It is a
significant fact, that, whenever there is any tension in Europe,
especially between Germany and France, General von Heeringen or his
comrade in arms, General von Thulsen Haeseler--also a great strategist
and iron disciplinarian, immediately takes command of Metz, the most
important base and military post in the Emperor's domain.
There is no man alive who knows one-half as much about the strategical
position of Metz and the surrounding country as General von Heeringen.
Often on stormy, bitter cold winter nights, sentries on outposts
stationed and guarding the approaches of Metz are startled to find a
gaunt, limping figure, covered in a gray army greatcoat with no
distinguishing marks, stalking along. Accompanied by orderlies
carrying camp stools and table; night glasses and electric torches,
halting repeatedly, hidden men taking down in writing the short,
croaking sentences escaping between the thin compressed lips, the
"Geist of Metz" prowls round measuring every foot of ground fifty
miles east, west, north, and south of his beloved Metz. The steel
tipped arrow ever pointing at the heart of France is safe in the hands
of such guardians.
The visible head of this vast organization is called Der Grosse
General Stab with headquarters in Berlin. Each army corps has a
"kleine General Stab" who sends its most able officers to Berlin.
These officers in conjunction with the most able scientists, engineers
and architects the Empire can produce, compose the Great General
Staff.
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