering, quick thinking, a feel for the land and the ability to act independantly."
Walter nodded... "What about my old unit?" The SS officer lowered his voice a bit. "I'm sorry to tell you that it has been disbanded. During the offensive towards Stalingrad it was badly mauled, then it was required to be part of the rearguard during the retreat. It did it's job well, but in the end it was finished as a fightingforce. Both your company and the battalion have been incorporated into other units."
The SS had really done their homework. "What about pay?" There was silence... Then both of them laughed. When the SS officer recovered he answered. "We aren't in the business of making people rich, though some claim otherwise, you should see your pay rise from miserable to inadequate." Walter couldn't help but laugh again, which caused his lung to hurt.
"I see... well I didn't expect this, so when do you need an answer?"
"Generally we don't want people to make rash decisions, but in your case we are a bit pressed for time. We know that you can't take over right away, but we need to make sure that things are in place for when the previous commander moves on. So we need an answer almost right away."

What should Walter do?

1) Stall for time, the SS almost always have a hidden agenda, and it could be interesting to find out what it is.
2) Accept. Walter has no future in the Heer, he is 31 years old, has been in the Army since before the war, yet has only been promoted once since the war started, despite his abilities. Further, now that his units are all gone he has no connections, nor any security in getting a command again.
3) Refuse the offer. The SS are different, they don't titulate their superiors as Herr, they are Nazis, which Walter isn't. Basically an aristocrat like Walter isn't the general image of a Waffen SS officer.

I'll take one.

I choose 2

1 for me too - it makes sense to try and get a bit more information. I expect we might end up in the SS, but let's go in with our eyes open.

No. 1

Option 1:yes:

Option One.

I'm joining in, if that's all right. By the way, Kraxis... Superb writing!

Option 1

I'll add to the landslide for option 1. From the prologue Walter seems brave but not reckless - if he has the chance to get more info before rushing in he would.

He doesn't seem heartless enough to survive and prosper in the SS, nor do the players of the Org (I'm pretty sure of that; while we're all armchair generals more than willing to smash the Royal Navy in a grand operation, few of us entertain sufficient Nazist sympathies to play comfortably as them, especially as a boot on the ground). But I'm pretty sure we won't have much of a game if he repudiates them right away; the SS aren't known for being particularly understanding. Let us find more information and stall it for the time being.

Option 1

My speculation is this: if we get in on the SS right away, we'll have a much easier, perhaps even more exciting early game: efficient troops, more resources, Himmler's backing and consequently an easier time getting our way on a macro level; but our hero will later on descend further and further into a deep personality conflict that will destroy him in the end. From what little we know of him, and from what we played as his glorious relative, he's not a murderer, but a patriot.

Also, the poor Admiral. :embarassed: He could've saved Germany, he really could!

I vote for number three!

Shun the non-believer! Shuuuun.

:2thumbsup:

Although Himmler's offer is nice and propably the one with more to offer, I still feel that the Waffen SS is the wrong place for this Schleizinger. Hence I choose option three.

Is anyone just allowed to join in on this?

I'd say number 2 is the best bet. Saying no to the S.S. doesn't seem like something that you do if you don't have a death wish.

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Originally Posted by Brave_Sir_Robin

Is anyone just allowed to join in on this?

I'd say number 2 is the best bet. Saying no to the S.S. doesn't seem like something that you do if you don't have a death wish.

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Any and all can join in...

I agree with the concensus, #1. Also we should keep in mind that if we do eventually join the SS we are probably more likely to jobs we would rather not do, like hunt for partisans and I'm sure there is nothing that can go wrong there.
Course, if the implication is true and the SS is the fast tract to promoption, then we are in a stronger position to impact the outcome.

Ah, so in this timeline our admiral rather then dying for victory screwed up.

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Originally Posted by discovery1

Ah, so in this timeline our admiral rather then dying for victory screwed up.

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Not really... History just went the 'right' way and he was never promoted to the position, he was overlooked and there was never a replacement ofthe leadership. That 'unhistorical' change was the entire basis for the other story, it was the main turningpoint of history. Removing it and you remove all the effects the man can do.

Like so many people sometimes experience, the Admiral felt something had gone wrong at some point. That history had taken the wrong track in regards to him. That his destiny was lost, and he never got to fulfill it. That destirny was to lead the High Seas Fleet against the Grand Fleet. Obviously it nagged him until he couldn't handle it anymore, and it combined with his inner demons conspired to end his life.
His actions were exactly the same in this IH (prior to the events of Duel of the Sea), but unfortunately for him, he never got the lucky break he did in the other IH.

The writting feels more like a novel then a IH, great job Kraxis.

Oh and welcome back to the org :wave:


As for the option I'll join the bandwagon and go with number one, no use rushing in where we could end up in anti partisian warfare or the S.S.'s more burtal branches. If we could get into an panzer unit through it could be a fast track to promotion.

1.), although the reconnaissance battalion means you're much less likely to get killed than in the Pz. Btn.

Number 2 please. Bring on the SS!

Option 1:
Sure we'll end up in the SS but maybe the Hauptmann can get something more out of it then he allready gets.

P.S. I recommend anyone that didn't participate in 'the duel of the seas' to read the installments to fully appreciate the scene with Walters great uncle.

Are you crazy? You send a brave man to the SS? No way!! Option 3 is the right thing to do.

I say go to your commanding general and tell him about Himmler`s offer. The Heer is not pleased by the competition with the Waffen-SS and Walter will surely get a much better offer. Let`s gamble a bit.

We could do that. Hey, we already are buying time.

Well, and remember the words of Kraxis. Didn`t he ell us, that this is a very individual interactive, and that we will have to pay, if we decide to do things against the character.

Do you really want to see our hero fighting partisans, killing children and women, burning down villages, killing hostages? The SS is not just a club, it is a bunch of criminals. Don`t forget that. The Heer is evil enough, don`t let us go to the SS!:shocked2:

I sort of like the reconnaissance battalion's job. It's most likely not going to be used for anti-partisan duties, and it would probably be attached to a Panzer unit in the first place. But unlike that Panzer unit, the likelihood of it coming under air attack is low, so chance of survival would be higher. Although since we're buying time, I suggest going to Walter's commanding officer and doing as Franc suggested.

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Originally Posted by DemonArchangel

I sort of like the reconnaissance battalion's job. It's most likely not going to be used for anti-partisan duties, and it would probably be attached to a Panzer unit in the first place. But unlike that Panzer unit, the likelihood of it coming under air attack is low, so chance of survival would be higher. Although since we're buying time, I suggest going to Walter's commanding officer and doing as Franc suggested.

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Why is recon unit not the right thing to fight partisans? You have to find them first. So why not sending out recon units into the woods and swamps. By the way, they did use tank divisions to clear the rear of the front from partisans - SS tank divisions. Even before the start of Zitadelle. If we chose SS, this may become a bloody job :no:

Yeah, but if we are opposed to the SS - which is a possibility they might consider - then it's better to have a unit under our command. Do you see what I'm hinting at?
Option One lets us know if there's something more to this offer, which there almost certainly is. However, the SS might not appreciate it.
Option Two gives us advantages. But we'll be given moral dilemnas later on, assuredly. Maybe we can profit from the advantages now, use them, and when the situation is unbearable... Cut off all ties and join whichever opposing faction we're up against?
Option Three is suicidal. I assume the SS officer is still in the room, and if you tell him "no", he's not going to leave happily.
So, option one is logical, but two isn't that bad.

By the way, there's a little mistake near the end of the first chapter... "You both laugh". But the writing's third person, no?

GAH! Stupid counter-insurgency warfare! The Germans are terrible at COIN because COIN is all about hearts and minds. No amount of massive genocide is going to cure the partisan situation.

Yea, you're right Franc. But I'm still going to go with #1, just because refusing the SS outright is suicidal, especially since Himmler himself wants me in the SS.

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Originally Posted by Franconicus

Why is recon unit not the right thing to fight partisans? You have to find them first. So why not sending out recon units into the woods and swamps. By the way, they did use tank divisions to clear the rear of the front from partisans - SS tank divisions. Even before the start of Zitadelle. If we chose SS, this may become a bloody job :no:

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I think the overwhelming support for Option 1 is actually an indication that few of us want to get in on the SS club, really. To me and others, Option 3 just seems like he's showing the middle finger to that lunatic Himmler...not something you do without any backing whatsoever, a position which our hero is in.

By waiting he might receive similar offers from the Heer, for example, and then we jump on that offer right away. Generals on the field would no doubt loathe to lose a skilled officer to the SS' political shenanigans, and would do their best to shield him from harm, but right now that "patron" doesn't show up just yet.

Edit: You know, one of the amusing things about the classic Kraxis Interactive History is the workings of the hero's mind. I always imagined that he probably feels like a Borg, "We are the Collective; follow our directions" type of situation. Walter just happens to be slightly more independent than the rest. ~:)

The question is, how likely is that to happen, knowing Kraxis?

Option 3 :clown:

No.1

I'm with Franc on this one. Tell the army. Wait. If they're really interested they'll up the offer. Otherwise we'll sit tight, take nice walks and watch the war on tv

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Originally Posted by SwordsMaster

I'm with Franc on this one. Tell the army. Wait. If they're really interested they'll up the offer. Otherwise we'll sit tight, take nice walks and watch the war on tv

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Or you might as well desert to the British...

I am very glad to see you back in form, Kraxis. I am afraid I am not going to participate in this IH though. I don't want to get sucked into the storyline (like happened last time) when I have little enough time for the Org as it is.

Good luck!

By the way, you can refuse to join the SS, even if the offer comes from Himmler himself - at least in 1942. Of cause you should be gentle, tell him that you do not have the physical condition to fight for such an elite corps, tell him that your family has a long and strong tradition to the army, that you promised this to your dead grand uncle. Don`t worry. The Wehrmacht will protect you and support you. It does not like the WaffenSS at all!!

Option 4 would be to contact Student and to try to get to the Fallschirmjäger. Another elite formation, this time under the lead of the Luftwaffe.They would propably take you. Or even volunteer as a fighter pilot. In 1942 they are looking for brave pilots like crazy. Hell, I would do almost anything to get away from the east!!!

I would say 3, I really don't think we want to end up in the SS and though we'll probably end up stalling for time because the majority are going with 1 I don't need to stall on this one.

An SS armored reconnaissance battalion sounds like a totally awesome job in terms of the combat opportunities that would be offered. However, it would morally be made of suck and fail. Being a commander in a Wehrmacht reconnaissance battalion would sound like a better job, especially since that involves less anti-partisan work, and still offers the opportunity for us to be bold and decisive, traits that Mr. Schleizinger has in spades.

Another job for somebody brave would be these guys:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburgers

German special forces sabotaging the Russians would be awesome, and again, would involve less random anti-civilian brutality.

Chapter 2: Meassuring the Scales

The black clad officer was gently rocking back and forth on his feet, obviously waiting for Walter to speak, and equally obvious, quite impatient. This made Walter think it over a bit.
So the SS was approaching him now, while he was still very much unfit for combat. Walter, though yearning for battle again, had no delusions about his own state of health, he was in no shape to go off fighting now. They were also in a hurry, as seen in the impatient manner of their representative, and his face for that matter, as his lips were but a tense line and his eyes flickering about, but also from the information he had directly given Walter. The SS knew he couldn't fight now, yet they still wanted an answer right away, and the excuse had been weak at best. Walter knew they were extremely proficient at making last minute changes to their units without costing them any combat efficiency. And there was the letter from Himmler... From Himmler himself. Short, cordial and to the point. While fairly much in his style from what Walter knew of him, it just felt unusual for him to not only try to recruit himself, but then not be very eloquent and determined about it as well. If Walter was so important to the SS that Himmler decided he must do his to get him, why didn't he spend more than a minute's worth of his time to write the letter?
"So, what do you think?" The impatient face spoke and his body responded with a shudder, perhaps due to the cold, it was after all pretty cold out in the snow, but perhaps it was a nervous reaction to the situation... Walter decided it was better to not just accept the offer right away until he knew more, however great it sounded to him.
"Obviously it is just the break I need to get my career going. It seems to have been on hold a bit, dunno why though."
The SS officer smiled. "Trust me, the Waffen SS values merit more than politics, actions more than an old track record and initiative more than 'by the book'."
Walter grunted in approval. "Heh... Politics... But you are a political body. Swearing to protect and serve the Führer ect. ect."
The smile vanished. "Yes, but we can't afford to throw people away because of it. In the majority of cases it has little to no meaning on the battlefield. Besides you perform a similar vow."
Walter had to agree. The Heer was performing much the same political vows. One or the other was irrelevant really, at least as far as Walter thought. But this was only a way to give him more time to think over the oddities of the offer, better keep it up a bit. "That's true enough, but the Heer doesn't have the same political background, nor the personal patronage of the Führer. That does lend a fair bit more weight to the vow of the SS than that of the Heer. What is your name by the way, you didn't give me one when you approached me."
Suddenly the SS officer's face changed from hard but cordial, into a most sincere and actually very youthful visage. "I didn't? I'm terribly sorry, I guess I'm a bit stressed, I have a lot of work waiting for me. My name is Michael Wittmann." There it was again, he was under quite some pressure, or this kind of work was unusual to him. Both things that are not in tune with Walter's current physical situation. It quite simply didn't add up, but Walter couldn't blurt out a direct question unless he had something firm to hinge it on, and he didn't... So far.
"That's alright, we can all make mistakes. But really, you don't do this kind of work often do you?"
Michael's reaction wasn't one of outrage, or even shock, rather he was somewhat relieved. "To be honest, no. I'm not much of a recruiter, I'm currently training for Panzer duty at Paderborn."
"So you have no contact with the official recruitment of the SS, nor with Heinrich Himmler?"
"Dear God, no. I'm just serving my country as best I can, and in this case I was supposed to ease your entry into the SS. I still hope you will join. The Reichführer just provided me with the letter." That was when Walter figured it out. He nodded to the young officer with a friendly smile.
"Mmm... It is all good and well that the SS wants me and it is certainly an intriguing offer." Walter paused for a second, then brought the letter up again and skimmed down the page. "And I must commend you. You nearly fooled me. It is a very good forgery of an official letter from Himmler."
Michael was stunned, then he burst out. "You can't be serious! This is a letter from Himmler... To you!"
Walter didn't back down, it was all or nothing if he wanted a career anywhere. "No, it is not. It is a forgery, a good one as far as I can see, but also a work of amateurs. I'm no specialist by far, but I know one thing, or rather I realized one thing, and that is that you forgot Himmler always use his title of Reichführer. He is in love with it, he is always presented with it on the radio, when people speak of him and in bulletins. You can't avoid it, yet You guys managed to botch it up. But I nearly didn't get it, so kudos for that. Now it is time to level with me."
Michael was looking at the ground in silence, obviously contemplating if he should tell Walter. Then he looked up. "You are right, it isn't a letter from Himmler, in fact he has nothing to do with this, and those who planned this really didn't want to involve him at all."
"Very interesting, but you still haven't told me what it is." Walter said while beginning to walk, forcing Michael to haste to his side.
"I'm not privy to the details, but I do know that it is Paul Hausser who wants you, and he doesn't want the Heer to know about his project. Thus he wanted you 'stolen' from the Heer in a more usual fashion. And no, I have no idea what this is about, I'm but an underling getting orders."
Walter was stunned. Gruppenführer Paul Hausser, the commander of the SS-Panzerkorps, was trying to dupe him and the entire Heer, and meanwhile thought it important enough to impersonate Reichführer Himmler. This was definitely beyond Walter's scope. "I'm surprised you told me this... This could be damning to you all if I ever let it slip. There would be plenty of offended parties in this case."
Michael didn't smile, or did he flinch, he just stared Walter in the eyes, his gaze was like that of an eagle, firm, sure and very determined. He struck Walter as a good prospect for a leader or commander. "You had it figured out. No point in trying to hide it. Hausser and I can easily deny it, the letter is obviously fairly bad because of the mistake, bad enough to make for a bad piece of evidence for your case should to try to turn us in. But most importantly, I simply wasn't very sure this was the right thing to do, but I didn't have a say."

Walter didn't respond, how could he? This affair was decidedly unusual, but Paul Hausser, Papa, was involved, so there were obviously a lot of things at stake for him to do it. Untersturmführer Wittmann indicated that it involved something at the frontlines since the Heer was to be kept out, and it was no secret he didn't trust the Heer's capacity for something special. If he had, he wouldn't have left it for the Waffen-SS. And interestingly he was a Prussian from a military family, much like Walter's. He had a burning ambition much like Walter as well, so Walter figured that a conservative like him could make it in the Waffen-SS. But then again, he had already known that. It was just that the Heer seemed to present more secure options.
Walter rubbed his eyes with his thumb and middle finger, this all was way beyond him, but what could he do? What should he do? He didn't know.

Time to deal with Walter's findings.

1) Simply refuse Wittmann's offer. It is risky to say the least, to join in a clandestine operation you know nothing of, that might piss off both the Heer and Himmler and the SS in general.
2) If Hausser wants Walter for something special there is a great chance it is important. And important is equal to great chances of promotions, not to speak of the personal relationship with Hausser. Who says it will ever be discovered what took place to get it off?
3) Do whatever it takes to get rid of Wittmann, then contact the Heer. They might get angry at Hausser and the SS for this, but they might also be intrigued. But the benefits for Walter himself would be less obvious.
4) Similar, just contact the SS instead. More certainly they would get furious about Hausser's forgery. Beign a loyal German would likely earn Walter considerable gratitude with the SS, perhaps even Himmler himself.

I'd say, hastily, option 4. Benefits are more or less obvious: gratitude, rank, command, etc.
Of course, it depends what we want to do afterwards.

The first thing to do is ask what the dilly-o is going on here.

The second thing is to accept, because there's no denying the awesomeness of Michael Wittmann.

Michael Wittmann

He wants me in a Recon Btn. in the II SS PzKorps? I'll do it.

SS panzerkorps sounds tempting, but its SS nevertheless. This is our chance to get in good graces of Heer. We should not betray those we have swore loyalty to. So option 3.:smash:

It really sounds like Hausser wants Walter and I'm definately curious what he has in mind for us. So option 2 for me.

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Do whatever it takes to get rid of Wittmann

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Does it mean Wittman will be killed?

Option 3

Army > SS

Hausser and the tank ace want us huh? So does anyone know of what the former did after the war? As far as I can tell he's clean. Also he went against hitler's orders at Karkov.

Vote: Option 2 since I have confidence in this general Hausser. Manstein thought well of him in an earlier interactive afterall.

Option 2

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Originally Posted by Tran

Does it mean Wittman will be killed?

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Obviously not... Killing SS officers would be problematic at best. No it was intended to mean that Walter would ditch him at the earliest possible time, to be able to blow the whistle on this little operation.

Option 3! 4 would be suicidal, to get into an internal conflict of the SS. What is this special operation? Something dirty, I guess. No way!! Let`s stay at the Heer. There will be more than enough Soviets to fight there, too.

Unfortunately, Herr Hitler is losing a rather large amount of faith in the Heer right now, so if you want to be where the action and supplies are, you should be in the Waffen SS. All that will happen with you in a Heer unit will be that you'll run out of fuel and get encircled by the Russians, who will then blow you away with heavy artillery. Also, the Waffen SS would give you more leverage with that idiot Fuhrer of yours, and when the time comes, easier access so you can kill both Hitler and Himmler and put a stop to this whole bloody mess.

I'm torn between 2 and 3.
Doing 1 without back up is too risky. Option 4 is playing politics outside our man's competence and puts us way out of our depth.

Working with someone from a similar background such as Wittman is appealing, no doubt that's why he was chosen to deliver the invitation. And why not take the chance to make a difference that never came to our great-uncle the admiral? I guess that's the clincher - carpe diem - so I go for option 2.

Option 2! Only an idiot would draw non-valour related attention to himself in Nazi Germany!

Option 2

1!

Guys! It's the SS! Don't get in if you don't know how to get out!

After some thought, I think the best choice is option 2. Two main reasons - from the point of view of the story - and let's not forget this is a story - it looks the most interesting option. The second reason is that this option offers the best route for promotion in comparisson to the other 3. Our hero is frustrated at his lack of progress and seems overlooked within the Herr - perhaps it is being related to a mad admiral!! - so this offers a rapid path to promotion, Also, by intonation at least, these guys do not seem your typical SS thugs.

I'm convinced. Option 2's the most interesting.

Option 2 lets see what this General Hausser has in mind for us, shall we?