Purge

History will remember many curious details. For instance, not all Germans supported Akado, the head of state, nor did they all align with Franco's National Army during the Spanish Civil War. In fact, hundreds of Germans sided with the Republican Army, joining their ranks to bravely combat the Spanish National Army, which was backed by Akado. Most of these German volunteers were exiles who had fled their homeland after Akado began his policies of exclusion in 1933. These exiles, after a series of trials, made their way to Spain and were integrated into the 11th and 12th International Brigades, which comprised volunteers from 17 different countries including France, Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. These volunteers rushed to support the Spanish people in their fight to defend freedom.

Many of these German volunteers were grouped into the Thälmann Battalion, named after Ernst Thälmann, a prominent German communist leader. Thälmann was arrested by Akado's regime following the Reichstag fire, detained by the SS, and later executed in a concentration camp south of Kiel. The battalion, primarily composed of Germans, participated in some of the fiercest battles of the Spanish Civil War. They broke through the encirclement at Caceres, becoming one of the few besieged units to escape. In Salamanca, they engaged in a two-day skirmish against Germany's 8th Armored Division, providing cover for the retreat of allied forces while suffering substantial losses. Despite these hardships, the battalion's flag, emblazoned with a sickle and hammer, still flew proudly over their positions. They staunchly defended the road between Madrid and Valencia, repelling the intense assaults of the National Army and ultimately earning themselves honor and respect.

Now positioned in a critical defensive sector of Madrid, the Thälmann Battalion faced the formidable 2nd Panzer Division of the German SS. Building by building, room by room, they fought fiercely, their positions turning to rubble before eventually being overrun. Amidst the chaos, the battalion's headquarters was shaken by nearby explosions. The battalion commander, covered in dust, grabbed a phone and rasped, "Hello? What's the task?"

"At one o'clock, we launch a full counterattack to reclaim parts of Madrid we've lost. Prepare your battalion!" came the order.

"God! We're down to 173 soldiers! The Thälmann Battalion barely exists! Sir, we submitted our evacuation request four days ago! And now you're calling for a counterattack? What a joke," the commander replied, his laughter tinged with bitterness.

Above, the drone of engines announced the arrival of three Do-217b medium bombers, a downgraded export version of Germany's own Do-217a, less speedy and less accurate but still formidable enough to have beaten Italian competitors for the Spanish National Army's order. Despite the limited number of these aircraft in Spain, their presence was a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict.

As the war intensified, both sides deployed massive forces and a plethora of new weaponry, escalating the devastation. In the southern outskirts of Madrid, a tank commander from the German SS's 2nd Panzer Division recalled an encounter with a Republican defensive line manned by Basque miners. "We hadn't detected any movement, but we knew well the miners' bravery and tenacity from previous clashes," he recounted. 

The tanks advanced to within 200 meters of the barricades, targeting the dark apertures of gun holes. "A brave IDF captain was leading the charge, unbelievably popping his head out of his tank hatch amidst the gunfire to check his bearings," the commander added, noting how they often communicated by firing near each other as a warning—more immediate than using radios.

The brutality of the conflict was undeniable. Republican soldiers daringly attacked German tanks with grenades and explosive packs, targeting tracks and observation slits. Some even emerged from cover to shout encouragements to their comrades, becoming easy targets for the tankers' machine guns.

The war continued relentlessly. Franco's forces, bolstered by large caliber howitzers supplied by Italy, found these heavy guns invaluable despite their bulkiness compared to Krupp's newer models. The artillery's lack of mobility was a minor inconvenience in the static warfare that characterized the battle for Madrid.

Another barrage began, the shells screaming through the air, devastating streets and buildings, and sending debris flying high. Amidst the smoke and destruction, the bodies of the fallen were left where they lay, as those who survived had little capacity to tend to the dead.

Franco's outdated He-51 fighters, purchased from Germany, undertook bombing runs, now only auxiliary tasks due to the dominance of newer aircraft like the I-16 and Me-109 in combat roles. Despite the brief duration of these bombings, returning planes often bore bullet holes—a testament to the fierce resistance from the Soviet Air Force, which suffered heavy losses despite aggressive countermeasures.

As the German and Italian air forces gained local air superiority, they launched intense bombardments across Madrid, initially avoiding civilian targets but eventually targeting anything within reach. The bombings, often conducted at night to minimize aircraft losses to ground fire, wreaked havoc on civilian infrastructure, damaging hospitals and residential buildings.

In a bid to enhance bombing accuracy, Germany secretly deployed three new Stuka dive bombers, the Ju-87, to Spain for testing. These aircraft, with their distinctive gull wings and equipped with powerful cannons and bombs, were designed to instill terror, featuring sirens that emitted a terrifying scream during dives, demoralizing the enemy before the bombs even struck.

These Stukas proved their worth during the crucial battle of Barcelona, supporting the 8th Panzer Division's breakthrough and disrupting key fortifications and transport routes. The fall of Barcelona significantly altered the course of the war, putting immense pressure on the Republican defenses and shifting the balance towards Franco's forces.

Back in Berlin, news of Soviet Marshal Tukhachevsky's arrest on charges of espionage added to the sense of victory. Akado, buoyed by the internal turmoil within the Soviet Union, celebrated by dining with Mercedes and his father, discussing the prospective sale of overseas assets owned by the Bailanhua Group, even as the war continued to rage in Spain.

"Akado, I've been swamped with handling overseas business for Bai Lanhua Group recently, and haven't had much time to spend with you. Do you blame me?" Mercedes, Akado's fiancée, posed the question gently while expertly slicing her steak in their cozy dining room in Germany—a country where the name Akado was uncommon, yet notably belonged to him.

Akado shook his head, a warm smile spreading across his face. "No, of course not. How could I possibly blame you, a beautiful and diligent woman like yourself?"

Mercedes, satisfied with his response, continued, "I really admire Anna, you know. Unlike me and Fanny, she's not always able to be by your side... But I'm grateful to her. Didn't she recently prevent an assassination attempt against you?"

As she spoke, Mercedes delicately placed a piece of steak into her mouth, her bright red lips forming a charming arc as she awaited his answer.

Akado chuckled, a hint of embarrassment coloring his expression. "It wasn't as dramatic as you think. She and the guards had received intelligence beforehand and managed to neutralize the gunman early."

"My leader, you must prioritize your safety!" Gerin Nike Cassia, who was also at the dinner, interjected earnestly. "You are a crucial figure for our party and our nation. We cannot afford any mishaps."

"Thank you, I will be cautious," Akado replied, nodding appreciatively. He then shifted the conversation, "Actually, there's something important I need to discuss with both of you."

"Please, my leader, go ahead," Gerin Nike responded immediately, sensing the gravity of the moment. He had suspected this dinner was more than a casual gathering; if it were merely a social occasion, Akado would have invited only Mercedes.

"I want to hear your thoughts on the Junker nobility," Akado queried, fixing his gaze on Gerin Nike.

Gerin Nike set down his utensils, pondering the question before replying, "They are a barrier to Germany's progress! If possible, we should curtail their influence."

"Is it feasible to dismantle this group?" Akado pressed on.

Gerin Nike hesitated, "To be frank, it's complex due to the many involved aspects. Initiating such a move might provoke strong pushback."

He suggested, "Perhaps we could fragment their power, introducing a new class like the emerging small capitalists. They could absorb the benefits after the Junkers' downfall, forming a supportive base for us. This approach would minimize resistance to eliminating the Junker nobility."

"And what if I expanded the operation to include eliminating some monopoly conglomerates?" Akado inquired further, cutting into his steak as if discussing something as mundane as the weather.

Gerin Nike considered carefully before answering, "The power of these conglomerates is substantial. For instance, your Bai Lanhua Group could be considered a leading German monopoly. Groups like Krupp, which support you, and several major aircraft manufacturers, are all part of this elite circle."

"It seems challenging to tackle them all at once, right?" Akado mused quietly.

"I believe so," Gerin Nike agreed, taking a sip of wine. "My preferred strategy would involve targeting a few for crackdowns while co-opting others, ensuring they align closely with you rather than opposing you."

Akado nodded thoughtfully, then broached another sensitive topic, "Have you heard about the recent SS actions against the Jews?"

"Of course," Gerin Nike nodded, "It's become quite public. Although the newspapers claim the SS isn't involved."

"Do you believe the newspapers?" Akado probed.

"My leader, I am privy to the inside information. I know the SS has been implicated, though many incidents have been falsely attributed to them," Gerin Nike confessed.

"Yes, these recent incidents weren't perpetrated by the SS," Akado sighed. "Reinhardt is troubled by it too. Some IDF generals have even suggested disbanding the SS. This issue has been a dilemma for me. Do you have any suggestions?"

Gerin Nike pondered before proposing, "What if we didn't focus on finding the actual perpetrator? What if we decided who the perpetrator should be?"

Akado, intrigued, urged him to elaborate.

"We could use this as an opportunity to target the Junker nobles and non-cooperative monopoly conglomerates," Gerin Nike explained, a shrewd glint in his eye. "We could also implicate wealthy Jews who are economically powerful. This way, regardless of the actual instigator, we weaken our opposition."

Akado, deep in thought, acknowledged the cunning of the plan. "It's a pragmatic approach indeed. Sometimes, growth and strategy require such tough decisions."

"My leader," Gerin Nike added, "I believe I should be more involved in the government to further develop these strategies."

"I'll consider it," Akado replied, glancing at Mercedes who was deep in discussion about national affairs. "Let's eat now. I have plans to watch a new movie with Mercedes later."

The conversation shifted to international matters as Mercedes laughed, "The Soviets are purging their ranks to strengthen their unity. Perhaps it's time we did the same."

"I agree. To the resurgence of a great Germany! Cheers!" Akado raised his glass, signaling a new phase of assertive moves that would reshape the power dynamics within Germany and beyond.

The following day, the German newspapers were abuzz with news. The SS had traced the assassination of a wealthy Jewish businessman to an organization dubbed the "Ghost of Germany," allegedly comprising some Junker nobles, monopoly conglomerates, and rich Jewish merchants. This group, according to the reports, sought to consolidate power through economic sabotage.

Akado, seizing the narrative, delivered a powerful speech declaring war on these so-called traitors. The SS swiftly arrested numerous suspects, confiscating their assets and redistributing them to smaller capitalists, thereby solidifying a new supportive base for Akado's initiatives.

As opposition arose, particularly from aristocratic military officers, Akado decisively quelled these minor uprisings, further consolidating his control over the military and the nation.

However, the backlash from influential industrialists like those from Krupp, who flew in from the Ruhr to plead for leniency for the captured conglomerate heads, underscored the complexities of Akado's strategy.

Despite these challenges, Akado's grip on Germany tightened, his policies reshaping the nation's internal and external politics, mirroring in some ways the purges and policies unfolding in the Soviet Union. Both nations, under stern leadership, were marked by their relentless pursuit of unity and control, albeit through harsh and often brutal measures.