Chapter 23: Interwar Period – Anschluss (4)
Translated by Vine | Proofread by Lust
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April 10, 1938
Linz, Austria
Mussolini, who had blocked the annexation of Austria in 1934, had acquiesced this time, on the condition that Hitler renounce any claim to South Tyrol, the southern part of Tyrol ceded to Italy after World War I, which had historically been Austrian territory.
The League of Nations, toothless as ever, remained silent. Emboldened by his success in Austria, Hitler and the Nazis, proclaiming their intention to reclaim German territories, began openly clamoring for the Sudetenland, Danzig, and Memel, territories belonging to Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Lithuania, respectively.
The international community hadn’t reacted seriously yet, but they would soon realize that Hitler’s pronouncements were a real threat.
They were still stationed in Linz after Hitler’s declaration of Austria’s reunification with Germany. For the first few days, supplies had been so scarce that they had to rely on the local population for food, paying them out of pocket. Even the officers had to refuel their vehicles at Austrian civilian gas stations.
Things were finally returning to normal, almost a month later.
During his time in Spain, he had considered the Condor Legion, nominally a volunteer force, to be lax in discipline due to its informal atmosphere. But it was the Korean army that he had been familiar with that had been excessively strict!
The German regular army he was now leading was far more disorganized than the Condor Legion, which had always faced the threat of combat.
Given the current state of the army, Hitler’s audacity in remilitarizing the Rhineland two years prior seemed either incredibly bold or incredibly foolish.
Germany had declared the annexation of Austria on March 13th, but a plebiscite was being held today, April 10th, almost a month later, as a formality.
With German troops and Nazi Party members stationed throughout the country, the plebiscite was a sham.
He had to stifle a laugh when he saw the ballot.
‘Do you agree with the reunification of Austria and Germany, carried out on March 13, 1938, and do you support the list of candidates put forth by our Führer, Adolf Hitler?’
The question itself was biased, demanding agreement and support. A large “Yes” was printed in the center of the ballot, with a small “No” tucked away in a corner.
To him, having lived in a 21st-century democracy, it was a textbook example of a rigged election. But the Austrians were happily casting their votes, smiling.
Some even gave Nazi salutes and shouted “Heil Hitler” as they voted.
Did they realize that they, or their sons, would soon be conscripted into the German army and sent to fight in World War II?
He chuckled wryly.
Was it a comedy or a tragedy, being a captain in the German army, with the sensibilities of a man from a different era, witnessing these historical events?
“Captain Schacht.” He turned around. It was Tresckow. He saluted.
“Lieutenant Colonel Tresckow.”
“Let’s take a walk.”
“Yes, sir!”
He left Behr in charge and followed Tresckow.
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Why was Tresckow, who had been silent since the Anschluss, calling him out now?
This felt important. He kept glancing over his shoulder, checking for Gestapo agents, then stopped, realizing he was being too obvious.
Despite the ongoing sham plebiscite, the atmosphere in Linz was festive. No one paid any attention to two German officers walking through the streets.
Tresckow led him away from the city center, into a quiet alley.
He stopped and offered him a cigarette, “Care for one?”
“No, thank you, Lieutenant Colonel.”
Tresckow lit his cigarette and remained silent. He remembered a movie he had seen in Korea, where the actor playing Tresckow smoked frequently. It felt strange.
“…Captain Dietrich Schacht. Son of former Minister of Economics Hjalmar Schacht. Close to Colonel Richthofen in Spain. Recommended for the General Staff by Walther Model.”
“Yes, Lieutenant Colonel.”
Tresckow smoked in silence. His palms were sweating inside his gloves.
Had he been too reckless, approaching Tresckow, knowing he was a key figure in the anti-Nazi resistance?
He knew that Tresckow had considered resigning during the Blomberg-Fritsch Affair but had been persuaded to stay by von Witzleben and had subsequently joined the resistance. Witzleben had since been forced into retirement, so he had assumed Tresckow was already active in the resistance. Had he been too hasty?
Tresckow finished his cigarette, flicked it to the ground, crushed it with his boot, and looked him in the eye.
“As you know, we in the Wehrmacht have sworn an oath of loyalty to the Führer.” He paused, then said with a sardonic smile, “It’s unfortunate that one of my officers harbors doubts about the Führer and the state, over such a ‘trivial’ matter as the persecution of Jews.”
A chill ran down his spine. Was this a test, or was he serious?
Should he deny it? Or should he challenge Tresckow? He couldn’t read anything in Tresckow’s cold eyes.
“Colonel Richthofen, who speaks highly of you, is the cousin of the Red Baron, a war hero. Generalmajor Model is known for his integrity and apolitical stance. It seems they’ve misjudged you.”
His mouth went dry. If Tresckow reported him to the SS, he was finished. But if this was a test, and he offered a hasty excuse, he would be branded as untrustworthy. He couldn’t afford to arouse suspicion in a key figure of the resistance.
“Tell me, Captain Schacht. Have you broken your oath and dared to question the Führer and the regime?”
It was time to choose. What should he say? What would convince Tresckow of his sincerity, without being denounced?
He didn’t have time to think!
“I am loyal to Germany, Lieutenant Colonel.”
“…Then to the regime’s ideology…”
“Persecuting the Jews is not in Germany’s best interest.”
Tresckow raised an eyebrow, and started to say something about Jewish conspiracies and the loss of the last war.
“Do you believe the Nazi propaganda about the Jews sabotaging Germany in the last war?”
Tresckow couldn’t possibly believe that. He had experienced the horrors of World War I firsthand. He had witnessed Germany’s exhaustion.
“You called it a ‘trivial’ matter? Yes, it is! The Jewish question may be trivial for Germany as a nation! But what about the individuals! Do you think everyone in those camps is Jewish?”
Tresckow remained silent, but he continued, “The Reichstag, the politicians, the SA, now the army. Anyone who helped Hitler come to power is discarded the moment they are no longer useful. Göring and the SS are openly vying for control of the military. If this continues, all of Germany will become Hitler’s puppets!”
His heart was pounding, his words tumbling out, “Austria is just the beginning! Czechoslovakia is next, then Poland! Do you think Britain and France will stand by idly? War is coming, Lieutenant Colonel. We don’t have time for these petty squabbles!”
They were running out of time. The shadow of World War II was looming, and he hadn’t even made contact with the resistance.
“You’re… insane. If I report this to the SS…”
“Are you afraid of dying for defying the regime? Let them kill me! Do you think they will leave Germany alone after we lost the last war and are now threatening the world again? A war far more horrific is coming. I’d rather die than witness the destruction of my country, having done nothing!”
He still woke up to the phantom sounds of explosions. He had written down the names of every soldier who had died under his command in Spain, fearing he would forget them, become numb to their deaths.
How could he stand by and let another war happen, a war that would reduce human lives to statistics?
“You spoke of oaths? If loyalty means blindly following the Führer, no matter how insane his actions, I want no part of it. Are you willing to betray your country but not the Führer?!”
He was breathing heavily, as if he had just run a marathon. Tresckow quietly lit another cigarette, waiting for him to calm down.
“My apologies, Captain Schacht. I was testing you.”
Relief washed over him, almost making his legs buckle. Damn it, he had been prepared to die… He couldn’t go through that again.
“…I apologize, Lieutenant Colonel. You can arrest me for insubordination.”
“I’ll consider it after we succeed.” Tresckow chuckled, and he laughed along with him.
“You’re reckless. Why would you confide in me, someone you barely know?”
Because I know you defied Hitler longer than even Stauffenberg… He couldn’t say that.
“…It’s rare to find someone who sees the tragedy unfolding, while everyone else is blinded by glory.”
“Are you a philosopher, Captain?”
“No, Lieutenant Colonel.” He felt embarrassed, unsure of what he had just said. Fortunately, Tresckow didn’t seem to mind.
“…Does your father share your views?”
“Not yet, but I’ll convince him. Lieutenant Colonel.”
Tresckow nodded in satisfaction, “Good. Someone will contact you soon.”
“Understood, Lieutenant Colonel.” He nodded, then realized Tresckow was looking at him strangely.
“You don’t seem surprised that I mentioned an organization, not just myself.”
“…Many in the military are disturbed by recent events, Lieutenant Colonel.” He improvised, and Tresckow seemed to accept his explanation, though he still looked slightly suspicious.
He had almost aroused suspicion again. He needed to be more careful, now that he would be involved in the conspiracy. His knowledge from the future was a valuable asset, but it could also be a dangerous liability. He needed to remember that.
“…Well, it was sudden, and I understand your suspicion. But I trust my judgment. As a comrade, not a superior, I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise, Lieutenant Colonel.”
It had been a dangerous gamble, but he had won.
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