Another new reform to be weary of reverts back to the restructuring that was addressed before: "secret cadres." These cadres are in fact officers and men that train I peacetime with regular field formations, but during wartime, would actually be cross-mobilized to form completely new cadres of reserve units. These secret cadres form the framework of an additional 560 battalions in the Russian Army (35 divisions), and as of now, actually make up one-third of their field armies.
Additionally, the new reforms that is quite alarming is the transition of the Russian mindset from a simple defense-in-depth to the new ideals of a strike-first Offensive aimed at either the Fatherland itself or our Austrian allies. Herr Kaiser, those verdammt French have manipulated the Russians into designing two new plans of action: Schedule 19 A and Schedule 19 G. In short, both call for the initial strike into East Prussia and the decimation of any Reserve forces their in order to create forward assembly areas on the lower Vistula, from which, the Russians can launch further Offensive operations. The forces in our sector would comprise of some 29 divisions and an additional 45 divisions would strike into Austria-Hungary. The difference in the two plans would have the Austria-poised divisions hold off and act as a screen for the northern Russian armies until their mission was complete (this being variant G). Because of rekindled alliance terms with the French, the Russians propose to execute these Offensive operations on the 15th day of mobilization from any war outbreak, and this offensive would commence with some 800,000 men. In light of this new revelation I implore you to bulk up our troop strength in East Prussia while still allowing for lateral movement between the separated kill zones north and south of the Masurian Lakes and send notice to Austria-Hungary to strengthen the forces in Galicia.
The emergence of an updated polevoi ustav, or PU-1912, is the another aspect I would like to inform you of. The Russian War Ministry has gone to great lengths to ensure their infantry soldiers are no longer faced with a "flesh versus lead" mentality, and in fact, lays the emphasis on the predominant role that firepower will play in future conflicts. Of course, the end state of the new approach is still the infamous Russian bayonet charge, but knowing their resolve, and observing this new approach in action, it makes the preparation of such a charge more likely, and once engaged, there is probably no army that executes Cold Steel fury more professionally. This new tactic has split the Offensive battle into four phases: the approach, the attack, the final assault, and the pursuit. Simplified, the approach commences once in range of enemy artillery fire wherein smaller columns are formed until the front ranks have closed within effective small-arms fire. At this point the advance guard provides cover fire as the remaining units deploy into battle formation--at this point the advance would begin, with the front line of battalions already prepared to begin the attack phase a mere half kilometer from the objective. The assigned mission for the Russian artillery at this point is two-fold: one, achieving superiority over enemy artillery, and two, continue pressing forward to insure maximum suppression of enemy direct fire once the attack begins.
The attack phase will begin once the first firing positions have been occupied, and the further approach towards the objective will continue through a series of leaps, bounds, and overwatch as companies advanced under cover fire from the other infantry companies and indirect fire. As units occupied their final firing positions (estimated at 150 meters from the enemy) they would continue to lay suppressive fire, allowing the remaining follow-on forces from the company and battalion reserves to advance to the front.
Now, as the enemy is hammered with the utmost available artillery, machine-gun, and rifle fire, the infantry scaled the last firing position to meet the enemy with a bayonet charge, that is, by regulation, as aggressive and energetic as possible. As soon as the bayonet charge ensues, artillery, unless far enough forward to support by direct fire, will either lift or shift fire to avoid friendly casualties. As the final assault breaks the enemy, the pursuit came in the form of further destruction of the enemy until reconsolidation became necessary, and then the cavalry would relieve the infantry in further pursuit and destruction of the enemy.
Herr Kaiser, there is no doubt that we can not wage a war against the Russians and win, but with every passing day the advantages we now hold gradually slip away. As I write this, it can not be denied that the Russian armies do consist of good regiments with dedicated men--and although the level of skill and quality of the units above regiment level diminishes the higher up you look, it must also be considered that with a moral fanaticism that is ever-present in the Russian people, one must not forget that their 1.3+ million man ground force is actually only 1.8 percent of their male population! We can win this war, but if we are to start it, we must do so as soon as possible, for the Russians are assuredly restructuring their army for the best--and they are surely following the advice of Neznamov that the Russian virtues of bravery, self-sacrifice, stolidity, and self-sufficiency must be backed by an increased army knowledge, training, and utilization of national assets (Menning 215).
Dutifully yours,
----V
--your man on the inside
