I Don’t Need Nazis In My Germany

【 Chapter 23 – Interwar Period – Anschluss (4) 】

April 10, 1938
Linz, Banks of Donau River, Northern Austria

In 1934, Mussolini, who had opposed the annexation of Austria, agreed to accept the incorporation of Austria when Hitler demanded that he renounce his claim to Südtirol (the Southern part of Tyrol, which had passed to Italy after World War I and historically belonged to Austria).

The hollow League of Nations remained silent, while Hitler and the Nazis, who had annexed Austria, openly started proclaiming their territorial claims over Sudetenland, Danzig, and Memel, with the intention of reclaiming Germany’s lost territories.

Those territories, namely Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Lithuania, were clearly sovereign nations, yet the international community had not yet shown a serious response. However, soon they would come to realize that Hitler’s claims posed a substantial threat.

We remained stationed in Linz even after Hitler’s declaration of the reunification of Austria.

During the first few days, even the logistic situation was not smooth, so we had to give money to the residents and rely on their kindness to get food. Even the officers had to refuel their vehicles at Austrian civilian gas stations.

At least, it was barely returning to normal after a month.

When I was in Spain, I thought the Condor Legion1 was somewhat lax in terms of military discipline due to the relaxed atmosphere, considering them as mere volunteer soldiers on paper. However, compared to the Korean military that I was originally familiar with, it was nothing but a mess of military discipline!

In reality, the regular German army that I actually led was much more chaotic than the Condor Legion1, which was always exposed to the threat of real combat.

I’m not sure if it’s the audacity of Hitler, who carried out the remilitarization of the Rhineland two years ago with such limited capabilities, or if it’s just a lack of thought…

Although Germany had already declared the annexation of Austria on March 13th, they went through the formalities and conducted the Austrian national referendum almost a month later, today, on April 10th.

It was called a national referendum, but it was just a hollow display since it took place with German troops and Nazi party members stationed in every city. It was nothing more than a show for appearances’ sake.

Even I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the ballot.

[ Do you agree with the reunification of Austria and Germany, which took place on March 13, 1938, and do you support the candidate list of our Führer, Adolf Hitler? ]

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The question itself was blatantly asking whether one agrees and supports, with a large “Yes” drawn prominently in the middle of the ballot paper and a small “No” tucked away in the corner.

From my perspective, having lived in a 21st-century democratic country, it felt like a textbook example of a rigged vote. However, the Austrian residents, with cheerful smiles, were happily depositing their ballots, oblivious to what made it so appealing.

Furthermore, some residents even saluted us, Nazi-style, and hailed “Heil Hitler” while guarding their ballots as they cast their votes.

I wonder if the people voting now can even imagine themselves or their children being conscripted into the German army and soon being dragged into the Second World War…

A wry smile involuntarily formed on my face.

Is it a comedy or a tragedy to stand alone as a captain with the sensibilities of a different era in a scene of history?

“Captain Schacht.”

I turned my back at the sudden call and immediately saluted Lieutenant Colonel Tresckow.

“Colonel Tresckow.”

“Let’s walk for a moment.”

“Yes, sir!”

I entrusted my position to my subordinate, Lieutenant Behr, and followed him.

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Why did he summon me like this, after not saying a word to me for a while after Anschluss? What could be his purpose?

It felt like a crucial moment, and I kept looking back, wondering if a Gestapo2 agent might be following me. But as I continued to do so, I realized that it was only making things more suspicious. Eventually, I decided to stop because it seemed even more suspicious.

In the city where the de facto rigged vote for Hitler was taking place, the atmosphere among the Austrians was fervent, and no residents found it strange to see German military officers walking through the city.

Tresckow, without saying a word, led me and walked quite a distance, even beyond the central downtown area, until we reached a deserted alley.

He stopped and casually took out a cigarette before asking.

“Smoke?”

“No, thank you, Colonel.”

During the time Tresckow took to smoke his cigarette slowly, he remained silent and did not open his mouth.

It feels quite strange to think about it, considering that in the movie I watched in modern-day Korea, the actor who portrayed him had quite a few scenes of smoking cigarettes.

“…Dietrich Schacht, Captain. Your father is Hjalmar Schacht, former Minister of Economics. I heard that you had a close relationship with Colonel Richthofen of the Air Force during the Spanish Civil War. You enrolled in the General Staff Course on the recommendation of Major Walter Model.”

“Yes, that’s correct, Colonel.”

After hearing my response, Lieutenant Colonel Tresckow remained silent for a while and continued to smoke his cigarette. I could feel sweat building up on my gloved hands.

I had a sudden thought that I may have been too reckless, despite knowing that he was a key figure in the anti-Nazi resistance, sensing his disillusionment with the Nazis since the Night of the Long Knives.

Such thoughts suddenly crossed my mind.

What I know about him is that during the Blomberg-Fritsch affair, he intended to resign but was detained by Infantry General Erwin von Witzleben, causing him to stay in the army and instead join the anti-Hitler organization.

I thought that since von Witzleben had retired and become a civilian, he must have already been involved in the anti-Hitler organization, but I wonder if it was too hasty of an assumption.

After smoking his cigarette slowly, he extinguished it by stomping on the ground and finally faced me directly.

“As you know… our military has sworn allegiance to the Führer.”

After saying that, Tresckow tilted his head slightly, smirked, and continued speaking.

“It is truly regrettable that an officer like you, who harbors doubts about the loyalty to the Führer and the state when it comes to ‘minor’ issues such as the oppression of Jews, is my subordinate.”

I could feel the cold sweat trickling down my spine. Is this a test, or is it genuine? Should I deny it here, or should I show resistance to him? From the icy gaze of Tresckow, a veteran soldier who had experienced the previous war, I couldn’t read anything.

“Colonel Richthofen, who regarded you as a remarkable individual, is the cousin of the ‘Red Baron,’ a national hero from the previous war. General Model is known for keeping politics at a distance and being a rigid figure. However, it seems that they may have misjudged someone.”

I feel my throat tightening. If I respond incorrectly here, Tresckow could easily push me toward the SS, and that would be the end of it. However, if I hastily make excuses here and this is indeed a test, I will be branded as an untrustworthy individual. Moreover, arousing suspicion from key figures in the anti-Nazi resistance would jeopardize any potential cooperation with them.

“Tell me, Captain Schacht. Have you dared to harbor doubts about your allegiance to the Wehrmacht3 and question the loyalty to the Führer and the regime?”

It was a moment of choice. What should I say in response?

What should I say to him to avoid pushing him away and maintain trust?

No, will taking a long time to think really provide me with an answer!

“I am loyal to Germany, Colonel.”

“…If that’s the case, what about the ideology of the regime?”

“Oppressing Jewish people is not in the best interest of Germany.”

When I cut off his words, Lieutenant Colonel Tresckow raised his eyebrows and started to continue.

“As you know, in the previous war, the Nazis claimed that the Jews were responsible for…”

“Do you believe the Nazis’ claims that they were defeated in the previous war due to Jewish conspiracies?”

I cannot believe such claims. An officer who witnessed the hell of the First World War firsthand and experienced Germany being pushed to its limits would not believe in such notions!

“You called it a ‘minor’ issue, didn’t you? Yes, that’s right! It may be considered minor from the perspective of the German state! But then, what about that Germany? Do you realize that all those countless people being confined to concentration camps, awaiting their death, are Jewish?”

Tresckow remained silent in response to my words, but I continued to pour out my thoughts like a madman.

“The parliament, politicians, stormtroopers, and now even the military leaders, those who believed in Hitler and contributed to his rise to power, they are being manipulated and used as pawns. Göring and the SS4 are openly eyeing the position of the military. If we allow this to continue, soon all of Germany will become Hitler’s marionette, dancing to his tune!”

My heart feels like it’s about to burst, and my mouth seems to be running wild.

“Austria was just the beginning! Next is Czechoslovakia, then Poland! Do you think Britain and France will just sit idly by? War is approaching, Colonel. There is no time to waste on such petty conflicts!”

There is no time. Truly, there isn’t.

The shadow of the Second World War looms nearby, and yet I haven’t even made contact with the anti-Hitler organization.

“You… you’re mad. If I were to reveal this to the SS4, immediately…”

“Are you afraid of rebelling against the regime and dying? Yes, let them kill me! Do you think they will let Germany, which threatens the world again even after losing the previous war, go unchecked? Rather than witnessing the destruction of our homeland with my own eyes while doing nothing, it would be better to die!”

There were moments when I woke up from sleep to the deafening sound of artillery. I feared that I would forget the names of the soldiers who had died under my command in Spain, that I would become numb to their deaths. That’s why I had painstakingly written down each and every one of their names.

Can we allow such a hellish battlefield, such bloodshed, to happen again, reduced to mere numbers and statistics, to be unleashed in another devastating war?

“You mentioned loyalty oath? If loyalty means blindly following and shouting ‘Heil’ no matter what crazy things the Führer does, then I refuse to show such loyalty. Are you saying that I am prepared to betray my country but not prepared to betray the Führer?”

As if he had just completed a sprint, I gasped for breath, trying to steady myself.

Tresckow remained still, calmly lighting a cigarette. He quietly smoked, waiting for me to regain my breath before finally speaking.

“I apologize, Captain Schacht. I tested you.”

In a moment of relief, I felt my legs almost give way.

Damn it, what a nerve-wracking experience. I truly committed to it as if I were ready to die…

Ah… I really can’t do this again.

“…I apologize, Colonel. If I am to be taken away for insubordination, at least please do it kindly.”

“I can consider that once the mission is successful.”

Lieutenant Colonel Tresckow smirked as he smoked his cigarette, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well, you’re quite audacious, aren’t you? What makes you rush towards someone like me, whom you barely know and have no particular connection with?”

Of course, I knew that you, who have been opposing Hitler for a much longer time than Colonel Stauffenberg, who would be hailed as a hero in the future.

Well, I can’t say that…

“…It’s not common to find someone who can turn their gaze to the tragedy unfolding while everyone else is intoxicated by glory.”

“Are you some kind of philosophy major?”

“No, sir. I am not.”

Honestly, I was embarrassed and confused about what I had blurted out. Fortunately, Colonel Tresckow didn’t seem to be inclined toward deep contemplation.

“…Is former Minister Schacht also in agreement with you?”

“Not yet, but I will soon make it appear so, Colonel.”

Tresckow nodded approvingly at my words.

“…all right, Captain Schacht. Someone on our side will be in touch soon.”

“Understood, sir.”

I nodded without much thought, but Colonel Tresckow caught my attention.

“You’re not surprised that I’m not alone, but part of an organization?”

“Well…. Considering the number of high-ranking military personnel swept up in this crisis, it’s not surprising, sir.”

Having quickly pondered my explanation, Colonel Tresckow appeared somewhat suspicious but chose to let it go.

It was a close call to arouse suspicion in such a place unexpectedly. From now on, as I would actively participate in plotting the coup, I needed to stay vigilant.

The knowledge I possessed as a modern person was undoubtedly a valuable asset, but it could also be a poison that could trap me. It was crucial to bear that in mind.

“…Well, honestly, it was sudden, and there is some room for doubt, but I will trust my own eyes. Not as a superior but as a comrade, I entrust this to you.”

“I truly appreciate your trust. Colonel.”

It was a dangerous one-line ride, but—

The gamble that risked my life was successful.