Chapter 263

< World War II - Preparation for Post-War (1) >

Time flowed quickly.

The Empire of Japan suffered a catastrophic defeat in Imphal, and their Burma Area Army was literally annihilated.

The British Army and the Ethiopian Army commenced a counterattack right away, and with Aung San of the Burma Independence Army joining them along the way, they brought about the complete fall of Burma.

Now, once the reinforcements from the Allied Forces including the German Army arrive, the recapture of Asia will begin in earnest.

Meanwhile, in the East, the Free Russian Army completely seized the rear area and is fighting a bloody battle against the Soviet Army on the front west of Moscow.

The forces of Voroshilov and Budyonny, who had launched a surprise attack on the Free Russian Army from the rear area, were pushed to the brink of annihilation by the counterattack from Patton and the Free Russian Army, but it's said that Konstantin Rokossovsky's armored unit made a breakthrough into their flank and ultimately managed to rescue them and escape.

Even so, Voroshilov and Budyonny's forces already took a blow close to annihilation, but the old Field Marshals of The Red Army who risked their lives to buy time and the heroic battle to rescue them apparently raised the morale of the Soviet Army in itself.

With this, the Free Russian Army's ambitious offensive was completely stalled, and a stand-off with the Soviet Union, which had suffered heavy damage, began.

Enrique Líster, who fought to the very end and ultimately held out until Zhukov's main force arrived, is reportedly being revered almost as a hero for saving the nation in the Soviet Union.

For a general who was caught up in The Great Purge for being of Polish descent to rescue the old Field Marshals of The Red Army in the Soviet Union, which had significant discrimination although not as much as the Nazis, and for a foreigner from the Spanish Republican Faction to be a hero for saving the nation…

Could this also be a Butterfly Effect caused by the path I have walked?

It is unknown, but I definitely feel a real sense that history has completely changed.

-

July 17, 1942

The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

Ethiopia, located in the vast highlands of eastern Africa.

Since it was Africa in the summer, I came worrying about the terrible heat…

"Huh, it's not really that hot, is it?"

"Indeed, it is not."

I looked at Foreign Minister Erich Kordt and laughed awkwardly.

Because it was Africa, I naturally thought it would be hot, but the weather wasn't even that hot and actually felt cool at night.

"…Since they're from Africa, I vaguely thought they would fight well in hot places, too…"

As I muttered while thinking of the Ethiopian Army suffering hardships in the sweltering jungles of Southeast Asia, Kordt shrugged his shoulders.

"Haha, well, you didn't know, so it can't be helped."

To think that even I, who possessed the memories of a 21st-century Korean and thought I would have no prejudices compared to the people of this era, was ultimately just another ignorant white person.

"Ugh…"

Still, the Ethiopian highlands we drove through while being hit by the cool breeze showed a scenery that made me think this is true Mother Nature, so it wasn't bad.

Even though the war has ended, Germany's munitions factories are still running vigorously, churning out new weapons developed in the late stages of the war such as the Panther, Tiger, and STG42.

It is only natural. Germany has been heavily investing in munitions heavy industry since the Nazi era, and we can't just stop that completely just because the war is over.

Think about it: the number of laborers has increased as mobilized soldiers returned home, but what if the factories that had guaranteed countless jobs all stopped operating at once?

Overshadowing our hard-won victory, Germany would immediately face The Great Depression Season 2. This was a completely separate issue from preparing employment measures.

Besides, these are new weapons we poured our heart and soul into making; at the very least, proper standardization must be carried out, if only to prevent the dissatisfaction of the munitions companies.

Therefore, we must buy time to gradually transition to a private economy while continuing to pump out military equipment.

Because of that, the munitions companies inwardly wanted to export weapons to Free Russia, but we already made a non-interference pledge, and unlike them jumping the gun, Free Russia will have overflowing equipment just by receiving America's Lend-Lease.

…Rather, a shortage in military force will be the problem.

Instead, we decided to open up a path in a different direction.

As the car carrying Kordt and me entered Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Army's Honor Guard lined up on the street raised their guns in unison and paid their respects.

"Oh, quite impressive…"

Erich Kordt let out an exclamation of admiration without realizing it.

Before I ended up in this position, to me, Ethiopia had no more public recognition than just being an African nation that dispatched troops during the Korean War and a country occupied by Italy during World War II.

However, even to my eyes now, their discipline and drill are not far behind a European Army.

Who would dare to look down on them as African darkies and slaves?

They are currently out in India following the Ethiopian Army, but General Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma, Count Blumenthal, and the rest of the Advisory Group must have truly worked hard.

As we passed through the path between the Ethiopian Army's Honor Guard, Emperor Haile Selassie was waiting for us with a solemn face on the podium, leaning on a ceremonial sword like a cane.

Beside him stood Prime Minister Makonnen Endelkachew and the members of his cabinet.

This was absolute state guest treatment.

"You have suffered hardships traveling such a long way. I, representing Ethiopia, welcome you."

"It is an honor to receive such a welcome from you directly, Your Majesty the Emperor."

Haile Selassie faintly curled up the corners of his mouth and spoke.

"Seeing you act so politely feels anew."

"…Haha…"

Was I a bit rude when I first persuaded the Emperor, claiming it was shock therapy? I think I might have been.

Fortunately, Emperor Selassie didn't seem to have any intention of causing me further trouble, and ordered for us to be guided inside.

After briefly looking around the capital, Addis Ababa, we sat down at the negotiation table.

"This is a list of equipment capable of being exported to Ethiopia, comprised of those currently held by the German Army that are suitable for proper utilization."

"Hmm."

As I handed over the paperwork containing the list, Emperor Haile Selassie took the paperwork and passed it to his generals.

The Ethiopian generals seemed to examine the document quite meticulously.

Kar98k rifles, Panzer IVs, and the remaining StuG IIIs or assault guns that would end up in a warehouse situation once we proceeded with replacement using newly developed equipment were the main items.

For two purposes at once, it even included a small number of older but still active aircraft like the Bf109, Fw190, Ju-87, and Ju 88.

From our perspective, it was second-hand equipment slated for a generational shift, but since it was equipment that rolled around as active-duty in World War II until just recently, it certainly didn't lag behind in competitiveness.

While Ethiopia's military personnel and bureaucrats fiercely discussed among themselves, Erich Kordt and I leisurely enjoyed our coffee.

"Oh, as expected of Ethiopian coffee. The aroma is excellent. I express my gratitude for treating us to such precious coffee."

"Mhm.

Coffee is our pride."

Meanwhile, Kordt catering to Emperor Selassie's mood as expected of a diplomat…

Well, of course.

We're here to work, after all.

"As a member of the Allied Powers, we are deeply expressing our gratitude for the Ethiopian Army's remarkable performance."

"You kept your promise. If so, I must do the same."

Emperor Haile Selassie replied calmly, then took a deliberate pause before adding.

"As a member of the Allied Powers ourselves, it is also about making the contribution we ought to make."

Not as a common African colony, but as an independent nation and an equal member of the Allied Powers.

Far better than a certain European nation somewhere.

"The Allied Powers will never forget the contribution of His Majesty the Emperor and Ethiopia, and Germany will do our absolute best to ensure Ethiopia receives the appropriate reward for that contribution."

During the matter with France, Churchill could express his dissatisfaction, but would he be able to act like that concerning Japan, too? The Ethiopian Army is already a proud main force on the Asian Front.

"Because you would say that, I was also able to shout to my subjects to step forward into the war without hesitation."

At Haile Selassie's answer, I naturally felt a smile spreading across my lips.

Someone once asked why I was showing useless consideration to an African nation stuck in the middle of nowhere, and why I was crossing the Dnieper River for a Free Ukraine that had already been fully utilized.

However, precisely because it is an era where everyone easily abandons those who have shown devotion, such a decision can actually gain even greater trust.

This trust and friendly relationship will properly serve as an asset for Germany even after I disappear.

…Though I will have to work hard on the preparations to ensure those who take the baton from me don't become a second Wilhelm II.

Meanwhile, it seemed the Ethiopian bureaucrats and military personnel who had been discussing for a while had reached a conclusion, as Prime Minister Endelkachew approached Emperor Selassie and whispered something.

Emperor Haile Selassie seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding his head.

"A conclusion has been reached. If possible, I wish to purchase the entire quantity, even if it takes some time."

Excuse me?

Both Erich Kordt and I almost jumped out of our seats.

Wait a minute.

What kind of nonsense is this?

Of course, from Germany's perspective, obsolete weapons were just items that would rack up maintenance costs and rot away as white elephants if stuck in a warehouse.

Since mass production of new weapons was something the government had to pay for anyway to distribute to all units in order to slightly reduce the dissatisfaction of a naturally downsizing post-war military, and to act as a mechanism to return reparations to society by creating employment and demand, it was something that had to be done regardless of whether the obsolete weapons sold or not.

So, we did think about doing an inventory clearance in Ethiopia to reduce our white elephants and make some money for two purposes at once, but the entire quantity?

"Did you say… the entire quantity?"

Even veteran diplomat Erich Kordt, who had gone through all sorts of hardships with me, was flustered as he asked back, but Emperor Haile Selassie nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, the entire quantity."

Erich Kordt looked at me as if asking for help, and holding back a sigh that felt like it would burst out, I opened my mouth.

"I apologize, Your Majesty the Emperor. Considering they are second-hand items, Germany also intended to accommodate you to some extent, and we are willing to offer a discount for a large quantity purchase, but even so, the entire quantity is…"

We would give a significant discount, but still, the equipment used by the nearly 3 million-strong German Army was by no means a small amount.

"I plan to secure reparations for Ethiopia's contribution upon the end of the war with Japan, but even then, the cost for the entire quantity will far exceed those reparations."

That wouldn't be a light burden for an Ethiopia that had just been liberated.

However, Haile Selassie smiled gently.

"Is this not the role you wanted from us?"

"…"

"Rekindle the spark in those who have even forgotten how to put up a resistance. Those were your words, Minister."

Haile Selassie laughed as he said that.

Certainly, I did say that I wanted that.

That Ethiopia's great performance would become the starting point for the collapse of the colonial empires, something Germany did not possess and must not possess in the future either.

However, I didn't even have the expectation that Ethiopia would lead it.

I only expected the colonial nations who saw Ethiopia's great performance to be provoked into acting a bit more actively.

"Many leaders of resistance forces across Africa are currently staying in Ethiopia and receiving training in order to learn from us the military doctrines and tactics taught by you, Germany."

Emperor Selassie's face was serious as he spoke.

"We have no intention of sparing our support for them, and they too will reward us in their own way, so that is not a problem for Germany to worry about."

These were not empty words.

This man was truly trying to rekindle the spark.

"…It will not be a light burden, Your Majesty."

In original history, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, who had fallen into a near-death state while being occupied by Nazi Germany, and even Britain, who fought as the leader of the Allied Forces, were not willing to easily let go of their colonies.

For Ethiopia to share the burden for their sake was a unilateral action only possible because they were not a democracy.

However, despite being a dictator, the Emperor who received the support of his entire nation as a symbol of Ethiopia's resistance and liberation spoke resolutely.

"Our people suffered under the Italians. Even if I do not list them one by one, both I and my subjects know that suffering to our very bones."

Haile Selassie.

Despite poor domestic circumstances, he personally dispatched his Royal Guard, the Mehal Sefari, to help South Korea during the Korean War, but ultimately failed in internal affairs and suffered dethronement by communists—an emperor of tragedy.

"If we ignore the suffering of others while knowing that pain, we are nothing but filthy hypocrites worse than the invaders."

"…Due to issues with supporting other Allied Forces, providing the entire quantity will be difficult, but I will consult with the home country and prepare as large a quantity as possible under good conditions."

"I thank you."

I discarded the plan in my head to ride the wave of the independence movement sparked by Ethiopia and export weapons to colonial nations in exchange for concessions while Germany was in the process of reducing the proportion of its munitions industry.

Since history was already completely altered, what an arrogant thought it was to assume that I had to take the lead and do something.

There was never any need from the start for Germany to engage in clandestine activity while provoking colonial nations as if leading them.

Because it was already in progress under the leadership of a nation that had rekindled the spark.

I bowed slightly at the waist as a gesture of paying respect to Emperor Haile Selassie.

"…Before being a representative of Ethiopia's ally, as a single human being, I pray that God's blessing will be upon His Majesty the Emperor and Ethiopia."

Emperor Haile Selassie smiled gently.

"Although our religions are different, our God is the same. I will gratefully accept your prayer."

Merely by providing a direction, the completely altered wheel of history had begun to turn on its own.

If so, then my only job as a member of this changed history is to help them as much as possible.