German Civil War – Harbinger of the Storm (2)

September 6, 1939 — New Government Headquarters, Frankfurt, 9th Military District

One day after the Crown Prince and Princess arrived in Frankfurt, the new government convened to outline its future with Wilhelm present.

"Public opinion now favors the new government!" Dr. Carl Goerdeler proclaimed to the Crown Prince, while far-right royalists nodded enthusiastically at the prospect of restoring the Empire. "Those who dare defy Hohenzollern legitimacy still cling to the Nazi Wehrmacht, but our army remains loyal to the imperial family!"

Did they truly believe public support for the new government translated into enthusiasm for the Kaiser?

"We plan to purge those Nazi remnants from sacred Germany and bring His Majesty Wilhelm II back from Holland to his rightful throne! Not the era of mobs, but the age of Kaiser and nobility restored!"

These fossils—only eighty years removed from my original time—still proudly proclaimed themselves society's natural leaders. Good God.

However, Crown Prince Wilhelm's reaction was tepid.

"Very well, Doctor. But it seems premature to discuss such matters."

What was this? Was the Crown Prince hedging his bets until Germany was fully secured?

The new government, now established for a week since the coup, had indeed gained momentum. Not only Germany but the international community recognized our relatively stable government, and diplomatic contacts were slowly materializing.

Particularly Deputy Foreign Minister Ernst von Weizsäcker—now our foreign minister—and Erich Kordt's diligent preparations were bearing fruit.

The Crown Prince's personal arrival in Frankfurt could hardly be explained by governmental instability.

"I believe His Majesty will be pleased by your loyalty," Wilhelm continued. "But for now, consolidating government and winning against the Nazis takes priority."

"Forgive me, Your Highness," Dr. Goerdeler bowed, slightly embarrassed by the Prince's response.

"Your Highness is correct. The new government situation is just beginning."

Finance Minister Hjalmar Schacht—my father—spoke, glancing at me before continuing.

"Fortunately, thanks to our radio broadcasts, public support and donations are high. The new government budget is sound due to contributions and businessmen who supported us previously. However, we must address the economic collapse ahead."

The new government controlled Germany's most developed regions—the Ruhr, Frankfurt, Bavaria—without urban damage, while donations continued flowing and the Finance Minister's capabilities remained intact.

Though financially stable for now, Nazi-controlled territories posed a different challenge. Just thinking about it gave me headaches.

"Is Germany's economy truly that dire?"

"Regrettably, Your Highness, the economy has long passed beyond self-correction. Armaments companies are dangerously bloated—if they cease constant weapons production, Germany will flood with unemployed."

Military and royalist faces grew grim at my father's assessment, but none could dispute the foremost economic expert's evaluation.

"Moreover, the Nazis issued Mefo bonds to military companies—government promises to pay later instead of actual payment. The budget cannot cover these obligations. Companies awaiting payment face obvious risk, and we must prepare accordingly."

Like North Korean bonds, Mefo bonds were worthless paper backed by empty promises. Yet if we defeated the Nazis, the new government would inherit full liability.

"How much in bonds?"

"Over 20 billion marks."

Everyone present paled. Total Versailles reparations imposed on Germany for twenty years following the last war totaled 132 billion marks.

When that treaty was signed, Germany was defeated and the mark depreciated. Now, thanks to my father's reforms, the mark had recovered its value. The Nazis had truly gone mad printing bonds.

Only the absurd civil war situation prevented collapse of Germany's military-dependent economy—but this was merely temporary relief.

The United States escaped the Great Depression through New Deal policies and World War II, but even mighty America faced post-war financial difficulties requiring dismantling the legendary carrier Enterprise.

Fortunately, America's mainland remained undamaged. If civil war escalated and new government forces engaged in total warfare with the Wehrmacht, leaving German soil in ruins, no solution existed.

I had initiated this civil war to expel Hitler and normalize Germany because it seemed inevitable. Who would risk their lives starting civil war in their homeland if extreme measures weren't necessary?

Naturally, I never wanted Germany becoming a hellscape like Spain, hence the propaganda campaign. The goal of minimizing total war was being achieved—precariously—by exploiting Wehrmacht antipathy toward the Nazis.

But the new government wasn't positioned for rosy optimism or nonsense about restoring the Kaiser.

"Serious indeed. What's the front-line situation with the Wehrmacht?"

Hearing the economic assessment, the Crown Prince turned serious and questioned Ludwig Beck.

"The front remains quiet as public opinion leans toward us. General Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, who was attacking the SS training camp at Wewelsburg Castle, is maintaining siege without provoking the Wehrmacht."

We had halted the Wewelsburg attack when the armored breakthrough toward Berlin stalled.

If the Wehrmacht decided on total war, we currently had no response—we shouldn't provide excuses.

"No defections yet?"

"Some generals express concern, but nothing confirmed. Nazi propaganda maintains Hitler is healthy, so they remain cautious."

Nazi claims of Hitler's good health continued, but Hitler hadn't appeared publicly.

By now, senior leadership expected Hitler was either dead or critically wounded.

If truly dead, the pretense of continued health seemed unsustainable—only prolonging eventual impact when truth emerged.

Count Blumenthal's fate—the handsome young nobleman and zealous resistance member—remained unknown.

Oster and Tresckow, who had worked closely with him, hoped for his survival, but senior officials simply celebrated his final performance.

"What about the navy?"

The Crown Prince's next question turned to Director Canaris.

"The Nazi regime attempted moving Army Group North's 3rd Army from East Prussia to Berlin, but the Navy refused cooperation and declared neutrality."

The Kriegsmarine harbored deep dissatisfaction with the Nazi regime.

They couldn't forgive starting the Z Plan to build battleships and aircraft carriers—reassured there would be no immediate war—only to have the budget returned to the army when war began.

Moreover, conflict between Navy Commander-in-Chief Erich Raeder and Luftwaffe Commander-in-Chief Göring over Graf Zeppelin was legendary.

The infamous captain who scrapped an aircraft carrier rather than surrender it to the Luftwaffe paralleled the Japanese Empire's notorious army-navy conflicts.

"Ostensibly neutral, but great help for us."

Army Group North Commander Fedor von Bock was a typical Prussian Junker-style general who, as expected, remained in Pomerania without cooperating with the Nazi regime.

General Günther von Kluge of the 4th Army in Pomerania agreed, and within Army Group North, only General Georg von Küchler of the 3rd Army in East Prussia had embraced Nazi ideology.

However, since transport ships weren't being provided, the "neutral" navy was effectively half-supporting the new government. This must have been thanks to Director Canaris's efforts.

"Excellent. Your hard work is appreciated. It's been a week since establishing the new government. The House of Hohenzollern wishes you and Germany a bright future."

"Thank you, Crown Prince."

Prince Wilhelm offered brief congratulations and departed.

Dr. Goerdeler grew visibly dissatisfied after the Crown Prince left, but the first meeting ended with little gained beyond understanding the current situation.

While relieved the Crown Prince hadn't embraced absolute monarchy nonsense with Dr. Goerdeler, his complete disinterest was unexpected. He seemed remarkably indifferent to our work.

I glanced at Colonels Oster and Tresckow, but both merely shrugged.

What was the prince thinking?

September 10, 1939 — Schacht Mansion, Frankfurt, 9th Military District

On a peaceful Sunday, I prepared breakfast in the Frankfurt mansion I'd purchased.

Unlike last weekend's urgency, where I had to sleep at the broadcasting station, the crisis had passed.

The seemingly impossible collapse of Nazi Germany appeared achievable, and though much remained, the new government was stabilizing.

"Hmm-mm-mm..."

With breathing room came humming.

The new government—comprising royalists, military, liberals, and social democrats—cooperated without excessive conflict, united by the common goal of opposing Hitler and the Nazis.

Dr. Goerdeler and extreme royalists were still wary of us, but Crown Prince Wilhelm's surprising attitude provided relief.

Completely unexpected, but not unwelcome—we'd consider it fortunate.

Fresh morning brot sliced with mashed potatoes, grilled bacon with scrambled eggs...

Honestly, my cooking was rudimentary—hardly professional chef level.

After breakfast, I climbed to the second floor.

"Claudia."

"Just a little longer..."

"Cold breakfast isn't tasty, frau journalist."

Claudia struggled briefly in the blankets before sitting up, disheveled. Only I knew this side of the famed reporter.

I smiled, handing her water. She drank naturally, returned the cup, and rose from bed.

Our natural morning routine.

"Mmm—delicious."

"I'm glad."

Simple meal—barely better than hamburgers—but Claudia always proclaimed it delicious.

I wasn't sure if this reflected the sincerity received or genuine appreciation.

Having seen her Berlin home, I'd guessed her domestic skills were catastrophic.

Besides coffee-making, she knew nothing about cooking or cleaning. Naturally, I handled cleaning and cooking during our time living together. She managed post-dinner coffee.

But still...

Watching her check the morning newspaper, I eyed the ring on her finger and smiled involuntarily.

"What's making you so happy?"

"Nothing, just..."

Following my gaze to the ring, Claudia looked up and smiled.

The house purchased to hide her had become our home.

"Happy with your fiancée?"

"Haha. It's overwhelming happiness."

My sincere answer brought a blush and smile to her face.

Honestly, when first inhabiting Dietrich Schacht's body, I'd wanted to grab God by the throat and shake him.

Despite running toward death and danger, I was determined to protect this happiness.

Later, chatting over post-breakfast coffee with Claudia, a visitor arrived.

"Hmm? Were we expecting anyone today?"

"No—at least, I don't think so?"

"Neither do I."

Glancing outside, I spotted a man in a suit and fedora at the door. Classic period drama attire.

Remembering Colonel Tresckow's warning, I swallowed nervously, drew my pistol, and Claudia quickly hid.

Grateful for her quick response, I opened the door prepared to fire.

I froze.

Instead of fancy uniform, a fifty-something man in simple suit and fedora smiled at me.

"What's this? Were you expecting Nazi assassins?"

"I'm sorry, Your—"

"Shh, do you want to alert the neighborhood?"

Stopping me, he strode into my house as if it were his own.

"Excuse the intrusion. I'm sure you'll welcome it."

To my bewilderment, the man settled naturally onto the sofa where Claudia and I had been drinking coffee.

"Coffee smells good. May I have some?"

Crown Prince Wilhelm had arrived Sunday morning, casually requesting coffee.

What in hell was this?