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21-February-1916
A long line of posts had been set up, and many men had been ordered to be present, mainly Austrians for a reason.
That long row of wooden posts with ropes hanging from them was nothing more than a method of execution.
Not long ago, in one of the many skirmishes that had taken place, Austro-Hungarian cavalry had captured members of the Czech Legion, composed of Czechs who had joined the Russian Empire with the intention of liberating their homeland, or Czech soldiers from the Austro-Hungarian army itself who had deserted to the Russians for the same purpose.
Those prisoners had been executed throughout the week, several hundred had been captured, and upon learning who they were they were immediately given the death penalty for treason and desertion. During that time, Austro-Hungarian forces had been displaying the price of betrayal and what happened if they were caught deserting.
As we waited for the condemned to arrive, several Austro-Hungarian officers appeared and began speaking with the regent, who was present at the execution.
Soon a group of Czechs appeared, they were brought by force and placed in position, lined up at the Würgegalgen, and after their crimes were read, the ropes were placed around their necks while the executioner stood behind them.
Without a word, he began turning the mechanism, the rope tightened around their necks, cutting off their air. They struggled uselessly as they were hanged until after several minutes they were dead, or close to it.
There were many Austro-Hungarian troops present, especially of Czech origin, mainly to prevent further desertions. Although the exact number in the region was unknown, there were likely thousands or tens of thousands of Czechs on the Russian side, and now if captured they would be executed immediately or after a brief trial.
Once the execution was finished, the Austro-Hungarian officers posed for photographs with the bodies.
The corpses would be left hanging for several more hours for everyone to see.
''Quite a spectacle'' I said as I removed my gloves and walked through the streets of Kiev, watching the city return to its usual dullness as the snow began to fall more heavily.
''It is the only payment traitors deserve sir'' Ernst said, looking back at the dozens of hanged Czechs scattered throughout the city.
''It worries me a bit that the execution was carried out in front of the Ukrainians, it is like telling them look what we will do to you if you do not obey, considering that we are trying to avoid reaching that point'' I said, taking out my canteen and drinking deeply while waiting for a few carts to pass.
''In the end, what did Hans send from Odessa'' I asked as I began walking again.
''Nothing out of the ordinary, some complaints about the lack of food, local organizations trying to present grievances, some attempts at unrest have been controlled, work continues although the weather makes everything harder'' Ferdinand said while reading documents from his folder.
''That is good… we just have to prevent too many groups from forming or we will have a pogrom or a general revolt, and Odessa is far too important port to lose, what about Kiev'' I said, analyzing the information.
''The same, but many groups have formed preparing possible elections, they are organizing into parties, and there are also socialist agitators demanding that the granaries be opened and that people be allowed to eat instead of reserving everything for the German army'' Ferdinand said.
''Yes… stockpiling for the German army'' I muttered as we finally reached the train station, since I was about to depart toward the German colonies to inspect progress. ''As long as those socialists do nothing illegal such as a violent attempt, do not arrest them, but if you hear anything like that, put them in prison immediately, we cannot have those madmen roaming free'' I said, stopping at the train entrance and watching supplies being loaded into the wagons.
''Understood'' Ernst said, striking his palm with his fist with a slight smile.
''Good, inform me of anything, I must continue working'' I said, boarding the train.
''At your orders sir'' my subordinates said as I sat inside the carriage.
Once inside and the journey underway, I observed the snow-covered landscape. Several exhausting weeks had passed trying to solve the massive crisis we had faced, but it seemed we had been somewhat fortunate, as the papal envoys had continued gathering money and support among Catholic countries to obtain food, and some ships continued to arrive from Romania. Many of the Portuguese ships were able to pass the blockade without issues.
The British did not want to trouble their ally, who had not yet entered the war, so shipments from Brazil and other Latin American countries managed to reach Romanian ports and then Odessa. That gave us some breathing room in rationing, as there was more to distribute, but it only extended our lifeline by a couple of months. Now everything depended on the budget Germany would provide with the new fiscal year approaching.
After a long journey, the train arrived at the German settler towns.
During the past weeks, Germany had continued advancing against the Russians, taking a large part of the Donbass. Although it was still risky to begin resource extraction operations, the Russians kept retreating, and it was only a matter of time before those resources fell into our hands. With that, Ukraine could sustain an economy beyond the internal market and the funds sent from Berlin.
Upon arriving in Rovno, I found around 120 tractors that had been produced in recent weeks, and they would become one of our main assets for the future harvest. I had designed everything to function together, attachable seeders, plows for opening furrows, and machines to process grain by separating the straw from what was usable.
There were more tractors, but I had distributed them across other areas. Although I did not like it, by request of the German government I had to ensure that the main beneficiaries of the agrarian policy were Germans living in Ukraine and future colonists. The idea was to form German cities within the territory and thereby secure political influence in the Rada, even as a numerical minority they sought to guarantee significant representation.
So all production, instead of benefiting Ukrainians, had to benefit Germans, and that would certainly bring many problems in the future, but there was nothing I could do but obey in this case, my complaints would not be heard. Germany wanted Ukraine to be loyal and stable, with a political base aligned with the Kaiserreich rather than Ukrainian nationalists.
Walking through the streets of Rovno, the major changes that had taken place were clearly visible. Thousands of workers were still in the area, and apartment blocks had been built to accommodate more people, prioritizing urban concentration.
These were not for soldiers' families, but for migrants arriving without land grants, something that would become common once the first waves of German and Austrian colonists began to arrive in large numbers.
In addition to housing, we had created a detailed map of public buildings, city hall, police stations, hospitals, schools, cemeteries, churches, fire stations, and commercial structures. A small industrial sector was also being prepared to process food. My intention was for the population to produce and preserve food immediately, as several light industry factories were already under construction to process grain, vegetables, and other products for the war effort.
Much of the city was already advanced. The sewer system was complete and connected to the nearest river, and later we would work on a system to process waste and prevent water contamination.
I met with the architects and reviewed in detail the progress of this settlement, which was being prepared to receive a quarter of a million people. Unlike German cities where overcrowding had become a problem, here the goal was to provide enough space for families and avoid future issues.
Everything was being built with the long term in mind. The buildings would allow modernization without major structural changes, internal wiring, full electrification, and the possibility of connecting them to a gas system for cooking or heating water, although that was not yet possible due to time constraints and more urgent priorities.
While finishing those inspections, I came across Monsignor Emilio, who had settled in the area. The papal delegate had remained in Kiev, and another priest was in Odessa. These clergymen were trying to expand their influence among Ukrainians, promoting Catholicism over Orthodox rites, taking advantage of the Catholic churches already built for Austrian and German colonists. From there they organized supplies and sent priests to nearby villages to carry out charitable work.
''Monsignor Emilio'' I said, placing a hand on his shoulder, feeling the priest tense at the sound of my voice.
''Ma… Major…'' the priest said, turning after handing clothes to some Ukrainian inhabitants.
''From what I see, you are still doing God's work, eh'' I said with a slight smile, though for some reason that made him more nervous.
''Of course, it is my duty to help those in need, that is why I am here'' Emilio said, sweating from his forehead and quickly wiping it with a handkerchief.
''You will be pleased to know that a ship recently arrived in Odessa, apparently loaded with food. Another large donation has made it through the blockade, let us hope many more arrive'' I said while watching the line of Ukrainians waiting to receive clothes and shoes.
''Oh, that is excellent news from what I hear… let us hope more ships reach the region… have you considered reducing rationing a little'' he said nervously, clenching his teeth.
''Not for now, until we harvest the same rations will continue, the minimum necessary to keep people alive'' I said while observing the other priests and nuns distributing clothing.
''I have seen people die of hunger… food is arriving, you should try to increase the rations'' Emilio said, no longer holding my gaze.
''No, until I am certain we can sustain it. We are at the gates of spring and we must reach April so that funds from Germany and Austria-Hungary arrive, then we will decide what to do, attempt to buy food from places like Greece, Romania, or Bulgaria'' I replied while nodding and looking toward the church.
''Very well'' he said after a heavy sigh. ''Let us hope Germany can allocate more funds by then'' and he continued his work.
''And how is the proselytizing going… I have seen how you are trying to reach the Ukrainian villages'' I said, walking behind them.
''It is going well… there is a lot of resentment against the Tsar for abandoning them, and also against the Orthodox Patriarchate, although there is also discontent over rationing'' Emilio replied, looking at me uncomfortably.
''Why do you get so nervous around me'' I said, crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes.
''…Because you are… how to say it… you have a strong presence… and those eyes… they unsettle me'' Emilio answered.
''Bah… you are exaggerating… well, continue with your work, I will soon return to mine'' I said, turning to resume supervising construction when someone shouted.
''MAJOR… MAJOR… report from the Oberste Heeresleitung'' a messenger shouted, running toward me.
''What is it soldier'' I said, looking at him directly.
''Major… the Tsar has abdicated… general uprisings in Saint Petersburg… the Russian army refuses to follow his orders, he was forced to abdicate and now there is a provisional government'' he said, agitated.
''…the Tsar abdicated… the war in the east is over…'' I said with a big smile.
''It is not confirmed yet… the new government seems to want to keep fighting… but yes, the war here may be nearing its end'' the soldier replied.
''Thank you'' I said, heading toward the telegraph office, I needed to stay up to date with all incoming information.
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