Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Broken Faith (2)
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Germany had lost at Stalingrad, just as in history.
I pondered for a moment how to make use of the defeated German troops.
“Most of the surrendered German soldiers end up dying of disease or starvation.”
It seemed a waste to let them die like that.
I should bring them here and squeeze every bit of labor out of them.
I immediately sent a telegram to Stalin.
“To Secretary-General Stalin. On behalf of the Empire’s citizens, I offer my highest praise for Your Excellency’s astonishing victory.”
While flattering Stalin a bit, I subtly suggested handing over the Axis POWs in exchange for the value of goods they owed us.
It felt a little off, like the Atlantic slave trade era of buying and selling people, but I was convinced it was better for the Germans being sold.
After all, forced labor was preferable to death.
Stalin responded quite favorably to my proposal.
“Let’s do that.”
The Soviets had no choice but to starve the Axis POWs anyway.
With their own noses barely above water, what could they do?
Thanks to Stalin’s kindness, I was able to receive the German POWs shipped by train like parcels.
Of course, not all 150,000 arrived at once.
The first to arrive were the high-ranking German officers.
Normally, the Reds would have interrogated and exploited these senior officers thoroughly, but when I added that we were preparing for potential Korean troop involvement, they handed them over without objection.
Naturally, Paulus and his close aides among the top generals were out of the question.
I personally inspected the transferred German officers and held interviews with them.
A Jewish German handled the interpreting, so communication was no issue.
“They’ve all suffered. Make sure they get plenty of nutritional supplements, and then put them to work.”
“We’ll take care of it.”
Of course, I had no intention of assigning the officers to simple manual labor.
I had something else in mind for them.
“Im Ja.”
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
“Squeeze these German officers dry. Extract everything from German military tactics to strategy.”
“We’ll do that.”
“Security Command will handle the intelligence analysis. We need basic data ready when we push into Europe.”
“Yes. We’ll prepare thoroughly.”
I carefully sorted and prepared to utilize the “gifts” from Stalin.
Oh, right. I almost forgot this part.
“And single out the German officers who harbor strong resentment toward Hitler. We need them for some radio broadcasts.”
“Understood.”
A few days later, we launched our makeshift radio broadcasts.
If Japan used the Japanese-American “Tokyo Rose” to demoralize American troops, we used pure-blooded Germans for propaganda broadcasts.
In Berlin, they called the Germans appearing on our broadcasts “Pyongyang Hans.”
All twelve Pyongyang Hans delivered similar messages on the radio.
Amid upbeat music, they trashed Hitler’s balls.
“Hitler has one ball. Göring has two, but they’re very small.”
As soon as we aired the jaunty music mocking Hitler, Berlin fired back immediately.
“Traitors attached to vile beasts in human form exist. They are no longer great Germans! They are mongrels!”
Of course, Berlin’s rebuttals meant little.
The more they protested, the more pathetic they sounded.
And rightly so, because the German government itself had broadcast this about the Stalingrad “pocket”:
“Generals, officers, NCOs, and soldiers all fought together until their ammunition ran out. The Sixth Army’s sacrifice was not in vain. Because they died, we live today!”
The entire German army had supposedly fought to the last and died heroically.
Stalingrad was Germany’s Thermopylae (Note: The battle where Sparta’s King Leonidas fell against Persia).
Since the German government had proclaimed this, labeling anyone a “traitor” was tantamount to spitting on their own propaganda.
Wait. This could be perfect propaganda to rile up the German POWs.
I had them listen to their homeland’s broadcasts belittling them.
The survivors from hell erupted in rage.
“Those fucking bastards. Don’t they know how we fought there!”
Some German soldiers shouted that if given a gun, they’d go shoot Hitler themselves.
I liked this atmosphere.
I summoned Lee Kyung-ho from the Central Intelligence Agency.
“Im Ja.”
“Yes, Prime Minister.”
“Select POWs with particularly strong anti-Hitler sentiments and see if they can be used as our agents. Of course, give them thorough ideological training.”
Ideological training meant the “Lee Seong-jun series education.”
Though the revolutionary camps had been discontinued, their legacy lingered in the Republic.
“Understood.”
I decided to wrap up the POW matter there.
Then, an unexpected proposal arrived from the Soviets.
“Regarding those POWs, could you convert General Paulus to our side in Korea?”
What? Convert Paulus?
Impressed by our German POW conversion program(?), the Soviet authorities wanted to entrust Paulus to us.
No reason to refuse.
Paulus was a big fish, after all.
Once the deal was struck, Paulus rocketed to Korea via Soviet transport.
Not the Soviets—Sopang Man.
I spoke with General Paulus, courtesy of Sopang Man.
Contrary to expectations, Paulus turned out to be fiercely loyal to Germany.
“Though I surrendered, I have not forgotten that I am Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus of the German Army. I hope Your Excellency understands that I cannot betray my subordinates and comrades.”
A patriot, I see.
I had just the words for such a patriot.
“Let’s leave that aside and talk war. Does the Field Marshal believe Germany can win this war?”
Paulus said nothing.
“I believe the longer the war drags on, the greater the suffering for Germany. What was the cost of Germany’s victories in World War I? Astronomical reparations and territorial concessions proportional to the damage inflicted, right? The longer Germany holds out, the heavier the burden on its people.”
I hammered home that prolonging the war benefited Germans not at all.
Finally, the silent Paulus spoke.
“What do you expect from me, Your Excellency, to say such things?”
“Defect. Cooperate with the Soviets.”
Paulus’s eyebrows twitched.
“I said I do not betray.”
“Then, will the Field Marshal shirk his duty to protect the German people? Isn’t safeguarding the nation the Wehrmacht’s most vital mission?”
“I am a field marshal of the German Army.”
“That doesn’t matter now, Field Marshal. Look beyond your epaulets to your duty.”
Paulus wasn’t easily persuaded.
If he were, he’d have caved to Red threats.
But he was clearly starting to waver.
The key to breaking a patriot was always patriotism.
I gave Paulus time to think.
Two days later, Paulus requested a meeting.
Unlike before, he was cleanly shaven and dressed properly, looking every bit the field marshal—not some ragged survivor.
“I’ve deeply reflected on Your Excellency’s words. The more I thought, the more I realized you were right. What I must protect is not petty pride, but the future of the German people.”
As expected.
In the original history, Paulus only began cooperating with the Soviets after hearing of the failed Valkyrie plot.
I saw that as a crisis awakening.
The realization that no one would save the fatherland.
That must have moved Paulus.
Guessing this, I had targeted his sense of duty.
“Future Germans will honor the Field Marshal’s decision.”
“You flatter me. So, what role can this humble general play for the Allies?”
“Please head the German National Salvation Military Committee.”
“National Salvation Military Committee?”
The field marshal tilted his head.
It was an intentional name.
Koreans would get it instantly, which was a shame.
Only after the interpreter explained further did Paulus grasp my intent.
“Can I take on such a heavy responsibility?”
Paulus’s prestige in the German military wasn’t overwhelming.
But prestige could be manufactured.
“The Field Marshal’s decision saved 150,000 Axis troops from starvation, disease, and Soviet bullets. Who else could save so many?”
Polish a turd well enough, and it turns to gold.
Paulus wasn’t a turd—he was a proper commander.
After much hesitation, Paulus accepted my urging.
I informed Stalin as well.
“National Salvation Military Committee, eh. Odd name, but fine.”
Stalin approved of the concept.
In original history, he’d formed the Free Germany National Committee using Paulus as a figurehead, so no reason to oppose mine.
Stalin established the German National Salvation Military Committee and installed Paulus as chairman.
Over a year ahead of schedule, the anti-Hitler faction emerged openly.
Thus, the myth of a unified German front around Hitler shattered cleanly.
In its place lingered only divided gazes upon defeat.