Chapter 235

< World War II - Saving Field Marshal MacArthur (2) >

February 1, 1942

The German Capital, Berlin – Government Building

The Eastern Front was in a lull amidst the severe cold of winter, but that didn't mean I was idle.

On the contrary, I was spending my days so busy I could go cross-eyed, trying to upgrade a generation of weaponry and secure a decisive superiority before the Rasputitsa ended.

I had only stepped out to a factory and met a few people, but when I returned, a mountain of documents was piled on my office desk.

I was exhausted, but my body had already begun to check the documents from the top, almost automatically.

The next-generation light tank, the Leopard, meant to replace the Panzer I and Panzer II tanks that the Nazis had cobbled together for reconnaissance, was being deployed smoothly.

It was deemed useful in rough terrain like jungles, so the batch destined for the Ethiopian Army was set to depart tomorrow—

The assault rifle STG42 was in the process of mass production after correcting the prototype's flaws, so if we hurried, it could be issued to elite units like the Fallschirmjäger and the Armored Fire Brigade before the end of the Rasputitsa.

The production of the Tiger and Panther was also proceeding smoothly.

Looking at the report on the Tiger and Panther, I recalled a little incident at the factory and gave a bitter smile.

Patton, the commander of the US Volunteer Army, had said he wanted to see Germany's new tanks, so I had taken him on a factory tour.

When our engineers began to boast, rattling off the specs of the Panther and Tiger's superior armor, Patton's reaction was this:

-If my men fight like a bunch of cowards, relying on armor like that, I'll thrash them myself.

We just need a fucking lot of reasonably sturdy tanks.

It was quite a sight to see him shut the mouths of all our engineers, who had been constantly pressured by the Army to add this feature and that.

I was honestly a bit surprised that he had so clearly pinpointed the reason why Nazi Germany's armored units, with their brilliant casualty ratios, had still lost the war.

At least I knew that, so I tried to solve the problem in my own way by reasonably cutting back on the Army's demands, which kept going off on tangents.

Still, to have such an evaluation of a tank made with the essence of German engineering to protect our precious tankers… What a macho Yankee, with muscles for brains…

Next up, a prototype jet fighter was out, so I had to go to the test flight site…

And then there were the posters, newspaper ads, and radio broadcasts handled by the Ministry of Propaganda…

I wrestled with the endless pile of documents before finally slumping over my desk.

Damn it.

The work never ends.

Claudia's absence is just too great…

But that was short-lived.

I heard a knock and immediately sat up straight.

Not even a moment to rest!

“Minister, Minister of Health Brandt is here.”

“Ah, please, come in.”

Willy Brandt walked in, casually smoking a cigarette, which made me frown.

“Seriously, the Ministry of Health is running a campaign on the dangers of tobacco, and its own minister is acting like this?”

“The people have the right to know that cigarettes are harmful, and they also have the right to ignore it.”

Brandt chuckled as he replied, then glanced at me and grinned.

“Besides, judging by Minister Schacht's complexion, it seems non-smokers aren't necessarily healthy either.”

“…I'm just tired from being a little busy.”

As if it wasn't bad enough that Claudia had worried about my dark circles and rough skin this morning…

I used to exercise from time to time for my health, but since Claudia went on maternity leave, I haven't had the time. It's hopeless.

When I glared at him with dissatisfaction, Brandt shrugged off my gaze theatrically, approached, and sat down opposite me.

“Haha, it’s not my fault you’re busy, Minister Schacht.

Anyone would think it was my doing.”

Annoyed by the slick Brandt, I asked bluntly.

“So what's the deal with that newspaper article?”

Willy Brandt was a married man. But just yesterday, photos of him enjoying a secret rendezvous with a young actress had hit the news as a scandal.

“Ahem, she is merely a rather close acquaintance.”

I feel sorry for his Norwegian wife, who fell for this womanizer Brandt, married him, and followed him all the way to Germany.

Meaning, this man was already married when he tried to casually hug Claudia upon arriving in Germany.

Claudia, for her part, respects him as a comrade in the Social Democratic Party, and if it weren't for him, Claudia wouldn't have been the one to lift me up when I despaired after the Munich Agreement, but…

I still don't like this man.

There was always a hint of personal interest in the way this man looked at Claudia.

“Haha, don't be so stiff.

That's not the important issue right now, is it?”

“Well, from the perspective of being in a coalition government with the SPD, it is important.”

Brandt shamelessly laughed it off and handed me a document, which I accepted while grumbling.

“As per the Minister's request, it seems we'll be able to secure the necessary medical personnel and supplies for the Field Medical Units on schedule.”

As Brandt said, the report detailed the items I had ordered.

No matter how much budget you pour into making weapons, you'll never get an invincible one. But for all its brutality and sacrifice, World War II was severely lacking in efforts to save individual soldiers.

There were medics and medical officers to serve on the front lines, but it was nearly impossible for them alone to cover the vast front and perform surgery on the seriously wounded.

So, we took this opportunity to supplement the medical staff who would be stationed in the rear areas of the front, procure ambulances to transport the wounded, and establish a large number of field hospitals near the front lines.

“Hmm, good work. But did you come all this way just to show me this?”

I had requested it from the Ministry of Health, but the Minister himself came just to show me this?

“It's all good, but the plan requires a larger budget than expected.

The Ministry of Health can't bear it all, so could the Ministry of Defense share some of the burden?”

“…Haha.”

“Hahaha.”

I really don't like this man. He used the Ministry of Defense's budget to produce ambulances that will largely be diverted for civilian use after the war…

“As you know, the Ministry of Defense has a huge budget during wartime, doesn't it? The Ministry of Health is struggling with its budget right now…”

“Ah, yes.

I'll coordinate and get back to you.”

“Oh, such a ready acceptance?”

“It's not like squeezing the Ministry of Health will produce money it doesn't have, and in any case, this was something I initiated.”

I could give up on other things, but I couldn't give up on saving lives.

That said, there was another important matter, right?

“When will the Labor Law Amendment be submitted?”

“Isn't that under Minister Schumacher's jurisdiction, not mine?”

“Why are you acting like an amateur? As if you're not a key figure in the SPD.”

That Minister Schumacher is your party leader, and you're SPD too.

Brandt took a drag from his cigarette and grinned.

“It will be brought up this session.”

“Good.

I'll pull some strings to make sure it passes right away.”

The laws of the Weimar Republic were advanced for their time in Europe, but they had their limitations, and many parts had been ruined by Nazi meddling.

Now that we were utilizing female workers, a social taboo under the Nazis, there were still institutional deficiencies.

When the war ends, a large number of mobilized troops will return home, and the demand from the munitions industry, which accounts for a huge portion of German industry, will plummet.

To prepare for that, institutional preparations are needed in advance. We have to ensure people can at least earn a living wage, and we can't let them tremble in fear of being fired at any moment.

In the original history, it was customary for even the victorious nations' economies to suffer after the Great War ended. The first war was one thing, but to be hit the same way after the second one was just a failure to prepare.

Fortunately, we have secured more than enough land to relocate the Jewish people, so it's a perfect time for government-led job creation.

We can take care of the deficiencies while reforming the system.

Especially things like maternity leave, which is ridiculously short and subject to the employer's whim.

As I was thinking this, Brandt spoke up.

“It's good that the Minister is so cooperative, but you seem particularly interested in the details related to maternity leave.”

“Because it's important.”

Women's entry into the workforce is an unstoppable trend. If the system can't keep up, the result will be all sorts of social problems and a plummeting birth rate.

Guaranteeing paid maternity leave is only a basic step, but if we don't start there and provide systematic support and preparation, all the encouragement to have children later on will be meaningless.

If you told the Germans, who until just recently were listening to Nazi Aryan supremacy, that we would end up bringing in all sorts of refugees and foreigners to make up for our inability to handle the declining birth rate, they would all faint.

As I was lost in thought, Brandt asked tauntingly.

“It's not because of the Vice-Chancellor, is it?”

“The law isn't retroactive, anyway.”

“It just means it's not a legal obligation. With the justification you have, aren't you just pushing this aggressively so you can use your ministerial authority to extend her leave, with a convenient justification?”

“…”

Ah, this Willy Brandt…

He knows me too well.

“Wow, the Minister's love for his wife is incredible. I'm not sure if it's okay for public duties to be mixed with such personal interests.”

“It’s better than causing a scandal because you don't love your wife enough. Don't you feel sorry for the person who followed you all the way from Norway to Germany?”

“Ahem…”

Why is it that whenever I'm with this man, we end up in this pathetic banter, like a couple of teenagers…

Fortunately, this awkward atmosphere was broken by Mr.

Berger's knock.

“Minister, an urgent telegram.”

“Well then, I shall take my leave. Haha, do keep up the hard work.”

“…You too.”

After sending off the ever-annoying Brandt, I stretched my weary body.

My aide, Mr. Berger, came in and handed me the telegram.

“Ah, thank you.”

Let's see…

[Sender: Wilhelm Marschall, Commander, Reichsmarine Asia Fleet

Recipient: Field Marshal Erich Raeder, Commander-in-Chief, Reichsmarine; Minister of Defense Dietrich Schacht

The Empire of Japan's Philippine Offensive is estimated to commence in the near future.

The Royal Navy is unable to set out due to many ships still under repair, and it is judged that the Reichsmarine's strength is insufficient for a direct confrontation or check against the Empire of Japan's Southern Fleet.

Therefore, I request permission to use the Graf Zeppelin for a long-range surprise attack to inflict damage on the enemy and draw their attention.

]

Hmm. Admiral Marschall was a pretty proactive figure, wasn't he? It seems his patience is wearing thin after spending all this time in India…

Admiral Dönitz's submarine fleet will surely be active, but if they keep sinking convoys, the Southern Fleet will naturally move to intercept them.

A diversion would be necessary to tie them down.

I'll have to discuss this with Admiral Raeder and Mr.

Heuss.

With that thought, my gaze shifted to the Philippines on the map.

In the original history, despite its strategic importance, it was swiftly taken after America was hit at Pearl Harbor, with no chance to do anything. But now, Admiral Dönitz's submarine fleet is there.

Dönitz and the U-boat crews are undoubtedly skilled, so it's certain that the Japanese Army will have a harder time with the Philippine landing operation than in the original history.

In that case, all we need is for MacArthur, the commander of the United States Army Forces in the Far East in the Philippines, to do his part…

All I knew about Field Marshal MacArthur was that he was the key player in the Incheon Landing Operation, a renowned and brilliant general, but also a warmonger and a political maniac.

It would have been great if I could remember his specific actions in the Philippines…

In any case, the Philippines must be defended, so I have no choice but to use any means possible to help MacArthur.

“Saving Field Marshal MacArthur, is it…”

I hope Admirals Marschall and Dönitz do a good job.

-

February 2, 1942

The Philippine Capital, Manila – Allied Headquarters in the Philippines

A man wearing the splendid formal cap of a Philippine Field Marshal and a crisply starched uniform.

Douglas MacArthur, Field Marshal of the Philippine Army and Commander of the US Far East Army, put a high-end, custom-made tobacco pipe to his lips and lit it.

After leisurely puffing on his pipe, he exhaled a sigh along with the smoke and looked at his chief of staff, Richard Sutherland, who couldn't lift his head.

“So… you're saying we lost more than half of our fighters and bombers in the Japanese air raid?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

MacArthur took another leisurely puff of smoke from his pipe before speaking.

“A pity.”

His tone was feignedly regretful.

But for a comment on the casualties incurred from a Japanese preemptive strike—a strike that occurred because MacArthur had blocked orders from the Army Chief of Staff in the home country, George Marshall, to launch an attack—

It was nothing more than a pretense.

“General Jonathan Wainwright has proposed that since the plan to intercept the enemy with air support and naval assistance has gone awry, we should retreat to the Bataan Peninsula to concentrate our defense. What are Your Excellency's thoughts?”

MacArthur leisurely puffed smoke from his pipe.

Combining the Philippine Army and the US Army, MacArthur had roughly 130,000 troops under his command.

With such a force, it was nearly impossible to defend the entire vast coastline of the Philippines.

That was why America's original defense plan for the Philippines was to concentrate its forces on the Bataan Peninsula, where the capital Manila and key areas were located, and abandon the rest.

However, MacArthur had formulated a plan to inflict sufficient damage on the landing Japanese forces using B-17 bombers and naval support, and to defend the entire coastline.

“MacArthur's operational plan remains unchanged.”

Hearing MacArthur's reply, Sutherland hesitated for a moment but did not object.

MacArthur keenly noticed his expression and added with a faint smile.

“There are many residents on Luzon Island.

A great many. Shouldn't we at least buy them time to evacuate? Even if the home country scorns the people of the Philippines as a yellow race, MacArthur must be different.”

At MacArthur's explanation, Sutherland saluted with an emotional expression.

“Ah, I understand, Your Excellency!”

“Good, you may leave now.

I trust you will convey MacArthur's will to Wainwright.”

“Yes, sir!”

As the chief of staff, filled with pride for the superior he served, departed, MacArthur once again puffed leisurely on his pipe and muttered under his breath.

“Damn home country bastards…”

He, who had been on the fast track to success as a soldier, was banished to the Philippines after being accused of trampling on retired veterans by labeling them as commies during the Bonus Army incident.

The man who was once America's hero had to be content with retiring as a Field Marshal of the Philippine Army.

Then, as tensions between Japan and the United States escalated, Roosevelt appointed MacArthur as the Commander of the Far East Army, and he believed a new opportunity had come his way.

However, every proposal MacArthur enthusiastically put forth to strengthen the Philippines' defenses was thoroughly ignored by the home country.

There was no money to spare for the defense of some godforsaken island in the Philippines, not with the lingering effects of the Great Depression.

MacArthur interpreted it differently.

'Those incompetent, verminous bastards in the home country must still be jealous and obstructing me.'

But look, he was right in the end.

Hadn't real commies risen up in Washington and been suppressed!

As always, he was simply ahead of his time, and that was why he was subjected to envy and checks.

With the air raids underway, the Japanese Army would soon be swarming in, but the 130,000-strong army meant to defend the Philippines was of questionable quality.

He had managed to whip the troops, which could hardly be called an army, into some sort of shape, but at best, they were nothing more than second-rate units.

That was why, before the war began, after all his ambitious defense enhancement plans were rejected, MacArthur had volunteered to be the commander of the volunteer army dispatched to Europe.

'Even that was rejected, those petty, insignificant fools…'

If he had gone to Europe, he surely could have become a true American hero against those commies, but they rejected him on the grounds that there was no one more suitable to take charge of the Philippine theater…

MacArthur slowly looked over the operation map.

With the air corps severely damaged and the Pacific Fleet's support unreliable due to the Pearl Harbor attack, it was virtually impossible to defend the Philippines with only the Far East Army at his disposal.

He had known this fact very well even before the war started, and that was why he had prevented a preemptive strike on the Japanese airfields.

A preemptive strike would only provoke Japan, making them think they had to attack the Philippines sooner, and the attack would only come faster.

In America, where there were few politicians with the support of colored people, his reputation as a friend of Philippine President Manuel Quezon and the father of the Philippine Army was a political asset for MacArthur.

Therefore, retreating to the Bataan Peninsula to wage a defensive war without even trying to fight for the rest of the Philippines was not an option.

War, in the end, is showmanship. The public wants a hero.

If he fought tooth and nail to protect the Philippines and was defeated, he could return later as a hero. But for one who abandons the people and loses their support, there is no second chance.

It was a judgment he could make because, while coolly analyzing the current situation, he had no doubt that America would win the war against Japan.

Defending the entire coastline would inevitably fail and result in losses, but America had more than enough national power and military resources to bear such a sacrifice.

The man, once the most capable general in America and respected by all soldiers, muttered grimly in the now-empty room.

“Just you watch.

Even if those vile bastards have stashed me away in the Philippines, I will undoubtedly become a hero.”