258

Episode 258: Tug of war (11)

Who would have imagined it even 10, or even 5 years ago?

We will see cities in Britain, the world's greatest superpower, being destroyed and burned by the National Defense Forces.

Rommel's heart swelled as he looked at the gray pillars soaring high into the sky, dividing the vast sky into individual pieces.

The sound of our troops' heavy artillery was booming from the front.

In the field, the tragically destroyed Sherman and Cromwell tanks were left abandoned along with the charred corpses of the tank crews.

Although there were remains of Hatchers and Panthers mixed in, American and British tanks were overwhelmingly numerous.

"They say our soldiers call enemy tanks Ronson Lighters. "The armor is poor, and if you hit it, it catches fire right away or something."

"Ha ha ha ha ha… … ."

German tank crews called Anglo-American tanks "tin cans" or "Ronson lighters."

This was because Ronson Lighter's advertising slogan was 'It catches fire in just one go', which soon developed into a slang term for British and American tanks.

In fact, American soldiers used Zippo lighters much more than Ronson lighters.

However, this did not mean that Sherman and Cromwell were inferior in performance.

Their performance was on a par with that of the Panzer IV, but the relatively inexperienced Allied tankers often struggled against the Panzer IV driven by the experienced German tankers.

In addition, it was common for them to break down helplessly in front of the heavily armored Panthers and Tigers, which earned them the humiliating nickname Ronson Reiter.

The motorcycle soldiers who were leading the prisoners to the rear recognized Rommel riding in a Mercedes-Benz G5 and hurriedly saluted him.

The prisoners could not hide their expressions of surprise at seeing in person a famous person they had only heard about.

"this. "Do you think Tommy recognizes me?"

"Your Excellency's name is famous not only among our allies but also among our enemies. "There is not a single person in Europe who does not know your name."

"Your Excellency is probably the most famous person after your Excellency the President."

"Hey, you people. "I'm done flattering you."

In response to the flattery of his advisors, Rommel waved his hand as if everything was okay, but was unable to hide the way his mouth turned up.

Rommel's name was already widely known among the Allies due to his activities in France and Italy, the blocking of the Allied landings at Dieppe, and the invasion of the British mainland.

Who would have known that he, who was a commoner and not a nobleman and was deprived of the Order of Merit because his major was taken over by another officer, would rise to his current position? Rommel's heart swelled.

Now, no one can look down on him because he is from a commoner background, and he has officers from noble families as his subordinates.

The active support of Führer Hitler, who was a fellow commoner and knew Rommel's joys and sorrows well, also played a big role in Rommel's success.

If it were not for the Fuhrer, who promoted him quickly and gave him command of an armored division despite opposition from the old guard of the Wehrmacht, he would have ended up as a division commander or corps commander at most.

However, now he has become a big man with the enormous title of Marshal and Deputy Commander of the Western Front.

Even in Germany, there were only a handful of people who had the same or higher status as Rommel.

Rommel's goal now was to obtain the surrender of the Tommies as quickly as possible and deliver the news of victory to the Fuhrer, whom he greatly respected.

The President said that the British occupation should end within August, so there is only about a month left.

However, the enemy has now lost most of its troops and equipment, and all that remains is a crude militia made up of boys and old people.

Easily defeat this ragtag group and march all the way to Glasgow at once to capture Churchill, the leader of the Tommies!

Do you know anything? After the war ends, will Erwin Rommel become the next Chief of Staff of the Army or Commander-in-Chief of the Army?

Of course, both Reichenau, who is currently the Chief of Staff of the Army, and Brauchitsch, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, have the absolute trust of the Führer, so it will take a little more time until Rommel's turn, but these two are not in very good health.

Brauchitsch suffers from heart disease, and Reichenau suffered a brain hemorrhage in January last year and was hospitalized for a while.

Although both have now recovered to some extent in their health, a military doctor follows them around the clock to prepare for any unexpected situation.

Unlike others who suffer from health problems, Rommel has no health problems even though he spends every day on the battlefield.

'If Churchill is also captured here… … !'

Erwin Rommel, Commander-in-Chief of the Army or Chief of Staff of the Army. Thinking of that scene, Rommel burst into laughter without realizing it.

A procession of refugees was seen moving to the left of the vehicle, but it did not catch Rommel's eyes.

"dismissal? "Is something good happening?"

"iced coffee. I just remembered something funny a long time ago and laughed. "Hmm, it's a breath of fresh air."

At that time, one of the refugees broke away and took something out of his arms. It was a submachine gun.

The driver, seeing the flames coming from the muzzle of the submachine gun, quickly applied the brakes. A gunshot rang out, and the bullet flew into the bulletproof glass and hit it with a loud thud.

"Go, Your Excellency!"

"Your Excellency Marshal!!"

***

August 1, 1943

Bonn, Germany

"No shame, Mr. President... … ."

"That's it. "All I had to do was survive."

The bullet that passed through Rommel's body damaged his lungs.

The British soldier disguised as a refugee was killed on the spot, and Rommel's life was saved thanks to the first aid provided by his staff. He was sent to Germany and admitted to the Wehrmacht Hospital in Bonn.

The doctor in charge of Rommel said that the critical moment had passed and that his life was not in danger now, but that he needed some time to recuperate.

However, rather than feeling relieved that he had survived a near-death crisis, Rommel lamented the reality of having to recuperate in the rear with the conquest of Britain just around the corner.

"Mr. President. Even though I'm injured, it doesn't interfere with my work. So take me back to England-"

"Write."

"… … ."

"Stop talking nonsense and get treatment quietly. And then what happens when you get caught up in it? If the Marshal dies, it will not only be a huge loss for the Wehrmacht and Germany, but Tommy will also want to kill him. Are you planning to donate valuable propaganda to your enemies?"

"Oh, no… … ."

"Anyway, the enemy has done more than enough so far. By the time my recuperation is over, the war will also be over. It is said that the enemy's family is also coming to the example, so spend some quality time with his family for the first time in a while. "War is precious, but isn't family also precious?"

"That is a reasonable statement."

"Then, let's meet at the transfer event in London."

I left the hospital, leaving behind Rommel, who looked like he was going to die of regret, and was greeted enthusiastically by hospital staff.

This is why no one knows what happens to people. We are winning the war, but an unfortunate accident almost occurs where we die earlier than in history.

"Tell the generals in England. "The enemy may have disguised themselves as refugees, so conduct a thorough body search and avoid getting near the refugees as much as possible."

"Yes, Mr. President."

"I will instruct you to be more thorough in guarding and searching local residents."

"Now that Rommel is like that, I think we need to appoint a new second-in-command. "Who do you think would be better?"

"Wouldn't Marshal Kluge be the best fit?"

"Marshal Kluge… … . Actually, judging from his experience and skills, he would be the best fit. "Don't do that."

"But Marshal Kluge was in charge of Army Group B. "If Marshal Kluge is appointed as deputy commander of the Western Front, the position of Army Group B will become vacant."

That too. So who should be appointed to the position of Army Group B?

"I will appoint Hausser, who is the commander of the 7th Army, as the commander of Army Group B. Marshal Hubert Lanz was appointed as commander of the 7th Army."

"Are you talking about Hausser?"

"exactly. Is there a problem?"

A look of bewilderment crossed Brauchitsch's face when he heard that Hausser would be appointed commander of Army Group B. I realized what he was trying to say and struck first.

"I don't want you to hear that I'm opposed to Hausser because he's part of the Waffen-SS, because it's cliché."

"Uh, uh… … that is… … ."

Seeing that he was confused and confused, it seems he hit the nail on the head. But Brauchitsch was not about to back down.

"Regardless of the fact that Hausser is a member of the Waffen-SS, I have doubts about whether he can properly command the Army Group. "He has never commanded a group of troops the size of an army."

"He was already the commander of the 7th Army and skillfully commanded the field army. And the generals who were appointed as group army commanders were not all appointed as group army commanders because they had previous experience in commanding army groups."

Brauchitsch, who has long been opposed to the SS, would not look upon the birth of the first army group commander from the SS. But what should I know? All you need is ability, why is your background so important?

"Does anyone think that Hausser is not capable? If you have one, please raise your hand. "Let me judge again."

I looked back just in case, but no one raised their hand.

I don't know if it was because he noticed that I had singled out Hausser as the commander of Army Group B, or because he was just worried that something was going out of my control.

"Everyone has no objection, so it doesn't matter. Still, don't worry. If he is poor at commanding or makes a mistake, I will immediately replace him with someone else. At that time, he will be the person recommended by the enemy. So, let's leave this matter behind."

"yep."

***

After the news of Rommel's attack spread, the vigilance of the German and Axis forces stationed in England became even stronger than before.

In particular, the Danish and Norwegian troops, who had a stronger hatred of Britain than Germany, used this as an excuse to enforce coercive rule over the local residents.

"You there! Come here!"

"What's inside? open it."

In the areas occupied by the Danish and Norwegian forces, random searches and house searches were conducted several times a day.

The local population feared the Danish and Norwegian armies more than the German armies.

The German army was not very kind to the local people, but the Scandinavian army was more severe than the German army, not less so.

"Open the door! "Why don't you open it soon!?"

"What is this gun again?"

Danish troops entered a British home under the pretext of searching, saw a shotgun hanging on the wall, and started an argument with the homeowner.

"I've been telling you all along to report all firearms to the authorities, right? "Is this really reported?"

"Oh, I haven't reported it yet… … ."

"You didn't report it? "Isn't this the Resistance?"

"Oh, you misunderstand! "My family is by no means the Resistance!"

There were many cases where people were investigated under the pretext of shotguns or handguns kept at home, and requisitioning of supplies occurred frequently.

"Please no! "Just take a look!"

"Why don't you let go quickly? "It's really true."

The farm owner grabbed the officer's pants and pleaded with the Danish army, who invaded the farm and tried to take away the cows and calves, but the Danish army officer pointed a pistol at him and scolded him.

The farm owner's body became stiff when he saw the gun aimed between his eyes.

The German army also often requisitioned supplies from farms, but in many cases, they had to pay at least the price or write down an IOU under the strict orders of the Fuhrer.

However, there were many cases where the Danish and Norwegian troops took livestock without a permit, telling them to go to the local headquarters and talk to them.

"What's your expression? "Don't you take care of your facial expressions?"

"Pick it? "Oh, you want to pick it?"

"So, who threatened war with a sword?"

"If we win, we win the war."

"Kaaak, hehe!"

It was not incomprehensible, considering the resentment of Denmark and Norway, whose cities were burned by Britain's preemptive strike despite their claims of neutrality, and who were subjected to RAF airstrikes even after Operation Sea Lion, but from the perspective of the British civilians who were affected, it was not a matter of consideration at all. It wasn't.

"You fucking thugs!"

"Fuck you. Those bastards who only believe in Hitler's butt… … ."

"How long are you going to live with this?"

"Even an earthworm squirms when you step on it, so why should we, citizens of the British Empire, just shut up like this?"

The oppressive rule of Denmark and Norway naturally led to a backlash from the British, which soon led to resistance activities by the residents.

Soon, there were frequent incidents of British soldiers shooting submachine guns or throwing grenades at the backs of Danish soldiers and then running away.

Or, there was an incident in which a villager working as a handyman in a Danish military garrison poisoned the soup that the Danish soldiers were eating, causing the Danish soldiers to be massacred.

"What on earth is going on?"

"Cyanide was detected in the soup. "It must have been the British who did it."

"I heard that two Norwegian military police officers on patrol were attacked two days ago."

"You fucking British bastards! "How dare you, how dare you!!"

The British resistance was naturally met with retaliation from the Danish and Norwegian armies.

At first, this was done by publicly shooting captured resistance fighters or hanging their hanged bodies on electric poles as a warning.

However, as the British resistance continued, the response of the Danish and Norwegian troops also increased in intensity.

"Get them all!"

"You bastards!"

"Aaaah! "Mom!"

At first, only the resistance members were executed, but even the families of the resistance members were arrested as accomplices, and merciless torture was used to identify their accomplices.

Beating or shooting to death farmers who protested against conscription also occurred frequently.

Among the Axis forces stationed in Britain, the failure of the French and Spanish troops also aroused opposition from the British.

Since France was once an ally of Britain, the French army had no particularly ill feelings toward the British locals, but the colonial troops, made up of colonials from Morocco and Algeria, had no qualms about actively looting private homes and committing crimes such as assault and rape.

This is also true for the Spanish army's Regulares.

However, the Danish and Norwegian troops, who had a direct grudge against Britain, were on a different level.

"Don't look at the British people's circumstances. If they resist, beat them mercilessly! "For the criminals who started the war, mercy is a luxury!"

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Lieutenant General William Vane Prior, commander of the Danish army, ordered the Danish army to show an example to the British, and the soldiers under his command strictly followed the commander's words.

Norwegian Army Chief of Staff General Christian Roque also ordered the British to be treated as forcefully as Prior.

Naturally, the soldiers absolutely obeyed the commander's orders.

"This is an order from His Excellency Commander! Show no mercy to the British pigs!"

"Die, you bastard!"

"Aaaah!"

People with their heads broken by butts wielded by the occupying forces rolled through the streets, and public shootings occurred frequently.

The number of counter-bombings also increased, and the violence of the occupying forces also increased in intensity under the pretext of retaliating for the terrorist attacks.

Blood flowed everywhere.