Chapter 551: Six Weeks(2)
Chapter 551: Six Weeks(2)
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The invasion of France, commonly known as the "Six Weeks," is a war rarely seen in modern history.
This is because France, a traditional Great Power and a victor of World War I, fell with such startling ease.
While Nazi Germany's military was formidable, it should have normally taken at least six months to a year. However, a single plan—Operation Sichelschnitt—turned all expectations upside down.
Nazi Germany's armored forces tore through the Ardennes Forest, and from that pivot point, they proceeded to systematically dismantle the combined strength of the Anglo-French alliance.
Of course, it wasn't smooth sailing from the start. France had its own defenses, and since Blitzkrieg itself was a first-time experiment, the Germans were bound to make mistakes.
Yet, through the desperate, frantic efforts of German frontline commanders and the catastrophic misjudgments of the Allied Powers, a miracle was achieved.
The difference in leadership was particularly decisive. While France clung to antiquated doctrines, Germany remained faithful to the Mission-type Command System.
Despite France having superior armored forces on paper, the reason Germany ground them down was precisely due to that system.
Above all, the disparity in "communication"—the most vital element of war—was stark. There were more than enough reasons for their victory.
[What exactly is this Mission-type Command System the Germans used? Is it a field we can apply to ourselves?]
[In reality, it's difficult. In Blood and Iron, one can become a commander through 'education,' but it's hard for us to do the same.]
[The Mission-type Command System isn't something that can be introduced immediately. However, we can certainly cherry-pick its advantages.]
Surprisingly—or perhaps naturally—the Mission-type Command System didn't garner much sympathy.
On Earth, the quality of the masses matters more than individual martial prowess, whereas in this world, individual power is paramount.
Here, every single person is treated as a tactical or strategic-grade weapon, and the very concept of a "front line" doesn't exist.
Most battles are like a massive head-on collision, a single all-out clash of souls. This is one of the reasons people treat Blood and Iron as pure fantasy.
As the saying goes, "Technique is unnecessary before overwhelming power." Since it is possible for individuals in this world to possess such power, the Mission-type Command System cannot be fully implemented.
Ah, of course, Earth has weapons with "overwhelming power" as well. I trust you all know what they are.
[This will remain a case study that clearly demonstrates the importance of communication.]
[Why didn't France even use messenger pigeons? I don't understand why they would do something so stupid.]
[The fate of those shackled by the frame of 'tradition.']
The second point was communication. At the time, France's communication facilities couldn't be called good even as a polite lie.
No, actually, the word "pathetic" is enough to describe the entirety of the French communication system.
If a subordinate unit was being decimated, they should have reported it immediately, but in France, it took two days just for the message to reach the top brass.
What was even more absurd was that the signal corps had the audacity to demand guaranteed rest periods. In an era where the telephone had already been invented, they were practically begging to be crushed in six weeks.
[If I were the commander, I would have lopped off all their heads.]
How infuriating must it have been for a reader to say such a thing about a situation that didn't even involve them?
Even in an era where front lines don't exist and battles are decided in a single clash, people still understand the importance of communication.
Furthermore, knights don't only fight humans. In cases like large-scale monster subjugations, the military takes the lead.
Only when communication is fluid can the command center respond immediately, and the units below them can act in sync.
[The capital fell, but it's not like they fought to the death. Why didn't they resist until the end?]
[Was Pétain actually a German spy?]
[A humiliating surrender. France didn't even put up a proper fight.]
Perhaps because they were in a transition from the Middle Ages to the modern era, they could understand surrendering once the capital fell.
However, the fact that they surrendered so "helplessly" is what made them explode with rage.
In the Middle Ages, the capital is the kingdom itself. It's not just a symbol; it's where all infrastructure is concentrated.
Though, perhaps because this is a fantasy world, things aren't entirely concentrated.
As seen in the Maishal Territory, which is rapidly developing into a cultural city, any place can evolve into a magnificent city with enough investment.
Still, the fact that the capital is a symbol remains unchanged, and if the capital is attacked, people tend to defend it with everything they have.
[They didn't even fight until every last soldier had fallen.]
[Pétain should have stepped up like de Gaulle. Calling him a coward is an insult to cowards.]
[A noble who chose his life and discarded his honor.]
To people with a medieval-modern mindset, Pétain was the perfect definition of a "coward."
Rather than fighting to the death for honor, he surrendered without a second thought the moment the tide of war turned against him.
The irony is that Pétain was one of the heroes who led the victory in World War I.
[What on earth turned him into such a coward? Was it because of the Great War that happened before?]
[He seems to think that Nazi Germany's malice won't reach them.]
[No matter how scary war is, you shouldn't sell out your country.]
[Charles de Gaulle is the true noble and patriot. The war may be over, but the struggle has not.]
There were questions about how horrific World War I must have been for him to sign the surrender, and there were criticisms that even so, he shouldn't have done it.
The helpless surrender was absurd enough, but de Gaulle declared his intent to resist until the end.
The comparison was already stark, but Pétain went a step further and became the head of Vichy France—a puppet government.
As de Gaulle later evaluated, while the man was brave, the hero of the motherland and his own idol had vanished.
If one were to defend him even slightly, it would be that he prevented unnecessary bloodshed, but since he essentially handed France's national power over to Germany, he is criticized to this day.
Thus, the France that was crushed in six weeks did not receive a good evaluation from people living in a medieval setting.
The fact that they handed over the capital, Paris, as if saying, "Here, take it," was the biggest factor.
However, the target of criticism wasn't directed solely at France.
[Italy... what are these guys even doing?]
[Hitler respected Mussolini, but Italy itself couldn't exert any power.]
[How do you even run an army to lose to France? And to mountain troops, of all things?]
Italy, which did nothing but suffer pathetic defeats throughout World War II, was also a target of ridicule. When Germany invaded France, Italy joined the Axis Powers, thinking it was their chance.
Italy was also considered a Great Power, but because they had fought too many wars, they lacked the infrastructure to properly hone their military.
Furthermore, Mussolini had staged a coup d'état, leading to many internal issues.
[Still, I believe they will change through this opportunity. Germany also had many problems during the invasion of Poland.]
Later, Italy would struggle even against Greece, driving Hitler to fits of rage.
Their participation in the invasion of France was also due to jealousy toward Hitler. They declared war recklessly without any actual plan.
What happened? They were soundly beaten by French mountain troops, and their merchant ships scattered across the globe were picked off by the British.
[Even so, isn't Hitler being hyped up too much? Six weeks is an unbelievable record.]
[Even if Operation Sichelschnitt succeeded, why did they surrender so powerlessly?]
[I've felt this before, but I'm seriously worried about whether Xenon actually knows anything about war.]
Since the "Six Weeks" in France is such an unbelievable piece of history, people even began to doubt me.
I have nothing to say about this part, as it is history that actually happened.
Don't blame me; blame Earth. Perhaps because of that, my feeling of being wronged vanished quickly.
In this way, the "Six Weeks" became a target of mockery for everyone, without exception.
The invasion of France, mocked on Earth and mocked in a fantasy world. It's a bit of a funny situation, but this is reality.
Still, not everyone focused solely on the invasion of France.
[A miracle for the Allied Powers. The Dunkirk Evacuation.]
[If this isn't a miracle from God, then what is?]
[It is a miracle sent by God, but at the same time, it's a miracle created by man.]
["I can see home." Is there any line more moving than this?]
The withdrawal operation that can only be described as a miracle: the Dunkirk Evacuation.
Volume 17 was about two-thirds Operation Sichelschnitt and the occupation of Paris, with the rest filled by Dunkirk.
It was an operation where civilians voluntarily stepped up to save soldiers, and there was no better operation to provide that "emotional rush."
Moreover, it wasn't just commoners; the British upper class also brought their own yachts. It was a development satisfying enough for the nobility as well.
The decisive factor was probability. These were the same readers who criticized the "Six Weeks" as being unrealistic.
However, the Dunkirk Evacuation was a miraculous withdrawal that felt like it could actually happen, which made it even more popular.
[We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!]
Finally, Churchill's speech, expressing his will to fight to the bitter end.
Thanks to his incredible oratory skills, he was able to further boost British morale.
Readers marveled, saying that Pétain should have given that speech, and wondered how there could be such a difference between countries that both fought in World War I.
But people don't know. They don't know Churchill's greatest dark history: the Battle of Gallipoli.
If I describe that later, he'll probably be mocked for ages.
[Britain preserved its strength through the Dunkirk Evacuation. What remains will be a war between Britain and Germany.]
[The British Navy is several times stronger than the German Navy. Will they perhaps use the French Navy?]
[Maybe there will be a battle between the air forces. Whatever it is, there are many options.]
With France collapsed, Britain naturally stood alone. From now on, Britain would have to face Nazi Germany, which had absorbed France, all by itself.
Perhaps because Nazi Germany's atrocities and their sudden "bulk-up" coincided, the readers were in a mood to cheer for Britain.
However, the next thing Britain did was Operation Catapult. I plan to write about this in the early part of Volume 18.
An operation where Britain smashed the French fleet to pieces before Germany could absorb it. The irony was that Germany had actually left it alone, fearing they might get "indigestion" from trying to take it.
Naturally, the French side had no choice but to be furious, but having been crushed in six weeks, they had no voice in the matter.
'And it's about time to bring in the Big Brother.'
By "Big Brother," I naturally mean the United States. The "Lend-Lease Act," referred to as the Arsenal of Democracy, will soon make its appearance.
There was something similar to the Lend-Lease Act in this world: during the Race War, the Dwarves airlifted weapons to the Human Alliance.
They made an astronomical amount of money from that, so it's similar in a way. Britain was also able to find a breathing room through Lend-Lease.
'The German-Soviet War and the attack on Pearl Harbor will come out too. And finally...'
The Holocaust. From now on, the story will proceed with the Soviet Union and the United States at the center, rather than Germany.
Once the Holocaust appears, Nazi Germany will evolve into an undeniable "Great Bastard."
Predicting that there will be many things to consider, I expect it to take a long time.
So, I'm going to "can" myself—lock myself away to write. I can use the time to mend my relationship with Mora as well.
Also, I plan to gradually hear about "Luminous's past" through Mora. The God of Light, who was once revered as the God of War.
[Another prophecy? How far will North's prophetic powers go!]
[Currently, reporters are swarming in front of North's mansion...]
[Is it the birth of another prophet? Or just a coincidence?]
As for North... let him do whatever. It's none of my business.
He's just acting out on his own to try and bring me down somehow; why should I care?
Above all, I am far too busy right now.
"Isaac."
"Y-yes?"
"Are you hiding something from me?"
"..."
I'm at risk of being caught by my lovely fiancée.
My eyes darted around before I gave a shameless smile and replied.
"Could you just pretend you don't know?"
Even I feel like a complete idiot.