Chapter 400155Chapter NaN

December 22, 1940

London, the capital of Britain

As I headed to London, I could see the scene of my transport aircraft being escorted by a formation of Supermarine Spitfire, Bf109, and Fw190 fighter aircraft.

A Bf109 with a smoking Mickey Mouse painted on it and a Supermarine Spitfire with dozens of kill marks flying side by side was truly, indescribably impressive.

The Luftwaffe's Adolf Galland and the RAF's Douglas Bader, who had become close friends, were being hailed as the undisputed aces of the Allied Air Force of the British Mainland and as symbols of German-British friendship.

And the fact that the very squadron they commanded was escorting my transport aircraft probably spoke to Germany's status within the Allied Powers.

Or perhaps it was Churchill's showmanship.

As I thought this, I got to witness Churchill's true showmanship as soon as we landed at the airfield.

Churchill, who was waiting, walked over with his stout body, a wide smile on his usually stern face, and called my name familiarly as if to embrace me.

The airport is swarming with reporters, all ready to press their camera shutters, huh?

I have no choice but to play along.

It's a little embarrassing to call a pot-bellied old man this, but…

I smiled back and embraced the beaming Churchill.

“Winston!”

As soon as we embraced warmly with smiling faces, the camera shutters went off like crazy.

Ah, so this is that thing I've only seen in European movies?

As I was having trivial thoughts like, 'I'm a full-fledged politician now,' and 'Our picture will be on the front page tomorrow,' Churchill patted my shoulder affectionately as if we were truly close friends and began to speak.

“Welcome to London! It has been a while.”

“It has. The last time we met, you were a Member of Parliament.”

“Haha, I'm the Prime Minister now! And you are still the Vice-Chancellor.”

Still the Vice-Chancellor.

That has several meanings. Churchill was still smiling, so the reporters and the crowd at the airfield probably think we're just exchanging pleasantries.

In our first meeting, I told Churchill we were aiming for a democracy, but we're still maintaining a very ambiguous political system that is neither a democracy nor a dictatorship…

I glanced at the reporters, who were interpreting our amicable appearance however they pleased, and replied with a smile.

“Yes, regardless of our positions, we have a good cooperative relationship.”

Meeting him before he became Prime Minister to make an impression was not a bad choice, and Churchill, who would have fought against Hitler and Germany in the original history, had been acting as the spokesperson for the German-British Cooperation Organization.

In this world, he was, in a sense, a pro-German figure even before becoming Prime Minister, and since he was a man who hated Fascism and Communism more than Germany itself, that wasn't too much of a stretch.

It's a bit disappointing that it will be difficult to join forces with FDR, the other guardian of the free world, now that he's lost the election…

“Now, let's be off! We have much to discuss!”

As if intending to show off his acquaintance with me, Churchill had arranged for a meal as the first item on the agenda.

A very luxurious restaurant feels somewhat out of place in wartime, but I should respect the sensibilities of the British aristocracy.

…Actually, I love a luxurious meal. All hail gastronomy! It's not my money anyway.

“This may be your first time trying Indian cuisine, but once you taste it, you will fall in love with its wonderfully diverse flavors!”

Churchill said with a flourish, then added with a subtle playfulness.

“In fact, it's a lot better than our own home country's cuisine.”

“Hahaha.”

Salad, the Indian bread Naan, beef, lamb, and shrimp curry accompanied by wine, and Tandoori chicken.

I was extremely happy to see the Tandoori chicken. The taste might be a bit different, but its appearance was similar to the chicken from modern Korea, which is now a fading memory…

“Is this not your first time having Indian cuisine?”

Churchill seemed a little surprised that I was enjoying the Indian food so naturally.

I've been to an Indian specialty restaurant in modern times, so it's not my first.

There are some differences, but considering localization and the difference in era, this is nothing…

“Haha, I've developed a taste for fine dining since I was invited to your mansion, Member of Parliament.

I am grateful for that.”

Even Claudia, who was against it at first, relented immediately after trying a meal prepared by the chef just once.

The body is honest, after all.

“I-Is that so? I had no idea one could taste Indian cuisine in Germany.”

Churchill was uncharacteristically a little flustered, and only then did I realize that this was a cute attempt to show off the pride of an imperial power to a German, a people famous for their unpalatable food.

What's this? A food culture showdown between Germany and Britain, both famous for their terrible food? What kind of clash of the pathetic is this?

I suppressed the cynical laugh that threatened to escape and focused on my meal.

As long as it's delicious, that's all that matters. As long as it's delicious.

Perhaps because it was a meal for a distinguished guest, all sorts of dishes came out in quantities impossible to finish, making it an even better luxurious meal where you could just taste what you wanted and leave the rest.

A variety of flavors is the best.

It's thrilling. I wish Claudia had come with me.

In Germany, I have the image of a rather ascetic politician, but I am a man who is very faithful to his desires.

It's just that my hobbies are Claudia and fine dining, so it doesn't really show.

Claudia, who always nags me that my food expenses alone easily exceed a worker's salary, but then can't stop exclaiming in admiration when we actually eat a delicious meal together, is cute.

Once the meal was well underway, Churchill spoke to me with his usual benevolent smile.

“I was a bit surprised by the recent Romania affair.”

I was wondering when that would come up.

I kept my eyes on Churchill while enjoying the food. Plump shrimp, soaked in Masala Curry, danced on my tongue.

I love this…

“I was even more surprised when I heard it was the Vice-Chancellor's idea. Haha…”

Churchill laughed inanely, then asked me with a subtle expression.

“It seems the Vice-Chancellor, who once appeared to be an idealist, now quite understands the burden of the great powers.”

The burden of the great powers, he says.

It wasn't the white man's burden, nor was it an act done with such an imperialistic mindset.

“As the Prime Minister of the British Empire, the vanguard of imperialism, I pay my respects to the Vice-Chancellor's decision and cool-headed judgment.”

He opposed it using the excuse that Parliament would take issue, and now he says this. I replied lightly.

“I simply did not hesitate to make a choice in a situation where one option had to be abandoned.”

Strictly speaking, the lands Romania spat out were all territories acquired from the defeated nations as a victor in World War I.

In a situation where I had to side with one, I simply chose the one more beneficial to us, yet he's subtly trying to lump us together as an imperialist nation.

Of course, from Britain's perspective, it's better to frame it as their ally, Germany, intervening as an imperialist power in a nation with no direct British interests, rather than admitting they stood by and watched as the defeated nations dismantled a fellow victor of the last war.

A silence fell between us for a moment, and I diligently suppressed the urge to pick up the Tandoori chicken with my hands, instead slicing it neatly with a knife and putting it in my mouth.

Churchill, as if his throat was dry, took a sip of wine and then spoke.

“As you know, the French Army in Algérie is attacking Libya.”

“Yes, I have been briefed and am aware.”

When Libya was an Italian colony, the Italian Army was hardly a threat, but once Italy left the war and Libya was transferred to Britain, the French Army in Algérie launched an attack as if they had been waiting.

“General Wavell's Africa Corps is there, but with a shortage of military force, they are in a situation where they cannot defend Libya while also checking the enemy in French Lebanon and Syria and protecting Suez.”

Churchill took another sip of wine and then spoke.

“However, we have yet to even recapture our mainland, so dispatching additional military force to Africa in this situation would be problematic with public opinion.”

That's certainly plausible. I thought as I savored the wine.

“The details will be discussed at tomorrow's War Office meeting, but if Germany could dispatch troops to the African front—”

“That's not possible.”

Churchill was bewildered to be rejected before he could even finish his sentence, but we're already in a two-front war, so what kind of goddamn Africa deployment is he talking about?

I'm not Hitler, who threw Rommel into Africa to help Mussolini.

“V-Vice-Chancellor. We desperately need help.

Are we not allies?”

“We have already risked a decisive naval battle to save London. And since General Rommel's dispatched unit played a crucial role in the liberation of London, I believe we have fulfilled our responsibility as an ally.”

I know Britain is a nation of bastards, but do they think I'm a pushover just because the goodwill continues?

“Germany is fighting a two-front war while helping on the British mainland front. Britain is not the only one who has to be mindful of public opinion.”

Saving London was necessary, as we'd be in big trouble if Britain fell, but frankly, it was Britain who coveted Italy's colonies when the situation was already bad.

Why should we help defend that by splitting our already insufficient military force?

Churchill swallowed and, as if deciding to be completely honest, changed his attitude.

“Vice-Chancellor, my current situation is not very good.”

That makes sense.

In the end, Churchill launched an offensive against De Gaulle's French Army and was defeated.

Even if he managed to pass the blame for that one defeat onto a general, there's the fall of Singapore, the civil unrest in India, and now the African colonies on top of that.

“If this continues, the Conservative Party's position itself will be shaken, and that could make cooperation with Germany difficult. Haven't we been partners for a long time?”

Seeing the famous British Bulldog acting like this gives me very mixed feelings…

I glanced at my watch and then spoke.

“Then, are you considering the African colonies as the price Britain will pay?”

Churchill hesitated with a slightly troubled expression before speaking.

“I thought Germany had little interest in colonies, but if you want them, then of course it would be possible.”

“That's a relief. Well.

In any case, I still don't know if help will be possible.”

“I know very well that the Vice-Chancellor's opinion is crucial to Germany's decision.

Weren't you even selected as Time Magazine's Person of the Year? Your influence is that great, Vice-Chancellor.”

I gave a bitter smile.

That wasn't exactly good news for me. Who was it originally in 1940? FDR? Churchill?

To think that in America, of all places, not even Europe, I was chosen as the most influential person of the year instead of the newly elected American President, Wendell Willkie.

No matter how much my father focuses on domestic and financial affairs, which aren't very noticeable from foreign countries, this means I've stood out too much, even eclipsing the Chancellor.

Thanks to that, I'm already worried, and he just had to remind me of it…

When they need something, they want us to move Germany at will like a dictatorship and help them, yet they constantly question whether we have any intention of introducing democracy.

I let out a sigh and spoke.

“Still, what I don't know, I don't know.

The time is right, could we listen to a German radio broadcast?”

Churchill had a radio prepared with a puzzled look, and after finishing our meal, we were able to listen to the radio broadcast while sipping wine.

[My dear people of Austria.

This is Leopold Figl, Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Austria.]

The announcement of the Austrian national referendum results was to be handled directly by Austria, not a member of the German government, and I still don't know the result myself.

[I would like to announce the results of the vote on whether to remain with Germany. The results of the count have been confirmed as 71% in favor, 29% opposed.

]

Just as Kort said. Thanks to being saved from Italy's invasion and reclaiming South Tyrol, Austria chose to remain with Germany with a higher approval than expected.

[With this, Austria has officially become an autonomous province of the German Federation, and the Austrian Provisional Government will function as the autonomous province's government until the election.]

In the end, this is the work of nationalism.

As for whether this will be a positive thing, I have my doubts.

[My dear people of Austria.

This is the realization of a true Greater Germany. Today will be remembered as a historic day, not because an army crossed the border, but because Austrians themselves decided and chose to unify with Germany!]

But in the end, this is a path the Austrians chose themselves.

There is no room for my judgment to intervene in the path they have chosen.

“Hmm, congratulations, Vice-Chancellor.

It is a happy day for Germany.”

I wonder what Churchill's true feelings are, saying that.

The nations that were members of the Entente in the last war must have expected Austria to legally break away through the independence referendum we allowed.

[Furthermore, we will announce the results of the additional vote.

]

I glanced over at Churchill. I'm very curious to see how he'll react.

[With 65% in favor and 35% opposed, the handover of war criminal Rodolfo Graziani to Ethiopia has been decided.]

Churchill looked at me with an expression that said, 'What in the world is this?' and I smirked.

[For the war criminal Rodolfo Graziani, who burned Tyrol and murdered a German prince, hanging under German law is too good, and so he will be handed over to Ethiopia, where he also committed war crimes, to receive a fitting execution for such a horrific criminal.]

“What is the meaning of this, Vice-Chancellor? To hand over a white man who fought for his country, even if he is a war criminal, to a black person's court?”

To be stripped of even the right to be tried in a white man's court and be dragged to a nation of black people to be tried and then executed—a horrific end unimaginable for a white imperialist.

“Is there a problem? The authority for the disposal of a war criminal handed over to Germany lies entirely with us. Since he committed war crimes against Tyrol, we simply transferred the right of disposal to the Austrian Provisional Government.”

Churchill was speechless, and I offered him my congratulations.

“Congratulations.

A nation that can dispatch troops to the African front has now entered the war, so please keep your statement about being able to pay with a portion of your African colonies as a price.”

-

December 24, 1940

Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia

Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, looked down with a heavy heart at the Ethiopian Army gathered in the capital.

His empire, trampled by Italy, had been liberated, but the reward for Ethiopia's blood and tears was nothing more than reparations that were woefully insufficient compared to the damage they had suffered.

The Italian colonies that had once been Ethiopia's former territory were naturally taken by Britain, but Ethiopia could not express any dissatisfaction about it.

Even when his demand for Pietro Badoglio, who had used poison gas and committed massacres in Ethiopia, to be tried as a war criminal was met with the reaction that they could not hand over a 'soldier who was only following the orders of his fatherland,' the Emperor had to swallow his resentment.

Italy's act of bombing Tyrol was condemned by all of Europe, and the ringleader, Rodolfo Graziani, was handed over to Germany as a war criminal as a matter of course, yet a man who had committed atrocities many times worse was condoned as a patriot for his country, merely because he was white and the victims of his massacre were people of color.

The treatment of Ethiopia, a mere liberated colony and not a victorious nation, and a nation of people of color at that, amounted to only that much.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live Ethiopia!”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live Ethiopia!”

The sound of his rebuilt imperial guard, the Mehal Sefari, shouting in unison, led by his loyal general Sengu Mengesha, soothed the Emperor's resentment somewhat.

Haile Selassie recalled the conversation he had with the German Vice-Chancellor after the peace negotiations in Italy.

-Your Majesty the Emperor.

The reason Ethiopia could not demand its just rights in these negotiations is because it has no power, and because it made no contribution to this war.

-You, do you dare mock me now? Does the man with real power in the great white powers look down on me as an incompetent emperor who could not even push through a single opinion for my own country?

The man who had pressed Italy, which had been insisting it had nothing to give, into at least paying a small amount of reparations, had requested a private audience, and when I accepted, he said such things.

I thought my blood would boil.

-Of course not, Your Majesty the Emperor.

I am merely stating the reality. A reality that can be corrected.

-Those are not words for someone who quietly watched Ethiopia's frustration. Are you trying to deceive me now with honeyed words?

-…I hope that Ethiopia will enter this war.

-Hah! Do you need soldiers to die on the front lines in your place? I am not so foolish as to be blinded by ambition and push my people to their deaths before the overwhelming armies of the white men.

-I will not make the unreasonable demand for you to fight on the European Front.

We will lend you equipment, so please fight their colonial forces on the African front.

-And what do we gain by doing so?

-If you agree, we will treat Ethiopia as a proud member of the Allied Powers and help you find the rights befitting a victorious nation.

French Somaliland, or even Eritrea, if possible.

Lost in thought, Haile Selassie looked down at his army, at his suffering subjects, and opened his mouth.

“My subjects. Our fatherland, which groaned under the oppression of the invaders, has been liberated.”

“Waaaah! Long live Ethiopia!”

The Emperor waited a moment for the cheers of his subjects to subside, then spoke again.

“But it is only our bodies that have been liberated.

Our pride, violated by them, and our former territory! Not a single one has been returned!”

-What am I to believe? Germany, too, was once an imperialist power no different from them. Is it not what you do best, to make plausible promises with flattering words, only to betray us?

-What if we were to hand over Rodolfo Graziani, who directly carried out the massacre and scorched-earth policy in Ethiopia under Pietro Badoglio?

-…

-You will crush the colonial armies of the European powers yourselves, and show the colonized peoples of Africa what they can achieve on their own.

This is something only Ethiopia can and must do. Rekindle the embers in those who have forgotten even how to resist.

Was he not a man of truly brilliant eloquence? Haile Selassie twisted the corner of his mouth into a smile, then shouted towards the Ethiopian Army watching him.

“Those white men deemed us unworthy of respect! They deemed us powerless! In the League of Nations, even those who condemned Italy turned a blind eye to us!”

-And what do you gain by doing so?

“But are we so weak? Do we not feel rage? My subjects! The blood and tears you have shed upon this land have not yet dried! Will you let it all be forgotten as worthless!”

-It will be the starting point for the collapse of the colonial empires, something Germany does not have and must never have in the future.

For two purposes at once, a friendly relationship with the nation that will become the center of a liberated Africa would also be helpful.

“Now go! Go and shed blood in battle! To those who know not our grief and sacrifice, show them that we too are human, just like them! Just as the army of His Majesty Menelik II did 40 years ago, prove your worth against those arrogant white men!”

Many had offered pleasant condolences to his speech at the League of Nations after losing his empire to Italy, but this was the first time someone had treated him not with mere pleasantries, but as an equal trading partner.

“Show them that we can stand on this land with our own feet, and win our rights with our own hands, not by relying on some white man's duty! In my name! Show those white empires that we will never be slaves again, and return!”

On December 24, 1940, Ethiopia officially entered World War II as a member of the Allied Powers.

The 400,000-strong Ethiopian Army, centered around the Mehal Sefari, swiftly captured French Somaliland under the command of General Sengu Mengesha and began their advance to confront the French Army invading British Africa.