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April 19, 1948
Seoul, South Korea
"Mr. President! It's an honor to meet you again!"
"How have you been?"
I smiled and greeted Son Ki-jeong and Nam Seung-ryong, who gave a 90-degree bow. They were brought by Kim Gu, who remembered that they had met me in the past.
"Meeting with His Excellency the President as a free person in liberated Korea... … Even if I die right now, I have no time left."
"Is it okay for a young man to say something like that already? Anyway, nice to meet you. It's been 12 years since we met at the Olympics. Doesn't time go by quickly?"
During my visit to the Berlin Olympics, I was unable to take a commemorative photo because my meeting with them was officially a secret.
Son Ki-jeong and Nam Seung-ryong were also very disappointed about this, so instead, I brought my photo, signed it, and gave it to them as a gift.
But now I didn't have to worry about it because I didn't have to worry about anyone. At first, the three of us gathered together to take pictures, then we took pictures one by one, and finally we took pictures together with the players' families.
"Unit at attention!"
Syngman Rhee still gave me a wary look, as if he was getting on my nerves, but he still did not forget that I was the German Fuhrer.
I, along with the members of the Fuhrer's residence who followed me, received a review of the new Korean army. Since this was a review ceremony held in front of the German Fuhrer, I could see that everyone was very energetic.
Look at those perfect fives and ten. Although it does not meet the standards of the National Defense Force, it is safe to say that the military of a new nation that has only been independent for four years is well-disciplined at this level.
however… … Apart from the abundance of spirit, the equipment was not that good. It was better than the Tibetan army, which had no armor or air force and only bare infantry, but the condition of the Korean army could not be said to be good even with empty words.
After Japan's defeat, the United States ruled Korea as trustee for three years and then withdrew from the Korean Peninsula in 1947.
However, it seems as if there was not much left behind during the withdrawal, as the number of American-made equipment that appeared at the review ceremony could be counted on one hand.
The helmets the soldiers wore on their heads were a mix of Japanese Type 90 helmets and stahlhelms believed to have been provided by the National Revolutionary Army, the guns were a mix of Type 99 rifles and M1 Garands, and the tanks were Type 89.
"This is almost like a militia."
As I was looking at the Taegeukgi painted on the side of the Reich's turret, Rommel expressed his feelings in a whisper.
"Compared to the Korean military, the Indian and Chinese troops were elite."
"That's right. The LSSAH or Das Reich alone could take on the entire force of this country's military."
Himmler also agreed with Rommel's words in a low voice. Without even going to the Waffen-SS, he would have been able to fight and win against the entire Republic of Korea Army by just bringing in the 2nd and 3rd level divisions of the Wehrmacht.
The state of the ROK military in 1948 was truly absurd.
"What more can you expect from a young, weak country that has only been independent for four years? "Still, you seem to be well disciplined."
It was obvious that if I joined, the position of the Korean army among the Germans would fall further into the abyss, so I provided my own shield.
Still, there are tanks that did not exist in the actual historical ROK military, so it is not at the very bottom.
It is comparable to the Type 89, which is known for its poor performance, but even if it is rotten, a decent tank is better than nothing.
The Air Force could be said to be in a slightly better situation than the Army.
Although it was smaller than the army, it was mainly using the Hayate, which had a decent performance level by World War II standards.
Even though the era has moved on to jets, prop planes were used as much as jets until the 1950s, so the Hayate, which was evaluated as having the best performance among the World War II prop planes, is pretty good.
"Compared to the invincible German army, there are many shortcomings."
Lee Beom-seok, who had roughly figured out what the generals were thinking by looking at their expressions, spoke in a bitter tone.
The reality of the Korean army, which had no choice but to show such a humble appearance to the generals of Germany, reputed to be the world's strongest army, seemed shameful to him.
"If the object of comparison is the German army, it won't be the same even if you bring troops from any country in the world."
Is this a good level for a weak country's military? If the target of comparison was the German army in the first place, there would be only a handful of armies that could be called an army.
"Prime Minister, let me ask you one question."
"yes. "Please ask anything."
"The Americans must have left something behind when they withdrew from the Korean Peninsula. Isn't there anything like that?"
In response to Brauchitch's question, Beomseok Lee shook his head with a small sigh.
"Now that the war is over, I thought they would donate the remaining weapons, but all they ended up with were rifles and a few grenades. He was trying to dispose of Japanese tanks and fighter planes, but he managed to get them due to the circumstances. "
According to Beom-seok Lee, the United States completely ignored his request to provide heavy weapons, replying that Korea had no need for war in the future, so what would they do with such weapons?
But if you look at the facts alone, it is not unreasonable for the United States to judge that way.
In fact, Korea is in a very stable security situation. There will be no division, no redistribution of China, and Japan will be ruled by the United States for the next several decades and will forever be prohibited from having an army.
Compared to the actual history of having suffered from security anxiety ever since independence, it is nothing short of heaven.
In the SD report I received before my trip to Asia, I heard that the United States was supplying weapons to pro-American countries in Central and South America, the Soviet Union, and British troops stationed in African colonies.
Giving weapons to Korea, which is less important, would not help, so they were probably removed from the list.
It may be very disappointing from Korea's point of view, but from the United States' point of view, it is just a reasonable decision.
However, it was fortunate that aid such as food and medicine continued to be provided.
As I was eating after the inspection ceremony, Syngman Rhee, who was sitting next to me, was talking in a low voice with his wife, and then suddenly he spoke quietly to me.
"I heard that German-made weapons perform better than American weapons."
"Not all equipment is like that, but it's generally like that."
"I heard that Germany has a surplus of weapons now that the war is over. Is that true?"
After the war ended and the army was reduced, the remaining weapons were distributed to allies such as Britain, Hungary, and Ukraine or stored in warehouses as decoration materials. When I nodded, Syngman Rhee brought out his true feelings.
"How about handing over some of the surplus weapons to Korea?"
At Syngman Rhee's words, I stopped trying to bring the grilled neobani to my mouth and looked straight at him.
It was not because it was absurd, but because it was difficult to believe that such words came from Syngman Rhee's mouth.
Syngman Rhee, a pro-American, is asking Germany for some weapons? What's going on here? It turns out that Syngman Rhee was not pro-Germany or that he converted. What on earth?
"America won't like it very much."
"That is correct. But what can you do? "Even when we ask for help, they don't even listen."
Syngman Rhee continued speaking after drinking coffee.
"Of course I won't ask for it for free. We will hand over some of the tungsten produced in this country to Germany. What do you think? "Isn't this a pretty good deal?"
Korea's abundant tungsten will be handed over to Germany, and Germany will provide weapons to Korea. Once you hear it, it's not a bad condition.
However, as mentioned earlier, it is cheaper to import tungsten from China than to import tungsten from Korea.
When I explained these points and expressed that it was difficult, Syngman Rhee was very disappointed.
"There is no way this country would go to war with a foreign country anyway, right? "What Korea needs now is not weapons, but factories and food."
"That is correct. However, the reason President Daehan lost his country to the Japanese was because the country had no power. Since there will be no war in the future, neglecting national defense will bring about great disaster in the future. A country that forgets its past is bound to repeat the same history."
Well, it's not wrong, but I think it's time to focus on economic development rather than national defense.
Still, it was only four years ago that the country was ruled by Japan, so it was understandable that they were keen on strengthening their national defense capabilities.
Since it had been less than five years since we were liberated from the sorrow of losing our country, it was not strange to worry that something similar might happen at any time.
"I'm telling you, I have no intention of conquering the world. Just enough strength to protect our rivers, mountains and seas is enough."
"I understand what you mean. Let's go back and review it positively."
***
Syngman Rhee, a pro-American, was convinced that Korea and Germany could never become closer.
The only country that Korea should be friendly with is the United States, not Germany. That belief did not change even after Hitler visited Korea.
His recommendation to sell German weapons to Hitler was a meticulous calculation of his own.
"Isn't the possibility of Korea going to war with another country anyway very low? But do you really need a weapon?"
"Even if Korea is attacked by a foreign country, don't worry, the U.S. military stationed in Japan will immediately come rushing to Korea's rescue."
"You idiots! "They are like people who only know one thing and don't know the other!"
Syngman Rhee was indignant at the United States for ignoring Syngman Rhee's request to provide weapons to Korea, but he had no choice but to outwardly comply.
Currently, Korea barely survives on aid from the United States, but if the United States were to show hatred for no reason, there was a possibility that the aid that was coming would be cut off.
However, Syngman Rhee, who could not give up independent national defense, devised a strategy to draw the United States' attention by 'pretending to attract Germany'.
If the United States learns that South Korea is trying to import weapons from Germany, the United States will have no choice but to accept South Korea's request to prevent Korea from getting closer to Germany.
The United States may be displeased with the fact that Korea attempted to import weapons to Germany, but it will not be able to give up on Korea.
As soon as the United States abandons Korea, Korea will join Germany, which means that Germany's strategic base will be created in the Far East.
The United States could kick him out of the presidency, but the possibility of that happening was small. The United States would also know that there is no one more suitable to lead this country than him.
Kim Gu and Lee Beom-seok were so outspoken that there was quite a bit of friction with the U.S., and Yeo Un-hyeong was a left-wing figure, so he had no business being liked by the U.S.
This is especially true of Park Heon-young, a true communist.
Soon, a phone call will come in from the United States. Do you know anything? They may say that they will increase not only weapons but also the amount of aid... … .
The uneasy feeling he felt when Hitler first said he would come to Korea disappeared, and now he went to bed with a happy heart, having come up with a plan to use Hitler to influence America.
***
May 23, 1948
New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany
When I returned to Germany after a long tour of Asia, I was exhausted.
This is it. All I did was take the boat and train alternately, take some pictures, eat and have a meeting, and did a few silly things, but I was feeling very tired.
At times like this, the aging of the body only accelerated.
Still, I was satisfied to be able to see with my own eyes the liberation of our country, which I had long dreamed of.
Everywhere I went, people and compatriots welcomed me wholeheartedly.
I don't know if Kim Guna or Lee Beom-seok gave separate instructions or people did it voluntarily, but everywhere I went, people said, "We sincerely welcome the visit of Fuhrer Adolf Hitler" or "For the friendship and future of Korea and Germany!" Banners and posters with the same words written in Korean and German fluttered everywhere, and people always flocked like a cloud to see the German Fuhrer.
"As expected, His Excellency the President's popularity is skyrocketing even in this small country."
Reichenau seemed surprised that there were many people who wanted to see me, even in a country on the far eastern border that was difficult to find on a map.
"I'm surprised too. "I never thought so many people would gather."
Although Germany went to war with Japan, the country that directly liberated Korea was the United States. Nevertheless, people cheered when they saw me, a sidekick.
"Now that I think about it, the temple I saw earlier had a picture of Hakenkreuz on the front door. Could it be that Koreans see the German flag and think that they believe in Buddhism like they do?"
"ha ha ha. no way… … ."
I found out a little later, but Brauchitsch's joke was true.
When Koreans saw the Hakenkreuz flag, the theory that Germany was a country that believed in the same Buddhism was widespread in Korea at the time.
At the same time, the rumor that First Lady Francesca and I were both from Austria and had affection for Korea was spreading as if it were true.
When this rumor spread in Korea, which had a favorable view of me due to the previous Olympics and the scholarship fund, the theory that Fuhrer Hitler liked Korea was solidified as fact.
The result itself is ironic in that it is not wrong.
Now that Korea has avoided the division and the huge negative news of the Korean War, the only task left for Korea is economic growth.
Due to Asia's small role in the Cold War, there will be no large-scale support and investment from the United States, so economic growth will not be difficult, but this alone can be considered fortunate as the disaster that devastated the country and killed millions of people due to war was avoided. There will be.
During his trip to Korea, I spoke with ministers about sending some of the retired equipment mentioned by Syngman Rhee to Korea in exchange for tungsten and selling weapons requested by Chiang Kai-shek.
"It doesn't matter if you're selling weapons to China, as long as you make money. But… … ."
"I don't think it will help Germany much if we try to bring in a weak and insignificant country like Korea. It may only make relations with the United States uncomfortable."
"It is attractive that there are many buried resources, but the distance is too far, and Germany already has many sources of resources. There is no reason to rely on Korea, which is far away."
"Okay."
Ribbentrop had reservations for diplomatic reasons, and Schacht had reservations because it was not particularly economical. Although he was upset, he could not deny it because it was all a fact.
In the end, I decided to give up on providing weapons to our country, but Keitel raised a counterargument.
"everyone. "There is something wrong with you."
"You're saying I'm wrong?"
"exactly. Do you think the President, who has a genius vision, brought up the issue of Korea's arms donation without even thinking about it? "Isn't that because everything is intentional?"
"… … !"
Ribbentrop and Schacht's attitudes changed after hearing Keitel's words.
"Of course, Korea is a small country that is far away and has an underdeveloped industry. However, in terms of location, it is located between Japan and China, making it a strategic point for access to all continents and oceans, and the population is quite large compared to the territory. In other words, it is valuable as a potential market for Germany."
"Uhm, indeed…" … ."
While Keitel continued his explanation, I sat in my seat, pretending to be solemn.
It's an objection I've thought about, but I didn't think it would work, so I stayed quiet and didn't expect Kytel to say it for me.
"The possibility is small, but if we can bring Korea to Germany's side, we can use it as an important base to attack the Soviet Union's Far East in case of emergency. And from our point of view, there is nothing to be sorry about because it is not the latest weapon, but outdated equipment that has been retired."
Thanks to Keitel's unexpected propaganda, the weapon donation to Korea, which was thought to be impossible, was miraculously passed.
"Next item on the agenda. Unholy movements are being detected in Italy."
"I heard that before. "I heard communists are setting it up?"
"yes. But it seems that this is not usually a serious problem. A few days ago, an attempted bombing was discovered in the capital city of Rome, and all involved were executed."
The Italian leadership could not even dream of opposing Germany.
The compensation owed to Germany was also being paid regularly, and for fear of offending Germany, the entire newspaper was shut down if even a single article with an anti-German tone appeared in the newspaper.
Let me tell you in advance, I have never given any specific instructions to Italy to do this. Just like Finland did to the Soviet Union, they are just scared and left to their own devices.
The Italian people's resistance to this government policy was growing.
"It's not just Italy. In Greece, the Communist Party has recently begun to move around openly and expand its influence. It is expected that a large-scale conflict involving armed force will occur between government forces and communist forces in the near future. "