German Civil War – Oath of Allegiance (3)

October 11, 1939 — 8th Army Garrison, Dresden, 4th Military District

General Georg von Küchler, commander of III Corps, had been arrested on charges of internal communication for having phone conversations with Ludwig Beck.

After that, Hitler had sent an ultimatum through Wehrmacht High Command that if they didn't immediately attack new government forces, it would be considered cooperation with rebels.

In the heavy atmosphere where major corps and division commanders of the 8th Army gathered, 8th Army commander Johannes Blaskowitz opened his mouth.

"I think we all need to make a decision."

Army Group South consisted of the 8th, 10th, and 14th Armies.

Among them, the 10th Army was already confronting new government main forces under Nazi Walter von Reichenau's leadership, even to the core.

General Wilhelm List, commander of the 14th Army, had also supported Nazis during the Blomberg-Fritsch affair, so he announced he would attack Nuremberg when the Army Group commander was arrested and orders came directly from Supreme Command.

However, Infantry General Johannes Blaskowitz had long hated Nazi interference in religion and military affairs, and was displeased with Nazi atrocities against Jews.

It was only when the regime started attacking its own people to wage war and purging the military for not obeying orders that he reached his limit.

"I simply can't stand it any longer. Even at this point, following Hitler is something we shouldn't do as proud soldiers of our country. What do you all think?"

At General Blaskowitz's remarks, the assembled generals swallowed nervously.

All understood that the choices they made here and now would determine their lives and deaths, and furthermore, Germany's fate.

"I agree with you, Commander."

After long silence, 24th Infantry Division commander Lieutenant General Friedrich Olbricht was first to step forward.

Even in original history, he'd directly participated in Stauffenberg's plot, and he stepped forward first, sweating with tension and adjusting his glasses.

Though difficult for one person to agree initially, the decision came quickly because all present generals had heard of Nazi atrocities through new government radio broadcasts and newspapers.

"I'll follow."

"I agree. The Crown Prince—no, the Kaiser—is with the new government, and we can't point guns at him."

Artillery General Wilhelm Ulex and Panzer General Maximilian von Weichs, both corps commanders, all agreed, and remaining division commanders nodded nervously.

"Good, thank you. Then to the new government—"

General Blaskowitz was about to speak when suddenly the door swung open and a man entered.

"The Führer has ordered a general offensive, but what is the 8th Army doing?"

The man who entered was Erich von Manstein, Army Group South chief of staff.

After Rundstedt was taken away, he'd been issuing Führer orders coming directly from Wehrmacht Supreme Command to each army, and came directly to the 8th Army as it was wasting time without response.

Infantry General Johannes Blaskowitz stiffened, recalling Manstein's praise of the Führer as a great leader on Hitler's birthday.

"Manstein, we can no longer follow the Führer."

"I beg your pardon?"

As Manstein looked bewildered, General Friedrich Olbricht was secretly reaching for his pistol.

"If the regime's leader endangers Germany and doesn't repay Wehrmacht loyalty, we'd rather stand with the people and Kaiser, fighting alongside the new government."

All generals, tense with anticipation, watched Manstein's reaction and prepared to subdue him if necessary.

But Manstein smiled and shouted almost jubilantly.

"I'm with you, Commander!"

"What?"

While Blaskowitz and tense generals were all stunned, Manstein shouted again.

"I only gave those orders because the mad Führer arrested innocent General Rundstedt and said I'd be arrested too if I didn't comply!"

"Is that so?"

While all generals preparing to subdue him were embarrassed, Manstein grabbed Blaskowitz's hand and spoke vigorously.

"I knew from the beginning that the new government was Germany's hope. In fact, I was secretly helping them! The people here are true patriots, so I came believing you'd understand my intentions. Come with me! If you join me, they'll gladly accept you."

"Oh, I see. Thank you. I didn't know you felt that way."

General Blaskowitz was somewhat perplexed, but the generals—who had no connection with the new government—sighed with relief.

Most reassured was Manstein.

He'd been terrified and embarrassed learning that Rundstedt was arrested for phone calls with Beck, and that Erich Hoepner—identified as a new government member among Polish invasion forces—was arrested.

To avoid charges, he'd immediately issued Hitler's orders and came here to do the same to avoid suspicion, but this was perfect!

General Lutz's armored breakthrough was stopped and the new government—expected to collapse soon—had found stability through public opinion battles. Manstein had been about to switch sides when the military government coup occurred.

Because of that, he'd missed timing and couldn't turn, while Rundstedt and Hoepner were arrested. He'd worried about being caught too, but accidentally gained the 8th Army's surrender.

"If we delay longer, the Führer will be suspicious, so we should move quickly. We're near Frankfurt, so we need to inform them that the 14th Army will attack Nuremberg!"

"I'm sorry, Manstein. I didn't know you well and suspected you were a Nazi follower."

"Isn't that a compliment for disguising myself well to avoid their suspicions? Haha!"

Fully relaxed, Manstein smiled at his conversion.

Dietrich Schacht—he regretted that if he'd known Captain Schacht would become such a powerful figure as new government spokesperson, he'd have treated him better.

Even if the transition felt somewhat late, the 8th Army's surrender would suffice for the promised Chief of Staff position.

Luck was on his side. Halder, he was better off than that fool.

October 12, 1939 — Wewelsburg Castle, SS Training Center, Westphalia

"Ugh!"

SS-Gruppenführer Paul Hausser nearly fell from his chair and barely stayed conscious. Only after coming to his senses did he struggle to regain his hazy mind amid flashing lights.

"Who..."

Light pierced his stiff eyes like a knife, and he moved his body—droopy from hunger and fatigue—covering his eyes with his hands.

Six weeks since the coup began.

The training camp's food had long since run out, and air supply—which Göring had asserted would be no problem—barely kept them above starvation level.

But now they'd reached their limit. He couldn't eat enough himself, so he'd started skipping meals for his men, but his old, weary body couldn't help.

The Air Force had even promised a counterattack would soon be launched to rescue them, but could no longer provide air supply due to parts and ammunition shortages.

That was three days ago.

Hausser stood up despite threatening vertigo and staggered from his office.

His lieutenant—once stout but now emaciated—slept exhaustedly at the desk outside his office.

Instead of waking him, Hausser creaked past.

Crew members who'd always proudly shouted "Heil Hitler" while looking at him respectfully now only glanced helplessly, very few saluting.

Some didn't even have strength to do so and were exhausted. It was rude to see a general and not salute, but Hausser pretended not to see and just passed by.

After wandering the garrison, a young SS-Untersturmführer approached and saluted.

"Heil Hitler!"

"Heil Hitler."

After saluting, SS-Untersturmführer Heinrich Springer began explaining the dire situation.

"General, some surrendered last night."

Hausser closed his eyes tightly.

"I'm sorry, but we can't stand it anymore. General, we've reached our limit."

Hausser's words sounded like a death sentence.

In the Weimar Republic, where the German Empire had collapsed since his birth, he'd seen Hitler and Nazis as those who would make Germany great again.

So he'd moved to the Nazi SS, abandoning his entire Wehrmacht General Staff career, helping them throughout the process of becoming proper armed forces.

"It's my fault."

He knew what the Nazi Party was doing with the SS he'd raised. He'd always acted like he didn't know, but at his rank, he'd found out despite not wanting to.

He didn't particularly hate Jews, but knew the SS he'd raised persecuted them horribly.

Though believing himself to pursue soldier's honor, he'd closed his eyes to crimes committed by Nazis he followed in his country.

He'd seen everything as necessary evil for a regime that would make Germany great. He'd believed he was betting on them, swearing allegiance that whatever they did, he should obey.

"Innocent young friends are bearing my sins."

"General..."

And these—those trained by him and educated in his beliefs—had become Nazi hands and feet, following Nazi orders.

This was how he'd changed young men who came saying they wanted to fight for their country or were attracted by wonderful uniforms.

Even if it endangered Germany, even if it was inhuman, he'd made them blindly believe it should be done when Führer and Party ordered it.

These were miserable humans. Hearing new government radio broadcasts could make them feel ashamed, but some remained unmoved, expressing only anger and hatred toward the Führer and traitors opposing the party.

Could this fanaticism really be called true loyalty? Even if so, what was the reward for that loyalty and devotion?

After being isolated here for six whole weeks. Enduring that time in a training camp—neither in a city nor anywhere else—wasn't the noble, heroic struggle Nazis advertised.

It was just miserable, desperate struggle, depending on hope.

Their stylish uniforms and battle dress had become dirty with flowing grime. Messy, unkempt hair and stench from not knowing when they'd last washed reminded one of refugees.

What effort had the Führer and Nazis made to save their men languishing without proper food?

"What have I been doing?"

Hausser covered his face and squeezed. There were times he'd felt proud knowing crew members called him "Papa" affectionately.

However, the self they believed in and followed was a cowardly human undeserving of that title. He'd considered evil deeds committed by Nazis necessary for Germany and unrelated to himself.

Even knowing atrocities committed by men he'd trained, he'd had no intention of correcting them but rather defended them.

This was the result. After teaching them to obey the regime without judging, angry German people who'd learned the regime's truth were now condemning him and his subordinates.

He'd been driven here because he'd feared doubting his loyalty's value more than the suffering of those oppressed by the regime and his subordinates.

Until the very end, he and his men couldn't admit their loyalty to Führer and Nazis was worthless, so they'd waited only for hopeless Nazi salvation.

But that was over now.

Only after coming this far did he realize what he'd been holding out for wasn't because of loyalty he was supposed to keep as a soldier, but because he didn't want to admit his mistake.

"Springer."

The leutnant, who'd admired him as the SS's father, was startled by his dry, cracked voice, but Heinrich Springer corrected his posture and answered.

"Yes, General."

"Go and tell them: As long as you guarantee the crew's safety, I will surrender."