Chapter 78: For What Do We Fight? (8)
Translated by Vine | Proofread by Lust
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< World War II – For What Do We Fight? (8) >
January 17, 1940
Budapest, Hungary
After receiving a response from Berlin, we signed a treaty with Hungary.
“While there were some misunderstandings, I’m glad we reached an agreement.”
“Indeed. I believe this treaty is mutually beneficial.”
Regent Horthy and I shook hands. I was smiling, while he looked… ambivalent.
While it was unlikely that Hungary would openly attack us, especially with Poland and Italy struggling, it was best to avoid antagonizing a neighboring nation unnecessarily, especially with the uncertain future.
We signed a non-aggression pact with Hungary, recognizing their annulment of the Treaty of Trianon.
In addition, we agreed to sell them military equipment to aid their rearmament, addressing their concerns about the future of Czechoslovakia and Romania, which Poland seemed unable to contain.
We agreed to sell them ten Panzer IVs and a small quantity of infantry weapons every month for two years. While not a significant burden for us, it would be a considerable boost to Hungary’s rearmament efforts.
While the quantity was small, the fact that they were Germany’s main battle tanks would carry symbolic weight. The military had suggested selling them StuG IIIs or tank destroyers…
However, production of the Panzer III chassis had ceased, and we were using up existing stock. It was better to secure Hungary’s goodwill with the more modern Panzer IVs.
Even though we were at war, selling them a small number of tanks wouldn’t significantly impact our military strength, and it would prevent Hungary from joining our enemies, which would have been far more costly.
Having inherited and streamlined the Nazi regime’s vast military industrial complex, our main constraint wasn’t production capacity, but funding.
“I hope this treaty will lead to a positive and cooperative relationship between Germany and Hungary.”
“…As do I, State Secretary.”
While we weren’t helping them reclaim their lost territories directly, it was still a good deal for Hungary.
At least we had avoided a three-front war. I wondered what Mussolini and Rydz-Śmigły thought of this development.
–
January 19, 1940
Eastern France, Alsace-Lorraine – Maginot Line
Jean-François de La Rocque, leader of the French Social Party, was addressing the troops stationed at the Maginot Line, a series of fortifications built along the Franco-German border in Alsace-Lorraine.
“Brave soldiers of the Grand Army, who tirelessly defend our great nation, as a French politician, I express my deepest gratitude for your service.”
While some accused him of being a fascist sympathizer, like Hitler or Mussolini, his tone was far more respectful.
“But at the same time, I am filled with indignation! As a French politician, I am ashamed of this situation, where I cannot hold my head high before you, who have dedicated yourselves to the defense of France! Our proud nation, our great France, has become weak!”
La Rocque, his voice rising, addressed the young soldiers, their eyes fixed on him.
“Why have we become weak? Because we are divided! While the left and the right squabble amongst themselves, engaging in pointless debates, our great nation has fallen behind in this rapidly changing world! Our politicians, who should be leading our nation, our government, which should be representing our national interests, have become incompetent and irresponsible, relying on foreign powers!”
France, in the interwar period, had been plagued by the Great Depression and political instability due to the deep divisions between the left and the right, losing its diplomatic initiative.
“And what has been the result? Failure! Utter and complete failure! The Treaty of Versailles has been broken! While Germany annexed Austria, the Sudetenland, and Czechia, what did our government do? They clung to Britain’s coattails!”
The French people felt a sense of helplessness, witnessing their government’s diplomatic failures, which had allowed Germany to grow stronger.
And when Germany, during its civil war, restored the Hohenzollern monarchy, with Britain’s tacit approval, it had filled France with anger and a sense of impending doom.
“Since when has France been so weak? Why have we become so weak? Because our rights, the rights of France, which shed so much blood in the last war, have been denied! Remember what those so-called ‘allies’ did when we occupied the Ruhr, demanding the rightful payment for French blood!”
In 1923, when Germany defaulted on its reparations payments under the Treaty of Versailles, France had occupied the Ruhr region, but they had been forced to withdraw due to pressure from Britain and the United States.
“Britain and the United States, using their loans as leverage, pressured us and aided our enemy! Were those loans acts of charity? No! They were the rightful payment for the blood shed by France, their ally! If they truly respected France, if they understood the value of French blood, they wouldn’t have done so!”
The French soldiers, listening to La Rocque’s speech, were becoming increasingly agitated. How had France, which had sacrificed so much in the last war, become so weak?
They all knew, from their families and friends, that their once-great nation was struggling.
“While France was suffering from the Great Depression and political division, Germany, using the money that should have been paid for French blood, rearmed itself, annexed its neighbors, and is now fighting a war against Italy and Poland, and yet, they are holding their own!”
It was terrifying. The sense of relief and satisfaction they had felt after defeating Germany in World War I and witnessing the collapse of the German Empire had been short-lived.
The Treaty of Versailles, too harsh for reconciliation and too lenient to prevent Germany’s resurgence, had proven to be a failure.
The French people, who had felt the threat of war during Hitler’s rise, were now witnessing Germany, having swiftly removed Hitler in a civil war, holding its own against Poland and Italy, and they were terrified.
And with their former allies supporting Germany, and even the United States showing signs of goodwill towards Germany, their sense of fear and isolation had become almost irrational.
“Our weak government has cut military spending, tying our hands and allowing this to happen! Why? Why should we suffer? While our enemy rearmed itself with the money that should have been ours, the reparations owed to us under the Treaty of Versailles, we weakened ourselves, claiming we couldn’t afford it!”
The soldiers, enraged, cheered La Rocque’s words. It was an injustice.
The reparations under the Treaty of Versailles were rightfully owed to France. Why was France suffering while Germany prospered with their money?
And why were their “allies,” who had won the war thanks to French sacrifices, supporting Germany?
“We must reclaim our rights! We have no time for division and internal strife! What has that German government, which speaks of democracy and the liberation of Czechia, actually achieved? They have shown us only one thing!”
La Rocque paused, his audience holding its breath, then declared, “That they are still our enemies! They have refused to honor the Treaty of Versailles and restored the Hohenzollern monarchy! That is all they have shown us!”
As a wave of anger and hatred towards Germany spread through the ranks of the soldiers, La Rocque continued, his voice rising,
“Our incompetent government has already abandoned Austria and Czechia! Once Poland falls, once Italy falls, France will be next!”
The fundamental reason that had driven France to declare war on Germany in the original timeline, despite knowing that Poland had been the aggressor, was still valid.
While France feared Germany, they feared being left alone to face Germany even more.
And with Germany, weakened by its civil war, seemingly struggling against Poland and Italy, it seemed like an opportune moment to strike.
“Proud soldiers of the French army! Are we so foolish as to wait until our enemy, who has grown strong by stealing our rightful due, leaves us alone and isolated?!”
“No!”
As the soldiers roared their response, La Rocque continued,
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“Are we so foolish as to continue to appease Britain and the United States, entrusting our fate to them?!”
“No!”
As the soldiers responded in unison, La Rocque smiled and continued,
“France must once again become the heart of Europe! The center of the world! This is our only chance! Prepare to walk the path of glory, the path of France! We have already chosen dishonor in Munich! Never again will we allow our pride to be trampled upon!”
“Yes!”
“We must break free from those vile opportunists and show the world that France is the epitome of greatness! Vive la France! (Long live France!)”
“Vive la France! Vive la France!”
The soldiers cheered wildly as La Rocque, his arms outstretched, stood there, catching his breath.
He smiled and waved to the cheering soldiers, then stepped down from the podium.
Even as he entered the building, the soldiers continued to chant “Vive la France,” their enthusiasm so high that even their commanders were struggling to control them.
“A brilliant speech, monsieur le Président.”
La Rocque grinned at the man who approached him, his face impassive.
“Have you invited enough journalists, Colonel de Gaulle?”
“Of course. Such a powerful speech, urging our nation to face reality in these turbulent times, deserves to be heard by every French citizen.”
La Rocque smiled, satisfied with Charles de Gaulle’s response.
“When I come to power, our antiquated military will be reformed. And those with vision and foresight, like Colonel de Gaulle, will be promoted.”
While a politician, Jean-François de La Rocque was also a reserve lieutenant colonel.
He and de Gaulle shared a disdain for the French military leadership’s incompetence and outdated thinking.
“I appreciate your words. Those generals, even after witnessing the German war, still doubt the effectiveness of tanks and mobile warfare.”
However, both La Rocque and de Gaulle believed that April was too far away.
They both believed that either Poland or Italy would fall to Germany before then.
“The French Social Party has over a million members. The military is also responding to our call, and even our indecisive government will have to act. They will lose the elections if they do nothing.”
La Rocque smiled confidently.
In fact, with the Radical Party’s diplomatic failures against Germany, they were already destined to lose.
“After this speech becomes public, we will pressure the government to issue an ultimatum to Germany, threatening to intervene if they advance further into Poland.”
France couldn’t allow Germany to continue to expand its territory and grow stronger.
They needed to liberate Czechia and weaken Germany, preferably under French leadership, increasing French influence.
If Germany accepted a white peace, it would weaken them without jeopardizing their allies, and French influence would soar.
If Germany refused, they would go to war. While Germany had shown surprising strength despite its civil war, they couldn’t possibly defeat Poland, Italy, and France.
The only obstacle was Britain, but if they failed due to British inaction, La Rocque planned to blame the government’s diplomatic failures and seize power.
“I hope the government will finally act decisively.”
De Gaulle, while saying the words, sighed inwardly. The French political and military leadership had an exaggerated fear of Germany.
They didn’t realize that Germany had grown stronger by feeding on their fear.
“We will make them act. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Colonel. Vive la France.”
“Vive la France.”
The irony of a war to prevent war was approaching in this timeline as well.
< World War II – For What Do We Fight? (8) > End
