I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 908 Let's go on a proper trip

While the man with the mustache has recovered his physical health, the mental impact of the injury has become increasingly severe.

Now, the man with the mustache is suspicious all the time, and he no longer trusts even those around him. Whenever he encounters setbacks, his emotions completely spiral out of control.

Although the Russian army has stopped its offensive, everyone knows that it is building up its strength and may resume its offensive at any time next spring, or perhaps not even that long.

The Allied forces of Britain and the United States had already landed in France, the Kingdom of Italy had surrendered, Japan was also suffering defeats in East Asia, and the forces opposing Hitler in Germany were growing stronger.

Little Mustache is feeling very uncomfortable.

When Hitler decided to launch a war against Russia, everyone in Germany cheered, believing that Germany would subdue Russia in the shortest possible time, just as it had defeated France.

The war against Russia is only slightly unsuccessful now. Does this mean that Hitler is about to be abandoned by the Germans?

Hitler never truly trusted the German Junker aristocracy, led by Crown Prince Wilhelm.

Therefore, in addition to the German Wehrmacht controlled by Junkers, Hitler also formed the SA and the Gestapo to strengthen his control over Germany.

And to protect oneself.

Before returning to Berlin, Crown Prince Wilhelm visited Pétain in Vichy, the small town where the Vichy government was located, then went to Madrid to meet Franco, and in Paris he also met Rundstedt and Rommel.

Because there was no third person present when Prince William met with them.

Given the Gestapo's extensive network of connections, it's impossible to know what Crown Prince William discussed with each of them.

"Traitors! Traitors! They're all traitors to Germany! They should all be sent to Auschwitz!"

The man with the mustache seemed to sense a conspiracy and flew into a rage.

German Interior Minister and SA Commander-in-Chief Heinrich Himmler and SA National Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Police General Reinhard Heydrich looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.

Rundstedt and Rommel could indeed have been traitors.

Crown Prince Wilhelm could not possibly betray Germany.

After venting his anger, the man with the mustache finally regained his senses.

Hitler's orders regarding Crown Prince William were to keep him under close surveillance, and if necessary, to place him under house arrest.

It is impossible to kill.

In response to the Allied landings, Hitler instructed German Commander-in-Chief Walter von Brauchitsch to redeploy troops originally intended for reinforcements in Russia to France.

Furthermore, France was mobilized, and more auxiliary troops were recruited to resist the invasion of Britain and the United States.

Brauchitsch let out a long sigh, recalling the scene when he met with Crown Prince William.

Brauchitsch is a member of the Junkers group.

However, all Junkers agree that Brauchitsch is the man with the mustache.

Moreover, it was by betraying the Junkers that Hitler appointed him as Commander-in-Chief of the German Army.

Brauchitsch did not explain these slanders, nor could he explain them clearly.

In 1938, German Commander-in-Chief Werner von Blomberg remarried; his bride was Blomberg's secretary.

Someone informed the Gestapo that Blomberg's bride had been a prostitute, so Mustache demanded that Blomberg annul the marriage.

Blomberg refused and voluntarily resigned from all his positions.

After Blomberg resigned, Brauchitsch traveled by train to Berlin, where he was personally received by Keitel at the Chancellery to meet Hitler. Subsequently, Brauchitsch was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the German Army.

Crown Prince Wilhelm did not discuss anything else with Brauchitsch, but simply expressed his understanding of Brauchitsch and encouraged him to continue serving Germany.

This is actually easy to understand.

All along, Mustache had hoped to truly bring the Junker aristocratic group under his control.

The proud Junker could not possibly be convinced by an Austrian corporal.

Mustache summoned Brauchitsch to the Chancellor's office and asked him if he was loyal to Germany and the German government.

What can Brauchitsch say?
As for the economic reasons rumored by outsiders, they are mostly unfounded speculation.

When Brauchitsch was 26, he married Elizabeth von Kalestedt, the daughter of a nobleman and a landowner, and they had a son and a daughter.

Brauchitsch and Elizabeth did not have a good relationship. Because Brauchitsch was serving in the military, he was separated from his wife for a long time. During this period (1925), Brauchitsch met Charlotte Ruffer.

When Brauchitsch proposed a divorce to Elizabeth, Elizabeth refused.

This situation continued until 1938, when, due to the irreparable damage to their relationship, Elizabeth finally agreed to divorce Brauchitsch.

At the time of the divorce, Brauchitsch paid Elizabeth a lump sum of 2.5 marks, and also agreed to pay Elizabeth and the children 800 marks per month in child support.

Rumors circulated that Brauchitsch gave Elizabeth £25.

Moreover, this money was paid by the Prime Minister's Office on behalf of Brauchitsch.

Upon returning to the German High Command, Brauchitsch summoned Guderian and inquired about the reorganization of the armored forces.

During the fighting against Russia, Brauchitsch noticed that the configuration of the German armored forces was no longer adequate for the Russo-German war.

Based on Guderian's expertise in armored forces, after his discharge from the hospital, Guderian, under orders from Brauchitsch, reformed the armored forces.

The German armored forces were based on Polish and French designs.

Poland and France lacked armored forces, so the German army could easily achieve victory with a smaller force.

The Russian armored forces not only have a large number of armored vehicles, but also have well-developed auxiliary forces. Typically, it would take Germany two armored divisions to fight against one Russian armored division.

Guderian attempted to merge the two armored divisions, at least to avoid falling behind in the number of armored vehicles.

As for auxiliary forces, such as self-propelled artillery, anti-aircraft guns, reconnaissance, logistics, maintenance, and medical units, Guderian was powerless to help.

"The gap between us and Russia is comprehensive. If we were to build armored forces according to Russian standards, we could only build a maximum of 10 armored divisions."

Guderian was deeply saddened; the German army's weaknesses were laid bare against the Russian forces. "When will the reorganization be completed?"

Brauchitsch did his best and left the rest to fate.

Before going to war with Russia, Brauchitsch repeatedly advised Hitler not to start the war and to try to resolve the conflict between Russia and Germany through negotiations.

Although the outside world believes that Brauchitsch is Mustache's confidant.

There are some things Brauchitsch cannot say.

The Kingdom of Romania is also a junior partner.

Despite all of Carroll's antics, Russia didn't remove him from office; in the end, Carroll died mysteriously on a train in Germany.

Russia under Grand Prince Yuriev was different from Russia during the Tsarist era.

Russia no longer arbitrarily interferes in the internal affairs of its allies, nor does it forcefully suppress political dissidents. For a considerable period of time, Russia even lost interest in European affairs, focusing instead on developing its own strength, and remained harmless.

If it were a model like that of Russia and the Kingdom of Romania, then Brauchitsch believed it wouldn't be unacceptable for Germany.

The man with the mustache definitely wouldn't accept that.

Mustache wanted Russia to become Germany's little brother.

"It may take five months, or it may never be completed."

Guderian was telling the truth.

Five months is in the absence of war.

Although Russia has halted its offensive, the Anglo-American coalition will not give Germany a chance to regroup.

“scheie——”

Brauchitsch blurted out a vulgar curse.

After leaving the headquarters, Guderian went to Manuel's home.

Manuel's house was bustling with activity. It was Manuel's birthday, and he had invited friends and family for a small gathering.

It is currently the dead of winter, and Berlin has already begun to implement commodity controls. Sugar, alcohol, and beef, among other daily necessities, have disappeared from the market.

Manuel's wife prepared a feast for the guests, including steak and smoked ham, as well as rare chocolates.

"Where did this thing come from?"

Guderian was surprised; there was a lot of money to be made in logistics.

“I traded it with the Chamber of Commerce using my grandfather’s collection.”

Manuel smiled wryly. In the last century, Manuel's grandfather had participated in foreign wars.

"Yes, let's drink and be merry while we can."

Guderian longed to drink himself into oblivion.

Since they were all officers, after a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, the conversation inevitably turned to the ongoing war.

"The British and American peasants who have just taken up arms are no match for us. Our real adversary has always been Russia."

Lieutenant Colonel Rüdiger, who also worked in the logistics department but had not studied in Russia, complained bitterly.

"Nonsense! The Russians are not our enemies; the British and Americans are. They would love for us to be mutually destroyed, ideally with one of us lying in a graveyard and the other on an operating table."

Maximilian, who served as a staff officer at headquarters, was a classmate of Guderian and Manuel.

"We just want more living space, why is it so difficult?"

Manuel lamented the difficult situation.

"Living space is not only obtained through war—"

Guderian said calmly.

"why?"

Maximilian pressed for an answer.

"Unless we stop this damn war—"

Andrich, who had just been drowsy with drunkenness, sighed softly.

At that moment, the door was pushed open forcefully, and a group of Gestapo officers rushed in, all armed.

"What are you trying to do? Get out!"

Manuel was furious. What happened to the rule that the wind and rain could enter, but the king couldn't?

"I'm sorry, you've violated the relevant regulations, and you all have to come with me now."

The captain leading the group was arrogant and didn't take these Junker officers, whose names almost all contained the character "von," seriously.

"This is ridiculous. Since when has the Gestapo been allowed to control the national defense forces?"

Andrich gripped the knife in his hand tightly.

“We are having a meal together and have not violated any relevant regulations. Please leave now and do not disturb us.”

Guderian communicated patiently.

"The fact that we are having a meal together violates the relevant regulations."

The captain looked at the champagne and chocolates on the table and sneered repeatedly.

With supplies being rationed, everyone else is eating grass while you're getting champagne and chocolate. You should just stick to your own way and make a trip.

(End of this chapter)