＜ Episode 156 >
The Spanish Civil War was quickly coming to an end.
As long as the French army intervened and Germany and Italy were lukewarm, it was inevitable.
Of course, chaos was inevitable because the republican forces were not united, but France held only one view on this.
Any government that doesn’t partner with Germany and doesn’t put France in the back of the head.
It would be best if they even participated in the war as an ally, but even if that wasn’t the case, it would suffice as long as the situation in the back of the head hurts.
Thanks to this, the struggle for power among the republicans was fierce, but the National Army, which became an isolated civilian due to the naval blockade, was not in a situation to turn the tide.
As a result, the only fate left for the National Army was to slowly wither and die.
Compared to the Republican Army, the National Army was not able to overcome the French Army, which sent tens of thousands of troops determinedly and pushed down, despite the fact that many of the military members participated in the national camp and had practical experience.
In 1935, the Spanish Civil War ended with a republican victory in the Spanish Civil War, when the leader of the rebel army under the commander of the National Army, Francisco Franco, fled to Germany via British Gibraltar.
But everyone knew that the real victors in this war were neither the Republicans nor the peoples.
***
Paris, France.
“The threat of the Communist Party is clearly exaggerated. It is impossible for them to be cancerous masses of society, but this is not the age of revolution. Unlike Napoleon’s time, the military’s firepower increased, and the response system developed. Gone are the days when it was possible to seize power just by rising up as a group.”
There was no reaction. bean? Berlin? In such a case, it was a success because there were almost no troops in the first place due to consecutive losses, and the disastrous defeat of the rebellion attempts in Russia and Britain taught the neighboring countries a lesson.
No matter what they do, the so-called revolutionary army cannot make a revolution against the government army, except in wartime.
The era of the French Revolution has passed.
It was the common opinion of the military.
“Rather, Britain and Germany are more dangerous. Whether the Reds take power in Spain or not, we need an ally that will not fall to Britain and Germany.”
The whole world was feeling that war was imminent.
They themselves started producing new Somua cavalry and Panar armored vehicles, and although they did not provide accurate information to each other, the world knew that each country was increasing its armaments.
Blood was already flowing in the East.
After occupying North Korea, the Japanese army, which had been quiet for a while, began to invade mainland China in earnest, claiming that the warlords had launched a preemptive attack.
“It is said that Italy is accumulating in Ethiopia, and we must not let it go. If Ethiopia falls, it will not only make it much easier for Italian colonies to connect, but also lose a potential ally.”
“Let’s put pressure on Italy hard enough to imply war, if Mussolini doesn’t plan to start a war right away, he’ll step down.”
***
In 1935, the Russian Empire discussed marriage with the Netherlands, but for various reasons it was abandoned.
In 1936, King Edward VIII, who ended up refusing to marry his fiancée, Astrid of Sweden, in England, and his wife Simpson, a divorced American, forced the marriage despite opposition from Congress and friends. It has barely evolved due to performances such as attending the wedding ceremony of the highest-ranking officials of the
As a result, the Russian Empire proposed marriage to the Swedish royal family, and Astrid of Sweden married Prince Alexei.
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Meanwhile, in 1937, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s term ended, and Massachusetts Governor Huey Long, known as Roosevelt’s supporter and comrade, ran as the Democratic nominee and was elected as the successor president.
The full-scale crisis began in Denmark in the second half of 1937.
Schleswig.
Hitler began demanding that the Kingdom of Denmark give back the territories it had occupied as a result of the last war, and there was an uproar in Denmark.
Italy and Japan did not express an official position, but the real problem for Denmark was that even Britain had begun to step in and put pressure on Denmark.
Desperate, Christian X began to appeal for French and Russian support, threatening that Schleswig would remain Danish territory.
This was to show credibility to some of the allies he had barely gathered.
***
German Empire, Berlin.
“No Schleswig, only war!”
Goebbels’ shrill voice overwhelms the audience.
“People! Don’t be afraid! In the last great war, we all saw clearly! The French junk is no match for the Germans, and Denmark, who, like a crow, will pay the price for an empire weary of fighting Russia! Danish hyenas and French frogs, listen carefully! You can never defeat us!”
“Heil Hitler!”
“As the parched earth longs for rain and wind, it desires one man! only one person! Nation! wake up! Storm! Drive it! Heil Hitler!”
“Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler!”
In the square that became a crucible of enthusiasm, Goebbels roared.
“Now, people! Get up and set off a storm!”
Even while Goebbels agitated the citizens, the Defense Forces High Command was in chaos.
“War, damn, when there’s a real war…”
“Damn it, tell me! Russia doesn’t intervene, right?”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is doing its best.”
“Doing your best is a b*tch…”
Even that Goebbels cannot guarantee that he can defeat Russia.
Whether it was a general of the National Defense Force or a general of the SS, the thought of having to deal with Russia could not help but get nervous gastritis.
“It cannot penetrate the Maginot line.”
“I can’t get through, damn it! Don’t just say you can’t get through, find a way! Isn’t that your job!”
The Maginot Line, which was just starting to run, extending all the way to the Dutch border, was an iron wall.
In addition, France’s military power is also expected to be on par with them.
“It would be better to preempt Russia. France’s national strategy is to lean on the Maginot line and wait for Russia to hit us while we hold on. There is no such strong fortress on the Russian border in the first place. If you just attack…”
“What kind of nonsense do you say so proudly? A preemptive strike against Russia? Are you crazy?”
The generals of the Wehrmacht have not yet forgotten the great war and Krakow.
The memory of how the main forces of Germany and Austria-Hungary were separated from the forces of the Interior Ministry who were desperately defending the South.
Even the enemy leader Vostok was still sweating, but the entire German general, even Hitler, had trauma about him.
Therefore, the grand strategy of the German Empire could not be significantly different from the Schlieffen plan of the First World War.
A plan built on the premise that if the enemy’s main force is crushed, the enemy will collapse and surrender.
For this, Germany has also stepped up its efforts.
Fortified ships to defend East Prussia and the German mainland, including the Siegfried and Panther lines.
While the fortifications held out against the Russian offensive, France subdued France, and delayed battles were held in East Prussia and Königsberg.
In other words, the plan was to somehow destroy the French anvil before the Russian hammer had hit them sufficiently, then wage a decisive battle with Russia, win there, and then end the war.
Of course, there are numerous prerequisites.
First, France must fall while the Siegfried and Panther lines intercept the Russian offensive.
Even if East Prussia and Königsberg are able to buy time, they will have a chance to win a decisive battle before the Russian army enters a full-fledged wartime posture and expands its forces.
All of these things require speed, but in fact, those who are working-level people say, ‘The Maginot line cannot be penetrated in a short period of time.’ ‘Let’s attack Russia and Czech Republic to threaten Ukraine and Belarus, while destroying or occupying Czechoslovakia’s factories to reduce Russia’s war-fighting capabilities.’ Sitting there talking nonsense like that, the generals of the National Defense Forces had their clothes exploded.
I didn’t think that would be possible.
***
Two men were having a meal at the prime minister’s residence in Berlin.
There was the sound of a rattling bowl, and then the man with the mustache of a toothbrush with a crumpled face spat out cursing.
“You idiots, all of them are like idiots who don’t know how to play big, no, I can’t do it, they’re just like Prussian pigs who think they’re the best if they don’t just lie down and make their own responsibilities!”
“Calm down, Adolf.”
Deputy Prime Minister Joseph sighed.
War is inevitable. Anything else is not the problem.
Because the people were strongly demanding it. Because they were demanding that the lost territory be reclaimed.
Public opinion wanted to reclaim all the territories lost as a result of World War II, and furthermore, to make all the lands inhabited by Germans theirs.
And the best of them all was Denmark.
“Even if France says that it is willing to go to war… will it really declare war?”
“Ha, it doesn’t matter whether those weak bastards declare war or not! The real problem is Russia, Russia! I’ve said several times to keep Russia neutral, but I’m just repeating that there’s no income, just saying it’s unreasonable! Can’t pierce the Maginot line? Not even funny! A few years ago, I ordered a new weapon to cross the Maginot Line if there is one, but it makes sense that there is still no new weapon or countermeasures!”
Hitler’s eyes, as he munched on the salad, changed strangely.
“Of course, that shit is over now, the Untermensch should have been so stupid, it’s a deplorable thing when a Ubermensh like me has to come out. There would be none.”
“What do you think?”
“think? You have a very clever plan, I’ve talked to some of my trusted advisers, and they said it would work, the French look on their faces.”
“Reliable…. a staff member….”
Josef looked a little shaky, but Hitler was clearly confident.
“It’s a plan inspired by our Aryan brothers, it’s quite possible,”
***
January 1938, Moscow.
Olga, with a tired expression on her face, sat down next to me.
“It seems that German construction has become quite urgent.”
“Did Germany decide to go to war?”
“At least, Denmark, I think if France is added to it, I feel confident that I can win.
Olga wiggled her fingers for a moment.
“It seemed like that kind of confidence that we could overcome any number of enemies if we didn’t intervene.”
Currently, all of Germany’s diplomatic capacity lies in deterring Russia from entering the war.
The UK is not making such a move. In any case, Germany wanted to prevent our participation in the war as much as possible.
If it’s a problem….
I sighed.
The military’s preparations are still incomplete.
I tried to shorten it as much as possible, but the reality of lack of preparation did not change.
The new tanks have not yet been supplied to the entire army, and the air force aircraft have only just begun mass production.
“Fortunately, the Japanese Empire is not joining their movement right away, so I guess they want to focus on aggression in China.”
“If we can get time by throwing the blood and flesh of China to Japan, we will benefit, because time is the most scarce resource for us.”
“Fortunately… we still have time.”
Yes, there is time.
No matter how early, Germany will not be able to start a war within this year, and each country has plenty of time left to inform.
The fact that Germany has not yet given up its diplomatic efforts to prevent our participation in the war means that there is room for a little more time.
“Until the war begins, there is only one foreign policy.”
“Take time.”
“Exactly. It would be nice if it lasted several months rather than a year. It would be nice if it lasted until summer.”
“Misha.”
Olga said softly.
“I will leave the military power entirely to you.”
“Olga.”
She looked straight at me. Her eyes were full of trust in me.
“I won’t make any other demands, I’ll just trust you.”