Interwar Period – Anschluss (2)

March 1, 1938 – Berlin War Castle, Berlin, Germany

In Austria, as I remembered, there was constant unrest stirred by the Austrian Nazis. Interior Minister Artur Seyss-Inquart, the representative of the Nazis in Austria, was probably just sitting on the sidelines.

The impatient Austrian Prime Minister, Schuschnigg, was going to hold a referendum against unification with Germany in March, but the problem was—I couldn’t remember the exact date.

I remembered major events like the start of World War II, but not the exact dates of all the detailed incidents... God, I missed real-time internet searches.

Even though I’d written down my modern memories since I was worried that I’d forget them, a single notebook could barely contain it all. I’d written it in Korean, not German, so even if someone found it, they wouldn’t understand a word.

Right now, in Europe, Korea wasn't even recognized as a country, let alone its language.

Hitler and the Nazi Party had brushed off Rundstedt and Beck’s requests for reinvestigation, but when the Austrian gunpoint drama played out, they promoted a wave of army personnel.

Of course, the real goal was to promote Nazi loyalists. But to maintain appearances and appease others, they threw a few bones to non-Nazi officers as well.

The War College in Berlin buzzed with newly minted generals, Nazi officials, and curious officers.

"Congratulations on your promotion, General."

"Congratulations, General!"

"Haha… Thank you, Shacht, Mikhail."

Mikhail and I congratulated him first, and although Walther—now promoted to Major General—smiled, it was easy to see he wasn’t exactly thrilled.

He had been part of the Chief of Staff in Berlin, but now, suddenly, he had been transferred to the IV Corps in Dresden. Technically, it was a promotion, but the reassignment away from Berlin during peacetime reeked of a quiet demotion.

Those associated with Chief of Staff Ludwig Beck, or those uncooperative with the regime, were either transferred out like this or removed entirely—just like Infantry Commander Erwin von Witzleben, who’d later participate in Operation Valkyrie.

And General Rundstedt, the senior army officer who should’ve stood against this? Promoted to Generaloberst, the highest military rank achievable in peacetime. Smiling while standing next to Hitler.

He had argued most strongly for the reinvestigation—and now, he stood by silently while Beck was sidelined.

The only thing Rundstedt managed to stop was Hitler’s push to appoint Walter von Reichenau—an outright Nazi fanatic—as Werner von Fritsch's successor. That act had temporarily placated the military establishment.

Whether Rundstedt did it for genuine military integrity or simply bowed to pressure from public opinion... who could say?

As these thoughts swirled in my mind, I noticed the new Commander-in-Chief of the Army approaching us.

"Oh, Commander-in-Chief! Congratulations!"

General Model smiled and offered a salute. Mikhail and I followed suit.

"Congratulations to you too, Model. You are finally a general."

Walter von Brauchitsch, just promoted to Generaloberst and now Army Commander-in-Chief, greeted us with a smile.

"Ah, are these your protégés?"

Brauchitsch clapped Model on the shoulder and turned to us.

"A true honor to meet you, Commander-in-Chief! I’m Captain Roger Mikhail!"

"Congratulations on your promotion, Commander-in-Chief. I’m Captain Dietrich Shacht."

"If you’re with Model, then you're with me. Captain Mikhail, Captain Shacht—I'll remember your names."

"Thank you!"

Model’s joy at being acknowledged by the Commander-in-Chief was clear. And from a career standpoint, it was helpful. But emotionally, I had mixed feelings.

Brauchitsch had the credentials and experience. He’d been Model’s supervisor for years. His appointment wasn’t controversial. But still...

To succeed, Brauchitsch had divorced his wife—despite having children—to marry a younger, Nazi-aligned woman. Supposedly, Hitler even paid for the wedding.

This kind of transactional loyalty would come to define Brauchitsch and much of the Wehrmacht in the coming years.

"I was worried these two wouldn’t be properly guided after I left for Dresden, but with Commander-in-Chief here, I can rest easy."

"Haha, if I can help, I’d be happy. Between us, I’ll try to bring you back soon. A talent like you shouldn't be buried on a corps staff."

"...Thank you, sir."

Model’s eyes shimmered with gratitude. That loyalty would one day bind him to a criminal regime.

He never gave direct orders for genocide, yet he’d be charged with condoning the atrocities at Rzhev. No records of orders. Just that he commanded the campaign and had a hands-on leadership style.

How did it come to that?

Maybe today was a hint. Even someone like Model could be swayed by a superior’s approval. A perfect man in the wrong time can become the devil for someone else.

"Then I’ll be going. Until next time."

"Yes, sir!"

As Brauchitsch walked away, saluted by us all, a familiar figure approached—camera in hand.

"Captain Shacht?"

"Reporter Jung."

"You two know each other?" General Model asked, surprised.

"Oh, yes. She’s been very helpful to me. Haha."

Claudia introduced herself smoothly. "Pleasure to meet you, General, Captain. I’m Claudia Jung, Frankfurter Zeitung."

"A pleasure, Ms. Jung. Walter Model."

"Oh, and I am Captain Roger Mikhail."

The introductions done, Model gave me a smile. A knowing one. No, General—it’s not what you’re thinking.

"Since we’re all here, would you like a photo?"

"Oh, is that alright?"

"Of course! I’ve taken enough today. And besides, I owe Captain Shacht."

Claudia looked genuinely pleased. Maybe the Austrian crisis she’d been chasing had finally broken.

As she adjusted her camera, Model gave me that look again. The same one Clemens used to give me.

"Shacht, you brat—are you really keeping up with the general staff curriculum?"

"Of course, sir…"

God, why does everyone assume I’m distracted by romance?

Claudia took a photo of the three of us. She promised to send it once printed.

The idea of seeing myself and General Model in Wehrmacht uniforms, immortalized in a black-and-white photo... surreal.

"Then I’ll go. Shacht, Mikhail. Even in Dresden, I won’t neglect your progress."

"Yes, General!"

We both saluted. Model returned the gesture before leaving. He hadn’t even made a joke today—he must’ve been truly upset.

Beck, losing all his loyal men, would soon resign. Manstein too, I think, was demoted around this time.

"Hey, Shacht."

Mikhail was staring off. Following his gaze, I saw Claudia now speaking to none other than Ribbentrop—who had just replaced Baron Neurath as Foreign Minister.

Still smiling that dazzling, too-perfect smile. A married man, too.

When she caught our gaze, Claudia winked.

Her words came to mind: The higher the rank, the easier it is for a beautiful woman to get close.

"...She is a stunning woman," Mikhail muttered, entranced.

I gave him a cold stare. “She’s also a sharp reporter who doesn’t miss a thing…”

March 10, 1938 – War College, Berlin, Germany

On a night when I should’ve been resting, sirens suddenly blared.

Orders were shouted in the halls: cadets were being called up. I rushed downstairs in uniform.

"Apologies for disturbing your rest, gentlemen. But this is an emergency order from the Führer. You are to move immediately to Bavaria and participate in the Austrian suppression operation!"

Startled cadets raised their hands in confusion. The colonel delivering the order silenced them.

"This is not a drill! This is your Chancellor's order: Germany will achieve a Greater Germany—even if it means war with Austria! Trains have been mobilized. The operation will begin on March 12. Get your assignments and board your train!"

The colonel looked as confused as the rest of us.

The hall erupted into chaos as names were called and cadets scrambled for their orders.

Goddamn it. I’d heard that the Anschluss happened abruptly, but this was insane.

We weren’t even moving with assigned units. Everyone had to travel individually and meet up.

"Captain Shacht! Who’s Captain Shacht?"

"That’s me!"

I shoved through the crowd, took my orders from a second lieutenant, and cursed under my breath.

"Shacht!"

"Captain Mikhail!"

"I’m going to Munich—13th Corps, 10th Division!"

I opened my own orders. Regensburg. That was the direction of Linz—Hitler’s hometown.

"I’m Regensburg. 11th Corps, 18th Division..."

"Shame we’re not going the same way."

"Yeah."

"Let’s make General Model proud!"

"Good luck, Mikhail!"

I knew there wouldn’t be an actual battle. But my throat tightened with tension nonetheless.

This was the beginning.

The first real move in Hitler’s plan.

The door to his territorial ambitions…

The first act of World War II had just started.