Survive as a World War II Soldier - Chapter 154



Only Krnovel

#154

“What do you think played the biggest role in the Allied forces on the Western Front, including the US military, advancing into Germany during World War II?”

Hands went up here and there in response to the professor’s question.

“I think it must have been the mobility of the 7th Army led by General Patton.”

“I think the Army Air Corps’ bombing operations, such as the dam bombing, also played a big role.”

“Wouldn’t it have been effective in dispersing the German forces as the French advanced from the south?”

Although various stories were told, the professor’s expression was not good as he did not get the answer he wanted.

“That’s not entirely wrong, but I think it would be good to think about what this class is all about.”

“ah.”

Only then did many people open their eyes wide and lower their raised hands. However, there was one person who still had his hand raised.

“Tell me about it.”

“This is Rommel’s autobiography.”

And everyone could tell that they had guessed the correct answer just by looking at the professor’s brightly smiling expression.

As soon as the professor snapped his fingers, a familiar book appeared on the slide screen.

“It is a famous book, but I think all of you cadets have read it at least once, or even multiple times, right?”

“”yes””

“Since the 1960s, the records of various battles in which Rommel participated, including the North African campaign, have been recognized for their military value and have received attention, but it was different when the book was first published.”

The professor paused for a moment and then turned the slide.

“During World War II, the United States fought not only in Europe but also in the Pacific. Germany and Japan were both opponents of the United States. But what was the biggest difference between the two?”

The student who had just answered the professor’s question correctly raised his hand again. The professor smiled and gestured.

“Japan fought to the end. On islands like Saipan, even civilians chose suicide rather than surrender. In contrast, when the situation in the German army became unfavorable, the leaders would commit suicide, but soldiers and lower-ranking officers would often surrender or take off their uniforms and return to civilian life.”

“That’s right. At that time, Rommel’s autobiography played a big role in the Allied forces, including the US military, advancing faster than expected. It was because of this part.”

As the professor spoke, a part of his autobiography appeared on the screen.

-We were completely deceived. The brainwashing by the Nazi Party, which started in the interwar period, was severe. If it weren’t for the shock I received from what I saw and realized with my own eyes in the United States, I would still be a loyal servant of Nazi Germany.-

“Isn’t that an excuse?”

Someone shouted with a look of displeasure.

The professor nodded with a serious expression.

“Yes. In fact, that excuse is correct. After the war, Rommel was tried as a war criminal, and his autobiography was used as evidence. In his autobiography, Rommel described in great detail the various crimes committed by the German army.”

The professor paused for a moment, looked back at the students, and sighed lightly.

“For now, let’s skip over the evaluation of Rommel, or the story that his autobiography gave Rommel a free pass, etc. What we need to focus on is the propaganda work of the US military during World War II. Now, let’s consider that part and think about why it was important during World War II.”

“It gave an indulgence to most Germans.”

“That’s right. Why is that important?”

This time, another cadet answered.

“Because they no longer need to fight to the death like Japan did.”

“That’s right. If we had focused only on the crimes committed by the German army and condemned all German people who assisted or indirectly supported them as criminals, the Germans might have fought to the last man. However···”

“But there are also those who did not receive proper punishment because of that···.”

The cadet, who did not hide his excitement, raised his voice. This time, a rebuttal erupted from among the cadets.

“But Germany doesn’t hide its sins and apologizes. Japan is even dirtier.”

“ah.”

match.

“Okay, okay. Let’s calm down. Let’s move on.”

The professor clapped his hands to calm the excited students down.

“Now, here are the various versions of the autobiography that were published at the time.”

The slides that came to mind along with the professor’s words contained paragraphs written in various languages, including English, French, and German.

“The translation is a bit strange.”

“Yes. The reason there are two English versions is because of the American and British versions. Do you know which one is American and which one is British?”

In the original American edition, the word “United States” was used instead of “Allied Nations,” but depending on the language, either “Britain” or “France” was added.

“Was it revised in consideration of the international situation?”

“Well, if you want to see it that way, look at this part.”

The expression for the Soviet Union was no different in any language.

“At that time, the Soviet Union had a considerable voice within the Allied forces. I think everyone knows why.”

The students nodded their heads at the professor’s words.

“Is it because of sales?”

A cadet said in a timid voice that he had only heard of the Russian edition of Rommel’s autobiography long after the end of the Cold War.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“yes?”

Even the student who spoke opened his eyes wide in surprise at the professor’s words.

“What’s even more surprising is that this was done on the advice of General Douglas MacArthur.”

“omg.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

The professor chuckled as he looked at the students who were reacting in disbelief and added an explanation.

“This is in the memoirs of then Secretary of State Hull. It is said that the State Department and the administration at the time asked General MacArthur whether it was too provocative of the Soviet Union and whether it should be revised.”

“But?”

The professor burst into laughter at the sight of the students looking at him curiously.

“What does it matter if the Soviets won’t buy the book anyway? Our country, the United States, has freedom of the press. Instead, when you publish it in England and France, fix this. That way, you can sell at least one more copy of the book, right?”

The expressions on the cadets’ faces were quite a sight to behold as they recited exactly what MacArthur was said to have said at the time.

“No, I know you were originally well-versed in economics and good at stock investing and things like that, but···.” “This is a bit too···.”

It seemed that many people were surprised by the anecdotes that were different from the images of the great man they knew.

“For reference, there are many references to General Montgomery in the British version, and he is generally portrayed in a very positive light.”

“No way.” “Yes. It was General MacArthur’s advice. Back to the main topic, what influence did this have?”

The students were lost in thought as the professor smoothly returned to the topic of class.

“If we are going to surrender, would it be better to surrender to the US or French forces rather than the Soviet Union?”

“Yes. There is also a story that this book influenced the mass movement of German troops and residents stationed in the southwest, where Germany, especially the Soviet Union, was advancing at the time, to the northeast.”

“But could the Germans see this book at that time?”

“Good point.”

The professor, smiling lightly, showed a few pictures. They were scenes of the Army Air Corps spraying something in large quantities.

“It is said that the entire book was so thick that it could not be distributed as is. However, a summary or excerpts were distributed in large quantities, and the newspapers containing Rommel’s interview were also distributed in large quantities at the time of the book’s publication. In fact, the newspapers that the American soldiers and Allied civilians paid for were available to the Germans for free.”

The students all nodded their heads at the professor’s words that propaganda work was also important in war.

“It’s even more important in modern times. Various terrorist groups also operate social media and spread fake news···.”

##

I don’t know what Mary had to do with Rommel writing his autobiography, but one thing was certain.

“I think I can put it to good use.”

“yes.”

“Not too obviously. Just the feeling that we are really being fooled will be enough.”

“All right.”

“So, Chiang Kai-shek couldn’t come this time either?”

“Well, I did contact you, but things are very unpredictable these days.”

So, even though Renya Mudaguchi lost the battle in Imphal, he achieved his goal and became a hero, but the situation for the Japanese was the worst.

“Maybe you’ll finish before me.”

##

When Tokyo first started burning, the Imperial Headquarters and the Cabinet were in a state of shock and confusion, but people are creatures of adaptation.

As so many places were burning without any particular reason, the shock of the day when Tokyo first became a sea of ​​fire had faded into the background. No, I was struggling to somehow get back on my feet.

“You can’t just sit around dwelling on the past forever!”

“The more difficult it is, the more important mental strength becomes.”

“If America occupies Japan, the Yamato people will disappear.”

The subsequent merciless air raids by the US military actually strengthened the Japanese people’s will to fight to the death.

As a result, as in the original history, the air raids had a good propaganda effect, but they did not actually help the war situation much. As a result, over time, the air raids began to decrease.

That’s because we started looking for a more effective method.

However, Japan, unaware of this fact, interpreted the situation in their own way.

“It is true that even those devilish Americans have their limits.”

“Well, even those guys can’t produce an unlimited number of airplanes and bombs.”

“That’s right. Isn’t it time for us to counterattack?”

The news they heard there gave them confidence in their judgment.

It was none other than a large-scale uprising in India. The battle itself against the British at Imphal was defeated, but

“The sacrifice of the 15th Army was not in vain, as it made Japan’s Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity known to Britain.”

“Yes. Lieutenant General Mutoguchi, who led this operation, is the hope of our army.”

Although some people blinked in bewilderment at his words, Renya was widely praised as a hero of the army and Japan.

But their hopes soon began to fade.

“What do you mean the supply fleet can’t come in?”

“that is···.”

When it became apparent that the massive bombing campaign was not achieving the desired results, King and Marshall quickly changed the mission of the Army Air Corps.

“Are you spreading mines?”

LeMay was not pleased with the order to drop mines or seawater instead of hot incendiary bombs. However, a series of events had made the authority of the Army and Navy admirals higher than ever, and especially the orders of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Arthur III, could not be ignored.

And the results are starting to show.

The convoy barely made it to the coastal waters of the mainland, overcoming threats from the Philippine garrison and the U.S. Navy, which was gaining control of the seas in far-off Southeast Asia, but was unable to enter port.

“There are so many mines laid down···.”

“The current minesweepers cannot handle everything.”

“The American soldiers drop more than we can process.”

So the Japanese entered into a new battle.

“How on earth does the Army Air Force defend the homeland!”

“Aren’t mines laid in the sea under the jurisdiction of the Navy, not us?”

“What does the Navy do in the first place?”

“It’s not like we’re being asked to fight, we can’t even provide supplies···.”

With the mainland being so noisy, how could the Japanese soldiers elsewhere be in their right minds?

Thanks to this, the Chinese army, which had been startled by the events in Imphal and India, is said to be continuing its victories in battles against the Japanese army.

“That is why it is said that it became difficult for Chiang Kai-shek to leave his post.”

“Hmm.”

It didn’t matter to us, no, it wasn’t a bad thing. The Soviet Union’s dislike of China was the same throughout history and even now.

“I heard that the Philippines has almost been restored. They are currently discussing whether to go to Formosa and Okinawa or to land on the Chinese mainland.”

After listening to the story, I really thought that the war might end in the Pacific before it does here.

It was nice that Eisenhower and the Seals were fighting well, but it wasn’t all good.

“I need to cheer up too. If I delay, my brother will tease me for a long time….”

Just thinking about it gave me the creeps.

Then,

“I guess I should meet de Gaulle first.”

“yes.”

It is important to see how far France can push the Germans back from the south, but more importantly,

“You say that we must strictly manage military discipline to prevent war crimes such as looting and arson?”

De Gaulle asked back with a look of dissatisfaction on his face at my words.

“Yes. Because our Allied Forces must be different from the Soviet Union.”

“but···.”

There were many countries in Europe that had a grudge against Jerry. Honestly, if it was Germany that was conquered or invaded by them, wouldn’t they be gnashing their teeth?

Even the recently liberated Netherlands and Belgium were overflowing with people wanting to enlist in the army.

But the best of them all was the Soviet Union, and next was none other than France.

From the Franco-Prussian War to World War I and the Fall of Paris.

The French people’s grudge was deep and well-deserved. Naturally, in the original history, the French army was just as brutal as the Soviet army during the German advance.

But at that time, the Soviet Union was so far behind that it wasn’t really noticeable, but isn’t the situation a bit different now?

“It is important to fight well, but isn’t it important to look further ahead? Isn’t that why you made such a big decision when you returned to your country this time?”

Although they only made big promises about ensuring independence without giving any specifics about when or how, for me, knowing France’s obsession with Algeria throughout history, I thought that in itself was an enormous decision.

“Who doesn’t know that Jerry’s are crazy? If we act like them, won’t we end up on their level?”

“Ha. That’s true, but···.”

I handed over the bundle of papers I had brought to de Gaulle, who said that it was not easy to control those who had enlisted because they were full of resentment toward Germany.

“This is···.”

“I heard Erwin Rommel wrote an autobiography.”

I opened the page I had marked in advance to see De Gaulle suddenly looking at me as if asking what was going on.

“Unlike other countries that are smart and wise, the Germanic people are somewhat lacking and easily fooled by lies.”

“Ha, ha. That’s an obvious fact.”

“Yes. So what can we do? As a neighbor, we should tell our blind neighbors the truth and help them wake up from their delusions. The bad guys are the German soldiers, not the good German citizens. It’s not a crime to be stupid.”

It was a bit odd to hear this from someone who had just recently claimed that there were no good citizens and that he had no regrets about burning down entire cities.

But what can we do?

Don’t dictionaries and standard languages ​​change as times change?

It wasn’t true then, but it is true now.

Unexpected aggro