103

January 6, 1941

New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany

The conversation between Stauffenberg and Wilhelm II did not stop there and continued.

Although the Kaiser was skeptical of Stauffenberg's words, he agreed that he must take action if Germany was to return to being a monarchy.

However, he did not say exactly what should be done, and he rejected Stauffenberg's proposed speech to the nation, saying that many people still did not view him favorably.

Then his second wife, Hermine, appeared, and their conversation ended.

These two probably never dreamed that their secret conversation would reach my ears.

It would be no small feat to insert a Gestapo informant among the workers and maids working at Dorn House.

It was not surprising, as it was well known that Wilhelm II was unable to let go of his attachment to the restoration of the monarchy, but Stauffenberg was surprised.

I had a vague guess that he would hope for the restoration of the monarchy since he was from the Junker, but I had no idea it would go to this level.

Stauffenberg, who was very close to the conspirators during the Second Night of the Long Knives incident, was naturally singled out as a target of investigation by the Gestapo, and to make matters worse, he was investigated for saying that he was confident in the innocence of his arrested colleagues.

The Gestapo's report on him passed through Heydrich and Himmler and ended up on my desk.

Although he did not hesitate to execute the conspirators due to the memory of being stabbed in the back in the previous regression, it was difficult to come to a conclusion regarding Stauffenberg.

The Gestapo's report also stated that no evidence was found that he was involved in this conspiracy, and even in previous returns, it was not known whether he participated in the coup or not.

It is known that he was an ardent supporter of Hitler and the Nazi Party until Kristallnacht, but became anti-Nazi because of the Nazis' atrocities.

Since Kristallnacht had not occurred and atrocities were strictly prohibited, I thought there was a good chance that he would be my loyal supporter here.

I couldn't kill him just because he was anxious, so I decided to keep him alive.

After being released, Stauffenberg fought in Poland and France, then was appointed bodyguard to Wilhelm II and sent to the Netherlands.

But I never thought they would be peeling pumpkin seeds here. If you had just stayed quiet, you would have enjoyed heavenly life, but you are urging me to do so by speaking out.

"Heydrich. "What do you think about this statement?"

"This is clearly a statement full of treason. "You can never sit idly by."

"Do you have any ideas on what to do with this guy?"

"Of course, by firing squad-"

"no no. "I don't think that's a very good method."

"Why?"

"If we take Stauffenberg's remarks and shoot him, the solidarity of the remaining royalists may become stronger. We barely managed to unite Germany, but we can't let this cause us to start slandering and hating each other again.

Let Stauffenberg be dealt with quietly. I will do this in a way that is as discreet as possible. "Take advantage of the fact that he is in the Netherlands."

"All right. What will the Kaiser do?"

"I feel like I want to scold you not to entertain such vain delusions again… . Don't you know that it can't be done? We should leave it like this. However, we must monitor Dorne House more thoroughly. "If guys like Stauffenberg approach the Kaiser and give him even a strange rumor, we'll be in trouble."

***

January 9, 1941

Utrecht, Netherlands

"Have you heard the news, Major?"

"What news?"

"I heard that the Fuhrer is planning to invite the Kaiser to Germany. "Do you know anything, Major?"

"at all. "I heard it for the first time today."

Stauffenberg, who was sitting in the back seat of the Kübelwagen and casually smoking a cigarette, suddenly thought that the order to report to headquarters might be related to the news his adjutant had told him.

If the Fuhrer was planning to invite the Kaiser to Germany, this would explain why a summons order suddenly came from headquarters.

"Another rumor is that Reichsmarschhal Göring is coming to have an audience with the Kaiser."

"It's Goering. "But what does that have to do with me?"

"Think about it. If high-ranking people come, it's going to be crazy a few days in advance. "They also say that Germany's second-in-command, recognized by the Fuhrer, is coming."

The adjutant shook his head, as if just imagining it was terrifying. Just the news that the division commander is coming will turn the entire division upside down, but what if the Marshal, Goering, who is no less than the second-in-command of the Third Reich, comes? You won't be able to sleep properly for a few days and you'll be busy mopping.

"You can just do it as usual. "Why are you worrying so much?"

If the news that the Fuhrer is inviting the Kaiser to Germany is true, why is he inviting the Kaiser? Is this also a work prepared by Goebbels?

Perhaps it is being called to discuss the restoration of the monarchy... The possibility of that happening is small. The purpose is probably to propagate to the public by creating a believable scene with the Kaiser at the forefront.

'wait. 'It might not be a bad idea if we can use this opportunity to inform the public of the Kaiser's existence and elicit support for the restoration of the monarchy.'

Even though the Kaiser is an old man with no real power, the fact that he was the former monarch of Germany prevents even the Fuhrer from treating him carelessly.

If only I could use that to address the people directly... .?

Rather than hoping for vague mercy from the President, if you directly preach to the people about the need to restore the monarchy, it could be a good opportunity to gather support and gauge the public's reaction.

"Wow!?"

When the right tire of the Kubelwagen driving on the road exploded, the driver quickly turned the steering wheel to the left.

The Kubelwagen, which lost its balance, spun around and hit a street tree and came to a stop.

"Major? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. "What kind of situation is this?"

"I'm not sure, but I think the tire exploded."

The moment the driver opened the driver's door to check the condition of the tires, shots were fired.

Dozens of bullets flew out almost simultaneously, indiscriminately chopping up the bodies of the three passengers in the Kubelwagen.

The driver and deputy died at the scene. However, Stauffenberg did not die.

Even though his entire body was punctured and blood was flowing like a fountain, he was still alive.

However, it was clear that he was destined to die not long after, as he did not die immediately.

Stauffenberg stared blankly at the sight of his grey-green uniform turning red with blood flowing from holes in his body.

"This, this, what the hell…" .."

Every time I spat out a word, I spit out dark red blood from my mouth. As I got chills, my vision gradually became blurry.

Stauffenberg was trying hard to endure the drowsiness that was flooding him. But no matter how hard he tried, his eyelids kept closing.

Before he completely lost consciousness, he could see a group of gunmen coming out of the bushes next to the road. The assailants who approached the Kubelwagen looked surprised when they saw Stauffenberg, who was still unconscious.

Soon, the gunman, presumed to be the leader of the group, took out a pistol from his pocket.

"Goodbye, comrade."

The gunman's words were undoubtedly German. In his fading consciousness, Stauffenberg remembered this one thing clearly.

That the people who killed him were Germans like him.

But he could never figure out why they were killing him, a member of his own race.

As the gunshot rang out, Stauffenberg's head fell back. After completing their mission, the gunmen disappeared into the bushes.

***

January 11, 1941

Brown House, Munich, Germany

Stauffenberg's death was ostensibly announced as the death of a member of the Dutch Resistance.

The SD agents led by Naujokes showed meticulousness in using the Madsen light machine gun and FN M1910 pistol used by the Dutch army for thorough camouflage.

In any case, the Wehrmacht military police who arrived at the scene soon reported Stauffenberg's death to the Netherlands Garrison Command and assumed that it was the work of the Dutch Resistance.

I took this opportunity to replace all of the guards at Dorn House with the Waffen SS, fearing that the Dutch Resistance might attempt to kidnap or assassinate Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Mussert also dispatched an additional company of Dutch troops to tightly guard the area near Dorn House.

I don't know if the old Kaiser would have realized who was behind this assassination.

But even if he noticed, there was nothing he could do. He said, "What can an old man in the back room with no real power do?"

Rather, I hoped that I would use this opportunity to convey my intention not to even dream of nonsense like the restoration of the Empire.

If you just stay still, I won't touch you, so don't whine about wanting to be emperor again.

Because I hate people who openly try to put a spoonful on other people's tables.

"This country doesn't need any more royalty. "Isn't that so, Dr. Goebbels?"

"That is a valid statement, Mr. President. The biggest enemies of Germany are those who have no ability or will, and who only trust in their natural blood and live in disbelief. So, how about using this opportunity to purge all remaining royalists in Germany?"

Things are going well, but then it happens again. Why is there no middle, middle?

"If I do that, it will only instill in the public the perception that I am afraid of royalists. "Although they are royalists, there are many who are loyal to me, so I can't throw them all away."

Representatively, Erich Raeder and Karl Dönitz are also known as figures who supported the monarchy.

However, these two are loyal to me regardless of their personal political inclinations, and as they did in previous regressions, they will probably maintain the same stance until their deaths.

If I purge these people because they are royalists, who will be loyal to me? He probably thinks he needs to break his head first before he gets purged too.

In the case of August von Mackensen, who was a German field marshal during World War I, he openly claims to be a royalist, but he is a big man that even I, the Fuhrer, cannot dare to touch, so I cannot treat him carelessly.

Touching Mackensen, the most senior person not only in the Army but also in the entire Defense Forces, is the same as turning the entire Defense Forces into enemies.

And even though Mackensen knows that I can't touch him, he doesn't push himself and cooperates with the Nazi Party's policies, keeping the basic lines well.

Mackensen, the biggest figure in the royalist faction, is like this, so others are also behaving well.

Of course, it only looks like this on the outside and we don't know what they are thinking on the inside, but there is no way to know the inside of a person.

So, as long as you don't cross the line as openly as Stauffenberg, whether you are a royalist or a democrat, I plan to cross it quietly.

"Himmler, do you have a suggestion for me? What is this time?"

"Yes, please look at this plan."

I accepted the plan presented by Himmler with the feeling that this time it must be nonsense, like ancient Aryan relics or something. I was surprised once that my hunch was wrong, and twice by the contents of the plan.

The title of the plan is [Measures for the use of Jews in the Polish Protectorate].

"Let's utilize the Jews in Poland? "You?"

Did you eat something wrong today? Otherwise, there's no way you'd suggest something like this, right?

Could it be that someone else was possessed by Himmler just like I was possessed by Hitler? Himmler's plan was shocking enough to make you think that way.

The man who argued throughout history that every single Jewish person should be exterminated is now suggesting that Jews be utilized. The sun will rise in the west.

"I never dreamed that you, and no one else, would suggest that we should use the Jews."

"There is no change in my belief that Jews are hindering Germany's development, but didn't the Fuhrer tell me before that anyone, whether Jewish, black, or brown, should be used if it helps Germany? As His Excellency the President said, I was just thinking about it as practically as possible."

Well then. It is impossible for a person to suddenly change overnight.

Still, seeing as Himmler, who was a vehement anti-Semite, suggested that Jews should be used first, it seems that even this guy has room for change.

There's still a long way to go, but we've come this far.

"According to SD research, the number of Jews living in the Polish Protectorate is estimated at 3.3 million. Although they are Polish in principle, they have suffered great and small discrimination and persecution from the Polish people and the Polish government.

Therefore, the Jews of the Protectorate are more than happy to welcome the presence of our German troops, and among the residents of the Protectorate, they are the most active in cooperating with the authorities.

The Poles of the Protectorate, like the Czechs of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, are largely accommodating to German rule, but some have become partisans and are waging armed struggle.

Of course, we are thoroughly clearing them out, and we are making progress every day, but we still feel sorry for each and every soldier. Therefore, we train and arm Jews who are friendly to Germany and have them subdue the partisans."

"Hey, you're trying to make the Poles fight each other."

For us, it is good because we can save our troops, and by making the Poles and Jews of the protectorate fight against each other, we can weaken the power of the Partisans, so we kill two birds with one stone. not bad.

"It's a good idea. But Himmler, how are you going to recruit Jews? "Wouldn't Jews come together only if there was compensation, such as increased rations or special allowances?"

Himmler answered my question with a grin.

"There is no compensation, Mr. President."

"No compensation? What does that mean? "Will the Jews gather there if there is no compensation?"

"Of course, basic allowances will be paid. Of course, they are also 'mercenaries' who fight with guns for Germany. However, there is no need to provide special rewards. Do you know why?"

"I don't know?"

"Because there is no need to do that. Because Jews have been severely persecuted in Poland, many people hate Poles. Who would refuse to give them the opportunity to kill Poles with their own hands? "They would rather kill Poles, even if it means paying them."

***

Himmler's prediction soon turned out to be true.

Recruitment began throughout the Protectorate to create Jewish units, and more than 40,000 applicants came in within a week.

Because there were so many applicants, the recruitment deadline, which was scheduled for mid-February, ended early on January 25.

The number of Jews gathered by the recruitment deadline was 72,000. Considering that the number of people recruited was 6,000, this was a significant number. The hatred and anger of the Jews toward the Poles was beyond imagination.

"Among applicants, give priority to those who can speak German and those who have military service experience. Then we can fill the garden."

"What will you name the Jewish unit?"

"Is there really a need to make a grand decision? Simply call it Sonderkommando (special duty unit)."

Sonderkommando.

The name given to the inmates in Auschwitz who were responsible for leading their fellow countrymen to the gas chambers and burying the bodies was reborn as the name of the Jewish special unit that would deal with Polish partisans.