Chapter 6: The Spanish Civil War – Collateral Damage (1)
Translated by Vine | Proofread by Lust
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Italy and the Nationalists suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Guadalajara, despite committing more than twice the manpower of the Republicans.
The advantage of their initial surprise attack was completely nullified by the unfortunate sleet and fog. Afterward, they were outmaneuvered by Enrique Líster, losing their armored forces, and ultimately routed by a Republican counterattack across the river.
Though he nearly died in the process, he was promoted to Lieutenant, earning the honor of the Iron Cross First Class and the command of a company.
His original plan was to be discharged and return to Germany, even at the cost of some dishonor. However, now that he was the company commander, he had to abandon that plan.
As Captain Kaufmann’s successor, he couldn’t simply abandon Clemens and the other company members and run for his life.
Looking at it another way, this place was also a land of opportunity. It was the only place in the interwar period where one could earn merits and get promoted.
A higher rank couldn’t hurt, no matter what he planned to do.
In fact, considering that his father, Hjalmar Schacht, was certain to be dismissed soon, he had to establish his own standing, one way or another.
In this era of madness, power was necessary to achieve anything. He couldn’t do anything as a company commander, a position where he could die any day on the front lines.
—
March 27, 1937
Zaragoza, North-Central Spain
With the ambitious offensive orchestrated by Mussolini and the Italian army ending in a disastrous defeat, the Nationalist high command abandoned their attempt to capture Madrid and shifted their strategy to systematically eliminating Republican forces in other regions.
Their targets were the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias, the northern Spanish provinces held by the Republicans.
While these three provinces were under Republican control, they were separated from the main Republican forces in the eastern regions, including the exposed Madrid and Valencia in the center.
A portion of the Condor Legion’s Luftwaffe, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Richthofen, was also assigned to support the offensive.
Up until that point, it wouldn’t have concerned him much, but…
He received a notice that Lieutenant Colonel Richthofen had requested him, freshly discharged from the hospital, as an interpreter and army advisor. He headed to the Luftwaffe base in Zaragoza to meet him.
“Heil Hitler!”
“Heil Hitler. Congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, sir!”
Lieutenant Colonel Richthofen, in his early 40s, returned his salute with a light smile and offered him a seat. He sat down immediately.
“Let’s get straight to the point. You must be wondering why an army officer like yourself was called here.”
“…Yes, sir.”
It would be strange if he wasn’t curious. Richthofen nodded at his answer and began to explain.
“First, there’s the interpretation issue. Since General Sperrle will remain on the central front, the existing Luftwaffe interpreter will also stay there.”
Lieutenant General Hugo Sperrle was the commander of the Luftwaffe’s Condor Legion. That made sense, but why him specifically for interpretation?
“Well, that’s the official reason. The request for you specifically was mine. This might be sudden, but you are loyal to the Führer and Germany, correct?”
The question was so abrupt that a cold sweat ran down his spine. What was this? Mind reading? It couldn’t be. Why would he ask such a thing? After a moment’s thought, he answered simply,
“I am loyal to Germany, Colonel.”
Richthofen stared at him for a moment, then smiled faintly and said, “I’ll take your word for it. The person we are about to meet and the contents of our discussion are top secret, I trust you understand.”
“Yes, sir!”
His question about what Richthofen was planning was answered immediately by the person who arrived shortly after.
“Buenas tardes, Señor Richthofen.”
“¡Viva España! Señor Caudillo.”
“Oh, haha. So this is why our generals speak so highly of Señor Richthofen.”
The man seemed slightly surprised by Richthofen’s Spanish greeting, but he soon smiled with satisfaction.
It was Francisco Franco, El Caudillo, the leader of Nationalist Spain! He almost gaped but quickly started interpreting. Franco had come with only one man, presumably a bodyguard.
“I would like to get better acquainted with Señor Richthofen, but given my busy schedule, please understand that I must get straight to the point. You may have already been informed, but this is not an official request from Estado Español (the official name of Nationalist Spain). Consider it a… personal request.”
As he translated Franco’s words, Richthofen nodded in understanding and replied, “Of course, Señor Caudillo. The Führer of the Greater German Reich and the Condor Legion are merely providing support to Señor Caudillo, and secrecy will be maintained.”
Franco smiled, a smile that reminded him of a snake, and then stated his so-called secret order, “On this northern front, I would appreciate it if the Condor Legion could inflict as much ‘collateral damage’ as possible.”
What did this man just say? He hesitated for a moment, forgetting he was interpreting. Franco looked at him, grinned, and added, “Ah, is the expression difficult to translate? My German isn’t very good. What I mean is, it would be beneficial if there were ‘many’ ‘civilian casualties,’ ‘unavoidably,’ of course.”
As he stood there momentarily stunned, Richthofen patted him on the back reassuringly. He snapped back to reality and translated, “He requests that you inflict as many civilian casualties as possible during this operation, making it appear as accidental.”
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Richthofen paused for a moment at his words, then asked, “It wouldn’t be difficult, but isn’t the north where the uprising in support of the Nationalists was suppressed?”
Wait, he said it wouldn’t be difficult?
“Some are, but the north is the domain of the Carlists… anachronistic monarchists and separatists. There are indications they colluded with General Mola, who is constantly plotting against me. Moreover, they are suspected of collaborating with the Reds after being suppressed. So, they need to be taught a lesson about the folly of opposing me, someone who has such a fine friend as Germany.”
Franco said with a grin. A leader smiling while requesting the bombing of his own civilians… This was insane. But he couldn’t not translate. Richthofen, upon hearing the translation, coolly replied,
“I see. Understood. It will be difficult to do so overtly since it has to be ‘accidental,’ but we will inflict enough damage to send them a clear message.”
“Thank you, Señor Richthofen. The dedication of Germany and the Condor Legion will be remembered as an eternal friendship in Estado Español.”
Franco said with a pleased smile. But this man wouldn’t join the Axis powers until the end of World War II.
Even as Germany was falling, he would be preoccupied with executing countless of his own citizens, branding them as political prisoners and communists.
What did Captain Kaufmann and the other company members die for here?
—
After Franco left, he and Richthofen boarded a transport plane to travel to a newly constructed airfield near the Basque Country.
Even in the early stages of World War II, the Allied and Soviet forces would only operate from established air bases. However, the Germans were already experimenting with building makeshift airfields near the front lines, rapidly rotating squadrons to maintain air superiority and provide close air support. This was Richthofen’s work.
“You seemed surprised, but you handled it well, Lieutenant. Don’t think too much about it. You’ve read Clausewitz’s ‘On War,’ haven’t you? War is a continuation of politics. We are soldiers, we obey orders, and the higher-ups handle the politics. The Führer ordered us to cooperate actively with Franco, and we comply.”
As a soldier, absolute obedience and execution of orders seemed like the correct attitude. But it was precisely this attitude that would cause World War II to result in the most horrific casualties in world history, at the hands of the German army.
“But indiscriminate bombing of civilians with no will to fight is a war crime, Colonel.”
Richthofen paused at his words, then burst out laughing.
“Haha, hahaha—Lieutenant. War crimes are ultimately decided by the victors to suit their own convenience. The most important thing for us soldiers is to be loyal to our country and follow orders. And right now, our Führer, who leads our great Germany, has no interest in so-called ‘war crimes.’”
That was true. Hitler wouldn’t be concerned with such things. But even if they committed unnecessary war crimes, turning potential allies in occupied territories into enemies, and ultimately lost the war after a protracted and costly conflict, would Richthofen still say the same?
Seeing his silence, Richthofen chuckled and continued, “You must be curious why I brought you here, of all people.”
“Yes, Colonel.”
“I hear you’ve been selected as a candidate for the next War College class.”
“Ah!”
Just as only academy graduates could aspire to become generals in Korea, in Germany, only those who completed the War College curriculum and earned the qualification of General Staff officer could become generals.
However, unlike the Korean military academies, where cadets graduated and then served as officers, the German War College enrolled experienced and proven officers already serving in the military.
There were exceptions like Erwin Rommel, who became a Field Marshal without attending the General Staff course, but that was a very special case. In fact, Rommel’s relationship with other General Staff officers wasn’t very good throughout the war. So, being selected for the General Staff course meant becoming a future general.
“Well, don’t get too excited just yet. Competition among candidates is fierce.”
“Yes, I know.”
He was aware that only about one in ten candidates were actually admitted to the War College.
But more importantly, the War College was located in Berlin.
Once the Spanish Civil War ended, World War II would be imminent. Returning to Germany then would leave him with little time to do anything. However, if he returned to Berlin in advance for the War College, it would be a different story.
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