Originally I wish to put everything in the previous message; however,
due to some technical difficulties, I have to break it into two parts.
Because Reinhard the Kaiser is a genius, Oberstein's role is
compromised a little bit. He acts as a balancing force against the
massive group of generals and against the more radical reformers in
the government. His job is to say "Sire, it's a great idea, but
perhaps it's even better to ..." at the right moment. (However, he
usually forget to say "it's a great idea" before expressing his
views.) Maybe Yang can play this role better, again according to
Hildegard. But I think, when he's offered this job, he will decline
it, saying he would like to spend his time sleeping instead.
What can I say about Reuenthal? He seems to be the complement of
Mittermeyer. Perhaps it's the best answer. He always lives in a
"semi-drunken" state, drinking the wine of power and glory.
Oberstein's remark is right: Reuenthal is a dagerous beast; he must
be chained (in the Kaiser's garden), where he can be watched.
Certainly, his appointment as the governor of the Neumark (the former
FPA territories) is a mistake. This gives the "beast" a chance to
shake away the chains and locks and attack its master, especially when
this "beast" is drunken. Reuenthal does want to rebel. Some of the
officers of the Army of Neumark give him a push. So does the
circumstances in Phezzan. But Reuenthal's will to rebel is decisive.
He is the first to blame. Please remember that Mittermeyer has given
him the last chance to repent before too late. Just before the Second
Battle of Lantemerion(?) starts, Mittermeyer asks Reuenthal to follow
him to Phezzan to clear his name. If Reuenthal does not want to rebel,
why doesn't he accept Mittermeyer's suggestion? Doesn't he trust his
greatest friend Mittermeyer's verbal guaranttee or military
protection? Certainly in Reinhard's court in Phezzan he will find
almost everybody except Ranke and Oberstein on his side. His death is
unfortunate, but well-deserved. Perhaps his only comfort at the end is
to see his last mistress bringing his only son to see him. More
comfort, though post-humous, is to "see" that he has,out of his hatred
and anger, swept away Trunhit, the greatest danger for the Reich, just
before his own death. (I think when the Anime treat the scene of the
final moments of this rebellious hero, they should put the Liebestod
"Mild und Leise, ..." from Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" on as the
background music, from the moment when Reuenthal's mistress
drops the pistol and leaves (weeping), to the moment when Mittermeyer
arrives at Reunthal's office to find out that his friend has died for
an hour or so. Tristan is also the name of Reuenthal's flagship.)
I doubt if there is anybody who is not impressed by Bittenfeld the
brave. He reminds me of Marshall Ney, the Bravest of the Brave, who
was one of the twenty-six marshals of Napoleon. They are the same type
of generals: brave and rash. Their qualities complement with their
masters. They are the shapest swords in their master's hands. I think
Bittenfeld must have been risen from the lowest ranks. Unfortunately,
Mr. Tanaka did not make it clear for us.
Finally, I would like to say something about warfare in the Logh. It's
essentially Napoleonic warfare, characterised by the free space for
manoeuvres, the concept of decisive battles, the innovative movements
on and off battlefields, and the non-existence of mass-destruction
weapons (Thor' Hammer in the Iserlohn Fortress is an exception.). Only
this time we have war in the 3-D space. However, the idea is the same.
For example, the opening moves of the First Goetterdaemmerung, up to
the First Battle of Lantemarion(?) bears much resemblance to the
Austerlitz Campaign. Reinhard's first battle in the Logh, the Battle
of Astate, resembles Napoleon's battles in his 1796 Italian Campaign.
It's "Interior line tactics" versus dispersed, numerically superior
enemies. (In the same month two hundred years ago, Napoleon had
already employed this tactics well to gain his first successes in the
Italian Campaign.) I think those who appreciate the warfare in Logh
will appreciate that in the Napoleonic Era as well. For those who are
interested, I would suggest you read the works of modern specialists
on the Napoleonic Wars, such as David Chandler's books. The "Osprey
Campaign Series" are also nice introductions to the Napoleonic Wars.
(A special message for Mr. Ricci Ieong: I know that there are a few
nice books on the Napoleonic wars in the basement of the HKUST
Library, such as "Napoleon's Marshals" and "Napoleon's Last victory"
(the latter is about the 1809 Wagram Campaign.). I think you will
enjoy them.)
Reinhard-Siegfried