23

Tria merger

Schuschnik, who suddenly became prime minister following the assassination of Dollfuss, was in increasingly poor health.

Sensing that he had little time left, he chose his close friend, Arthur Zeiss Inkbart, who had recently been appointed Minister of the Interior, as his successor.

"Thank you, Artie. "Please lead this country well without me."

"Don't worry about that. "Kurt, mind your own body first."

May 3, 1936,

Schuschnik stepped down for health reasons and Inkvart took over as prime minister.

Three days later, on May 6, Schuschnik died. Upon Schuschnik's death, Hitler issued a statement of condolence and ordered that flags be flown at half-staff throughout the country.

Inkbart, who became prime minister, immediately took action.

***

May 10, 1936

Residence of the Fuhrer in Berlin, Germany

"Mr. President! "I received a call from Inkvart!"

Goebbels opened the door and rushed into the office. He was so excited that his face turned red.

The corners of the mouth are just before reaching the ears.

"What did you say?"

"They say they are requesting support from the Wehrmacht to solve security problems inside Austria."

"Right. "I can't pretend not to see my younger brother asking for help as my older brother."

At Inkvart's request, I immediately ordered the Wehrmacht to move to Austria.

The plan had already been made.

***

May 11, 1936

German-Austrian border

"Come on, let's go!"

As soon as the border barrier went up, the German Wehrmacht soldiers who had been waiting began marching straight into Austrian territory.

Austrian army officers and soldiers shook hands with Wehrmacht soldiers, and reporters and the Wehrmacht film crew eagerly filmed the scene.

The photos and videos they took were soon to be released to the German people and the world through newspapers and news films.

"Welcome, German brothers!"

"Welcome to Austria!"

Austrians welcomed the Wehrmacht enthusiastically. Unlike the ruling Fatherland Front, most Austrians had the perception that they should unite with their 'brother country' Germany, and happily accepted the German military's advances.

While a military band played the German and Austrian national anthems, citizens threw confetti and flowers out of the windows.

Children gave flowers to marching soldiers, women filled large jars with water so that thirsty soldiers could drink water, and those who fought in World War I wore old military uniforms.

It was a scene that was happening all over Austria at the same time.

"This will make Hitler's arrogance even higher."

Beck, who was staring with a sullen face at the Austrians welcoming the Wehrmacht and the soldiers cheering with flower necklaces around their necks, let out a sigh of relief. Cigarettes felt even more bitter today.

"That's right. The sky is so indifferent. "How could a guy like that..."

Erwin von Witzleben, Beck's subordinate and one of the senior members of the Wehrmacht, also exhaled cigarette smoke helplessly.

They maintained an almost neutral attitude toward Hitler and the Nazi Party until Hitler became Fuhrer and declared the annulment of the Treaty of Versailles and the reinstatement of conscription.

But when Hitler ordered the reoccupation of the Rhineland, they realized. Hitler is the man who will lead Germany to destruction again.

The world's perception of Hitler is that he was a war hero who received the Iron Cross and a genius of the century who predicted the Great Depression and Japan's invasion of China, but in the eyes of military elders, including Beck and Witzleben, he was nothing more than a former sergeant who imitated Bismarck. did.

During the Rhineland, things went as Hitler said, but no one knew whether his predictions would continue to be true in the future.

It is by no means that the military despises Hitler and the Nazi Party because they are pacifists.

They also actively supported Hitler's goal of recovering Germany's homeland.

However, there is a difference of opinion regarding the method of implementation.

Beck was convinced that Hitler's excessive speed and adventurism would destroy Germany in the future.

If war breaks out now, Germany, which has not yet recovered its military power, will surely be defeated. But Hitler seems unaware of that fact.

On the contrary, they look down on Britain and France too much and go on a rampage.

"This happened by chance, but good luck won't last. If that happens, war will definitely break out."

"That's right."

"Before that, we have to kill Hitler… but in the current atmosphere, it's going to be difficult."

With the reoccupation of the Rhineland, public support for Hitler soared.

Moreover, since Austria was also taken over, none of the people would want to oppose Hitler.

If a coup was launched now, there was a very high possibility that the people would rise up.

I have no choice but to quietly watch for a while.

Beck threw the butts to the ground and trampled them with his military boots. He wanted to soothe his bitter stomach with a strong schnapps.

***

"Nice to meet you, everyone. "It's really nice to meet you."

With people cheering, I climbed onto the podium.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is also home to the National Academy of Fine Arts, which Hitler so desperately wanted to visit.

While on the way to Vienna, the Austrians welcomed the soldiers and soldiers enthusiastically, as if it were a festival.

Even I, who lived in Korea in the 21st century and became Hitler overnight, was touched by the welcome from the residents. How did the real Hitler feel? I must have been in a bad mood.

However, when World War II broke out, Austrians were conscripted into the German army and sent to the battlefield.

Not only was the country devastated by war, but it was also divided and ruled by the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, including the United States and Britain, after the war.

Ten years later, in 1955, it was unified as a permanent neutral country.

In the past, a civil war broke out, and Italy and Czechoslovakia invaded. We managed to merge it with Germany, but then it fell into Italian hands due to civil war.

This time, no matter what happens, we will make sure the same tragedy is not repeated.

"I stand here today with a trembling heart. I received your enthusiastic cheers and warm greetings before I came here. This was something I couldn't even imagine until a long time ago, when I left for Germany.

Even this moment feels like a dream to me. When the revolution was first attempted in Munich, my dream was to unite my native Austria, where I was born and raised, with great Germany. And now that dream has come true.

Germany and Austria are no longer foreign countries! The two countries became one as of today. You will finally get to where you are meant to be.

But this is not the end. This is only the beginning, and we still have a long way to go.

But we will do it. Just as Austria is now united with Germany, we will continue to move forward and achieve what everyone said was impossible.

Let us unite for one Germany, a great Germany, a great fatherland. Deutschland Über Alles!"

"Wow!!!"

After the speech, the German national anthem came out of the speakers.

Song of the Germans (Das Lied der Deutschen). Although the frequency of use decreased significantly after the war, it was a song that was never left out at large or small events during the Nazi Germany era.

Germany, Germany reigns over the world, more than anything else in the world

Standing together like brothers in defense and offense

From mas to memel, from etch to belt!

Everyone, from children to the elderly, sang along like they were fascinated. It's a truly shocking sight. Is this what Gukppong is?

***

Even after the German army entered Austria, the national identity of Austria was maintained.

Wilhelm Mikras, who was a vain president, handed over his authority to Inkvart and, through an agreement with Inkvart, held a referendum asking the Austrian people about unification with Germany.

Although the answer is already predetermined, formal procedures must still be followed.

The result was 94% in favor and 6% against.

Austria officially became part of Germany.

Inkbart, who made a decisive contribution to the merger, was awarded the title of honorary SS captain and became permanent minister.

This time too, Britain and France remained silent. In the case of Italy, they deployed troops on the border, but that was it.

They are busy with Ethiopian work anyway. Even in history, even after Italy occupied Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, it suffered from guerrilla warfare against the remnants of the Ethiopian army until early 1937. How much worse is it now?

Even if they wanted to go to war, they would have no choice but to endure it because they could not afford it.

I wonder what Mussolini's expression would be like right now.

***

"Damn it! "Nothing is going right!"

Mussolini couldn't help but throw the vase on the floor.

The vase with colorful flower decorations was shattered, and fresh flowers were scattered everywhere.

The fact that Hitler, who was extremely wicked, provided weapons to black Ethiopians was all a paving stone for the annexation of Austria.

A plan to make Italy bleed in Ethiopia and then devour Austria.

In fact, this Austrian annexation was the result of a coincidence that was somewhat distant from Hitler's original plan, but there was no way Mussolini knew about it.

"Dolphus's death is clearly the work of Hitler! "He did this at the instigation of communists!"

Mussolini went wild like a madman over the fact that Austria, which was supposed to be part of Italy, was lost to rival Germany, but he also knew that this would not change reality.

I just couldn't beat him.

It felt like if I didn't do this, I would collapse with a vase.

Mussolini, who had finally calmed down, shook his head.

Since the German army has already entered Austrian territory, there is no other way than war to drive them out.

However, the majority of the Italian army is on the Ethiopian front.

On the other hand, if war breaks out, Germany can mobilize not only existing divisions but also the Austrian army.

Mussolini did not believe that the Italian army was weaker than the German army, but he acknowledged that the situation was unfavorable for Italy.

I have no choice but to move on quietly this time.

"Tell Hitler."

"What do you say, Duce?"

"Instead of acquiescing to the annexation of Austria, we are told not to claim any sovereignty over the Tyrol region. "If you ignore my warning, prepare for war."

"All right."