.“ Band of Brothers? What is that, an infantry company consisting entirely of older and younger brothers? Oh my God, how could that be! That's absolutely impossible! Of all the people I know, there are at most 18 brothers in a family, who has heard of more? Oh...... Could it be that you are looking for an entire family to form an army? Father and son, uncle and nephew, uncle and nephew were all involved, and it would not be difficult to form an ordinary infantry company......"

The fat, stocky, potato-like lieutenant colonel was talking with relish, but the moderator of the meeting, General Kleist, who had just returned from the cluster headquarters this morning, said mockingly: "Well, Lieutenant Colonel Berle, this is the German Army, not a family gathering in Bayreuth!" ”

Bayreuth, a city in western Germany and the hometown of the fat lieutenant colonel, burst into laughter in the conference room.

"Listen, everyone, the order of the cluster command is that every division subordinate to the Far East cluster, whether it is an infantry division, an armored division or a marine division, will select a 'brother company' from its own unit, and the command will select the best company as a model for the whole army according to the list and information provided by each division! Remember, ladies and gentlemen, the criterion for selecting the 'Band of Brothers' is not how many people in this company are siblings, and whether their origins are noble or ordinary, we are looking for a company that is brave, tenacious, indomitable and has the most spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance! ”

After Kleist said this, the room became silent, and it seemed that every officer present was thinking about what kind of company would best meet this standard.

"After we go back, we can convene the officers of each battalion and company to discuss it, sort out the results and hand them over to the division headquarters before the 29th, and we will make a final decision at the meeting of regimental officers and above on January 2, and then submit it to the cluster headquarters! And also...... Each regiment counts the medals and awards won by its subordinate companies, and compiles the information of the company with the largest number and sends it to the division headquarters! Do you have any questions? ”

Everyone, look at me, I'll look at you, and it took a while for someone to ask, and this time it was a senior infantry regiment commander who stood up.

"General, we have a general understanding of what you are talking about. But these standards are really ...... How so? Belch...... Vague, abstract. If you choose the most combatant and brave company, I think you can give the answer on the spot, but it must be brave, tenacious and the most united...... General, I think the officers of each battalion and company will say that their company is the best, and the only way is to go deep into the grassroots companies to investigate, such a two-day incident is probably too short, and even if there is enough time, it is difficult for us to guarantee the fairness and accuracy of the investigation results! ”

"yes, yes! …… Such a standard is too abstract! …… It's hard to guarantee objectivity and accuracy! …… Is there a metric that can be quantified? ”

The regimental-level officers present responded or put forward their own opinions.

"Ladies and ......gentlemen," Kleist cried to the officers to silence, "this is not an exam. So there is no standard answer! To be exact, this is just a selection under unconventional circumstances, and before I came back, I also asked the top management of the cluster command that we can let the battalion and company officers recommend and select collectively, or we can mobilize all the soldiers to vote, as long as it is in line with the actual situation, each regiment can choose what kind of way to choose according to its own situation! However, the time is only 2 days, which is non-negotiable! ”

As soon as Kleist's voice fell, there was another discussion. After all. Such a selection is unheard of for the officers present, and there is no precedent to follow.

"Alright, that's all for today's meeting for now! One last word of caution. After each regiment submits the list, the division headquarters will conduct a strict review, and once it is reported to the cluster headquarters, the headquarters will also send people to inspect and verify on the spot, so everyone should understand that deception will never work, and if something goes wrong, I am afraid that not only you personally, but even the reputation of our entire division will be affected! ”

Although most people were still full of questions, Kleist immediately called the meeting to an end, and the officers had to put away their folders and notebooks. But. This does not mean that Kleist's "troubles" today are over, and he was "intercepted" by several regimental officers with good personal relations before he could get out of the conference room.

"General, tell me what the real purpose of this selection is! Does the cluster command want to check if we have violated military discipline and military regulations in peacetime? ”

"General, can the selected ground company enjoy any special treatment? For example, allowances and food rations? ”

"General......

"Alright, you guys! Who do you think I am? German Intelligence Minister or Army Chief of Intelligence? Kleist grimaced but did not mean to be angry, as even the fat lieutenant colonel from Bayreuth could see.

Looking at the enthusiastic familiar faces around him, as well as the officers on the periphery who planned to stay and talk about the wind, Kleist sighed.

"Okay, okay, as far as I know. The purpose of this selection of the 'Brothers of Brothers' is to create a model for the whole army, a company worthy of everyone's respect and learning! If we can be selected, it means that our division has the best combat team, which is our glory and our pride, if we can't be selected, then there is nothing, we will work hard in this direction in the future, don't make mistakes in pursuit of honor! ”

After a moment of silence, a tall colonel with monocles said: "General, the superiors have indeed given us a big problem, but I wonder if there is any intrinsic connection between the most efficient company and the bravest, most united, and strongest company, that is to say, the more united, tenacious, and brave the company, the more efficient the operation, and moreover, they should be able to do things that are difficult for other companies to do, such as conquering the most difficult positions to conquer, and completing the most difficult marches, Or ......"

"I've found some inspiration when you say that!" Kleist touched his chin with his hand, "Since it is the most prominent company, it should have the most outstanding performance to match it, and the company in our division that meets this condition ......"

"There is such one!" The bespectacled colonel said with his right index finger outstretched.