167

Episode 167: Operation Barbarossa (3)

July 3, 1942

New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany

After the meeting in Wolfschanze, I headed to my next destination, Breslau.

In Breslau, the capital of Silesia and one of Germany's leading industrial cities, tanks, armored vehicles, artillery pieces, and locomotives for use on the Eastern Front are being manufactured.

Broad gauge locomotives were essential to maintain smooth supply in the Soviet Union, which used broad gauge rather than standard gauge.

The only large cities in Germany that manufactured broad-gauge locomotives were Breslau, Posen, and Bromberg, and other broad-gauge locomotive production plants were located in cities of the Polish protectorate, such as Warsaw, Cracow, Lublin, and Litzmannstadt.

"He is the Fuhrer!"

"Mr. President!"

As always, people were shocked by my visit and flocked to me, shouting "Heil Hitler" at the same time.

One thing worth noting was that 40% of the factory workers were women.

After the declaration of total war, all men of age eligible for conscription underwent a physical examination and were either enlisted or transferred to supplementary service or wartime service.

Those transferred to the wartime workforce were either too old to enlist or were working at various important industrial facilities, and were mainly workers at factories producing military and industrial equipment.

As the number and size of factories expanded according to the wartime situation, more workers were naturally needed, but since it was wartime and men had to enlist, women who were not subject to conscription filled the positions.

Foreign workers from the Czech Republic and Poland also helped to make up for the labor shortage in German industry, but there was opposition from hard-core racists such as Himmler, Heydrich, and Dahluge, who feared the spread of 'impure blood', and the security situation inside Germany in case of emergency. Due to the opinion within the military that this could worsen, foreign workers are being forced to work only in local factories as much as possible.

After touring the locomotive factory, we visited the Panther production plant a few hundred meters away.

Currently, an average of 335 Panthers are produced per month at Panther factories across Germany. Including the Berge Panther rescue tank, 5,000 units have been produced to date, and Todt has pledged to increase the average monthly production of the Panther to more than 400 units by the end of the year.

"The painted tanks enter the infrared drying tunnel, as shown."

After assembly and painting, the tanks enter a drying tunnel filled with infrared lights.

This drying tunnel was inspired from the actual tank production process in the United States during World War II. Entering an infrared drying tunnel can shorten the paint drying time from about 24 hours to just 4 minutes.

In this way, the tanks whose paint has completely dried are moved to the station, loaded onto waiting freight trains, and delivered to places where tanks are needed - mainly on the Eastern Front.

Parts for the 4th Panzer were being produced right next to the Panther factory.

Although production of the Panzer 4 has been officially discontinued in Germany, the number of Panzer 4s in operation within the German military alone amounts to approximately 18,000.

Although the Panther and Tiger are gradually increasing their proportions, the main force is still the 4, so there is a steady demand for spare parts.

The Kugelblitz, which uses the same chassis as Panzer 4, is still in production.

I was able to return to Berlin only after finishing my visit to Breslau, but returning to the capital did not mean I could rest.

"Mr. President! "It's been a long time since I last saw you."

The morning after returning to Berlin, I met Tissot, who was visiting Berlin.

Slovakia, a puppet state of Germany, dispatched troops to fight against the Polish army during the invasion of Poland, and is a unique country that immediately declared participation in the German-German War and dispatched 45,000 troops.

However, not all of the troops dispatched by Slovakia are on the Eastern Front.

To be honest, the combat power of the Slovak Army is no different from that of the Army's third-tier division, so it is mainly responsible for security and transportation tasks in the Polish Protectorate, and the Slovak Mobile Brigade, which was evaluated as having the best combat power, was attached to the Central Army Group and was used by the Soviet Army. are fighting with

"The Slovak people are deeply grateful to His Excellency the President for supporting Slovakia's independence. "Our entire population is working in munitions factories to repay our debt to Germany."

Tiso flattered me with a generous smile and at the same time subtly appealed that Slovakia was also working hard to help Germany win.

"For that, I am very grateful. So what do you want?"

I was tired from my recent tight schedule, so in order to shorten the meeting time a little, I skipped the rhetoric and got straight to the point.

Tissot must have sensed what I was thinking, so he immediately brought out his true feelings.

"The entire country of Slovakia is now in crisis."

"What do you mean, Slovakia is in crisis? "The National Defense Forces are already advancing into Soviet territory."

"Of course, the Soviet Union is the biggest threat, but Hungary is also an enemy of Slovakia just as much as the Soviet Union. Even now, Hungary frequently threatens Slovakia and demands territorial cession."

iced coffee. I said something and it was about Hungary.

Slovakia and Hungary are fellow Axis countries and are allied with Germany, but they are extremely hostile to each other.

Not long after the establishment of the First Slovak Republic, Hungary even invaded Slovakia to occupy the southern region of Slovakia, where many Hungarians lived.

The Slovak-Hungarian War, called the 'Little War', ended in Hungarian victory with dozens of casualties and 671 Slovak soldiers taken prisoner.

Although Hungary succeeded in achieving its war aims by annexing southern Slovakia. Since then, there have been frequent conflicts with Slovakia.

In this way, to the Slovaks, neighboring Hungary was an enemy as fearful as the Soviet Union.

Tiso knew that there was no chance of victory if Hungary mobilized its entire army to invade Slovakia after the war ended, and he wanted to ask for my help to prevent such a disaster.

"I understand what you are talking about."

When Tiso's lengthy and earnest appeal ended, I quickly nodded.

"This is asking Germany to step in and stop Hungary."

"That's right. It's a shame, but Slovakia lacks the power to defend itself. If Hungary invaded in earnest, Slovakia would be destroyed before it could last even two weeks. Please help our poor people."

The disappearance of Slovakia would not cause any damage to Germany, but there was no benefit in neglecting the conflict between the allies.

If Hungary were allowed to annex Slovakia, there was a high possibility that Hungary, now emboldened, would begin full-scale territorial expansion and poke around at neighboring countries.

Romania may be left out and try to conquer Serbia and possibly Croatia as well.

According to the Greater Hungarianism advocated by Hungarians, the entire territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, excluding Austria and the Czech Republic, is 'the legitimate territory of Hungary.'

Naturally, the barely established European order will return to the situation it was in five minutes before the collapse, and as the theory of responsibility for Germany's failure to stop Hungary and neglect arises, the Axis powers will also take steps to disintegrate.

It shouldn't be like that.

"To ensure the security of Slovakia, we will deploy the National Defense Forces to the border area between Slovakia and Hungary. As long as the Wehrmacht is permanently stationed, Hungary will no longer be able to overtake Slovakia."

"Thank you so much, Mr. President! The Fuhrer is the true benefactor of Slovakia. As soon as we return to Bratislava, we will immediately place a square named after His Excellency the Führer-"

"That's it. I don't think Slovakians will like it very much. "I feel like I have more to say."

Tiso quickly nodded. Okay, I don't think I came all the way here to talk about this.

"I feel relieved now that we have Germany's protection, but I still believe that our military must also have its own strength so that Hungary will not be able to arbitrarily invade our territory. Wouldn't it be good for Germany if the Slovak army becomes stronger?"

I said it in a roundabout way, but that was my true intention. I want to bulk up, so give me a weapon.

It may be a shameless request from a German perspective, but Tissot's request is not incomprehensible.

Compared to the Hungarian army, one of the strongest armies in Eastern Europe, the Slovak army was like a baby who had just started walking.

The Slovak Army's best tank is the Bf109E, which the Air Force has only about 30 units, and the LT-40, a slightly improved version of the LT-38, is the best tank in the Slovak Army.

The Slovak Mobile Brigade under the Central Army Group is operating the 4th Panzer, which was loaned to us by our troops, but it is a loan rather than a donation, and even this is only a small quantity, so it is no match for the Hungarian Army, which is producing the 4th Panzer on its own.

The only consolation is that there was a generous supply of anti-tank weapons, the Panzerfaust.

"That makes sense. After all, there is nothing good about having weak allies."

"That is a reasonable statement."

"First, we will transfer some of the Soviet-made equipment captured by our forces to the Slovak Army deployed on the Eastern Front, and also donate 88mm anti-aircraft guns and PaK 40s. The No. 4 tank lent to the Slovak Mobile Brigade will also be converted into a donation, and one platoon of Panthers and one company of Hatchers will also be supported."

"Oooh!"

"And we will also donate the Bf109G and Fw190D and allow you to receive training within Germany. "This should be enough, right?"

"Of course, of course! thank you!"

***

July 4, 1942

New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany

Tissot returned to Bratislava with a smile.

On the same day, Bulgaria, which had declared neutrality until now, declared war on the Soviet Union and announced that it would send regular troops, not volunteers.

The secret agreement that the Soviet Union had previously proposed to Romania but was rejected may have been a big factor, but I think the sense of crisis caused by the performance of rival Romania may have had a greater influence on the decision to enter the war.

In fact, there was a tendency within the party and military to value Romania more highly than Bulgaria.

Coincidentally, that day was the day of the meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Ion Antonescu.

Antonescu, who visited Berlin, went to the new Fuhrer residence after being inspected by the SS honor guard, like Tiso yesterday.

Before the meeting, as a token of my friendship for Germany and Romania, I awarded him the Knight's Cross and presented him with a platinum-plated Luger P08.

As expected, Antonescu was very happy to receive the unexpected surprise gift.

The meeting took place in a more cordial atmosphere than yesterday (although this does not mean that the atmosphere of yesterday's meeting was bad).

I asked Antonescu to increase the amount of oil Romania supplies to Germany, to send Romanian workers to Germany, and to send an additional 120,000 Romanian troops to the Eastern Front.

"In return, we will recognize Transnistria and Odessa as Romanian territory. "Not to mention Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, which were lost to the Russians."

"great. "I will do that."

Antonescu accepted my request without any hesitation.

Now that we're done talking, it's Antonescu's turn to speak.

"I would like to say a few things about the Hungarian problem."

I almost said, "Are we talking about Hungary this time?" I already got sick of hearing it from Tissot yesterday.

Still, since he accepted our request without any fuss, we'll have to listen to it first.

"Northern Transylvania, which Hungary took from Romania."

no way… . You're not trying to ask me to take it back, are you? Then it gets really annoying.

"Do you want to ask me to take back North Transylvania?"

"Ah, that's not it. "Please don't misunderstand."

phew. Thank goodness. It seemed like he knew that the request was impossible. I took a breather.

"Hungary is targeting South Transylvania. Just before the Soviet Union invaded, Hungary increased its troops in Northern Transylvania to put pressure on Romania. Fortunately, they have now regained their strength, but when the war is over, they may reveal their hidden teeth again.

Therefore, please make sure that Germany does not allow Hungary to be greedy for Romania's territory anymore. "If Hungary invades, all Romanians will unite and fight, but my Majesty and I want to avoid bloodshed as much as possible."

That's not a difficult request. I quickly nodded.

"Don't worry about that. Romania is an ally who fought alongside Germany and shed blood, so she will not allow her allies to fight each other. "I swear."

"thank you. And our soldiers. "Like the German army, the Romanian army is fighting the Bolsheviks to protect order and peace in Europe, and the damage is indescribable."

The Romanian army is supporting one axis of the Eastern Front by sending 500,000 troops, the second largest number among the Axis armies after the German army.

However, the Romanian army was hindered by its shabby armament compared to its size, and the Soviet army only focused its attacks on the Romanian army, which was relatively weaker than the powerful German army, so the damage to the Romanian army was indescribable.

Currently, due to the consideration of Kleist, Commander-in-Chief of Army Group South, the Romanian army has largely left the offensive to the German army and retreated to the rear to reorganize.

"So, I hope that Germany will provide some help in rearmament of the Romanian army."

As I guessed, it was the same story as Tissot. Please give me some weapons. If possible, a big and powerful one.

***

"This is it. "I'm so confused as to whether I'm the Fuhrer or an arms dealer."

"But isn't it a good thing that the negotiations ended well?"

Goering said: In general, most people were satisfied with the results of this meeting. Only Brauchitsch raised some objections.

"No disrespect to the Romanians, but is there any reason to give them 10 Tigers each? I think just giving the Panther would be enough... ."

"But in return, we were promised oil, workers, and even additional troops, so wouldn't that be the only business left to us? "Wouldn't it be better to just produce weapons at a factory?"

"The Marshal of the Reich is right. "Unlike weapons that can be produced in a factory, oil does not come from anywhere."

When Keitel also added to Goering's words, Brauchitsch shrugged his shoulders.

The two economic experts didn't seem to think it was a loss-making business, seeing as they didn't say much about the amount of aid I had decided to provide to the Romanian military.

Returning to the Eastern Front, Brauchitsch explained the progress of our troops.

Vilnius, Brest, Lwów, Kovel, Lutsk, Brody, and Lida fell, and over 70,000 prisoners were taken.

"Currently, the Northern Army Group is advancing toward Riga, and the Central Army Group is advancing toward Minsk. Soon, Army Group South will also launch an offensive and advance toward Kiev.

And one peculiar thing is that the residents of the areas liberated by our troops are reacting very favorably to our troops. "Not only in Lithuania, but also in Belarus and Ukraine."

"That's not unusual, it's natural. Who in their right mind would welcome Stalin-style dictatorship? Of course, our troops are bound to be seen as liberation forces."

Local residents, tired of the Communist Party's tyranny, warmly welcomed our troops entering their cities and villages by holding grand welcoming events decorated with flower bouquets.

In actual history, it is said that when Germany invaded the Soviet Union, residents in every village came out with bouquets of flowers and held an enthusiastic welcome event, which made them embarrassed to be German soldiers.

The Soviets, who were tired of the communist system, welcomed the arrival of the German army, but as the Nazi tyranny began, they too turned into enemies.

In accordance with the Generalplan Ost, also known as the 'Eastern Plan', Germany recklessly massacred, oppressed, and exploited the Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Russians who welcomed themselves as liberators.

Naturally, the residents became partisans and fought against the German army, which led to even greater massacres and contributed enormously to turning the Eastern Front into the biggest and worst hell in human history.

"Please tell this to each military commander. Be sure to be friendly with the residents and seek their cooperation no matter what. Do not requisition even a single potato, and pay the full price unconditionally. At the same time, tell anyone who violates this to be severely punished. The Wehrmacht must always be an army of liberation, never seen as an army of occupation. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mr. President."