Ch.27Battle of Moscow

I joined Pyotr Wrangel’s army with reinforcements and entered each recaptured city to comfort the Russian people.

“We failed you. The Tsar fell to Bolshevik bayonets because of our inadequacy. We’re sorry, Your Highness.” *sob*

Those who had remained loyal to the Tsar wept and begged forgiveness when they saw me.

They apologized for being unable to prevent the Bolsheviks from murdering the Tsar’s family.

“No. This isn’t your fault. It was the consequence of our incompetent imperial family’s tyranny. I’m grateful that you still believe in the Romanovs.”

I took their hands in mine to comfort them.

When asked why there were no Bolsheviks near Moscow, the answer was simple.

According to Pyotr Wrangel’s intelligence, many Bolsheviks were now gathering in Moscow.

While Bolsheviks struggled to operate in our sphere of influence, in other regions, citizens loyal to the Tsar were being executed by Bolsheviks.

Still, not a single Bolshevik here.

Like the tide ebbing and flowing. They’ve retreated only to return as a red sea to settle the score with us.

We absolutely must succeed in the battle for Moscow.

I felt it instinctively.

If we don’t win this battle, the civil war might drag on until World War II.

I don’t know how long the Great Powers will continue their support, but in the worst case, we might be pushed back to the Far East by the Soviets.

My thoughts multiplied as we advanced toward Moscow.

Though I still identify as Korean, I can’t help but tremble at the reality that history’s course has changed because of me.

Besides.

I believe I’ve done my part by coming this far.

I came here to end the battle, but risking one’s life is difficult. Especially considering my past life.

I, who had no connection to Russia, became the White Army’s idol and came this far.

Once I start something, I need to see it through, but I feel death’s energy creeping into my body.

“Your Highness.”

My face must have revealed everything, as Pyotr Wrangel was suddenly beside me, guarding me.

“Black Baron.”

“You seem worried about the upcoming battle.”

“How could I not be? This will be a massive battle where blood will be spilled to correct what the imperial family ruined. The Bolsheviks are Russians too. They were once the Tsar’s subjects. The thought that both sides will be spilling the blood of their own kind…”

In truth, I just want to live, but I need to speak well.

“That’s the nature of war. You must steel your resolve. We will protect Your Highness, achieve victory, and announce to the world that the Romanovs are still the rightful rulers of Russia.”

Yes. We have the advantage.

With my preparations, the White Army is much larger, better equipped, and has higher morale than in actual history.

The Bolsheviks, on the other hand, are not so fortunate.

The possibilities are overflowing.

“Yes.”

“Bolshevik forces have appeared ahead!”

We finally faced the Red Army of Moscow.

* * *

Near Moscow.

The Bolsheviks seem to be plotting something to boost their morale, as music can be heard from their camp.

Ah, I’ve heard this music many times.

It’s a song I listened to on YouTube before the world ended.

It was definitely about the powerful Red Army. I even liked the video because I enjoyed the song.

I remember seeing when it was created. Is it already out now?

It must be around 1920. Ah, that military song was indeed from 1920.

I wonder if the lyrics are the same?

After waiting a bit, a song can be heard from among the Bolsheviks.

Белая армия, чёрный барон

The White Army and the Black Baron

Снова готовят нам царский трон.

Are preparing the Tsar’s throne for us again.

Но от тайги до британских морей

But from the taiga to the British seas,

Красная Армия всех сильней!

The Red Army is the strongest of all!

Так пусть же Красная

So let the Red Army,

Сжимает властно

With calloused hands holding bayonets,

Свой штык мозолистой рукой,

Powerfully press forward.

И все должны мы, Неудержимо

And we all must, without fear,

Идти в последний смертный бой!

Go to the final battle to the death!

As expected.

The Red Army is singing in unison that they are the strongest of all.

These rootless bastards. They haven’t even gained the upper hand, unlike in actual history.

After being defeated multiple times and now defending Moscow, they’re still singing about “from the taiga to the British seas.” What nonsense.

“From the taiga to the British seas” refers to all of Russia.

They don’t control the Far East, Siberia, or Southern Russia, yet these Reds are singing with such arrogance.

Well, I suppose it’s good this way.

The song is quite pleasant to listen to.

Unfortunately, it’s not a White Army song, so I don’t know how it will fare in this world.

It’s ironic considering history that the Black Baron is still mentioned in the lyrics.

They think they can intimidate us with their chorus.

No, it might be a ploy to boost the Red Army’s morale.

Hmm, that Red Army song is well-made.

The Red Army seems to be preparing for battle with shouts of “Ura.”

So they’re steeling their resolve before battle with a song.

Unfortunately, if this battle ends in a White Army victory, that song will only be heard in hell.

In response, music begins to play from the White Army’s side.

Some quick-witted person must have started it.

Боже, Царя храни!

God, save the Tsar!

Сильный, державный,

Strong, sovereign,

Царствуй на славу, на славу намъ!

Reign for glory, for our glory!

Боже, Царя храни!

God, save the Tsar!

Сильный, державный,

Strong, sovereign Emperor,

Царствуй на славу, на славу намъ!

Reign for glory, for our glory!

Царствуй на страхъ врагамъ,

Reign to instill fear in enemies,

Царь православный!

Orthodox Tsar!

Боже, Царя храни!

God, save the Tsar!

Царствуй на страхъ врагамъ,

Reign to instill fear in enemies,

Царь православный!

Orthodox Emperor!

Боже, Царя храни!

God, save the Tsar!

The White Army sings the Russian Empire’s anthem, “God Save the Tsar.”

I think the unofficial anthem from Catherine II’s era would have been better.

Well, this is the official anthem, so it might be better.

“People of the Soviet! Will you suffer again under the Tsar’s rule? Or will you stand together under the red flag of the workers! Look! Those reactionaries, the White Army reactionaries who can’t forget the nostalgia of the past, have come to capture you! They plan to oppress you and rule harshly under the double-headed eagle again!”

“The Military Council calls you to the battlefield! Fight! Defeat them and let the world know that imperialism will eventually fall! If you retreat here, they will kill you, kill your families, and ravage them! Stop those reactionaries! Ura!”

The Red Army soldiers on the defensive line charge toward the White Army with shouts of “Ura.”

What nonsense. What utter nonsense.

Just men who can’t hold power without incitement.

They dissolved the Duma and seized power when they thought they might lose.

Looking at the events from the birth of the Soviet Union to Stalin’s rule, I don’t understand why anyone would support the Soviets.

They massacred their own workers who didn’t listen to them, not just the White Army.

How is it any different from the Tsar’s era?

Nicholas II was just too incompetent.

If Stolypin had survived, there would have been no Soviet Union.

“How long will we allow these ignorant minions of Satan, who seduce citizens with sweet words and know nothing but hypocrisy, authoritarianism, and oppression, to occupy the Third Rome? Great White Army of Greater Russia! Uproot Satan’s army and reclaim the Third Rome!”

Uraaa!

Pyotr Wrangel’s White Army advances with tanks at the forefront to crush the Bolsheviks and break through their defensive line.

“There’s the ringleader of the reactionaries, Grand Duchess Anastasia! Kill all the White Army reactionaries who can’t come to their senses under the Grand Duchess’s skirt! Soviet Ura!”

“God! Protect Grand Duchess Anastasia, the blessed saint of all Russia! May the Greater Russian Empire be eternal! Ura!”

With shouts of “Ura” shaking the earth from all directions,

The White Army and the Red Army collide head-on.

There was no foreign military intervention here.

American, German, British, and French forces were merely observing this battle under their military attachés.

Let’s just ignore the presence of Renya Mutaguchi.

For all their spirited singing, the Red Army’s quality was poor.

Still, Trotsky must have worked hard on military reforms, as the Red Army soldiers were wearing uniforms, though not all of them. Those who did wore budenovkas with red stars and long coats.

They quickly put together such things in the name of rebuilding the army.

The budenovka is a hat with a red star on it. During the Winter War, the Finnish army easily defeated Soviet soldiers who were essentially wearing targets on their heads.

It was named after the famous Semyon Budyonny.

Bright colors and terrible design.

It resembles Mongolian attire.

A very poor-looking uniform.

The White Army also wore coats, but they were black with Western-style hats.

Although helmets hadn’t appeared yet, just by looking at both sides, one could clearly distinguish which side was better fed and better off.

Even their weapons differed.

The Soviet army was mostly armed with Mosin-Nagant rifles or weapons captured from the Great Powers during World War I.

Fedorov Avtomat rifles were occasionally visible, but only occasionally.

On our side, most had modified Fedorov rifles.

But the biggest difference was:

Rumble rumble

We had tanks.

And not just tank divisions with suspiciously poor Russian, but genuine Russian tank divisions that could speak Russian.

Although most were still foreign tanks, there was the Russian A-1 tank produced with German support.

Here, “A” stands for the first letter of Anastasia.

“These will be perfect for catching Reds.”

Mikhail Drozdovsky was excited about capturing fellow Russians.

Well, they are Reds after all.

Reds are already Satan’s minions. They’re called irredeemable cockroaches for a reason.

They needed to be dealt with.

The Soviet side had tanks too.

But they were either captured or tanks they had disassembled and rebuilt from British and French models without any support.

A great battle for Moscow.

Although the Red Army was on the defensive, they knew everything was at stake and met the advancing White Army head-on.

Field artillery fired from both sides.

The Bolsheviks’ artillery was relatively inferior in performance.

On our side, while the weapons were diverse due to support from various countries, they were far superior to what the Bolsheviks were using.

In terms of range, destructive power, and more.

While the commander’s capability is important, their commanders were lacking, and their weapons were of poor quality.

“Your Highness, please retreat. It’s too dangerous here.”

“Many soldiers are dying because of me. If I can’t fight directly with a gun or sword, I at least want to boost the soldiers’ morale from here.”

So, I will fight here.

Look at those Reds.

Is Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik cockroaches, at the front? No.

Is Trotsky there? No.

Even the “elite monster,” the human butcher of Georgia, isn’t senior enough to be at the front.

Of course, on our side, Pyotr Wrangel is officially the commander-in-chief.

So who’s in charge of the Red Army’s defense now?

Mikhail Frunze.

In actual history, Pyotr Wrangel, who led Southern Russia and posed a threat to the Red Army, was eventually pushed back by Mikhail Frunze’s offensive and had to go into exile with soldiers and civilians.

In other words, Frunze was the one who defeated Pyotr Wrangel in actual history.

In actual history, Wrangel was outnumbered because he didn’t have many troops under his command.

“Strange.”

“Pardon?”

“I know the Red Army has cavalry. But I don’t see any cavalry.”

“They might be targeting our flanks.”

Although the emergence of firearms diminished the effectiveness of cavalry, cavalry still existed in this era.

The Bolshevik Red Army cavalry was one of them.

If they consider this battle important, they should appear. I wonder where they’ll pop up from.

Perhaps, if they have an opportunity, they’ll appear when the White Army’s main force gathers to break through Moscow’s defense line?