Episode 241: The Fall of the Giants (1)
June 14, 1943
FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, USA
Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment.
And even the revelation of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
As the news was reported almost simultaneously by famous media outlets such as the Washington Post, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, as well as media outlets specializing in third-rate gossip whose names we did not even know existed, it was difficult to know where the first report was made or where the information came from.
All media outlets unanimously stated that they had received related data from an anonymous informant whose identity was unknown and that they reported it because it was highly credible. It was as if they were collaborating with each other.
FBI Director John Edgar Hoover was a man of positional power. Since his family was poor from a young age, he had to study and work at the same time.
He firmly believed that the only way to escape poverty was through success, and to achieve success, one had to study well.
While working as an assistant librarian at the Library of Congress, Hoover studied, even saving time for eating and sleeping.
After much effort, he passed the bar exam and entered the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) of the Ministry of Justice, where he began to demonstrate his talents to the fullest.
Hoover never let go of his prey.
Those he had branded as his targets hung on until the end and forced their surrender.
It was also through Hoover's work that Emma Goldman, a Russian-American anarchist who participated in the anti-war movement, was expelled from the United States.
Hoover, who was appointed director in his late 20s for his outstanding contributions, maintained his position even when BOI was renamed FBI and the organization was reorganized.
His prey were mainly criminals, mafia, communists, and anarchists, but even political figures and famous stars were not safe from Hoover's clutches.
Hoover had FBI agents go after politicians and celebrities, citing national security reasons.
He made the files he secured into files and used them as a shield in case of an attack on him.
Those who were vulnerable to Hoover had no choice but to follow Hoover's instructions. Hollywood stars, movie directors, congressmen, and even the President of the United States.
However, Hoover was not a simpleton who only believed in his own abilities and went on a rampage.
He knew that if he received more hate than necessary, it would come back to him, and he wanted to remain in a symbiotic relationship as much as possible.
This was one of the reasons he was a genius.
Hoover did not care who the president was as long as he recognized his status and authority and did not interfere with it.
Therefore, he was quite dissatisfied with Roosevelt's pro-Soviet tendencies, but he did not express his dissatisfaction outwardly because he did not affect his position in the FBI like previous presidents.
Immediately after reports of the Tuskegee experiment and the attack on Pearl Harbor came out, Roosevelt summoned Hoover.
Hoover, facing Roosevelt, sensed that the president was now frightened.
Hoover was only acting very angry, but Hoover did not know that this was a kind of acting to hide the fact that he was scared.
Roosevelt angrily ordered Hoover to find out the source of the rumors spread by German spies.
As if he were a completely innocent person who had nothing to do with the suspicions reported in the newspaper.
To be honest, Hoover didn't care at all whether the black people at Tuskegee were used as material for biological experiments.
What does it matter whether the inferior negroes get syphilis or not?
Rather, they should be grateful that their precious lives can help the growth of the American medical community!
In an effort to quell the controversy that was spreading like wildfire, the White House dismissed it as a rumor spread by German spies.
Because the timing was so perfect, this method actually didn't really work.
But people were doubting. Is this really a rumor spread by German spies? What if it's not just a rumor but the truth?
If the president did something to push the United States into war, this is not something that will end with a simple apology.
This is a serious matter that could lead to not only impeachment but also conviction.
Hoover sat with his hands clasped together and his chin resting on them. As he closed his eyes, he remembered what Roosevelt had said to him:
He said that if he handled this matter safely, he would appoint him as FBI Director for life and give him all the unprecedented privileges.
Although Roosevelt's proposal was very interesting, Hoover was a cool-headed person.
Aside from being interested in the proposal, the priority is to judge the current situation calmly.
Even if the controversies had not surfaced, Roosevelt would have scored his own goal politically.
Although the participating faction defeated the opposing faction by a narrow margin, the public backlash was not something that could be easily overcome.
I don't know what Roosevelt himself thought, but his chances of being re-elected in next year's presidential election were very slim.
Even more so now that two huge bombs have exploded in succession.
There is no choice more foolish than remaining on a ship that is destined to sink.
Then it would be better… … .
***
In just a few days, Roosevelt looked haggard, as if he had aged 10 years.
I couldn't find any composure on his face, which was consistently overflowing with confidence and even looked somewhat arrogant.
To some extent, it was expected that the public's backlash against the start of the war against Germany would be strong.
But the Tuskegee and Pearl Harbor incidents were beyond calculation.
Roosevelt attempted to quell the controversy by dismissing the rumors circulating as rumors spread by German spies or the Fifth Column, which was secretly working against the United States, to prevent participation in the European War.
However, these attempts only had the opposite effect.
The materials reported in the newspapers were top secrets that could not be known to anyone other than insiders.
If it was truly the work of German spies, Berlin already knew all the high-level confidential information of the United States.
Perhaps even the U.S. participation in the war may be within the expected range.
Roosevelt, who regarded Hitler as simply a war-crazed warmonger and a lucky clown who imitated a prophet, slowly felt afraid of Hitler's real power.
Therefore, Roosevelt hoped that this revelation was not the work of German spies but an internal work.
At the same time, even when he thought about it, the reality of having to desperately tell the public that it was a rumor spread by German spies was quite comical.
"Your Excellency, public opinion is unusual."
"I know. But now it's something that can't be undone."
Even as the entire United States was infested with protesters opposing and supporting the war, black people protesting the Tuskegee experiment, and demonstrators demanding to reveal the truth about the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt did not regret the decision he made.
It cannot be reversed now, and if we back down, Britain will become German territory and the United States will not only miss the opportunity to save Britain and Europe forever, but even the safety of the United States will be in danger.
That's why Roosevelt couldn't back down. He said that if he steps back, America and the world will be in danger.
"Some in the Republican Party are even saying that you should be impeached."
"Those damn bastards… … ."
"The whole country is in dire straits. "How about considering declaring martial law?"
"That's not possible. It could be seen as oppression of the people. "If that happens, something truly irreversible will happen."
Considering the situation, it would have been safe to declare martial law right now, but Roosevelt hesitated.
If martial law is declared, the public may see the government as having chosen hard-line suppression rather than an explanation for the controversy.
In this case, it may send the wrong message even to citizens who support the government.
Since everything reported in the media is true and cannot be explained, the government has taken hard action to suppress it.
If even the barely remaining support base turns their backs, then there is truly no turning back.
However, there was something Roosevelt misjudged.
The situation was turning out to be much more serious than he thought.
***
Operation Black Death was a huge success.
When the truth was revealed that there had been information provided by Germany before the Tuskegee experiment and the attack on Pearl Harbor, but that the Roosevelt government had ignored it, leading to the disaster, American society was turned upside down.
Black people took to the streets to protest the fact that they were being subjected to government biological experiments.
People who lost their husbands and sons at Pearl Harbor took to the streets to hold the government accountable.
There was no city across the United States where protests or riots did not occur.
How do you feel, Roosevelt?
My surprise gift.
You must be very out of your mind, right? huh?
When I told him to go on a nice trip, he closed his ears and ignored me, and it must have been a terrible experience. LOL.
"The Yankees are busy fighting among themselves."
"If it continues like this, I don't think there will be anything to worry about."
"If I had known this would happen, I would have launched the Black Death operation a long time ago."
While everyone was talking about the results of Operation Black Death, Heydrich said:
As Heydrich said, if it had been revealed a little earlier, it might have prevented the United States from participating in the war.
However, if infighting breaks out more than necessary in the United States, it will also have an impact on the Pacific theater and may cause an unexpected disaster.
In fact, there is a risk that there will be a backlash that will only further stimulate Roosevelt.
That's why I put this off until the last minute... … Since I went to war, there is nothing I can do.
Liberation of the people and homeland is important, but my top priority is how to successfully end this war.
This time, I tried to accept what he said, but Goering came forward and refuted Heydrich's words.
"It is not unreasonable to think so, but do you think the Fuhrer left the Black Death operation until now without even thinking about it? Of course, it's all like that for a reason."
"It is difficult to conclude that the same effect would have been achieved if these incidents were also exposed when the Soviet spies in Britain and the United States were exposed. It may not have had much effect because it was buried under other revelations. Rather, it achieved the best effect by launching it at a time when public opinion against the war against Germany was high, as it is now."
"Umm… … ."
When Keitel came forward and refuted, Heydrich nodded quietly.
It seemed like he didn't really agree with that statement, but he seemed like he was just going to admit it because he was worried that if he said more, he might hear something unexpected.
"Isn't that right?"
"… … yes. Of course not. "As expected, you are amazingly good at reading my thoughts."
I pretended to agree with what Goering said.
Goering held his head upright with a triumphant expression, and the other generals looked at him with envious eyes.
Well, good things are good things, so there's no need to say things that don't need to be said. Knowing a lot is strength, but not knowing is weakness. Isn't that the way of life?
Currently, our forces are advancing north toward London, passing Maidstone and Crawley.
The British army is trying hard to stop them, but they are unable to use much force because our army has an absolute superiority in all aspects of manpower, equipment, and morale.
Three days earlier, the 9th Army landed in Portsmouth with the support of the Air Force and Navy.
The goal of the 9th Army is to advance to Gloucester, isolate the British Army in southwestern England, and check the British Army's attack on the flanks of our troops moving north toward London.
One thing that is troubling is that yesterday RAF bombers attempted an air raid on the German mainland even though the mainland had been invaded.
Munster, which was hit by an airstrike, suffered only minor damage, but many reacted with bewilderment at the RAF's intention to attempt an airstrike against Germany when it was not enough to divert all of its remaining air power to defending the homeland.
It seems like the intention is to catch us off guard and give us a blow... … If this is grit, I don't know if it should be called grit.
"They are such absurd guys. German air raids while their own country was being invaded. "I don't know what they think of war."
Gallant shrugged his shoulders and said.
No matter how much I try to think rationally, I cannot understand it. Of course, I agree with that statement.
In history, the Nazis were eager to attack the British mainland using jet bombers and all, even when the Allies had advanced to mainland Germany, but here, the exact opposite is happening.
Even if I kneel down and pray right now, it won't be enough.
I am willing to accept negotiations even now if it is on the condition that we give up all our colonies and have German troops stationed in England.
There was another absurd news.
Japan had been appealing to Germany to form an alliance.
Since the United States declared war on Germany, Japan and Germany are now partners fighting a common enemy called the United States.
If Japan and Germany join forces, it is not impossible to destroy America's ambition to conquer the world.
"After signing the alliance, we ask Germany to act as a mediator and help Japan conclude peace negotiations with China."
"Ha, damn it, I fell asleep. "You idiots."
Don't these guys even think?
Before, they were all arrogant about us betraying them and all that, but now that they are in a position of regret, they change their stance like they flip the palm of their hand.
what? alliance? Peace negotiations? The ones who expelled our ambassador? I'm so shocked that I can't even speak.
"Tell them not to talk nonsense. I'd rather fight alone than join hands with barbarians like you who don't know international etiquette... … Ah, yes, this will work."
"… … ?"
"Tell them that you are willing to formally conclude a military alliance if all occupied areas and territories except Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido are ceded to Germany. If you accept all of the above conditions, Tiger and Schwalbe will also provide generous support. "I also ask if this is enough business for Japan."
"Ji, are you serious…? … ?"
To Ribbentrop's question, I nodded as if it was obvious.
"Don't be serious. "If we, Germany, are willing to help Japan even at the cost of all kinds of losses, shouldn't there be a reasonable price in return?"
"This is a bit... … ."
Weizsäcker asked on behalf of the hesitant Ribbentrop.
"Mr. President. "I may be presumptuous, but shouldn't we also consider our relationship with Japan after the war?"
"What have we got to consider about these bastards? These guys are sure to fail. "Do you think they can even win against the United States?"
Unless the 21st Century Self-Defense Force fleet trips to Japan right now, Japan's defeat is certain.
There is no way the Americans, who were distracted by the attack on Pearl Harbor, would leave Japan alone.
Even the war situation is favorable to the United States and not to Japan.
With the delay in participating in the European Front, the United States was able to concentrate all its power on the Pacific Front, and as a result, it is advancing toward Tokyo, crushing the Japanese army at a much faster rate than in history.
Although the Manhattan Project and the Soviet Union's participation in the war, which had a decisive influence on Japan's surrender, were different, there was only a difference in the process leading to the conclusion, and Japan could not avoid defeat.
There is no fool who puts all his money into a stock that is sure to be delisted.
How much more so to join hands now with those who are oppressing and exploiting our people.
That's nonsense.