Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Interwar Period - Anschluss (2)
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March 1, 1938
Berlin, Northern Germany
Drill Ground of the Berlin War Ministry
Just as I remembered, the unrest in Austria, instigated by local Nazi Party members, showed no signs of stopping.
Arthur Seyss-Inquart, the Minister of the Interior and a representative figure of the Austrian Nazis, was likely turning a blind eye.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg would try to hold a referendum in March opposing unification with Germany, but the problem was I couldn't remember the exact date.
While I remembered major events like the start of World War II, there was no way I could recall the dates of every minor incident... I desperately missed real-time internet searches.
I'd diligently written down my memories from the modern era, afraid I might forget them, and that alone filled an entire notebook.
I wrote in the notebook in Korean, not German, so no one would be able to understand it even if they happened to see it.
After all, in Europe at this time, Korea was barely recognized as a country, let alone its language.
Hitler and the Nazi Party had flatly ignored the demands for a reinvestigation from Rundstedt and Beck. Then, as the Austrian issue began to overshadow it, they promoted a large number of army personnel.
In reality, it was a move to promote and appoint individuals favored by the Nazis to key positions, with others being promoted alongside them as a token gesture or to placate them.
The drill ground of the Berlin War Ministry was a remarkable sight, filled with high-ranking Nazi officials, generals, and officers.
“Congratulations on your promotion, General.”
“Congratulations, General!”
“Haha… thank you. Schacht, Michael.”
Captain Roger Michael and I offered our congratulations, but Walter Model, now a Major General, seemed to be forcing a smile.
It was understandable. He had been transferred from the General Staff in Berlin to become the Chief of Staff of the IV Army Corps in Dresden.
Being moved from a role where he could influence the entire German Army to the chief of staff of a single corps was essentially a demotion, despite the promotion in rank.
Military figures in Chief of the General Staff Ludwig Beck's circle or those uncooperative with the regime were demoted like this, or even forced into retirement, like General of the Infantry Erwin von Witzleben, who would later take part in Operation Valkyrie (the 1944 assassination attempt and coup against Hitler).
And the man who should have prevented it, the army elder Rundstedt, had been promoted to Colonel General and was now smiling face-to-face with Hitler.
The very man who had most strongly demanded this investigation! After being promoted by Hitler, he stood by and did nothing while Chief of the General Staff Ludwig Beck's key subordinates were all cut down.
The only thing he did was stop Hitler from appointing General of the Artillery Walter von Reichenau as Commander-in-Chief of the Army.
Walter von Reichenau was an officer who had openly and fanatically supported the Nazis, even joining the party before they had secured dominant influence over the military. Naturally, public opinion within the army was explosive.
Only he knew whether Rundstedt opposed it because he genuinely felt he had to stop it, or because he was pressured by the army's sentiment.
And the man who took his place as Commander-in-Chief of the Army was…
“Ah, Commander-in-Chief! Congratulations!”
Seeing General Model greet the man with a smiling salute, Captain Michael and I immediately followed suit.
“Congratulations, Model. A general at last, are you?”
Walter von Brauchitsch, promoted today to Colonel General and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, approached us with a smile.
“Ah, are these men part of your circle?”
Brauchitsch patted General Model on the shoulder and then turned his gaze toward us.
“I-it is an honor to meet you, Commander-in-Chief! Captain Roger Michael!”
“Congratulations on your promotion, Commander-in-Chief. Captain Dietrich Schacht.”
“Model, if these are the fellows you’ve been keeping an eye on, they must have promising futures. If they’re in your circle, they’re in mine as well. Captain Michael, Captain Schacht. I’ll remember you.”
“Thank you!”
Being introduced to such a high-ranking general, with General Model looking on proudly, was a scene that would surely help my army career, but as I said my thanks, my feelings were complicated.
Walter von Brauchitsch, now the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, was General Model’s longtime superior and a man whose capabilities were so proven that there was no opposition within the Wehrmacht to his appointment.
The fact that Walter Model, a subordinate of Beck, was at least promoted even while being demoted was likely due to his strong influence.
Viewed this way, it seemed like a wonderful connection, but this man, in his ambition to curry favor with Hitler and the Nazis, divorced his wife—with whom he had children—and married a new one with fervent pro-Nazi leanings.
He even received financial support from Hitler for the wedding, and because of that, he utterly betrayed the expectations of Beck and the Wehrmacht that he would act as a check against Hitler in the early days of the war, ending up being dragged along by Hitler the entire time.
“I was worried I wouldn't be able to look after these men much, having to leave for Dresden right after returning from Spain, but with you here, Commander-in-Chief, I can rest easy.”
“Haha, after all the help you’ve given me, how could I refuse? Don’t you worry. ...Just between us, I’ll see what I can do soon. A man of your caliber as a mere corps chief of staff? It’s absurd.”
“…Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.”
Seeing the gratitude dripping from General Model’s eyes as he looked at Brauchitsch left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Walter Model almost never spoke of politics, not even to his family, and as a soldier, he always emphasized loyalty to the Führer and the regime. Yet, he never ordered racial genocide or war crimes.
However, even he was accused as a war criminal for condoning the anti-partisan operations and racial genocide that occurred during the Rzhev battles on the Eastern Front, where he began to emerge as the German army’s hope.
There are no records of him giving direct orders, but given his position overseeing the Rzhev sector and his command style of personally inspecting the front lines and encouraging his soldiers, he must have known.
He had defied the Nazis head-on, ignoring orders to emphasize racial genocide, suppress the Warsaw Uprising, and even the Nero Decree to destroy Germany’s industrial facilities. In the end, he lamented having fought for a criminal regime. I had always wondered why he acted as he did at Rzhev.
I used to wonder if he thought he lacked the power to defy the Nazis on his own authority. But seeing Model’s attitude toward Brauchitsch today, I felt like I was beginning to understand.
Brauchitsch was a competent general and perhaps a mentor to Model, but he actively flattered the Nazis and repeatedly encouraged war crimes, issuing orders emphasizing that officers critical of such acts on the Eastern Front must obediently follow Nazi policy.
And yet, at the war crimes trials, he was the opportunist who first advanced the so-called “Clean Wehrmacht” myth, claiming that such atrocities were committed by the Nazis and the SS, while the Wehrmacht remained untainted.
Walter Model, too, could not have escaped the influence of his superior and mentor.
In an era of such madness, someone who is an exceptionally good person to you can be a devil to someone else.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way. I’ll see you next time.”
“Sir!”
As Brauchitsch departed, accepting the salutes from General Model and us, a familiar face approached with a camera.
“Captain Schacht?”
“Reporter Jung.”
“Hm? An acquaintance, Schacht?”
“Ah, yes. She’s helped me out in various ways. Haha.”
General Model showed interest as I exchanged greetings with Claudia.
“A pleasure to meet you, Major General, Captain. I’m Claudia Jung from the Frankfurter Zeitung.”
“Ah, a pleasure. I’m Major General Walter Model.”
“Oh, uh, Captain Roger Michael.”
After the introductions, General Model glanced back and forth between Claudia and me, then let out a small smirk. *No, I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not like that, General.*
“Since fate has brought us together like this, shall I take a picture for you?”
“Oh, would that be alright?”
“Of course. I’ve already gotten all the shots I need. And I owe Captain Schacht a favor.”
Perhaps because the Austrian tip I gave her, which she took a chance on, had turned into a huge scoop, Claudia seemed to be in high spirits.
Seeing her speak with a bright smile, General Model chuckled while sending a peculiar glance my way.
“Heh heh. Schacht, my friend, are you sure you’re keeping up with your General Staff course?”
“O-of course, General….”
*Ah, why are you looking at me like I’m some kind of philanderer like Clemens...*
Claudia took a picture of me, Michael, and General Model, promising to send it to me once it was developed.
The thought of seeing myself in a Wehrmacht uniform alongside General Model in a black-and-white photograph, just like the ones in history books… it felt strange, all over again.
“Well, I should be going now too. Schacht, Michael. I trust you won’t slack off just because I’m in Dresden.”
“Yes, General!”
As Michael and I straightened up and saluted, General Model returned the salute and left. It was disheartening to think how upset he must be, not even cracking one of his usual jokes.
Soon, Ludwig Beck, having lost all his trusted subordinates, would be unable to bear it and resign. Was Manstein also demoted around that time?
“Hey, Schacht.”
Wondering what it was, I followed Michael’s gaze and saw Claudia, who had just taken our picture, now in conversation with Ribbentrop, the new Foreign Minister who had replaced Baron von Neurath.
*Hmm, that business smile of hers is always so impressive. Ribbentrop is absolutely eating it up. Good grief, isn't that man married?*
While talking with the high-ranking Nazi official Ribbentrop, Claudia caught my eye and even had the composure to give me a wink.
*Hah. What was it she said? ‘The higher up the politicians and soldiers, the looser their lips get around a pretty woman.’*
“…What a stunning beauty.”
Hearing Captain Michael’s dazed comment, I couldn’t help but give him a flat look.
*Hey, hey. She may look like that, but she’s a terrifyingly seasoned reporter...*
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March 10, 1938
Berlin, Northern Germany
Berlin War College
Late at night, a time when the day’s duties should have been over and everyone resting, a siren suddenly blared, throwing everything into chaos.
Hearing the announcement summoning the cadets, I scrambled out of bed where I’d been about to sleep, frantically pulled on my officer’s uniform, and ran down to the first floor.
“My apologies for disturbing your rest at this late hour, gentlemen. But this is an urgent order from our great Führer. You are to immediately move toward Bavaria and participate in the operation to subdue Austria!”
As bewildered cadets instantly raised their hands everywhere to ask questions, the colonel who had come to deliver the news held up a hand to stop them and shouted.
“This is not a drill; it is a real situation! It is the Führer’s command that Germany will achieve a unified Greater Germany, even if it means going to war with Austria! Trains will be running on an extended schedule for the operation. The operation will commence on March 12th. Receive your assigned units and orders, and proceed to your destinations by train!”
*The colonel delivering the orders seems just as flustered as we are...*
The moment the order was given, the place erupted into a clamor of cadets calling out names and searching for their orders.
Damn it all. I’d heard the Wehrmacht was a mess because the Anschluss was so sudden, but this is just ridiculous!
We’re not even being assigned to units to move with them; we’re just told to go and assemble on our own. What is this, some kind of ragtag mob?
“Captain Schacht! Captain Schacht! Where are you!”
“Here!”
I pushed my way through the crowd of clamoring officers and took the orders handed to me by a second lieutenant.
What a total mess!
“Schacht!”
“Oh, Captain Michael.”
“I’m heading to Munich! 10th Division, XIII Army Corps!”
I tore open my orders. The assembly point… Regensburg. That’s in the direction of Linz, Hitler’s hometown, isn’t it?
“I’m for Regensburg. 18th Division, XI Army Corps….”
“Would’ve been nice if we were heading the same way.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Good luck! Let’s make General Model’s circle proud!”
“You too, Captain Michael. Good luck.”
In truth, I knew there wouldn't be a war, let alone any real combat...
Even so, I felt my throat go dry with tension.
This is it. The starting point.
I was beginning to be swept away by the predetermined tide of history.
The first territorial expansion that revealed Hitler’s ambition. The gates to World War II had opened.
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