Chapter 400158Chapter NaN

December 26, 1940

Northern Germany, Berlin, Army General Staff

From Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, I spent a leisurely and happy time with Claudia for the first time in a while, but had to reluctantly leave for work.

The armistice lasts until the 26th, but that doesn't mean the entire military gets to play around for the whole period…

This isn't 21st-century Korea, I hate the post-holiday blues—as I had such silly thoughts and stepped into the General Staff headquarters, a familiar voice rang out.

“Everyone, attention!”

Huh?

“To the Vice-Chancellor, salute!”

Fortunately, General Tresckow was out on the Western Front acting as Chief of Staff for the Allied Headquarters, so he wasn't here.

Getting a salute from him always feels a bit awkward…

However.

“Wel~come, Vice-Chancellor! It is deeply moving to see you at the General Staff headquarters after so long!”

It was the same old Manstein.

I couldn't help but make a very sour expression. Weren't you dissatisfied because I didn't protect the Army and just left the service?

“It's good… to see you, Chief of the General Staff.

I'm glad you welcome me. But…”

“Yes, please speak!”

Aren't you dissatisfied with me? …I couldn't just ask that.

From my phone call with Clemens, it seems he's very dissatisfied with me.

When I had to listen to that long phone call from Clemens, which was half-resentment and half-complaint, I felt both sorry and tormented, yet Manstein was acting flattering, as if nothing had ever happened between us.

“No, it's nothing. Are the operation preparations going well?”

“Of course, Vice-Chancellor! Would you like to take a look?”

We have 1.

5 million troops tied down on the Eastern Front. We are mobilizing another 800,000, but that will take more time…

The German Army deployed on the Western Front numbers 400,000.

Even including additionally mobilized forces, the Belgian Army has 400,000 and the Dutch Army has 300,000. A total of 1.

1 million troops.

There are 300,000 on the Siegfried Line, but they can't move rashly because of the Maginot Line.

On the other hand, the French Army opposing us numbers 1.8 million, even excluding the 500,000 on the Maginot Line.

Looking at the troop numbers alone, they should be the ones on the offensive.

Honestly, I even thought it might be better to just hold out until France withers away from fuel exhaustion…

The problem is that it wouldn't be strange for the Soviet Army to increase its numbers on the Eastern Front, where we already have to block 4 million with 2.

5 million.

On top of that, news arrived that in Finland, where only localized wars had been occurring, there are signs that around 1 million Soviet troops are preparing an offensive.

They already have 4 million on the Eastern Front, and now they're pouring 1 million into Finland? That nation must be crazy! Do people sprout from the ground there?!

Furthermore, in Asia, Japan is occupying the Dutch East Indies in real-time, and once they secure the East Indies, they will push straight into India.

Churchill's neck was already on the line, forcing him to accept entering the war in Ethiopia to put out the fire.

If an unprecedented incident like the fall of India were to happen, the Conservative Party, already blamed for allowing a landing on the mainland, would be toppled immediately.

The British Labour Party's Clement Attlee is honestly better than Churchill in terms of ability as Prime Minister and personal appeal, but as a war partner, he'd be more passive, so I have to make sure Churchill keeps his position.

Consequently, while buying time might give us an advantage on the Western Front, the situation on the other fronts cannot wait.

“Comparing the German and French armies, we have qualitative superiority, but a large portion of our side is composed of the Dutch and Belgian armies, so a frontal offensive against that force has no prospect of success, Vice-Chancellor.”

Manstein began his explanation, pointing at the operation map.

“However, the enemy's basic strategy will be defense followed by a counterattack.

If we don't attack, they won't attack either.”

Hmm, well, Manstein's speculation is certainly very valid.

It was the French Army's basic strategy in the original history after getting chewed up in World War I, and they just suffered great losses from a reckless offensive to occupy Belgium, so this time they're sure to hunker down.

But for us to launch a flanking offensive through the Ardennes like in Operation Sickle Cut, the French Army has already densely deployed nearly 2 million troops along the front and has established a defense line, however light.

As for the Ardennes direction, aside from the one time General Model passed through to rescue Belgium, we've deliberately held off any offensive, so its defenses are relatively weaker. Still, with the enemy's forces so superior to ours, we can't launch an attack with a light heart.

“Therefore, we are scheduled to be defeated.”

“What?”

What did he just say?

At my baffled reaction, Manstein grinned as if he found something to his liking.

Wow, that's annoying.

“We plan to launch an offensive with the forces on the Western Front, be defeated by the enemy, and lure them into a counterattack.”

Ah, so that's the story. But…

“Will they be fooled? The confrontation has been quite long, and it's a plain, so both sides should have a good grasp of each other's army size even without spies.

If we launch an offensive without our main force, I don't think they'll be fooled…”

Manstein grinned. Unlike when he was just spouting flattery, this is strangely unpleasant, this guy…

“Of course, a clumsy offensive won't bait them, Vice-Chancellor.

We must launch an all-out offensive with all our forces and be defeated. To the point where they are certain of victory and launch a counterattack.”

“The sacrifices would be considerable… no, more than that, if all our forces are routed, won't we be in real danger from a counterattack?”

“Oh, of course! As expected of someone who has gone through the General Staff Officer course, your military insight makes explaining this easy, haha! If I were explaining this to a layman who knows nothing of the military, it would have taken a long time to get this far!”

Ah, this guy, really.

Pick one, sarcasm or flattery…

As my face began to sour, Manstein cleared his throat with an ahem and spoke.

“Of course, that's right, Vice-Chancellor. And getting France to think so is precisely what we're aiming for.

The counterattack will be handled by 200,000 troops, including the armored unit from the Siegfried Line.”

Oh? Wait a minute.

There's no way they'd crash into the Maginot Line.

“Then wouldn't the Siegfried Line be empty?”

Manstein nodded and then gave a somehow unpleasant laugh.

“Have you perhaps forgotten that it was I who first requested the Christmas Truce?”

No, that's true. But even Manstein can't just magically create an army.

“To coincide with the rotation of troops on leave, the armored unit on the Siegfried Line has been replaced with the State Guard and reserve forces, and the tanks with vehicles camouflaged with cardboard.”

“…Hah.”

The State Guard and reserve forces are second-line troops at best, so they couldn't do their job in an all-out war, but the enemy wouldn't think of slamming into the sturdy Siegfried Line when there's no change in troop numbers. He's definitely caught them off guard.

“Camouflaging the tanks was a bit difficult, but we've snuck out only the important Panzer IVs under the pretext of maintenance, replacing them with camouflaged vehicles, and we will receive the Panzer IVs whose delivery from the Ruhr has been delayed and mobilize them all at once for this offensive.”

I would never have thought of something like this…

“At least on the surface, there's no change in troop numbers, and it was done little by little during the bustle of the leave rotations during the Christmas Truce, so it's hard to notice.

The movement of materiel was also easy to camouflage, as we provided various goods like meals and alcohol to each unit in celebration of Christmas.”

Manstein once again gave a strangely vile-looking smile.

“The troops we snuck out have been dispersed and concealed in various cities in the Rhineland region to avoid detection. The moment the enemy thinks they've won, they will be swept away, dazed before the storm of an unexpectedly large armored unit! Operation name: Winter Storm! …Isn't it magnificent?”

…Indeed.

So this is Manstein being Manstein.

For the French Army, thirsting for victory more than anyone in this desperate situation, the opportunity for a counterattack after defending against an all-out offensive by all the forces they've identified would be hard to pass up.

“That's incredible. You truly are the Chief of the General Staff.”

As I spoke with sincerity for once, Manstein's nose went up in the air.

“Hahaha, as expected, Vice-Chancellor! You recognize the value of this plan! Of couuurse, I am great, but wasn't this only possible because of the discernment of the Vice-Chancellor, who recognized my ability and pegged me as the Chief of the General Staff even before the New Government was formed! Hahaha!”

…Yes, Manstein is indeed Manstein.

In many ways.

With an expression that had turned subtle on its own, I asked.

“But if it's the Rhineland, then that armored unit will ultimately launch its offensive through the Ardennes.”

“That's right! As ex-pec-ted, Vice-Chancellor!”

Well, I can only think of it because I know about Operation Sickle Cut.

“But what if the French Army blocks the offensive and, having no spare capacity, just sits tight? Won't we just end up with losses?”

“To prevent that, our armored unit will stand at the vanguard initially to inflict a blow and make the French Army feel a sense of crisis. When the enemy responds, we'll feign a rout while taking damage, then entrust the main attack to the Dutch and Belgian armies.”

From the opponent's perspective, it will look like their decisive armored offensive has stalled, and in their haste to fill the gap with a weak force, that too collapses.

Our armored unit will also be able to reorganize and preserve its strength to support the armored unit flanking from the Ardennes.

“But even if we have command authority, that's premised on the sacrifice of the Belgian and Dutch armies…”

“Haha, that may be so, but isn't that a problem for you to resolve politically?”

Manstein laughed, rubbing his palms together. Wow, he looks like a cheap villain.

It's hard to look like that with such a capable and stern-looking face.

For Belgium, it's an operation to recover their homeland, so that's that.

As for the Netherlands, I'll have no choice but to appease them with the issue of ceding French colonies…

“The attacking force will be commanded by General Guderian! As a pioneer of armored warfare, he will bring ruin to those insignificant French bastards! Hahahaha!”

At that truly cheap-villain-like line, I narrowed my eyes and retorted.

“Aren't you too openly pushing him just because he's your peer?”

“Ahem, ahem, w-what are you talking about! I, Manstein, can assure you that I only place the most suitable personnel in the right positions!”

No, well, honestly, even I think Guderian is the indisputably right person for such a role.

It's not like there's a problem with his ability.

But from my perspective, hoping that Witzleben or General Model would also have a chance to earn some merit…

I soon let out a sigh.

“The operation itself is excellent, but there's a sense that the Allied Forces or Army Group C under General Witzleben are being marginalized by pushing General Guderian too much. I will suggest to the Army Headquarters that military merit be distributed appropriately, taking that into account.”

“A-As expected, Vice-Chancellor. You are truly fair and just.

Haha, hahaha…”

Manstein laughed stiffly. In the current situation, there's certainly no better operation plan to be had.

The Allied Forces, who must feign defeat—no, actually be defeated—to draw in the enemy, will suffer no small amount of damage…

While I feel sorry for the sacrifices that will occur, at the same time, I'm coolly running the numbers and convincing myself that a prolonged Western Front would result in far greater losses.

This isn't a very pleasant feeling.

I let out a small sigh and turned my gaze to Manstein.

“Chief of the General Staff.”

“Yes, please speak, Vice-Chancellor! I am all ears!”

This guy, he's subtly sarcastic yet still keeps up the flattery. It's a relief that he seems to want to get along with me in the end, but…

After a moment of thought, I opened my mouth.

“About Major Fleck.”

Even though it wasn't my doing, I reluctantly spoke up, thinking I'd have nightmares if Clemens ended up dying.

Manstein smiled very naturally.

“Hahaha, don't you worry too much, Vice-Chancellor! Major Clemens Fleck has been assigned to the army group reserves!”

“…What?”

From what Clemens said, that can't be right?

“Even the Vice-Chancellor, so sensitive to fairness and abuse of power, seems to worry about his close friend, eh? Hahaha! Major Fleck's unit has been assigned to the reserves, not the frontmost forces, Vice-Chancellor.

Hahaha! So please, don't you worry too much!”

With him saying it like that, I have nothing to say, but this guy has a look on his face like, 'I didn't lie.'…

But I'm the one who stepped away from the military to reduce excessively concentrated authority.

It would be ridiculous for me to abuse my power now.

“…I will trust you, Chief of the General Staff.”

“Haha, hahaha! That the Vice-Chancellor trusts me brings me, Manstein, endless joy!”

I still can't trust him, this guy…

I let out a small sigh and picked up the operation plan.

“Then I shall report this plan to the government and get it approved.”

Manstein's face turned slightly sour.

“Must you? It's not as if a government that knows nothing of the military will recognize the true value of the plan.”

Until now, for such reasons, I was the only one to report to and approve it, or the military made its own judgment and executed the plan.

But in a democratic nation with civilian control of the military, that's not normal, is it?

I answered him with a grin.

“Yes. We must.

That is the procedure.”

Even if my father just makes a pretense of looking at it and signs off, such acts will accumulate and become a tradition for the moments when it's truly needed.

This side is sorted out, but I wonder how things are on the British side.

Well, I'm sure they'll manage it well on their own.

-

December 26, 1940

The British capital, London, War Office

Unlike the smoothly concluded meeting at the Berlin Army General Staff, the British War Office was in chaos.

“Isn't this plan just saying Germany will take all the credit! We are the Allied Forces!”

To Montgomery's shout, Rommel replied with a dashing smile.

“Well, is there a problem? In the last battle, my unit did all the damage to the French Army. Ah, but that was a military gain made possible thanks to the general's good accommodation of the prisoners of war.

I was grateful for that cooperation.”

“How rude!”

“The British Army is not a sideshow! We have more troops! So naturally, we should take the main attack!”

“The damage my unit inflicted in three days is more than the damage your many troops have inflicted so far.”

“Are you finished?!”

The British Army had been arguing with Erwin Rommel for hours already.

While the Army was at it, in a corner, the Air Force's Adolf Galland and Douglas Bader, weary with boredom, were playing cards, and the Royal Navy's general officers, with nothing to do in a land battle, smoked cigarettes with sour faces.

Winston Churchill watched the scene, puffing hard on his cigar, before calling an employee to empty the already full ashtray, and then pressed a hand to his forehead.

“Damn it, Dietrich, this is why I told you to stay a little longer…”