Chapter 356: 356
356
Hungary had many enemies around it.
Slovakia was like that, Romania was like that, and relations with Ukraine were not very good due to territorial issues.
Still, during World War II, Germany fought against the Soviet Union as an ally, and as the war ended and the border issue was resolved, territorial disputes gradually decreased. There was also strong pressure from big brother Germany to get along well with the same Axis powers.
However, it was impossible for relations with Serbia to improve.
Although it is not an official claim by the Serbian government, Serbs claim that Hungary robbed them of their territory and openly shouted that it should be returned, and Hungary also expressed anger by saying that there was still a lot of territory left to receive from Serbia.
In the eyes of Horthy, a Hungarian nationalist, Serbia was nothing more than a scoundrel who had nothing and often caused conflict.
Therefore, he actively participated when Germany invaded Yugoslavia and opposed Serbia's accession to the Axis powers and the European Union.
As Serbia fell into chaos, Horthy became excited. For him, this incident was a golden opportunity to fix Serbia, which was a thorn in his eyes.
At his meeting with Hitler, Horthy explained his plan.
Serbia has been a breed that has been impossible to revive since ancient times, so it can only be tamed using whips and clubs. There is a need to crush Serbia very thoroughly this time to prevent it from causing trouble again.
"Currently, Serbia's territory is too large for their size. How about taking this opportunity to tear it into several pieces?"
Horthy proposed the partition of Serbia to Hitler.
Let's leave only the capital city of Belgrade and the surrounding land, divide it into pieces, annex some, turn some into puppet states, and make the Serbs fight each other.
If the Serbs are controlled from behind so that they cannot unite and are left to fight among themselves, Europe will be peaceful for 50, 100, and forever.
Croatia's Pavelic, who had very bad feelings about Hungary over territorial issues, immediately agreed to Horthy's proposal to split Serbia into several large and small countries.
Likewise, Albania and Bulgaria, which are not on good terms with Serbia, also supported Horthy's plan.
All that remains is the decision of Germany, the final decision maker.
"If we leave Serbia the way it is, it will definitely cause a new war in Europe. Since these people live like people from the Middle Ages, let's take this opportunity to make their lives similar to the Middle Ages."
"I know what you mean. But I think that would be realistically difficult."
Hitler rejected Horthy's offer.
"The Serbian government is still doing its job, and artificially dividing Serbia into pieces will only deepen their rebellion. For now, let's keep an eye on the situation and watch the Serbian government's response."
Horthy felt defeated by Hitler's words, but Hitler was so determined that he had no choice.
Hitler was not unaware of Horthy's anti-Serb sentiments, as well as his greed for territory.
The goal is probably to expand territory under the pretext of correcting Serbia's habits. Of course, all Serbs living in the acquired territory will be expelled.
Even if we divide Serbia into several large and small countries like the 'Republic of Belgrade' and encourage them to fight bloody battles among themselves like in the Middle Ages, not only would the Serbs not obey Horthy's plan, but the angry Serbs would start a guerrilla war. If this happens, the Balkan Peninsula will again be transformed into a battlefield where gunfire never stops.
Is that all? If Hungary annexes Serbian territory, Croatia, Bulgaria, etc. will also do their best to expand their territories, and it is obvious that conflicts will naturally increase.
That is why Hitler made it clear in advance that 'there will be no change in Serbia's territory.'
However, there was no intention of tolerating the anti-Germany and anti-Axis protests of the Serbs.
The reason Hitler refrained from responding was because the current Serbian government was an actively pro-German regime and he was concerned that a hasty move might lead to further trouble.
If Germany and the Axis powers moved, it would only serve as a justification for anti-German protesters in Serbia and threaten the legitimacy of the current regime.
purple. No matter how hard you listen to Germany, don't you think Germany views the current king and government as nothing more than a scarecrow? Do you still plan to stay in Germany after seeing this?
Contrary to the predictions of anti-German hardliners, when Germany and the Axis powers refrained from taking action, the protesters also moved in a different direction, albeit slowly.
"They said Germany would move at any moment, but they're quiet, right?"
"I know."
"But if you think about it calmly, what difference will it make if we leave the Axis? "Is there any other alternative?"
The United States does not seem to be interested in small countries like Serbia, and the Soviet Union collapsed long ago. Even if Serbia leaves the Axis, the situation will not change.
The anti-German faction argued that we should withdraw from the Axis powers and regain our lost territory, but realistically, there is no way that would be possible.
As time passed, the heat of the protests gradually cooled down, and the cold realism that had been postponed began to raise its voice again.
"War is boring. Now let's just live quietly!"
"Do we want to live like Hitler's henchman forever? "You traitor!"
"So you want to live in war forever? "If you want to start a war like that, go to Germany and explode a bomb!"
"that's right! Why do we have to go to war too? Common sense tells us, how can we beat Germany?"
"My child has polio! Even if you just got the vaccine that Hitler said, this wouldn't happen... … ."
As the position of opponents and realists grew within the protesters, the leaders who led the protests had to make a decision.
This is neither porridge nor rice. If we continue to dilly-dally, we will never be able to gather the same level of support and enthusiasm again, so we must make a decision quickly.
The protesters changed their strategy and made the following demands to the government:
Reconvene negotiations regarding the reparations imposed by Germany on Serbia.
Pull out German companies that are eating away at Serbia's economy.
Prove that the current government is not a German puppet government. If only you were also Serbs!
King Pavle I, who had promised to listen to the people's demands, was troubled by the demands of the protesters.
"Ignoring it is the answer, Your Majesty."
"Let's ignore what they say?"
"That's the only way for now. Is there another way?"
"The protesters are now at a crossroads. If they continue like this, they will soon divide themselves and disperse naturally."
"That's right. Is there any way Germany would agree to the above request in the first place?"
"Of course."
Following the claims of government officials and associates, King Pavle I responded with silence.
However, this was also within the range of the protesters' expectations.
"Why don't the king and government respond to the people's questions?"
"Are you not afraid of the people?"
"Resign from the traitorous government! "Go away from the dictatorship!"
"Get the German scarecrows out of Serbia!"
The demonstrators incited people, claiming that the government had ignored the people's demands, and the fire of the protests, which seemed to be fading away, began to burn fiercely again.
When the situation became urgent again, the government deployed the military.
However, they did not expect that the military deployed to suppress the protesters would join them in return.
King Pavle I had to hurriedly leave Belgrade with his family and close associates.
Before the Government of the Kingdom of Serbia left Belgrade, ambassadors from Axis member countries, including Germany, also left Belgrade in a hurry.
And a few days later,
In the name of restoring security and maintaining order in Serbia, the Axis forces marched across the Serbian border.
***
November 8, 1956
New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany
In the end, Serbia ended up taking a path it should not have taken.
Of course, the king and the government did everything they could, so it cannot be said to be their fault. I have no intention of blaming them.
Most of the Serbian army complied with the Axis forces' demands to disarm. On the first day of the intervention, 90% of the Serbian army was disarmed. 10% deserted or chose resistance.
And of course, all resistance from the Serbian army was suppressed within a few hours.
In order to minimize Serbian resistance, I sent out a broadcast urging Serbs to lay down their weapons and return home.
He did not forget to say that Serbia's territory and sovereignty would be maintained as before.
Nevertheless, many Serbs resisted the Axis forces, throwing firebombs and bombs and using weapons taken from the military and police.
However, how long could the militia armed with small arms survive against the Axis forces armed with tanks, jets, artillery, and armored vehicles?
When the Axis forces began their offensive, the rioters collapsed in an instant.
Two days after the intervention, the Axis forces entered Belgrade, and the demonstrators who filled the Belgrade area fled or resisted and were pulverized by artillery fire.
"The Axis forces' advance is going smoothly."
"The number of Serbs who are abandoning their weapons and fleeing or surrendering is increasing."
"You bastards. "Whenever he barks, as soon as he picks up the stick, he flips over and starts panting."
"Isn't that typical of Serbs?"
The generals left various comments on reports coming in from around Serbia. The atmosphere was like watching a horse race rather than leading a military operation.
The main force of the Axis forces was the Hungarian army, followed by the Croatian army, the Bulgarian army, and the German army.
Before I could say anything, countries came forward and asked me to send troops.
Not with the intention of impressing me, but with the purpose of getting revenge on the Serbs.
As expected, reports continued to emerge that the Axis forces in charge of suppression were committing various atrocities in the Serbian area.
I know you have a deep grudge against Serbia, but how dare you not even try to hide it.
"Marshal Manstein. Assign one company of the National Defense Forces to each service to monitor any actions that violate military regulations. If caught, immediately report it to a higher unit. Should we give the Serbs more room to run wild?"
"You are right. I will pass it on to you immediately."
I didn't object to the idea of shedding the blood that Germany's sons would shed, but at least I should keep an eye on them. What would you do if you committed it so openly?
Still, the good news is that there are fewer casualties than expected and that there is minimal or no resistance in areas excluding large cities.
Some cities even hung Hakenkreuz and sent envoys to plead innocence, saying there were no rebels here.
Since there was no benefit in increasing the number of enemies, strict orders were given not to touch cities without resistance, leaving only the minimum number of troops.
The king, who fled to Romania, and the Serbian government could do nothing.
All I can say is a courtesy thank you for suppressing the rioters. I couldn't even make a noise about the situation happening in the country.
"By the way, I thought America was going to say something, but it's quiet? "I thought you would say something since you won the election."
In the presidential election held two days earlier, MacArthur comfortably won. This extended MacArthur's term until 1961.
Since he was successful in being re-elected, I thought he would say something out of courtesy, but contrary to what I expected, America was strangely quiet.
"Isn't it because you're having trouble with the Indonesian issue?"
"Oh, right. "There was Indonesia, right?"
If Serbia was a problem for Europe, Indonesia was a new problem for the United States.
Indonesia, which was a Dutch colony but achieved independence at the end of World War II, seemed to be doing well so far.
However, not long ago, they began to show their territorial ambitions and now began to openly claim sovereignty over New Guinea Island and Malaya.
The western part of New Guinea Island is still controlled by the Netherlands, and the eastern part is controlled by Britain (actually Australia). However, Indonesia declared the entire island of New Guinea as its territory.
As if this were not enough, Sabah and Sarawak, the northern part of Borneo Island, which are Malaysian territories, are also claiming their territory.
The British government-in-exile reacted to Indonesia's claim by saying it was nonsense, but Indonesia was quite serious.
Sukarno must have seen with his own eyes what kind of situation Argentina was in, but I don't know what made them say such things. It's not like they did it as a group.
"War might break out again soon. But did we also sell weapons to Indonesia?"
"yes. "It's not a lot, but we sold a few artillery pieces and tanks."
"I don't think America will say anything about that, right?"
"There would be fewer countries to which we did not sell weapons, but even the United States would not be able to say anything."
Even now, Indonesia is purchasing weapons from neighboring countries such as China and India. China and India are purchasing weapons from us.
What can I say? Also, it feels like something big will happen in the near future.
***
Since we won the election, the urgent fire has been extinguished.
However, even though the urgent fire was extinguished, the work that MacArthur had to do showed no signs of abating.
"I guess God loves me too much."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Isn't this proof that God's interest is overflowing, since he gives MacArthur new things to do every time? "The more talent you cherish, the more they have to take a new test."
"… … ."
It was so absurd that Eisenhower stared at MacArthur, but MacArthur seemed to sincerely believe it.
If it weren't for that, wouldn't a new incident break out every time we take a breath?
In recognition of his contribution to conquering Argentina and spreading the polio vaccine throughout the country, the Americans allowed MacArthur to remain in the White House.
Southern Dixies voted for Democratic candidate Harry S. Truman to oust MacArthur from the White House, but the results were not positive.
However, there was no time to get drunk on the joy of re-election, because Indonesia's absurd territorial claims were gradually becoming reality.
"It looks like Sukarno is really thinking about war."
"Please look at the picture here. Indonesian army cannons and ammunition trucks near the Malay border... … ."
"haha. "Fuck you."
The White House was incredibly busy today.
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