Czechoslovakia under control

In a Czechoslovak military camp on the border, all the soldiers had assembled on the school grounds, their eyes fixed on their officers, awaiting orders. The tension was palpable as they anticipated whether they would be commanded to confront the advancing German Wehrmacht troops who had entered Czechoslovakia. Adding to the confusion, a young man dressed in a gray-green German military uniform stood just behind their chief.

"The alarm is lifted!" a Czechoslovak officer bellowed across the field. "We have been instructed to cease resistance and surrender our weapons to the German officer who has come to take over this barracks."

Stepping forward, the German officer introduced himself, "Good afternoon, everyone! I am Major Luff of the German Wehrmacht. I have been instructed to take charge of this barracks." He surveyed the Czech soldiers, noting their rifles and somber expressions. "Please understand that you are not being disarmed by me personally. Due to the differences in our weapon systems, I am here to collect your weapons. In exchange, I will distribute the weapons and uniforms of the National Defense Army, similar to this handsome military uniform I am wearing."

"Mr. Major, do you plan to dissolve our unit?" a Czech officer inquired cautiously.

"Why would I do that?" Major Luff responded with a laugh. "You are all well-trained troops. It would be a waste to dismiss such trained soldiers." His voice grew louder as he continued, "You are not defeated, gentlemen! This is not a humiliating surrender. You are merely returning to the embrace of the Germanic nation, becoming part of the great Germany!"

"Today, you are not surrendering but reuniting with the motherland. Tomorrow, you need not surrender, for you will become the most powerful national defense force in the world! Long live the great Germany! Long live the head of state!" Major Luff concluded, saluting in the German style.

A rifle clattered to the ground as a Czech soldier of German descent, tears streaming down his face, discarded his weapon, overwhelmed by the emotion of 'returning' to his homeland. His actions resonated with the surrounding soldiers, who began placing their rifles at their feet one by one.

Meanwhile, in a nearby factory, a worker burst through the doors, exclaiming to his colleagues, "The Germans! The Germans are here!" He jubilantly announced, "God bless! Czechoslovakia has merged into Germany."

"Are you certain?" another worker shouted back, equally excited. "God bless! We're part of Germany now! That means jobs for us in the future! And I heard there's going to be rationing of flour and potatoes! If I ever meet the Führer, I'd be so grateful, I'd kiss his feet!"

A bearded worker chimed in with a grin, "We're Germanic too, the best people, as Mr. Rudolph says. We used to wonder why we went hungry while our countrymen had food. Now, back in the arms of the motherland, we too shall prosper!"

"Long live the head of state!" another worker interjected from nearby. His face lit up as he spoke, "Since the head of state has led Germany, we've reclaimed Germanic territories and restored our dignity! He's a greater man than Bismarck!"

With a scowl directed at the past grievances, he continued, "We had little work before because the Czechs at the main factory were like parasites, using our factory's funds only for themselves. It's reduced us to our current state!"

"This factory has now been incorporated into the Krupp Heavy Industries Group! We have orders for unfinished parts. If we don't complete them, we'll have to work overtime..." the foreman approached, a look of pride on his face. "I've heard the finance department received a lot of provisions and they're planning to reissue some benefits in kind!"

"Sir! Are we saved?" a worker asked, stepping forward weakly.

"Yes! Sir! Will we have a better life in the future?" another added, with several workers gathering behind him.

"Of course! We are Germans now, genuine Germans! I had the privilege of being the first member of the Great German Party in this factory," the foreman declared, raising his right hand. "Long live the head of state!"

"Long live Germany! Long live the head of state!" the workers echoed in unison.

As the workers celebrated, a German Wehrmacht vehicle entered the factory gates, now adorned with a German flag. German cavalry, mounted on tall horses, slowly advanced, welcomed by the cheers of the gathered citizens.

In Prague Square, the usual romantic violin music had ceased. Next to an armored reconnaissance vehicle, two IDF soldiers smoked, sheltered from the wind. They occasionally peeked out to survey their surroundings, exchanging mundane comments. The area was now officially German territory, but the transition was not without incident. In the outskirts of Prague, a Czechoslovak policeman, in a defiant act, fatally shot a German Wehrmacht soldier. As a result, the National Defense Army, now on duty in the streets, maintained a heightened state of alert. The military briefing stressed the importance of personal safety, and soldiers on street patrol were issued extra ammunition. The area was segmented into blocks, with armored vehicles positioned strategically to support the patrolling soldiers.

In a manor on the outskirts of Prague, a tense scene unfolded. A dozen SS soldiers, armed with submachine guns, surrounded the house. Inside, an SS officer sat on the sofa, smirking at a middle-aged couple. The manor owner trembled, pleading, "You can't do this! This is my private property! How can you seize my personal assets? I can donate generously to the SS, but please, do not take away my brass processing plant!"

"Sorry, respected sir," the SS officer replied nonchalantly, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag before flicking the ash onto the expensive carpet. "The head of state has decreed that your factory be assigned to the Rhine Metal Company. Unfortunately, you are now bankrupt."

"You are robbers! I'm going to court to sue you!" the hostess exclaimed, unable to contain her outrage. "You've taken our country! Now you dare to blatantly steal from us..."

"Look, it's your wife who understands the situation," the SS officer retorted, stubbing out his cigarette. "If you hadn't insulted me so grievously, perhaps I wouldn't have ordered your execution."

The host was shocked, quickly moving to shield his wife. "Please, let us go! We won't say anything! Even if you kill me, spare my wife. She's just a simple woman; she knows nothing..."

"Fire!" the officer commanded, and the SS soldiers raised their weapons, aiming at the couple before pulling the triggers.

To cover the expenses incurred by the expansion of the National Defense Forces and to continue promoting economic growth, Akado had signed a secret order. The SS had been unleashed to seize key factories and businesses in Czechoslovakia, mortgaging them to major German industrial groups.

In Berlin, at the residence of the head of state, General Brauch was reviewing a list with enthusiasm. "My leader! The National Defense Force has acquired approximately 300 LT-38 tanks from the Czechoslovak army, with nearly 60 more in production. These tanks are in excellent condition and will greatly enhance our armored forces."

Czechoslovakia, with its large-caliber artillery, tank production lines, and extensive arms manufacturing equipment, was a treasure trove. Previously forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles, these resources were now openly available to Germany, transforming Czechoslovakia into a vital industrial base for the National Defense Forces. However, integrating Czech light machine guns posed logistical challenges for the army.

Akado convened an emergency meeting on weapons and equipment reform. The fate of most Czech-made weapons would be determined there.

"The Czech LT-38 tanks will be allocated to the newly formed 6th Tank Division near the Polish border," Defense Minister Schlecher explained during the meeting. "Following the recent IDF reform, our army has been restructured into infantry, armored, and SS divisions."

Schlecher continued, detailing the new organization of the German army, which now included divisions numbered from the 1st to the 48th, totaling nearly 700,000 troops. The armored divisions, from the 1st to the 7th, were equipped with over 1,900 tanks, and the SS had formed three new armored divisions.

Catherine, taking the floor next, reported on the Air Force's status. "We are equipped with 57 of the latest Messerschmitt 109 fighters and are expanding at a rate of one per day. With the addition of Austrian and Czechoslovak air force equipment, our total number of fighters is nearing 700. I am confident in our ability to maintain air superiority in any strategic area."

Akado, signaling Catherine to sit, stood and addressed the gathering. "Gentlemen, in the coming year, we will not engage in any large-scale operations. I am giving you a year to transform your forces into a truly elite army capable of overwhelming any adversary. By 1935, I expect you to be ready to sweep away any enemy."

"Yes! Long live the head of state!" the room resounded with the salute, as everyone rose, their right arms raised in unison.