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As the lion, which prides itself on losing its teeth but still retaining its claws, sheds more blood in India, voices protesting against it gained strength.
"Get off the sidewalk right now!"
"How long are you going to drive our young people to death!"
"War is boring!"
"Peace in the world our children will live in!"
People were feeling sick of war. And they were also feeling fear.
Doesn't this mean our turn will come?
People were afraid that their sons or husbands would receive an enlistment warrant and that they would have to send their only family member to the battlefield.
In addition, people were outraged by the fact that the Governor-General arrested Gandhi, a non-violent activist known worldwide, and imprisoned him, calling it an unprecedented act of violence.
Even Gandhi, who emphasized dialogue and coexistence instead of guns and bombs, was recklessly arrested. Isn't this going too far? What did he do wrong?
What's even bigger is that even Germany began to openly mention this incident.
Germany will also remain neutral as long as the United States does not project direct military force into India, but expressed deep concern about bloodshed in India.
In addition, separate preparedness measures are already being prepared in case bloodshed continues.
"And dictatorship and oppression can never last. You can oppress Indians who want freedom with guns and swords right now, but you will not be able to break their will."
Ribbentrop's announcement made the world nervous. Beyond openly certifying that Germany was keeping a close eye on India, it was tantamount to declaring that Germany would also join the war as soon as the United States entered the war in India.
Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States all suffered defeat in the confrontation with Germany. If there was no Atlantic Ocean between the United States and Europe, Hakenkreuz would be flying in Washington and New York by now.
As it became clear that Germany was watching India closely, people's anti-war and anti-war public opinion burned even stronger.
Americans protested, outraged that they might have to go to war with Germany again over the Indian issue.
Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders, disgusted with having to send their families to battle, demanded the liberation of India.
As the constituent countries that believed in the Union openly rebelled against Indian rule, the position of the British government-in-exile became even narrower.
Now, the plausible logic that India's independence led to Germany's advance into Asia no longer worked. While blocking Germany's advance into the Indian Ocean, they might end up in war with Germany! You have to do your best to lead guests!
The reports coming from India all contained only despairing predictions. As if there was a competition to see who was more desperate.
"The Indians came with a tank?"
"You didn't capture a friendly tank, did you?"
"is it… … ."
When we received reports that the guerrillas were pulling tanks, we initially thought they were using captured tanks.
However, the number was greater than expected. Even if intact tanks were captured and used as is, there was something strange about this large number.
When a fighter jet was finally sighted, suspicion turned into certainty.
"You fucking Jerry bastards!"
It was clear that Germany was supplying weapons to the guerrillas. Not only did they support submachine guns and grenades, but they were now supporting tanks, field artillery, and fighter planes!
They didn't just give you weapons and ammunition. Even if you have a weapon, it's useless if you don't know how to use it.
There is no way the guerrillas would have learned how to operate tanks and fly fighter planes on their own, and Germany would certainly have provided help in this regard.
Otherwise, how could those barbarians use modern weapons!
Soon, OSS and MI6 discovered that Germany was providing weapons, ammunition, fuel, and food to Indian guerrillas via Iran and Afghanistan, and that Indians were being trained at training centers throughout Germany.
The problem is that we only succeeded in finding out.
There was nothing to do after that.
"Bombing Iran and Afghanistan is-"
"Are you sane? Are you trying to turn the entire Middle East into a battlefield?"
"If that happens, Germany will immediately declare entry into the war."
The Indian guerrillas alone were a headache, so messing with Iran and Afghanistan was complete suicide. However, if these two countries were left alone, the guerrillas would receive a steady supply of weapons.
"How about just bombing the main alleys in the border area?"
"And what if we accidentally bomb Iranian and Afghan territory?"
"Rather, I wonder if they will try to use this as an excuse to find fault... … ."
"shit! "Then what are we going to do!"
"It's not just that. Protests are increasing, and Australia and New Zealand have also informed us that further conscription is difficult."
"I'm going crazy, really."
As time passed, the conclusion became clear that it would no longer be possible for Britain to rule India.
In the end, Britain had to choose one.
Will we literally turn India into a graveyard of empires?
Should we withdraw from India?
If Britain continues to try to control India, it will become completely isolated.
Commonwealth countries, which had faithfully followed the policies of the British government-in-exile, are now slowly beginning to show their discomfort.
If we give up India even now, the conflict within the Commonwealth can be quickly resolved. However, India will definitely become an Axis power, and the doors to the Indian Ocean and Asia will be wide open for Nazi Germany.
While the British were struggling, the owner of the White House was changing in the United States.
***
March 9, 1945
Washington DC White House, USA
Thomas Edmund Dewey, the 34th President of the United States, had a clear problem that needed to be dealt with urgently.
To resolve the Indian issue as quickly as possible.
While Wallace had so far taken a bystander's position, accepting Britain's argument that India should continue to rule since it was obvious that India would become an Axis power if it became independent, Dewey, the energetic new president, plans to continue to stand as a bystander like Wallace. There was no.
Anyone can see that it has now become impossible for Britain to rule India as a colony like before. On the contrary, as British oppression continued, the anti-British sentiment among Indians steadily accumulated.
There is also resentment and hatred towards the United States for arming Britain.
In Dewey's view, the United States' continuing to remain on the sidelines was a perfect suicide. It was never too late, but it was time to take action now.
"I will not speak at length. Get your hands off India immediately."
Young Dewey spoke in a firm and firm tone to Attlee, who was nearly 20 years older than him. Attlee was extremely embarrassed by his tone and attitude that he would not allow even the slightest concession.
"Did you tell me to get my hands off the sidewalk?"
"That's right."
"… … Do you know what will happen in India as soon as we withdraw from India?"
"Of course."
Dewey nodded.
"Indians will achieve independence."
"Damn it. "You're not saying that right now!"
Attlee was indignant. How could someone who does not know, and should not know, the extent of India's position in the British Empire, speak so easily?
However, there was something that Attlee did not know: that Dewey did not blindly demand withdrawal from India.
"Of course, it's not that I don't know why you are obsessed with India. I know the status of India in the British Empire, and I also know that you are concerned about an independent India becoming attached to the Axis powers. "
"But why can you demand withdrawal so easily?"
"If things continue this way, it is very clear that India will become an ally of Germany."
Dewey was also worried that if India became independent, it would become an ally of Germany, allowing Germany to expand its influence into the Indian Ocean and Asia.
That is why he could not stand by and watch the atrocities committed by the British in India. Aren't the Indians voluntarily creating a reason why they have to join hands with Germany?
"We must withdraw from India before the hatred of the Indian people accumulates further than it is now. That way, at least there will be room for negotiation. "Let's be honest. Doesn't the Prime Minister realize that it will be difficult to continue to rule India as before?"
"… … "I won't deny it."
"For now, we can suppress the opposition of the Indian people, but it is only a stopgap measure, and it cannot be a permanent solution. A better option would be to use various appeasement measures to make India independent and prevent it from clinging to Germany."
Dewey predicted that India's independence was inevitable. Just like you can't stop time just because you don't like getting older.
"But is that possible? There are things I have done so far... … Currently, Indians are receiving support from Germany. Now, if they are offered a carrot, will Indians stop eating German sausages?"
"That's right."
Even Dewey did not deny that point. No matter how much Britain changes its attitude and supports India's independence and the United States woos India, there is little chance that India will join the anti-German front.
But Dewey had long since calculated all such possibilities.
"but."
"?"
"What if India divides itself?"
"if… … ?"
Attlee, who sensed Dewey's intentions, asked, and Dewey quickly nodded.
There are many religions in India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism… … .
Religion is not the only thing that is different. The language and culture used are also different, and there was no identity as an Indian until the British established the 'Indian Empire'.
What if we give the Indians the independence they want, and then turn them against each other and force them to fight each other?
Not only will it put a brake on Germany's advance into the Indian Ocean, but it could also cause a huge headache.
"I will not quibble about protecting the African colonies. On the contrary, I will provide more support than before. "Wouldn't this be enough?"
"… … All right. Let's do it."
***
March 14, 1945
New Fuhrer's Residence in Berlin, Germany
After the US-UK summit, the British government-in-exile made a shocking announcement.
Total withdrawal from India.
Finally, the lion gave up on leading.
We don't know exactly what was exchanged between Dewey and Attlee, but it certainly didn't sound good to Britain.
Otherwise, there is no way those imperialists who have been holding on with evil and shouting 'India cannot give up' will give up on India.
Gandhi and Nehru, who had been imprisoned, were also released. Indian guerrillas stopped attacking the British troops, and the British occupation authorities also gradually released the arrested Indians and began preparations for withdrawal.
"Thank you very, very much, Mr. President! Without the devoted help of His Excellency the President, the Indian people would have remained slaves of the British forever."
The day Attlee announced that he would give up on India, Bose came to see me and expressed his gratitude with tears in his eyes.
"Indians will never forget the friendship and trust shown by His Excellency the Führer and the German people! Even if I die, even if I die, even if I die, I will definitely repay this favor. Even if the whole world turns against Germany, India will definitely remain on Germany's side."
"I haven't done much. If the Indian people did not have a desire for freedom, our support would have been meaningless. India's independence was achieved by the Indian people themselves. "Be proud."
Boss and the leaders of the Provisional Government of Free India who followed him were ready to bow down and kiss my feet at any moment. This was just for lip service.
"Anyway, you'll have a lot to do now, right? "Establishing a country is not an ordinary task."
"Now that we have passed the most difficult hurdle, Indians will be able to overcome any hardship with ease!"
The boss had strong confidence and pride in India's future. I had a lot to say to him, but I stopped because I felt there was no need to discourage him already.
Although independence has been achieved, there are still many mountains that India must overcome. There is a time bomb of conflict between Hindus and Muslims, and Hinduism, like Hinduism, also suffers from the bone disease of a caste system that is deeply rooted in society.
I don't know whether the problems that were not solved in actual history can be solved here or not. As history has changed, the possibility that India's fate will also change has increased, so we'll just have to wait and see.
After the brief meeting with the boss, a meeting was scheduled.
Familiar faces were waiting for me in the conference room.
Tote, Spair, and… … .
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Adenauer."
"… … Nice to meet you too."
Konrad Adenauer.
Current mayor of Posen.
One of the few non-Nazis among all mayors in Germany.
The Center Party to which Adenauer belongs is currently no different from the second company of the Nazi Party, and Adenauer himself has made compromises with reality, but he nevertheless occasionally objects to the Nazi Party's policies.
However, because his ability was so outstanding, I retained him as mayor of Posen despite persistent suggestions from Himmler and Goebbels to dismiss Adenauer.
The reason I brought them all together today was because of the German Capital Construction Plan (Gesamtbauplan für die Reichshauptstadt).
In actual history, Hitler and the Nazis made an ambitious plan to make Berlin, the capital of Germany, the world's greatest metropolis after World War II.
It is called World Capital Germania (Welthauptstadt Germania).
Here, large-scale buildings were planned to be built that 120% reflected Hitler's tastes.
The Volkshalle, which is 290 meters high and can accommodate 180,000 people, the Germania Arc de Triomphe, which is 117 meters high and 170 meters wide, modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, etc.
It was Hitler's wish to complete all of these within the 1940s and to hold the World Expo in Berlin, which was renamed Germania in 1950.
However, his dream did not come true as World War II was lost and Hitler committed suicide.
But here it is different. Germany won the war and succeeded in taking over all of Europe.
So now it is time to fulfill Hitler's unfulfilled ambition... … It cannot be said.
Do you think I'm crazy and would do something like that?