Chương 106: 106
April 6, 1941.
Despite numerous warnings, Yugoslavia eventually invaded Albania.
"These bastards... ..!"
For reference, this day is actually the day in history that Nazi Germany and Italy invaded Yugoslavia.
In history, people who would have been invaded by another country became invaders attacking another country. History was so ironic.
Anyway, Albania, which was invaded by Yugoslavia, immediately reached out to us for help, and I called the Yugoslav ambassador and warned him directly.
Stop the invasion right now and push the troops behind the border. If not, he said he would consider imposing economic and military sanctions on Yugoslavia.
But two days later, Yugoslavia made a counter offer.
"If we condone the invasion of Albania, you will guarantee us the same rights we enjoy in Albania?"
"We also said we would provide tax exemptions and increase exports of minerals such as chrome, bauxite, and copper."
If you skip the Albanian food, I'll give you some pojji.
What should I do with this?
"If we accept their offer, isn't there a possibility that it will rise further in the future? "I think we should take proper steps at this time."
"Mr. President, is there any need for us to go through all the trouble for a small country like Albania?"
The deal proposed by Yugoslavia was indeed effective. When I made it clear that Yugo should be punished, Brauchitsch immediately raised a counterargument.
"The people have just become accustomed to peace. "You won't be quick to agree with the idea that we have to go to war again, especially to protect Albania."
"But if we give up Albania, won't the trust of other allies in Germany be shaken?"
"Mr. President. It is clear that Albania is close to Germany, but it is not a formal ally. And with all due respect, didn't you remain neutral when Albania was annexed by Italy the year before last?"
This guy suddenly storms in? People will get stabbed.
"Marshal, that's not because there was no need to start a conflict with Italy ahead of the important task of invading Poland. "Is the situation the same now as it was then?"
Schacht also opposed participation in the war, citing it as a burden on the economy.
If Yugoslavia keeps its promise, the fall of Albania will have no impact on the German economy.
Rather, it is a great help to economic recovery as agricultural products and minerals can be imported from Yugoslavia at low prices.
But what kind of country is Yugoslavia? The Serbs who rule Yugoslavia are the ultimate culprits of World War I and radicals who constantly pursue expansion.
Will they be satisfied in Albania? Absolutely not.
If we allow Albania to be annexed, they are sure to start a new conflict.
After Albania, it may be Bulgaria or Hungary, or it may even draw in Britain and the Soviet Union and turn the Balkans into a spark for a new world war.
A fire that can be extinguished with a glass of water cannot be allowed to spread throughout the house. If an ember is found, it must be removed in advance.
"Do you all know what kind of people Serbians are? They will never be satisfied with Albania and will constantly look for new victims. It might threaten Bulgaria, Hungary, and even Germany. If that happens, I think the damage will actually increase, so wouldn't it be better to suppress it now while you can?"
"I also think what your Excellency the President said is correct."
Keitel immediately agreed, and Göring, Himmler, and Ribbentrop, who sensed my intention, also agreed.
However, Brauchitsch, Jodl, and Schacht did not agree until the end.
The common position of the three was that why should we shed blood for such a small country?
Meanwhile, the fire that started in the Balkans was growing rapidly.
Three days later, on April 9, Greece declared its participation in the bashing of Albania.
"They keep doing it and now even Greece is screwing us over."
In the end, our warning had no effect on either country.
Since Britain, France, and Italy had all been subdued, I thought I would be able to take care of it if I just made threats, but I think I may have been overconfident in Germany's national power.
Either that or these two guys are really crazy. Yugoslavia was far from normal to begin with, so even so, I wouldn't have guessed that they would be crazy enough to invade Greece.
"I never thought even Greece would ignore our warnings… . Ribbentrop, what do you think?"
"Isn't it because they think it's relatively safe because it's far from Germany? If Germany wanted to invade Greece, they would have to go through Yugoslavia, but it seems they decided there was no need for us to go to that trouble."
In other words, we ignored it because we didn't think we could hit it. Are you getting more upset for no reason?
"Has my warning not yet reached Ambassador Yugo?"
"I made it clear, Mr. President."
Ribbentrop apparently relayed my warning to the Yugoslav ambassador two days ago.
However, Yugoslavia did not stop its invasion and even forced Greece into the war.
"Mr. President, we have received a request for a meeting from the Albanian ambassador."
"I was still wondering when you would come."
The Albanian ambassador came rushing in, wiping out tears and snot, and begged for German support (he did not forget to lament that he should have formed an alliance with Germany a long time ago and criticize himself).
First, Germany calmed down the ambassador by saying that it would do everything it could for Albania, and then held an emergency meeting in the evening.
"Despite repeated warnings, Yugoslavia did not stop the war. Even Greece declared its participation in the war today. It may be that Yugoslavia's actions have given them confidence, but this is not a good thing for Germany.
If we remain silent, both countries will not listen to us in the future. You might think that this is a country that only knows how to talk and does nothing. This will naturally spread to other countries, and eventually no country will want to be close to us."
"Mr. President. That is too much of a leap. "What country could have a country as powerful as Germany?"
Brauchitsch raised his hand to object, but I ignored it and continued talking.
"So think about it. What country would trust us when we have such a powerful military power, but we don't really use it? And didn't I tell you? Serbs are insatiable. They are the culprits who started World War I. "If we leave here, who knows how much they'll go on a rampage!"
The generals also seemed to have realized the seriousness of the situation and fell silent. As expected, changing the tone of voice seemed to be effective.
"Minister Ribbentrop."
"yes!"
"Please tell the ambassadors of Yugoslavia and Greece. This is the last warning. Germany destroyed Poland, England, France, and Italy, so do you think they can't deal with Yugoslavia at least? "Tell the Greek ambassador that he doesn't know what kind of retaliation he might face if he only believes in Yugoslavia and goes on a rampage."
"I understand, Mr. President. "I will deliver it immediately."
"and… . Dr. Goebbels?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
"For the first time in a while, I think I'll have to use the doctor's specialty."
"Just leave it to me!"
Göring, Keitel, and Brauchitsch were ordered to move their troops south of Ostmark.
If you show through your actions that these aren't just empty words, you'll come to your senses.
***
April 10, 1941
berlin broadcasting station
"Doctor. "There is one minute left until the broadcast starts."
Goebbels' eyes were shining brightly as he had the opportunity to play an active role for the first time in a long time.
The end of the war was certainly a happy thing, but at the same time, the stage on which he could play disappeared and he became a sidekick for a while. In Goebbels's opinion, this was a good opportunity for him to prove his worth to the Fuhrer once again.
Maybe it was because he couldn't show it in front of the President, but he wanted to at least send a kiss to Yugoslavia and Greece, which had given him such a golden opportunity.
"It's 30 seconds ago!"
"Hmm, hmm."
Before the broadcast began, Goebbels cleared his throat. Since this is a broadcast that is listened to not only by German citizens but also by people all over the world, there should not be any untoward incidents such as distorted voices or clearing of the throat.
The words that come out of one's mouth are the words of the Fuhrer, and the words of the Fuhrer are the words of Germany. So how could you not care?
When the broadcasting station staff signed off, Goebbels began his speech by recalling the contents of the manuscript he had memorized.
"Dear German people, A few days ago, Albania, which achieved independence with the help of Germany, was unjustly invaded by neighboring countries. "His Excellency the President was very angry and warned the invading parties to stop the war immediately."
Calmly at first.
"However, the two countries, Yugoslavia and Greece, have not stopped their war of aggression to this day, despite the warnings of the President. Yesterday, Yugoslav army bombers bombed Albanian cities, killing hundreds of innocent civilians. "This is violence and murder that cannot be ignored!"
Gradually increase the speed.
"I hereby convey the wishes of the President to all of us and to the world. A war waged without just cause is a sin in itself.
We warn the Serbs who have already driven the world into an abyss of despair and tragedy by causing terrorism in Sarajevo, and the Greeks who are colluding with them and disrupting the peace and order of Europe.
Stop the war immediately. This is your final warning. From now on I will never speak again. Failure to observe the original borders will result in bloody retaliation!"
The last one is as loud and solemn as thunder.
"Germany erased Poland, which had launched a preemptive attack, from the map, and showed the power of Germany to France and Italy, who had rejected peace.
Can these two countries, Yugoslavia and Greece, win against Germany? Those involved will know the answer best.
I say this once again. Do not take your life and property lightly out of petty greed. Do not disturb the peace that was achieved after countless sacrifices. This is the will of the Fuhrer and the will of the entire German people!"
***
April 11, 1941
london england
"after… . "Fuck."
De Gaulle, the division commander of the French Army's 4th Cuirassier Division and now the leader of the Free French Army, cursed softly and turned off the radio.
The radio news was only broadcasting news of Goebbels' speech every day. Now, it's like playing a speech by a propaganda minister from a country that used to be an enemy. Does that mean there is no news?
"They seem like idiots."
The reality is that he, who is in name and name the head of a country - in De Gaulle's own opinion - is currently living in a shabby mansion in a dark alley in London, while Germany's propaganda minister is monopolizing the world's attention.
No matter how harsh the reality is, isn't this too harsh?
De Gaulle, who came to England with the belief that he would liberate his native France from the oppression of the invader Germany, faced the extremely high wall of reality and experienced only bitter frustration every day.
British Prime Minister Halifax did not even attempt to recognize the Free French government-in-exile as his government.
There is already a French government, so what kind of free France is this?
He flatly refused de Gaulle's request for a meeting and did not provide any support to Free France.
De Gaulle, who never expected to be treated like this until he set foot in England, felt ashamed.
Concerned that he would be looked down upon as a colonel, he informally promoted himself to major general, promoted his subordinates to brigadier general and colonel, and even established his own government, but to no avail.
No one in the Halifax cabinet was willing to meet them, who were merely petitioners to the French government.
The British government's neglect, poor treatment, and rough life in a foreign country shook the members of Free France, who had been united by patriotism.
They were barely able to survive thanks to small amounts of support sent irregularly from their insiders in mainland France and the help of governments in exile who were in similar situations, but every day was a struggle.
All we could do was eat a small meal of bread and soup twice a day, distribute propaganda materials promoting Free France to the British people, and go around begging British politicians to meet us and listen to our story.
Some people, tired of the harsh life as exiles, secretly returned to France on a ship or appeared at the French Embassy in London and 'surrendered'.
Among the 'traitors', there were some who had known De Gaulle since his time as a company commander, so the shock was quite high.
"colonel… . No, Your Excellency. "It's time to eat."
"Thank you."
De Gaulle's adjutant opened the door and came in, setting down a tray of food. A simple diet consisting of pancakes, syrup, butter, eggs, bacon and coffee.
In addition to the food, there was also a copy of a French newspaper on the tray.
While drinking coffee, De Gaulle picked up a newspaper. Like the radio, the newspapers were all about German news.
'Hitler's ultimatum to Yugoslavia and Greece!'
'Will Germany really intervene in the war?'
'Hitler appeals for peace!'
"That damn Germany, Hitler, Hitler… . "The whole world is Hitler's paradise, eh!"
De Gaulle became irritated and threw away the newspaper.
But it's not that I don't understand that people are crazy about Hitler. When viewed objectively, Hitler's achievements were not at a level that anyone could easily approach.
Three years after taking power, he brought Germany, a poor defeated country, back to the ranks of great powers, and four years later annexed Austria. Three years after the annexation of Austria, and seven years after taking power, he swallowed up the Czech Republic and Poland.
And a year later, he fought simultaneously with England, France, and Italy, obtained the surrender of both countries, and signed a peace treaty with England.
Hitler ended up accomplishing what no one in Germany had been able to accomplish, or even attempt.
This is why people have no choice but to be enthusiastic about Hitler. Today, in Germany, Hitler is virtually treated as the only god, and even across the ocean in the United States, the number of individuals and groups following Hitler is increasing explosively.
Even here in England, where he lives, aren't Hitler's followers running rampant?
Representative examples include idiots like BUF and members of the British Jewish Committee.
They seem to have forgotten the basic fact that the country they were born in is England. Pathetic bastards.
After barely controlling his anger, he picked up his fork and knife to eat, when the deputy from earlier came up again and knocked on the door.
"Your Excellency, I'm sorry, but a guest came to visit us while we were eating."
"A guest? "What kind of customer are you talking about?"
Although he had been a guest since coming to England, he had hardly ever received one, so De Gaulle tilted his head.
"To be exact, it's closer to a messenger than a guest."
"lion? "Did you hear who sent the messenger?"
"yes. "It is said that Secretary of the Navy Winston Churchill sent it."
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