Chapter 49: Three Days of Glory (2)
Translated by Vine | Proofread by Lust
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< German Civil War – Three Days of Glory (2) >
September 20, 1939
Central Germany, 9th Military District, Kassel, Frankfurt – German New Government Headquarters (Under Occupation)
The atmosphere within the Military Junta, which had launched its coup within a coup with such gusto, was now grim.
As befitting former leaders of the once-mighty German army, they had swiftly executed their operation, neutralizing the New Government and proclaiming the Military Junta in a lightning-fast move.
To solidify their position, they immediately seized the broadcasting station, declared the restoration of the German Empire, and announced their intention to bring back the Kaiser from the Netherlands.
However, just a day later, Britain and France simultaneously issued ultimatums, declaring that they would never tolerate the restoration of the former war criminal Kaiser and would use force to prevent it.
Not to be outdone, Mussolini of Italy fiercely condemned the Military Junta and declared Italy’s willingness to revive the Stresa Front alongside Britain and France to oppose Germany.
To make matters worse, the Netherlands responded to the Junta’s request to retrieve the Kaiser with a blunt refusal, stating that they had maintained neutrality since the Great War.
“What are we going to do now?”
Only silence answered.
Contrary to their expectations, the German people, far from welcoming the Junta’s declaration to restore the Kaiser, launched fierce protests following the ultimatums from Britain and France.
“We should have taken control of that damned newspaper as well…”
The Junkers had believed that securing the New Government leadership and the broadcasting station would be enough, but their failure to apprehend Dietrich Schacht proved costly.
Using his connections with the Frankfurter Zeitung, he had published and distributed a newspaper denouncing the Military Junta for pushing Germany towards war and urging resistance against another form of dictatorship in the name of freedom, effectively undermining the fledgling New Government.
As if he had prepared in advance, the newspapers were distributed throughout Frankfurt and New Government-controlled territory before the Military Junta could react.
The leadership of the New Government, having entrusted Major Dietrich Schacht with the propaganda war, hadn’t been fully aware of his specific actions and hadn’t grasped the significant role the newspaper had played in dealing a critical blow to the Nazis in the early stages of the coup.
Due to their misjudgment, their expectation that the radio broadcasts alone would be enough to sway a significant portion, if not all, of the public support towards them proved entirely wrong.
The people, prioritizing the prevention of war over the restoration of the Kaiser, launched strikes and protests, enthusiastically responding to Dietrich Schacht, a familiar voice from the radio broadcasts.
Mackensen clicked his tongue, observing the Junkers who had become powerless in just one day.
“At this point, wouldn’t our only option be to place His Highness the Crown Prince on the throne?”
“But he has refused all our requests for an audience.”
The Crown Prince was shrewd. He had been aware of the coup plot against the New Government but had remained silent, giving no answer. Now, seeing the situation turning against the plotters, he refused to meet them.
Dr. Goerdeler felt a deep sense of despair. He didn’t want to admit it, but everything was unfolding exactly as Major Schacht, that young man, had predicted.
“Will we never again see the day when the mighty German Empire commands all of Europe?”
Sighs and lamentations filled the room.
Many of them were undoubtedly driven by greed for their own vested interests. However, most of them were also individuals who could have lived comfortably in Germany without resorting to a coup.
Despite being able to live comfortably under Nazi rule with a bit of flattery towards Hitler, they had risked everything to oppose the Nazis. They were, without a doubt, patriots.
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Their leader, Mackensen, spoke weakly.
“There’s no other choice. Though it is a disservice, we must abandon the idea of restoring His Majesty the Kaiser and proclaim His Highness the Crown Prince as Wilhelm III. We’ll obtain his consent later. We cannot plunge Germany into war again…”
No one present desired Germany’s ruin. Their perception of reality simply hadn’t kept pace with the changing times.
–
September 20, 1939
Northern Germany, Berlin
While the New Government was in disarray due to the Military Junta’s coup and the ultimatums from Britain and France, the cornered Nazi regime finally seized the opportunity.
[My fellow Germans, I cannot express the profound sorrow that fills my heart in these dire times. As the Führer of the German nation and people, I have three things to announce. First, despite the vile attack by those traitors who call themselves the New Government, I, the Führer, am alive and well.]
Just as he had seized control of Germany during the chaos of the Weimar Republic, Hitler, seizing the New Government’s vulnerability, declared his triumphant return and fired the first shot of his comeback.
“Move swiftly! To Potsdam!”
Unlike the original history, the Nazi regime, unable to trust the Wehrmacht, had begun expanding the Waffen-SS significantly since 1939 and deploying them as combat troops.
They had decided that it was better to equip the unequivocally loyal SS with the scarce resources, rather than giving them to the unreliable Wehrmacht, especially after losing the Ruhr.
[Second, while they falsely accused me and the legitimate German government of warmongering and spread rumors through propaganda and fabrication, they have proven themselves to be the true threat to peace by attempting a reactionary restoration of the monarchy, pushing Germany to the brink of war.]
“Why are you so slow?!”
At SS-Obergruppenführer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski’s bellow, the middle-aged SS-Sturmbannführer with a receding hairline and a Hitler-esque mustache chuckled.
“Oh, my apologies, Herr Obergruppenführer! These ones are so slow. You there! Hurry up and drag them along!”
[Third, as the sole and legitimate Führer of the German nation and people, I declare that these vile traitors will be swiftly crushed, and any form of assistance to them will be considered treason against the German nation and people, punishable by immediate execution.]
Even von dem Bach-Zelewski, who would later become infamous for his brutality, frowned at the sight of the prisoners being dragged along by the SS-Sturmbannführer’s men.
“Tsk, even if we’re desperate for troops, that man is supposed to be a Sturmbannführer.”
Of course, the Sturmbannführer, Oskar Paul Dirlewanger, was too excited at the prospect of strapping these “human shields” to his tanks and charging into enemy lines to notice.
[My fellow Germans, the traitors’ reign of lies is over. They will face the overwhelming wrath of the German nation and people and suffer the most horrific consequences for their betrayal of the Fatherland!]
“Heil Hitler! Sieg Heil!”
“Victory to the Führer!”
“Death to the traitors!”
“Glory to the Waffen-SS!”
The Nazi counteroffensive had begun.
–
September 20, 1939
Border Region Between 9th Military District, Kassel, and Rhineland
“W-What is that?!”
Following the martial law declared by the Military Junta in Frankfurt, New Government troops were controlling all access points to the 9th Military District.
Of course, control was only possible when the approaching forces were manageable.
“This is Outpost 18! A massive force is approaching!”
[What? A massive force? Are you dreaming? How many, specifically?!]
The response from headquarters was perfectly understandable, but the outpost commander was speechless, staring at the overwhelming number of troops, or rather, the mix of troops and civilians, filling the road.
How could he describe this?
“Unable to confirm the numbers. They are approaching, filling the entire road. They are carrying the Free Corps banners and the black, red, and gold flag of the Weimar Republic.”
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[Damn it! They’re rebels! Hold them back, even if just for a moment!]
The call ended, but the outpost commander and his men could only stare in disbelief at the overwhelming number of civilian soldiers.
Finally, the man leading the charge in the front car stepped out.
“Good day. I am Major Dietrich Schacht, spokesperson for the New Government. Open the way.”
The name Dietrich Schacht was now well-known throughout the New Government’s territory.
“But Major, our orders are to block this road…”
“Those who gave you those orders are traitors. This is a military operation, so please cooperate. Or…”
Major Schacht grinned, gesturing towards the approaching Free Corps and the angry civilians.
“Would you like to try stopping us?”
–
September 21, 1939
Central Germany, 9th Military District, Kassel, Frankfurt – German New Government Headquarters (Under Occupation)
Three days after the proclamation of the Military Junta.
The monarchists of the Military Junta had compromised with reality, abandoned the idea of restoring Wilhelm II, and proclaimed the Crown Prince as Wilhelm III. Unfortunately, it was a compromise only they had made.
“Britain and France haven’t changed their stance. Either nullify the restoration of the monarchy or face war.”
The monarchists sighed deeply as Dr. Goerdeler relayed the news with a despairing expression.
Perhaps Britain and France would have reacted differently if they had proclaimed the Crown Prince as Emperor from the start, instead of initially talking about restoring Wilhelm II.
However, having already issued an ultimatum regarding the restoration of the monarchy, Britain and France couldn’t simply withdraw it just because the Emperor had been changed; they had their own reputations to consider.
France, in particular, facing certain defeat in the upcoming elections unless they achieved something, was pressuring Britain, which was reluctant, to take a hardline stance.
Britain didn’t want another war for France’s sake. However, Wilhelm II, the Kaiser initially proposed by the monarchists, was still a figure of hatred throughout Britain, so they had no choice but to intervene this time.
“Mussolini is also becoming a problem. He has been restraining himself because of the Pope’s support and Britain and France, but…”
The unspoken implication hung heavy in the air.
“What about the front lines?”
“Generals von Witzleben, von Hammerstein-Equord, Lutz, and von Leeb have all refused to support us or send reinforcements to Frankfurt. They say they have no troops to spare with the Nazis launching a counteroffensive.”
With the Free Corps marching on Frankfurt, the numerous generals present claimed they lacked the troops to stop a civilian army led by a mere major.
“Haha, hahahaha!”
Everyone in the room was startled by the sudden burst of laughter. Field Marshal August von Mackensen was laughing heartily.
His laughter echoed through the silent conference room.
“We, who claim to be loyal servants of the Empire, are leading Germany to ruin.”
Mackensen, having stopped laughing, summed up the situation in a single sentence and smiled wryly.
“My life has become such a disgrace because of my greed in my old age.”
Dr. Goerdeler couldn’t lift his head.
–
September 21, 1939
Central Germany, 9th Military District, Kassel, Frankfurt
Frankfurt, which would normally be quiet at this hour as people settled down for the night, was bustling with a massive crowd.
“For the freedom of Germany, forward march!”
“S-Surrender! We surrender!”
Most of the elite troops of the New Government, the former Wehrmacht, were deployed on the front lines against the Nazis, under the command of Generals von Witzleben, von Hammerstein-Equord, Lutz, and von Leeb.
Therefore, only a small number of troops loyal to the Junkers remained in the rear, including Frankfurt. The rest of the forces were mostly Free Corps.
The monarchists of the Black Orchestra had repeated the same mistake they made in the original history.
The biggest reason for Stauffenberg and the Black Orchestra’s failure was their delusion that the Home Army would follow their orders simply because they had secured command authority through Operation Valkyrie.
And once again, they believed that seizing the New Government leadership and the radio broadcasting station would give them control over the Free Corps.
However, most of the Free Corps had volunteered in response to the call for anti-dictatorship and freedom championed by me and the New Government radio.
How naive was it to assume that the Free Corps would follow their orders simply because they had command authority within the army high command?
“Subdue them after they surrender! Unnecessary bloodshed is not required!”
“Yes, sir!”
The Military Junta’s forces were vastly outnumbered, and perhaps sensing the tide turning against them, they offered little resistance.
On the contrary, our forces grew as the Free Corps continued to join us on our march to Frankfurt.
Operation Freiheit (Freedom) wasn’t anything complex. There hadn’t been enough time to formulate a detailed operational plan, and the Free Corps itself was severely lacking in officers compared to the number of troops.
All we had done was issue orders to all Free Corps units to advance on Frankfurt.
That single order, combined with the Frankfurter Zeitung article I had hastily published, had rallied a civilian army that now engulfed Frankfurt. I no longer knew the exact size of our forces.
At this moment, these people didn’t need a commander or a detailed operational plan.
Their spirit of resistance against the military dictatorship and the Nazis, who were leading Germany towards war, was both their command and their plan.
“We have secured all of Frankfurt!”
“Good work.”
It was good that things were progressing quickly and smoothly, but this felt almost too easy.
Although the New Government headquarters was surrounded, I had somewhere else to go first.
I entered the two-story mansion surrounded by civilian soldiers, alone.
“You’ve arrived.”
Guided by a frightened servant to the second floor, I found the Crown Prince sipping brandy while looking out the window at the surging civilian army and the waves of black, red, and gold flags of the German Republic they were waving.
No, he was no longer the Crown Prince, was he?
“You were aware of the coup plot, I presume.”
The Crown Prince, now Emperor Wilhelm III, swirled his glass, took a sip, and chuckled.
“Well, I seem to recall overhearing some nonsensical chatter.”
For the Crown Prince, whose alliance proposal had been rejected, the next best option after a constitutional monarchy would have been the success of the hardline monarchists’ coup.
If the monarchists brought back Wilhelm II, he would likely have sought to control him as much as possible and inherit the German crown relatively peacefully.
Alternatively, he would become Emperor if Wilhelm II’s return failed, as it had now.
“I want to express my gratitude for not rashly supporting the Military Junta.”
“Ah.”
If he had, there would have been no chance of a constitutional monarchy. But he hadn’t offered any support.
And because of that, we had to acknowledge him as monarch, at least nominally.
Even now, the generals who were holding back the advancing Nazis instead of supporting the Military Junta’s coup were mostly monarchists. Deposing a legitimate Emperor who hadn’t participated in the rebellion would likely alienate many of the remaining generals in the Wehrmacht.
But regardless, I was quite annoyed with him.
“Thanks to you, Germany is now facing war unless we depose you. Was this what you desired?”
Wilhelm silently poured brandy into another glass and gestured towards me.
He wasn’t an easy one to deal with. As I approached him, he handed me the glass and proposed a toast.
He took a sip and then spoke again.
“I like you, which is a shame. We both rolled the dice with our stakes on the line.”
I wondered how much of this was a loss for him, and how much was simply part of the wager. The fine brandy tasted rather bitter.
Emperor Wilhelm III, gazing at the crowd outside the window, slowly closed his eyes.
“Times have changed. I admit it, you’ve won.”
He drained his glass and dropped it, shattering it on the floor.
Was this the end of an era?
As the brandy burned my throat, I too dropped my glass, shattering it. Wilhelm turned to me, his playful expression gone, replaced by the countenance of an Emperor.
“As the legitimate Emperor of the House of Hohenzollern, I appoint your father, Hjalmar Schacht, as Minister of the Chancellery, and you, Dietrich Schacht, as Vice Minister of the Chancellery. Until the entire nation is reclaimed and a democratic government is established through a national election, I grant you the authority to form and lead an emergency wartime cabinet.”
Wilhelm III looked at me with a serious expression and extended his hand.
“As the appointed Minister of the Chancellery is currently absent, I shall receive your oath. Dietrich Schacht, do you accept the position of Vice Minister of the Chancellery and pledge to serve your nation with all your might in this time of crisis?”
Since I refused to marry into the royal family, he made my father the Minister and me the Vice Minister. His obsession with the Chancellery was absurd, but he certainly knew how to play his cards.
With nowhere left to retreat and the situation spiraling out of control, there was no time for formalities.
He was still insufferable, offering me a favor I couldn’t refuse after creating this mess, but…
I kissed his hand.
“I gladly accept, Your Majesty.”
< German Civil War – Three Days of Glory (2) > End
ⓒ Carcassonne
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