Survive as a World War II Soldier - Chapter 155



Only Krnovel

#155

“The autobiography should be published before the German advance.”

My strong argument had the printing presses running through the night in print shops all over America during the height of the Cairo conference.

Was it only the printing house that did that?

Translators also had to stay up all night translating the manuscript, and editors had to diligently proofread and proofread it.

In this way, the first edition of Rommel’s autobiography was published at lightning speed.

Rommel’s completed autobiography was published, making it the first book to be published simultaneously in five countries: the United States, England, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The response to his autobiography, published just as the conference in Cairo was wrapping up, was enthusiastic.

As expected, the place where Rommel’s autobiography became the biggest hit was England.

Wasn’t this originally a region where Rommel was popular? In fact, if you look closely, the country that made Rommel a great general was none other than Britain.

This was because the British government intentionally promoted Rommel in order to promote Montgomery, who was on the mediocre side.

Thanks to this, an unexpected side effect appeared, which was that a large number of British people were produced looking for Montgomery.

“Oh, but I guess Montgomery really was a great general.”

“I see, but is your health really that bad?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to come back after receiving adequate treatment?”

Of course, such public opinion died down immediately at a single word from George VI.

“I cannot burden General Montgomery, who has devoted himself to the country while enduring illness, with another heavy burden. Now that the war situation has improved considerably, I think he should be given sufficient rest.”

Montgomery, who had been shaking his buttocks, shed tears of joy at George VI’s generous words.

In the United States, Patton’s price tag is said to have risen again.

“why?”

“When I asked the British edition to write the Montgomery story, they printed the Patton story on our side. I saw him in North Africa and he was very brave…”

“He is brave.”

Since Patton was originally highly regarded in Germany, this wasn’t strange. The problem was that Patton’s pride skyrocketed when he heard the news.

Bradley and McNair rushed to send their reports.

I’m worried that he’ll cause an accident, so please do something about it.

However, not everyone was happy to read Rommel’s autobiography.

The book’s explosive popularity has caused outrage among some, first and foremost among Jews.

“Oh, how could such a terrible thing happen···.”

“Kill Rommel.”

“Defending crime···.”

Some of them even went to the publisher to protest, saying that Rommel should not be left alone.

However, this anger of the Jews soon subsided, thanks to none other than Rommel’s response.

Rommel, appearing on a radio broadcast, explained why he published his autobiography:

“They say that if you commit a sin, you have to pay the price. Actually, at first I thought about dying because I was so ashamed.”

“Is that so?”

“But someone said that. That’s not an apology, it’s running away.”

“Who the hell is that?”

“It was General Douglas MacArthur. He came to me after I attempted suicide and said that he would not stop me if I wanted to die. However, he said that an officer should be responsible for his actions. So I decided to live.”

“okay.”

The host nodded at his answer that it would be easier to die than to live, but he decided to live anyway to pay the price for his sins and fulfill his responsibilities, and continued with the next question.

“Then why did you write an autobiography?”

“To make money.”

“yes?”

The host was momentarily surprised by the completely unexpected answer, but the radio studio was filled with silence as Rommel continued to answer.

“If you did something wrong, you should not just apologize to the other person, but you should compensate them accordingly. That’s why I had to earn money. I sinned against the Jews and the Americans who went to war to stop our evil deeds. So I have to compensate them, and that requires money, right?”

Everyone was shocked by Rommel’s plan to make money and set up a foundation for Jews and veterans. But what he said next was even more surprising.

“Was that also General Douglas MacArthur’s advice?”

“No. I had someone else advise me on this.”

“Who are you?”

“This is Mary Yang.”

“If it’s Mary···.”

“Yes. Mary Eleanor MacArthur, Douglas MacArthur’s eldest daughter.”

The idea of ​​capturing Rommel and hanging him on a pole was completely ignored.

Instead, what heated up the nation was the story of Mary and me.

The Republicans were suspicious of Rommel’s collusion with me and clung to me, but their firepower was weak.

This was because Little Lady Mary’s popularity, which rivaled that of Princess Elizabeth of England across the sea, remained unchanged.

Above all, the Republican Party could not speak out recklessly because the burden of politically attacking the young Mary was too great.

Americans were enthusiastic about the magic of the MacArthur family that changed Rommel’s mind and even made him write an autobiography.

And on the contrary, there were those who were burning hot.

It was none other than Germany.

“Rommel was alive?”

It was shocking to learn that Rommel, who was thought to be dead, was alive, but the contents of his autobiography and interviews were even more shocking.

If the Nazi leadership was shocked and angered when they read Rommel’s autobiography, the German people who received the newspapers we delivered by airmail could not hide their bewilderment.

“Are we being fooled?”

“It’s not fake?”

“Yes, it’s not like it’s just yesterday that the Yankees have been spreading false leaflets to deceive us.”

“But the electricity is cut off and food rations are getting smaller.”

“If this continues, it will really be like the last war···.”

Of course, Hitler was spitting fire out of his mouth.

“The family of that traitor immediately···.”

“It appears he escaped a few days ago.”

“what!”

And this autobiography had an unexpected effect, which was no less aggro than the Market Garden, which failed in the history of the original.

“We can’t just leave these Yankees who used Rommel to publish books like this alone.”

“but···.”

“Isn’t the Soviet Union in the East well defended by Marshal Model?”

“It is clear that the Allied Forces can deploy their troops only after consultation and coordination with the heads of each country. Otherwise, why are they hesitating at the border area even though it has been over two weeks since they took control of the Netherlands?”

“That’s true.”

“Seeing all this time wasted talking about the Cairo conference and all this stuff…”

Hitler confidently took the lead after hearing words that agreed with his opinion.

“The Allied forces’ supplies are concentrated here in Antwerp. If we destroy this place, the Allied forces will be unable to move for a while.”

Hitler’s words that they should use that moment to drive out the Soviet Union again and begin peace negotiations at the appropriate time caused the reaction of those in the conference room to be split in half.

“As expected, His Excellency the President’s foresight is unrivaled.”

“Yes, if it continues like this···.”

While some people were singing praises to Hitler, starting with Himmler, half of them had serious expressions and were licking their lips.

“Me, but the number of men available for mobilization has long since run out.”

“It’s not just the troops. To move an armored unit, fuel is needed…”

“We also have a severe shortage of equipment.”

The commander-in-chief of the Western Front, Gerd von Rundstedt, and the Army Chief of Staff, Heinz Guderian, also expressed their opposition.

“If you have any spare troops, I strongly urge you to send them to the East. As things stand, they are not enough to stop the Soviets.”

Walter Model also earnestly requested more support in the East if he had the means, but Hitler’s ears fell on deaf ears.

Hitler drew up the operational plan, deciding every detail himself.

##

“The German army’s movements are strange?”

The report from the aerial reconnaissance unit made me wonder.

“Assemble the commanders, no. Bring back everyone on leave, and declare an emergency.”

“yes?”

“What do Germans do best?”

“That’s it···.”

“Isn’t this a surprise attack?”

Operation Sickle was like that, and so was the start of the German-Soviet War.

Of course, the staff started to move quickly, thinking, “No way,” at my words. There is one reason for this.

“When have you ever been wrong, Commander?”

“Even if today is the first day, wouldn’t it be okay if I just did some proper training?”

“Yes. Oh, and also be careful of German spies disguised as our soldiers.”

“Are you a spy?”

“Yes. Isn’t rear-end disruption essential for a surprise attack?”

“hmm.”

The staff thought about the spy story for a while and then reported that they had found a solution.

“Why not ask her questions that only a real American, like Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend, could answer?”

When I heard that story, I felt uneasy because something didn’t come to mind. My staff asked me in an anxious voice, looking at me frowning.

“Shall we make another arrangement?”

“Oh, no.”

What other way is there? He waved his hand, saying, “Do it that way.”

And soon, as if they had been waiting, urgent reports began to come in from the frontline units.

“German airborne troops are landing.”

“There are also reports that they have entered into combat.”

From the rear, other reports began to come in one after another.

“As the Commander said, we have reported that we have identified a number of spies.”

“Reports of the capture of an English-speaking German spy.”

Fortunately, we were able to respond in time.

But not everyone was like that.

Because so many new soldiers were accepted ahead of the German advance, accidents and incidents were frequent.

“There are also many reports of mistaken shooting.”

“Once you suspect something, don’t shoot right away. Subdue them, lock them up, and double and triple check.”

“All right.”

And one person who survived that order was Omar Bradley.

“The commander declared an emergency?”

“They say there might be a surprise attack by the German army.”

Bradley immediately got up from his seat and left the command post after receiving the message from headquarters.

“I guess I’ll have to go and check for myself.”

He had been training the new recruits hard for the past few weeks, but he was still not satisfied in his eyes.

So Bradley felt he had to personally check the readiness and solve the problem.

Bradley, who set out with only a driver and an adjutant, soon passed a military police checkpoint.

“Please cooperate with the search and detection of German spies.”

Bradley was secretly satisfied with the sight of the soldier confidently stating his errand without being intimidated by his own rank, but he tried not to show it.

‘Still, it’s not completely reckless. To this extent···.’

“Good.”

“Then let me ask you a question. What is the state capital of Illinois?”

The question was not difficult.

Because I knew the exact answer since it was near Missouri where Bradley lived.

“Ha, that’s easy. It’s Springfield.”

But there was something Bradley didn’t account for: his American soldiers were more disabled than he thought.

“No, you idiot. The answer is Chicago. Get him out now. How dare you impersonate a general.”

Bradley was taken aback by the sight of the military police shouting.

“No, it’s Springfield, not Chicago.”

“What is true?”

“Yeah, you thought you wouldn’t get caught if you disguised yourself as a high-ranking official? Come out now.”

“This person is a real b···.”

puck.

The driver, who had been resisting by saying Bradley’s name, was caught in the rough hands of a military policeman before he could finish his sentence.

Eventually, Bradley, the driver, and the deputy were dragged from the car.

“Oh, what should I do?”

“ha.”

Bradley sighed as he looked at the driver questioning with a bruised eye.

Still, I guess it’s a good thing they didn’t shoot right away since they were German soldiers.

“No, but Commander.”

“huh.”

“Isn’t it too much to miss Chicago?”

“No, it’s Springfield.”

The driver’s words made Bradley seriously consider whether he should add geography to the basic military education. Looking to the side, his adjutant shook his head with a similar expression.

But that’s unlikely to be possible.

There was a mountain of things to teach, from how to load a gun to how to brush your teeth and shower, beyond geography.

A few hours later,

“No, General.”

“Why on earth···.”

Bradley, who was about to explain that he had guessed the correct answer but was locked up because of some ignorant military policemen, quickly changed his mind.

How can we guarantee that the officer in front of us is not ignorant?

No, perhaps, given the level of the military police under his command, it was more likely that the officer had told him the wrong answer, thinking it was the right answer.

“It just so happened that it turned out like this.”

“There’s total chaos at headquarters. Please come out immediately.”

Instead, Bradley urged the military police officer to make sure that no one else would die unjustly like he did.

“Even if you suspect a spy, don’t shoot them right away. Lock them up for now and check again.”

“That’s what the new instructions from headquarters say.”

“Really? That’s good.”

Well, there were various incidents, but the German army’s ambitious surprise attack ended in failure.

However, it was not without its regrets.

“We were able to defend against the surprise attack well, but it is a bit disappointing.”

“If only I had just a little more time, I would have set a really good trap.”

With so many new recruits, it was impossible to dig a trap to catch the Germans on the spot. So they had to be satisfied with defending against a surprise attack by the Germans.

however,

“Who is going where?”

“General Patton said that a surprise attack is met with a surprise attack···.”

News came that our galloping horse had escaped from the stable.

“What should we do?”

What should I do? I should call McNair.

Why stop a running horse? Even whipping it isn’t enough.

There was no one.