295

Episode 295: The End of the Apocalypse (8)

It took some time for me to understand what Chiang Kai-shek told me: that the United States also supported Germany's involvement in the war against Japan.

why not?

why?

After hearing Chiang Kai-shek's story, that was the only thought that came to my mind.

Could it be that the President of the United States has recently changed without my knowledge? That couldn't be possible, right?

"Why are you doing this, President? "Are you feeling unwell?"

"ah… . That's not the case. "I was a little surprised."

The United States supported Germany's participation in the war against Japan. I asked Chiang Kai-shek several times if that was true, but each time the answer was 'yes'.

Chiang Kai-shek said that the reason the United States suddenly changed its position was because it was concerned about the enormous damage to the U.S. military that would inevitably follow if the United States, which had suffered great damage on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, carried out an attack on the Japanese mainland.

As if to prove that his words were true, he contacted me directly from the United States shortly afterwards.

Are you not planning on participating in defeating Japan?

What the United States wanted from Germany was for the Wehrmacht to deal with the 750,000-strong Kwantung Army stationed in Manchuria.

If Manchuria, which is Japan's rear base and warehouse, is devastated, Japan will not be able to escape to the continent even if its mainland is attacked, and will despair of having to wage war against the entire world, so it will give up all hope and surrender. It was the US side's plan.

Of course, the United States knew that we would not move barefoot, so it offered 'appropriate compensation'.

"As expected, America has a lot of money."

When I saw the amount and compensation offered by the United States in exchange for participating in the war, I could not help but be amazed.

"Wouldn't this be okay?"

"I admit it."

Schacht was also very satisfied with the amount of money that the United States had agreed to pay.

To summarize what Schacht has done since the declaration of rearmament, it can be called a 'war on debt.'

To cover the costs of rearmament, Mefo-Wechsel bills were issued, and the resulting debt was repeatedly paid off with gold bars and various foreign currencies 'secured' from the occupied territories.

Fortunately, the war ended with Germany's victory, and the debts are expected to be settled with compensation payments received from the defeated countries every year. In addition, the money received from the United States is more than enough to repay all debts incurred due to the memorandum.

In addition, there was a proposal that was so attractive to Schacht that it was a proposal to strengthen economic cooperation, so it was surprising that his eyes did not turn.

Instead, there was a cutoff point set by the United States.

They promised to withdraw immediately if the United States and China requested withdrawal from the region after the war, and decided that army troops would operate strictly only in China.

Although they will borrow Germany's power to reduce the sacrifices of their country's young people and hasten the end of the war, they also showed a desperate will to prevent Germany's voice from growing louder in the Far East.

Do whatever you want.

We have already conquered all of Europe, so we do not want to cause unnecessary friction with the United States by focusing our attention on the Far East.

And our country is more suited to being under the U.S. umbrella than Germany.

Europe will be tainted by the spicy taste of fascism for several decades, but I do not want to have our country also be tainted by fascism.

If possible, when I return, I would like to live in a democratic society instead of a society where militarism prevails.

"Marshal Keitel. "How long will it take to send the National Defense Forces to the Far East?"

"All preparations will be completed before June, Mr. President."

The size of the troops dispatched to the Far East is one field army.

Approximately 280,000 people.

At first, we planned to send only the Army and Air Force, but suddenly the Navy made a strong request to participate, saying, 'We can't be left out!', so we decided to send the Navy as well.

But, does the Navy have anything else to do? … ? Even thinking about cancer seems like a useless thing.

"Battleships and aircraft carriers are too much. Why not just send in a few U-boats or something?"

"Mr. President, what do you mean? "Only then will our status as an ocean navy survive?"

Perhaps wanting to use this opportunity to show the U.S. Navy that the German Navy would not be outdone, Raeder strongly insisted that at least one battleship and aircraft carrier should be sent.

In response, Schacht asked if he knew how much money battleships and aircraft carriers make every time they sortie.

"Mr. President. This is a matter of Navy pride. Would the German Navy have any dignity if it just sent a few U-boats? "If we take this opportunity to show Asians the majesty of the German Navy, it will be a great help in enhancing our national prestige."

"Look, Admiral. Even if you don't have to, the whole world already knows about Germany's status. And if you send those expensive battleships and aircraft carriers and they get sunk, what will you do then?"

"We haven't even set off yet, but I'm already having ominous thoughts about it being sunk and all-"

"Do you know how much money is lost for one battleship right now?"

"stop! "What are these old men doing in such an ugly way?"

The Japanese Navy is already a shell, so it is unlikely that Bismarck or Graf Zeppelin will be able to do much in the Pacific.

As Shacht said, if you get damaged or get sunk, you're in trouble. To put it bluntly, I wondered if there was any need to send a U-boat.

It looks like the U.S. Navy will take care of it before we can do anything.

That's why I sided with Schacht. I wanted to tell them not to send any U-boats, but I was concerned that if I did that, the entire Navy would look like I was really treating only the Navy poorly, so I allowed them to be sent.

Even just thinking about cancer, I can't help but think that it's a waste of oil, but what can we do if we go to such lengths?

"And Ribbentrop."

"Did you call me?"

"You have something else to do."

***

May 2, 1944

German Foreign Ministry building in Berlin

Togo, who came to Germany on a special mission to persuade Germany to mediate the negotiations, was staying at the Japanese embassy building in Germany.

Because the cabinet was quietly pressuring him not to come to the mainland until he achieved something that could be called success, Dogo suppressed a sigh and spent his days at the embassy where he had previously stayed.

Fortunately for them, Hitler made it convenient for Togo and the Japanese delegation to spend their time at the embassy without any inconvenience.

Instead, they restricted the external activities of the members of the delegation and overtly monitored them, but they were grateful that they were not kicked out to Japan when they were virtually no more than guests.

The Japanese delegation worked hard to ignite a circuit of hope thanks to the kindness of the German side, which provided them with a diet consisting of meat, bread, wine, and fruit, which had become difficult to find in mainland Japan, three times a day, and occasionally took them on group tours to see Berlin. .

"Seeing that they are treating us this way, isn't it a gesture that Germany also wants to maintain friendly relations with the Empire?"

"That's right. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so kind to you."

Most people arbitrarily assumed that Germany was preparing to accept Japan's request and mediate peace negotiations with the United States.

"Don't the Minister of Foreign Affairs think so too?"

"What… … "You'll find out later."

Dogo clicked his tongue as he watched his subordinates burning the hope circuit without any solution.

Of course, he cannot say for sure that their expectations were 100% correct, but he knew that Hitler, the Fuhrer, was a man of courtesy, so he treated them at the bare minimum, so there was a small possibility that they would act as Japan intended.

Rather, he suspected that this might have been Germany's intention. Fuhrer Hitler was never a man who showed his true feelings easily.

He still could not forget the look on his face during the meeting with Hitler.

Hitler still did not give an answer, but Dogo somehow felt that the answer had already been decided and that he was not going to reveal it.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop accepted Dogo's request for a meeting.

"Is that really true?"

"Yes, Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Tomorrow at 2pm-"

Until now, Dogo has periodically requested meetings with Minister Ribbentrop to check how far the negotiations have progressed and to find out what Germany's intentions are.

Each time, the Foreign Minister avoided a meeting with him using the excuses that he was on a business trip somewhere, that a meeting was scheduled, or that he was sick and receiving treatment.

However, Ribbentrop readily gave permission for the meeting to take place today.

"Thank you for allowing the meeting."

"It was nothing."

Ribbentrop, who exchanged formal greetings with Dogo, smiled kindly. Ribbentrop delivered 'good news' to Dogo, who was confused.

"His Excellency the President is considering your request to return home very seriously."

"Oh oh?"

At Ribbentrop's words, Dogo's face immediately turned bright red.

Even he, who prides himself on having extensive experience in the world of diplomacy, could not help but be excited about the unexpected good news.

Apparently, the last time I met with the President, I thought it would be difficult to get a positive answer from him, but the answer I received was completely opposite to what I expected.

"By the way."

"… … ?"

"He told me that it would be difficult to fundamentally resolve the issue of colonies occupied by Japan if there was no change in Japan's position."

"The problem is... … ."

Dogo swallowed his words. There was no way Germany would help Japan for free. Especially if you have a thorough profit and loss calculation like Hitler.

Ribbentrop didn't say it directly, but Dogo could tell what he was thinking.

No doubt they want to say that there will be no mediation in peace negotiations unless Japan cedes Manchuria, Joseon, and Taiwan to Germany.

"So we are coordinating this part."

"Okay… … "Is it?"

"That's why."

Is there still something left to say? When Dogo raised his lowered head, Ribbentrop's smiling face came into view.

"Please listen to this and keep in mind that this is my personal opinion."

"Ah, is it possible?"

"I am planning to make a suggestion to the President that it would be better for Germany to take over Manchuria's various interests and for the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan to be ruled by Japan, but to become nominally independent countries. I would like to hear the Minister's opinion."

It didn't matter because Japan had already decided to hand over the various interests it had enjoyed in Manchuria in return for mediation in negotiations with Germany.

However, the independence of Joseon and Taiwan was out of the question.

One of Japan's basic policies is that there is absolutely no cession or abandonment of Manchuria, Joseon, and Taiwan.

However, since it was only nominal independence and Japan's occupation of Joseon and Taiwan remained the same, there was room for consideration. I don't know whether the tightly packed main office will accept this or not.

"I think we need to discuss this with the home country."

Ribbentrop looked pleased, as if he knew this would happen.

"What are the Minister's personal thoughts?"

"… … "I don't think it's an issue I dare to discuss, but I think it's a much better choice than giving up completely."

Because he had no idea what kind of repercussions his remarks would cause, Dogo gave the most compromise answer he could.

"okay. Well sir."

Ribbentrop nodded as if that was enough.

"Don't misunderstand. I said this, but wouldn't it be very embarrassing if Japan said that it wasn't true? "It is a personal opinion, but I also believe that Germany and Japan in the Far East must maintain a cooperative relationship in order for Germany to counter American hegemony."

"That is a reasonable statement."

Dogo's stiff face softened slightly at Ribbentrop's answer.

It is not yet clear whether he was making empty remarks or being serious, but assuming that what he said was true, it meant that there are still friendly views of Japan in Germany.

It may have been a relationship of necessity rather than pure favor, but I wondered where even this was in Japan, which was on the verge of defeat.

On his way back to the embassy after his meeting with Ribbentrop, Dogo thought about the contents of the telegram he would send home.

Although it was definitely not a conclusion, there would be no such good news for the home country's cabinet, which was focused on Germany's mediation.

***

"Independence of Joseon and Taiwan?"

Japan fell into serious trouble after confirming the contents of the secret telegram sent by Togo in Germany.

Hitler has not yet given a definite answer.

However, German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop has a favorable view of Japan.

He said that if Japan made Joseon and Taiwan into nominally independent countries like Manchukuo, the President might be moved.

Today, Hitler is Germany, so if you want to move Germany, you have to persuade Hitler. And Ribbentrop taught him how to influence Hitler's heart.

"Is there any need to hesitate?"

"I don't think it's a bad condition since it means allowing only nominal independence like Manchukuo, not complete independence."

"Nevertheless, the public sentiment in North Korea and Taiwan was becoming increasingly uneasy."

As the war dragged on, the conscription and conscription in Joseon and Taiwan became more severe.

Japan had maintained the position that the inferior Koreans and Taiwanese were not worthy of the honor of serving in His Majesty's army, but as the war situation declined and the moment of decisive battle on the mainland became closer by the minute, Japan changed its position and actively encouraged colonists to enlist. .

However, when the desired number was not produced, they turned to forced conscription, conscripting young men indiscriminately and taking them to the front lines.

In order to solve the food shortage in the mainland, not even a single grain of rice was left behind, and they relentlessly exploited it in the name of exportation, making the lives of the colonists even more impoverished.

Naturally, hatred toward Japan soared, and Japan was not unaware that public sentiment had become extremely negative.

With the U.S. military invading Okinawa, it would be even more difficult if an uprising broke out in Joseon or Taiwan.

However, if you give them the independence they want, you will kill two birds with one stone, as you will stabilize the lives of the colonized people and meet Germany's demands.

Japan's sovereignty over the most important regions remains the same, so although it may be a little uncomfortable, it is not a loss.

of course

"I am against it."

"me too."

"Independence, this is impossible!"

There was no way everyone had the same opinion.