Chapter 400126Chapter NaN

August 1, 1940

Paris, the Capital of France, the ‘City of Light’

"T-The Italian Navy was crushed? They lost all their battleships?"

French Prime Minister Jean-François de La Rocque's jaw dropped.

When Mussolini had made his boastful declaration that he would strike the Mediterranean Fleet, La Rocque hadn't placed much expectation on him.

Italy had shown too much disgraceful conduct until now. But even so, he had never imagined Italy would suffer a crushing defeat.

If you compared the strengths of the British Mediterranean Fleet and the Italian Navy, anyone would have said the Italian Navy had superiority.

La Rocque flipped through the report with trembling hands and shouted.

"I-I'm sorry, Prime Minister. They used the Hood and the Ark Royal to draw our attention, making us think they were still on the English Channel front…"

We believed we had suppressed Force H's commerce raiding activities with diligent patrols supported by the air force, but it turned out they had left only the Hood and the Ark Royal behind to deceive France and headed for the Mediterranean.

"Aaargh!"

At Admiral Darlan's excuse, La Rocque, infuriated, threw the report down and panted, breathing heavily, but his agitation didn't subside.

If only the Italian Navy had stayed quietly docked in their ports, they would have been an excellent strategic card, tying down the British Mediterranean Fleet and making the use of the Suez Canal awkward.

Capturing Malta would have been a great military gain, of course, but it wasn't a situation where France or Italy could attack British Africa.

As a result, Italy had launched an offensive that was worse than doing nothing, and France bore great responsibility for this incident, having clearly failed to notice Force H moving into the Mediterranean.

France was not in a position to blame Italy alone, and Britain, preoccupied with its own homeland defense, now had greater freedom of movement.

Moreover, with things turning out like this, there was no telling when Mussolini might be overthrown, and no one could guarantee how an Italy without Mussolini would act.

La Rocque's body trembled as he glared at Minister of Defense Philippe Pétain with eyes burning with rage.

"There's no way Spain didn't know about this.

Is there, Minister of Defense?"

"Ahem."

Pétain, who had an acquaintance with Franco, wore an uncomfortable expression, but he couldn't deny it.

France, sure, could be swayed by the deception since Britain had deliberately prodded here and there with the Hood and the Ark Royal.

But does it make sense that Spain wouldn't know when they passed through the Strait of Gibraltar? La Rocque bit his lip.

"Franco, that despicable fellow, he must be planning a betrayal."

Of course, France had also failed to notice Force H as it bypassed their surveillance network and sailed into the Mediterranean, but when combined with Spain's ambiguous attitude so far, La Rocque was convinced Spain was harboring other intentions.

In fact, La Rocque's guess wasn't entirely wrong.

In reality, when Force H made a surprise passage through the Strait of Gibraltar under the cover of night, Franco had been unable to identify them and chose to feign ignorance instead of warning France and Italy.

"Is there any sign of Germany dispatching an armored unit to Britain?"

"Not yet, Prime Minister."

La Rocque felt stifled.

Right now, France and Germany were in a complete state of playing chicken.

France had to deal a fatal blow to Germany before Italy completely collapsed, and Germany had to suppress Italy and concentrate its front on France before Poland collapsed.

La Rocque still had a sliver of reason. With Germany possessing armored reserves, a flanking invasion carried the risk of invading a neutral country and had too high a risk of failure.

Besides, La Rocque didn't think the French Army could conduct large-scale maneuver warfare like Germany.

He knew the French Army's tanks were not suited for such a doctrine, and the offensive he hoped for was closer to the Schlieffen Plan that Germany had shown in the last war.

Therefore, for La Rocque's plan to be realized, Germany absolutely must not have any strategic reserves, especially armored reserves. However, his expectation that they would dispatch Rommel's reserves to Britain if he declared war on Germany was spectacularly wrong.

He didn't know why, but Rommel's reserves remained stationed in Hamburg, and as if that wasn't enough, Germany had declared war on France and issued an additional mobilization order for 500,000 men.

"Nothing is going right, damn it."

La Rocque had rejoiced when anti-war protests broke out in Germany, but he couldn't understand how they had fizzled out in such a short time.

Hadn't he himself, despite taking power, had to choose the detour of a surprise attack on Britain due to public opposition to an all-out war with Germany?

"Hmph, it's just that those German bastards are inferior."

They talk about reviving democracy and whatnot, but in the end, the German people must be a race that's naturally easy to sway.

Swayed by Hitler, swayed by Goebbels, and now—

"Dietrich Schacht, the Goebbels of the Fourth Reich."

La Rocque stared at the photograph of Dietrich Schacht in the newspaper and bit his lip.

"We haven't lost yet."

-

August 1, 1940

Southern British Isles – Southwest of London, Southern Army Headquarters, England

"Prime Minister, I'll say it again, we are not yet in a situation to launch an offensive!"

General Alan Brooke spoke passionately into the telephone, but Churchill on the other end was just as passionate.

[This is the greatest opportunity to turn the tide! If we follow up our victory in the Mediterranean with a victory on the British mainland, the loyal nations of the Commonwealth will realize that we are still the great British Empire!]

The words 'You pushed things the same way at Gallipoli' rose to the tip of General Alan Brooke's tongue, but he barely managed to swallow them.

"I am well aware that we desperately need a victory strategically, Prime Minister.

But we are still mobilizing our forces, and it is a clear fact that we are outnumbered. Isn't it basic common sense of military operations that an offensive requires more troops, Prime Minister?"

[And yet those Frenchmen have been quietly cowering since their last offensive failed! Why do you think that is? They must be having supply problems! Even at this very moment, Britons in their occupied territory are groaning, resisting their oppression, and waiting for help! Even if their forces are numerous, if you consider the troops needed to maintain public security, shouldn't we have a good chance of winning!]

Alan Brooke felt like clutching the back of his neck.

The general, no longer wanting to say anything more to Churchill, remained silent, and Churchill said his piece.

[Parliament wants the southern region recaptured as soon as possible, and the people want it too.

And I also want a general with a resolute will for victory, not one who cowers like a coward. If you continue to act this way, General, don't forget that we will have no choice but to find someone more suitable.

]

Politicians, of course, have to care about the voters who elected them. Alan Brooke gave a cynical smile.

The situation, where the mainland was occupied yet the British Army seemed to be taking no action to retake it, was indeed placing an immense burden on the politicians.

"Understood, Prime Minister."

[Carry on.

]

As soon as Churchill hung up, Alan Brooke slammed the receiver down. While the other generals in the conference room were silent, General Alan Brooke let out a deep sigh and spoke.

"So it has come to this. The Prime Minister and Parliament want an offensive. We'll have to at least make a pretense of a counterattack."

Silence filled the conference room.

We have to counterattack. But how? The French Army still outnumbers the British, and the forces mobilized for the invasion of Britain have a significant proportion of armored units.

As everyone remained silent, one general raised his hand. He wasn't of a rank to be in this meeting, but he had become a star overnight after his distinguished service in the last defensive battle.

That general, Bernard Law Montgomery, wearing a distinctively stylish beret, spoke under the expectant gazes of everyone present.

"What if we were to utilize airborne troops?"

-

August 2, 1940

Northern Germany, Berlin

"It is an honor to meet you, Doctor Einstein."

"…A pleasure."

Albert Einstein, whose face was so familiar from modern times despite this being our first meeting, accepted my handshake and stared intently at me.

What is this reaction? Curiosity? Or—caution?

"Welcome back to Germany, Doctor. Your research findings and contributions to the development of German science, which were denied by the Nazi regime, have all been reinstated, and as compensation, our government will—"

Einstein raised a hand, stopping my words.

"Isn't this the same German government that showed little interest in the stripped rights of other Jewish people?"

"…That is not so. We are compensating the Jewish people with the recovered West Prussia and Posen—"

"Obtained by an army built by plundering the blood and sweat of the Jewish people.

Isn't that just a preemptive measure taken because you couldn't return all the rights the Jews were deprived of?"

What can I say? This barrage of facts from the genius of the century is a bit much. As expected of someone famous for being an eccentric, he's difficult to deal with…

In the end, I also let out a sigh.

"As a German, I express deep regret for the tragedy of the Jewish people and feel a sense of responsibility, but I cannot ignore the immediate reality. And not just in Germany, the treatment of a person inevitably differs to some extent based on their potential contribution to society.

You don't support Communism, do you, Doctor?"

Einstein let out a short laugh at my words.

"I am a socialist."

"Pardon?"

Huh, he was? I didn't know that.

I only knew he was a genius and a pacifist. As I stood there flustered, Einstein stuck out his tongue.

"Well, not to the extent that we should plunder everything from the haves and redistribute it."

"Haha…"

Ah, I really can't figure this man out.

"You seem confused. So am I."

"You're confused, Doctor?"

"What do you think of nationalism?"

Einstein returned my question with a completely unrelated one.

Ah, this man…

"It may be effective for inspiring patriotism for the nation, but I believe it ultimately carries a great risk of making the nation run wild."

Einstein stared at me intently before speaking again.

"Truthfully, I was greatly looking forward to our meeting."

"Is… that so."

The question 'Is this how someone who was looking forward to it acts?' almost escaped my lips, but—

"A young politician who called for the German people, steeped in totalitarianism, to awaken, who overthrew the Nazi regime, a man appointed by the Emperor who is also close to socialists and advocates for democracy."

Einstein continued speaking, sending an intense gaze that seemed to pierce right through me.

"But you are also an extremely dangerous man who, along with the Chancellor, currently holds sway over Germany and can rally the people to war if necessary."

I see.

He loathed the totalitarian dictatorship and Jewish persecution of the Nazi regime, so he must have applied to return home with a good impression of the Fourth Reich, which expelled the Nazis and abolished discrimination against Jews. But upon his return, he finds me calling for war.

"Are you aware that your course of action and influence are more than sufficient to become a dictator?"

On top of that, after returning to Germany, he must have heard from Heisenberg that I was interested in nuclear technology, so this reaction from him is understandable.

"I will never become a dictator."

Einstein narrowed his eyes at my declaration.

"All politicians say that before they become dictators. I am a scientist, a theorist.

Do you have a basis for that claim?"

No matter what plausible thing I say, would it even be possible to theoretically convince the genius of the century?

So my answer was simple.

"Because the wife I love more than my own life is a woman who would kick out even her beloved husband if he were a dictator."

For a moment, Einstein had a blank expression.

After a brief silence, he burst out laughing.

"Pahahahaha!"

Ah, this reaction is a bit embarrassing.

Einstein laughed like a madman, tears streaming down his face, regardless of my squinting eyes, then wiped his tears with his finger and spoke.

"Phuhuhu, ah, yes.

Love. Love.

It's as irresistible as gravity."

What on earth does that mean? It's so difficult when Einstein, the epitome of a science person, makes a statement that sounds like it came from someone in the liberal arts, but not quite.

After laughing for a long while, Einstein's face turned serious and he spoke.

"I believe that peace can never be maintained by force."

"I believe that a nation needs strength to protect those who hold such beliefs."

Einstein looked at me silently for a moment, then spoke.

"If I had known that Germany was not properly proceeding with the creation of the atomic bomb, I… would not have done it."

He must have signed and sent the letter urging the necessity of the Manhattan Project to the American government to prepare for the possibility of Nazi Germany developing the atomic bomb.

"Hmm, Doctor. I'm sorry to say this, but even with Nazi Germany gone, and even if there's no place to use it, America will one day complete the atomic bomb."

Will the atomic bomb be dropped on Japan like in the original history? I don't know.

I don't know if Japan will even attack America, and with the Nazis gone, the completion of the Manhattan Project will likely be delayed compared to the original history. But it will eventually be completed.

Einstein narrowed his eyes and looked at me.

"How do you kn— No.

How can you be so certain?"

"Because there is no nation that would not pursue a known potential power if it has the spare capacity, no nation that would want to waste the astronomical budget already invested in the project, and America is a country with the national power to see it through to completion."

Einstein remained silent.

"I am well aware that you are a pacifist, Doctor. I also think the atomic bomb is something that should never actually be used. However, if a transcendental military power is held in the hands of a single nation and other nations have no way to catch up, I believe that is extremely dangerous."

America may be a relatively common-sensical nation for a world superpower, but even America has crossed precarious lines several times in history.

War deterrence through mutually assured destruction truly has no dreams, hope, or romanticism, but it is also the minimum safety guarantee proven by actual history.

Wasn't the very reason Einstein agreed to push for the Manhattan Project based on a sense of crisis that it would be a disaster if only the Nazis had the atomic bomb?

"How curious.

You speak as if you know the dangers of the atomic bomb, something even I only know in theory?"

Well, this is a part I can't answer.

"I won't ask you to directly participate in making an atomic bomb, but I would appreciate your help as a consultant on nuclear theory or experiments. Nuclear energy itself holds immense value, and Doctor Heisenberg's true desire also seems to be more focused on nuclear development for civilian power generation."

Einstein stared at me intently and then spoke.

"Just because you'll provide some research funds, you want me to help with theories and experiments that could lead to developing an atomic bomb with just a slight change in direction?"

Of course, he wasn't the type of person not to know that, but I looked Einstein straight in the eye and spoke.

"I'm truly sorry, Doctor. But if America creates the atomic bomb on its own, you will be known as a contributor to the development of the atomic bomb."

It was a truly apologetic thing to say to a pacifist, but as he was the one who established the theories necessary for the Manhattan Project's completion and also signed the letter, he was no outsider.

Einstein's face turned uncomfortable, as if he understood.

"In any case, I do not believe Germany can create an atomic bomb on its own during this war."

Of course, it took even America several years to complete the Manhattan Project.

"I'm not asking you to help build a theory to win this war by slaughtering countless lives with the atomic bomb, but to look towards the post-war era. The nuclear development for civilian power generation is not empty words either.

Wouldn't it be amazing if power generation using nuclear energy becomes possible?"

After a long silence, Einstein spoke.

"I will participate if you guarantee that after the war, nuclear development will be conducted not by Germany alone but as a joint project with other European nations, and that the technology will be shared among the participating countries."

Persuading him was hellishly difficult, but this condition is actually what I wanted.

We're not America, and for Germany to struggle alone to develop a nuke during the war is just a huge burden with no guaranteed timeline.

Our budget is already tight because of the debt left by the Nazis, and Germany has none of the proper facilities essential for nuclear development.

Among them, the heavy water production facility is only in Norway, so it's realistic to bring them in, proceed with the rest of the facilities as a joint investment, and share the technology with the countries that contribute properly.

A multinational project is risky, but the Manhattan Project was also a multinational project, even if America took all the credit.

Besides, in the original history, the Soviet Union succeeds in nuclear development by stealing from the Manhattan Project anyway.

Joint nuclear development with European countries was something I had considered from the beginning, and with Einstein, who could be a key contributor to the project, making such a proposal, it becomes easier for me to persuade the Cabinet.

"I will get approval from the Cabinet to make it so."

Smiling with a sense of relief that I had finally succeeded, I offered a handshake.

Einstein, shaking my hand with a subtle expression, said nonchalantly.

"You're a very strange person."

No, that's not what I wanted to hear from you, Doctor…