章節 340: 340
340
December 11, 1951
New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany
"Oh my head… … ."
Two weeks before Christmas, Europe is on alert again.
And that's only because of Daegu.
"Isn't it kind of funny that fish make me sick?"
"I think so too, but Britain is sincere, Mr. President. And we can't just ignore this. It's okay if you don't eat fish, but for fishermen, this is a problem that depends on their livelihood, so we can't just treat it trivially."
Dönitz's answer.
"And the cod catch is also a matter of livelihood for German fishermen. Recently, our fishing boats received threatening fire from the Allied forces while fishing and had to withdraw quickly."
"After all, the fishermen's livelihood is at stake, so it is not something that can be simply dismissed."
Although not as much as in the UK, Germany also eats a lot of cod, and the number of fishermen who make a living by catching and selling this cod is in the thousands.
Therefore, Germany was in a position from which it could not easily retreat from the Daegu War. The issue of its ally, Britain, was also at stake.
The U.S. Navy, which suffered the humiliation of having its newest destroyer attacked by an old destroyer from World War I in the North Sea, was either in a fever pitch or decided that it was time to make an example of this, so it dispatched not even a cruiser, but a battleship and an aircraft carrier.
"Battleships and aircraft carriers? "Isn't there something wrong with the report?"
"I couldn't believe it either so I checked, but they are real aircraft carriers and battleships."
I'm going to turn away.
Perhaps they wanted to take pride in living without Britain, they did not give in and dispatched the Emden-class light cruiser they had previously purchased from us - the new British name is 'Boudica'.
Of course, cruisers can't deal with battleships and aircraft carriers, but that doesn't mean their pride can't allow them to just retreat without doing anything. In reality, they only have one battleship, so they're making fun of it on the mainland.
Even though he was dispatched, it was suicidal to fight battleships and aircraft carriers with a cruiser, so Boudicca kept his distance from the U.S. Navy and watched the fishing operations of his country's fishing boats.
Perhaps out of awareness of the U.S. Navy, fishing boats were fishing at a point that narrowly escaped Iceland's territorial waters, when suddenly a flying boat flew into the sky.
Since orders had been given not to respond unless there was a preemptive attack from the enemy, Boudica remained silent, only broadcasting a warning to the flying boat.
However, the flying boat flew over Boudicca and continued to threaten her, and eventually Boudica got angry and fired an anti-aircraft gun, shooting down the flying boat.
… … However, I am not sure if this is true as it is a one-sided claim from the UK.
Anyway, the U.S. Navy was enraged by this and now threatened to fire if any ordinary fishing boat approaches, considering it an enemy ship.
There was going to be a war because of Daegu.
"Anyway, this isn't it. For fishermen, this is a matter of livelihood, but what will people think if a war breaks out over fish? And isn't this a problem that can be easily resolved through diplomacy?"
I called Mosley and told him to stay put for a while. I don't want to see World War III break out because of Daegu.
And just as I was about to instruct Ribbentrop to try contacting the United States for a diplomatic solution, the United States contacted me first.
Why don't we resolve it through dialogue… … ?
***
In fact, the United States was also quite embarrassed that the matter had become so big.
First of all, the battle itself took place and the destroyer was hit, so there was no choice but to show the situation, but as the situation became more and more serious, voices of concern began to come out from within.
"Even just thinking about cancer, doesn't this seem like it's going too far?"
"Behind England is Germany. What if a real war breaks out like this?"
"Does it make sense that a war would break out over something like Daegu?"
England wasn't scary. The problem was Germany behind England.
However, common sense tells us that when a war broke out between the United States and Britain, there was no way Germany would stand back and watch. The day Britain collapsed, Germany's hegemony in Europe would also end.
Above all, Germany had a hydrogen bomb that the United States did not yet have.
The United States, which did not want to see a minor conflict that started over the cod fishing issue turn into a mushroom cloud rising in Washington, hastily attempted to contact Germany.
I think we were too excited. Let's cool down and discuss calmly.
Likewise, Germany, which had no intention of going into World War III over the Daegu issue, agreed to negotiations with the United States.
In this way, the foreign ministers of the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom met to discuss the Iceland issue, and a conclusion was reached after two days of meeting.
The exclusive fishing zone is limited to 12 nautical miles. British fishing boats only operate within the designated area and follow the instructions of the Allied Navy.
Likewise, the Allied Forces do not interfere with the fishing of fishing boats as long as they do not leave the designated area without permission.
That's the end.
The Daegu War, which put the North Sea in a state of tension, ended in a diplomatic compromise by Germany, which did not want war, and the United States, which was equally afraid of Germany's hydrogen bomb.
But Iceland's crisis did not end there.
The Daegu War could be resolved diplomatically, but the conflict within Iceland was a problem that could not be resolved diplomatically.
In addition, Icelanders were outraged that their opinions were not reflected at all in this negotiation.
When the Allied Forces announced that Iceland's fishing exclusive zone would be set at 50 nautical miles, Icelanders cheered.
Aside from their antipathy toward the occupying forces, Icelanders also did not look kindly on British ships sweeping up cod from their waters.
Therefore, people were happy to be able to protect their livelihood.
However, the joy was not only short-lived at the sudden reduction from 50 nautical miles to 12 nautical miles, but when it became known that the Icelandic government's intentions did not prosper at all during the negotiation process, Icelanders became furious.
"Fuck you! "Does this make sense?"
"Why are we starving to death?"
"It's our sea, so why should we yield it!"
The Icelandic government, which was only a government in form but in reality was a puppet following the Allied Forces' instructions, also rebelled against the Allied Forces.
Although it is no longer possible to break up the negotiations and do it again, demands that had not been dared to be made out of concern for the Allied Forces were delivered to the Allied Forces.
-Transport foreigners living in Iceland out of Iceland.
-Relax restrictions on Icelanders' travel and residence.
-A certain amount of money will be provided to help Icelandic fishermen maintain their livelihood.
"I'm going to use this opportunity to make a big deal out of it."
"What do these people think of us?"
The Allies had no intention of acceding to the demands of the Icelanders. They also calculated what to do with a population of only about 140,000.
But this time, the calculation was wrong.
When their demands were ignored, Icelanders' anger reached a critical point and they took action.
"Our land is ours!"
"Iceland for Icelanders!"
"Get out of Iceland!"
-Repeat. Disband immediately. What you are doing now is a riot!
"Get the hell out of our land!"
"Yankees, get out!"
"Iceland for Icelanders!"
The largest protest in Icelandic history was held in the capital Reykjavik.
The military blocked the road and gave orders to disperse, but instead of responding, the people reacted violently, throwing stones and firebombs.
Soon the protests spread throughout Iceland.
***
December 24, 1951
Washington DC White House, USA
Even though it was a sacred Christmas Eve, Dewey could hardly smile or enjoy the Christmas spirit.
"Just when you think you can finally catch your breath, another accident happens."
The cabinet members silently expressed their agreement to Dewey's complaints. As each day goes by, a new incident or accident occurs. This is why I couldn't sleep peacefully.
The Icelanders' protests showed no signs of cooling down. They tried to disperse them by mobilizing the military, but this only intensified the anger of the Icelanders, and the Icelandic government also thought it was time to observe their demands, or else the protests would continue. There was a threat.
This is such a mess in a place with a total population of less than 700,000. Dewey felt his temples throbbing again today and started to come up with a solution.
"How about giving in to the demands of the Icelanders?"
In Dewey's opinion, the Icelanders' demands were not that excessive.
If the European refugees in Iceland were dispersed somewhere in the United States or Canada and the Icelanders were given a few carrots to satisfy, the anger would soon subside.
The generals, who had to fight on the front lines in front of the monster called Germany, were generally in favor of Dewey's proposal.
If war suddenly breaks out with Germany tomorrow, we won't be able to fight with peace of mind if we are in chaos inside.
"But if we accept all of those demands right away, we can make more demands later."
"Restrictions on travel and residence for Icelanders must be maintained. We must not forget that just eight years ago, Icelanders were fighting with the support of the Nazis."
"That is correct. We still need to strongly control them."
"And let's increase support. "We already provide enough support to the Icelandic people with the taxpayers' money of the American people."
"But you're not satisfied with that and they add more money? In the future, we will ask each house to have its own car."
Cabinet members opposed Dewey's proposal.
Confusion continued in Iceland while arguments went back and forth about pros and cons.
Icelanders expressed without hesitation their accumulated anger towards foreigners who illegally occupied their land.
Foreigners also formed a vigilante group to fight against Iceland, and soon counterattacked with greater numbers. Then, this time, the Icelanders were chased back.
Iceland, once a quiet island nation, suddenly turned into a chaos filled with violence and shouting.
"Fight the sword!"
"Suppress!"
"Yankees catch people!"
"You bastards!"
U.S. military police carrying mounted rifles charged at the demonstrators, and the demonstrators resisted by throwing bricks and rocks.
No one had a peaceful Christmas in Iceland.
Soldiers who were looking forward to Christmas cake and roast turkey had to spend the night with their eyes wide open, being bombarded with rocks and sewage thrown by protesters after eating their meals with combat rations. Instead of sitting around in front of a warm stove and telling stories about the dirty work, the protesters were met with batons wielded by military police. His head was broken by the butt of his gun and he was bleeding profusely.
While Iceland was in chaos, British and German fishing boats left the designated area and swept up cod in Iceland's exclusive fishing waters.
Then, when an Allied patrol boat appeared and warned them, they quietly returned to their original position.
It was a far cry from a scene suitable for Christmas, but there was a difference between ideal and reality.
***
December 25, 1951
New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany
For Christmas, I held a meaningful event for the first time in a while.
The German people were invited to the Fuhrer's residence and had a Christmas dinner together.
Of course, we did not select just anyone, but invited only those whose identity and ideology were confirmed through a thorough background check four months in advance.
It's a bit weird if the person you invited to your official residence and even took a picture with turns out to be someone who committed an unscrupulous crime or has a shabby past.
The 20 German citizens, carefully selected after a thorough background check, came from all walks of life, from a 12-year-old Hitler Youth member to an old man with gray hair. They could not hide their admiration for the grand scale of the Fuhrer's Residence.
"Welcome to the Presidential Residence, everyone."
"Oh my God, Mr. President!"
"oh my god."
"Jeez, you really are the President... … !"
"ha ha ha. Were you very surprised? Please come this way. Since you are a guest, you can enjoy yourselves comfortably."
All they did was simply say hello, but the people were so moved as if they had seen the second coming of Jesus.
I approached the oldest-looking visitor. I received the list two days in advance, so I have a general idea of who is who.
This old man was probably one of the few dozen veterans of the Franco-Prussian War left in Germany, perhaps?
"I am probably the only person here who has ever seen Chancellor Bismarck in his lifetime. "When the German Empire was proclaimed at the Palace of Versailles, I was standing guard outside the palace."
"You are a true hero of Germany."
From a veteran who fought in both World War I and World War II, to a paramedic who received a medal for saving more than 10 civilians during World War II, from an ordinary farmer to a woman raising chickens, to a young man who volunteers at a nursing home every week. I shook hands with each of them and listened to what they had to say.
Even though it looks grandiose on the outside, there isn't much to actually do. I go around the residence and give explanations to people, listen when people talk, and eat together.
There is nothing difficult about it, but one effect is amazing. Not only has he taken control of Europe, but he is also a leader who knows how to listen to the voices of the people.
I can't help but support it, right?
Even if I don't do this, the German people's support for me will remain the same, but taking the time to meet and talk directly with the people will greatly help in governing.
If you rule at a distance from the people, even those who supported you at first will gradually feel distant.
It's surprisingly quick for distance to turn into antipathy. Of course, I won't do that, but conceit is always a no-no.
After touring the official residence, while everyone was waiting for a meal, Krause approached me and whispered in my ear. He said he had some business to attend to, so I stood up and went to the office, where Keitel was waiting for me.
"News from Iceland?"
I heard that protests continue every day in Iceland. That's why Dewey is suffering every day.
But the reason Kaitel came to report to me was not about Iceland.
"Mr. President, this is good news. The V5 rocket test was successful."
"Oooh?!"
No, already? really?
No matter how long ago the development of the V4 rocket was successful, the development of its successor, the V5, was already successful. Are German scientists really nothing but monsters?
The range of the V5 rocket is 3,000 km, which is the combined range of the V3 and V4. It is an item that perfectly meets the definition of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
Now that we have obtained the IRBM, the next target is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
If an ICBM is developed, Germany will gain the ability to suddenly place a nuclear bomb anywhere on the Earth.
Furthermore, Wagner Freud also becomes successful.
The era of space will begin earlier than in history.
I will immediately summon Dornberger and von Braun to the Fuhrer's residence tomorrow and commend them. No, I should go there myself and throw a big banquet.
I returned to the banquet hall with a grin. As I sat down again, a while later, waiters entered the banquet hall, pushing carts filled with food.
"Mr. President, is there something happy about you?"
A farmer named Friedrich, sitting across from me, asked me.
"I am very happy. "Hehehe."
"What on earth is going on?" … ?"
"You will find out soon."
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