Empire in Progress

Chapter 70: Raid on the Rhineland (5)

Views:

Lin Wei still remembers when the French-Belgian forces invaded the Ruhr area just after the war. At that time, the French still believed that his father was a war criminal. Fortunately, he relied on his family's network to get through the difficulties. It was also that time when the Krupp family It is the tough attitude of the Krupp family that gives them a strong influence in Essen.

Lin Wei did not return directly to Hugel's villa, but first went to the Essen branch of the SS to take a look at the occupying troops who were about to be driven back to various countries.

The French occupying forces were very uncooperative. The first thing Colonel John, the leader stationed in Essen, said after seeing Lin Wei was "Krupp boy, go back and tell your German Prime Minister that the great France will definitely declare war on Germany." .

"Without our approval, not even a mouse can move in Europe." This was the Anglo-German alliance envisioned by William II. In fact, this sentence is the same when applied to the current Anglo-French alliance, but under the powerful The alliance cannot become a country, and there will be loopholes in close cooperation. As long as there are loopholes, everything will be easier to handle.

So now the threat of the French colonel can only be exchanged for a smile from Lin Wei, to which Lin Wei replied politely, "Colonel John, we just took back the territory that should belong to us. I don't think you can deny this fact when you come to your country. We regret what happened today, but there were no casualties in your army. Generally speaking, it was just a peaceful handover."

Lin Wei walked down the steps. Colonel John was a little confused by the entanglement, so he also took advantage of the steps and said with a smile, "Okay, this matter will not delay my friendship with your Krupp family. I just did it." It's just a show, it seems I'm going back to China soon." At the end of the sentence, John also laughed at himself.

"Colonel John, I wish you a smooth career after returning to China," Lin Wei said with a smile.

"I'll lend you some good words, haha." Colonel John seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness just now.

At this moment, Lin Wei saw an acquaintance, Henry, the military policeman who had humiliated Wu Lanfu on the street. It seemed that he was doing well, so Lin Wei walked over and patted him on the shoulder, "Do you still recognize me?"

Henry knew something was going to happen when he saw Lin Wei just now, but Lin Wei had already seen him, so he forced out an unnatural smile and said, "Hello, Master Lampard, I didn't expect you to still remember me?"

Hearing Henry's answer, a ghostly smile suddenly appeared on Lin Wei's face, "No, I will not forget you, Chief Henry, I promise we will meet again within five years, I promise." Lin Wei said He held out five fingers and said.

After saying that, Lin Wei had no interest in staying anymore and led the military police back to his station, leaving Sheriff Henry with a stunned look on his face.

Although Lin Wei had guaranteed that France would not send troops to interfere with Germany's actions beforehand, he still felt that nothing was impossible without any pressure. No one could understand how nervous Hitler was now. He and his government were taking risks. After entering the Rhine Demilitarized Zone, it can be said to be the most nervous moment in his life. If the French army also marches into the Rhine...

It is true that the most daring of operations had the desired success, but it must also be said that he had help not only from the hesitation of the French, but also from the hesitation of France's British allies. French Foreign Minister Pierre-Ethier Frantin flew to London on March 11 to request the British government to support France in taking military confrontation actions in the Rhineland. His request was politely declined.

Britain was unwilling to risk starting a war, even though the Allies had overwhelming advantages over Germany. However, according to the provisions of the Locarno Convention, France has the right to take military action against German troops entering the demilitarized zone, and according to this treaty, Britain is obliged to support France with its own armed forces. The inconclusive outcome of the London talks confirmed to Germany that the latest adventure had succeeded by a fluke.

Hitler's government's strategy was successful, and Germany's soft attitude toward Britain paid off. With Britain's first 'goodwill' response, France's confidence was hit. Only the Gauls could understand that France was now in a difficult moment. Without British support, France had no confidence to clamor against the German Third Reich.

The success of Hitler's government's adventure in the Rhineland brought him victory, with consequences so startling and important as to be unexpected. This victory greatly increased his popularity and power to unprecedented levels. This solidified his position over the generals. This victory told the citizens of the Third Reich that Hitler's judgment was much better and firmer than anyone else's in terms of foreign relations and even military issues. They were once worried that France would fight; Hitler, as the head of Germany, publicly asserted many times: They (the Allies) would not send troops!

The fact is that although the occupation of the Rhine was only a small military operation, Germany was frightened by three battalions of German troops, which directly affected the attitudes of the Czech Republic and Poland in the east. France did not dare to act rashly. Not to mention them.

Countries no longer regard Germany as a defenseless country and recognize Germany's equal status in international exchanges.

The matter was not over yet. After sending troops to occupy the Rhineland, Ribbentrop, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Third Reich, went to the League of Nations to bite back. The parroting foreign minister, after giving the "purely legal explanation" for marching into the Rhineland word for word according to Hitler's instructions, then put forward the disarmament proposals Hitler had made earlier.

Ribbentrop lined up the table angrily and said to these idle representatives of the League of Nations, especially the representatives of Britain, France and Germany: "Our proposal for absolute disarmament was rejected. What we proposed was that everyone should reduce the army to 20. The proposal of 10,000 troops was rejected, the proposal to reduce the number to 300,000 was rejected. The proposal to sign an air force agreement was also rejected... The proposal for a comprehensive solution to the European problem put forward in May 1935... also all disappeared."" Therefore, the German government considers the accusation of unilateral violation of the Locarno Convention to be unfair and unfounded. "I have to admit that Ribbentrop did have some hesitations. I don't know if he asked Goebbels for advice. What kind of stunt had he achieved? Now this man was no worse than Goebbels when he told lies. His tearful expression made the British and French representatives speechless.

After pretending to be pitiful, Ribbentrop began to shout for peace again, and made some high-sounding guarantees to the members of the League of Nations, especially the representatives of Britain and France. Ribbentrop said, "After 17 years, freedom and honor have finally been regained... They are eager to live in peace and friendship with their neighbors, work together, and establish true European unity. They hope to end the conflict between France and Germany. long-term tensions, end crises and wars, and promote better understanding and friendship between the two countries. This is the heartfelt hope of the German people. In this spirit, the German Chancellor has proposed to the world a historic A truly unusual and unprecedented proposal to unite Europe and ensure peace for the next 25 years...

Ribbentrop's speech successfully deceived not only the press, but also the ignorant and corrupt British and French establishments who believed it to be true.

The success of Hitler's adventure in the Rhineland brought him a victory whose consequences were more staggering and important than could have been imagined at the time. At home, this victory strengthened his popularity and power to heights never achieved by any previous German ruler. This victory established his superiority over his generals, for while they had wavered at a critical moment of success or failure, he had remained steadfast. This victory told them that his judgment was better than theirs on foreign relations and even military issues. They had worried that France would fight; Hitler judged that they would not send troops. Finally, and most importantly, the occupation of the Rhineland, although a small military operation, opened the way for Hitler to later find new opportunities for aggression in Europe. For Europe was not only frightened by the march of three battalions of German troops across the Rhine bridges, but its strategic situation was irrevocably changed. 

But all of this has nothing to do with Lin Wei now. He hasn't seen his wife for a long time. It must be a lie to say that he doesn't miss his wife. There are people who are desperate for their careers, but Lin Wei does not belong to this category.

Hugel's villa is still the same, and the servants are still busy there, because they know that the young master has returned and has driven away the French occupying troops who are as annoying as flies. Now the servants of the Krupp family want to write the word Krupp on their heads when they go out on the street. They enjoy people's admiration, even if it is not because of themselves.

It was almost noon when Lin Wei returned to the villa. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Linda with a peaceful face waiting for him, holding her almost one-year-old child. Linda was much plumper and mature than a year ago. , is no longer the arrogant and rude girl she once was.

Looking at the woman who had been waiting for her husband for a year, Lin Wei felt unspeakably uncomfortable in his heart. He cared so much for his subordinates and colleagues, but ignored the people who should not be ignored. Lin Wei walked up to Linda and wanted to say something, but couldn't. After coming out, it took a while for Lin Wei to say two words "Linda". Although it was only two words, this was now Lin Wei's limit.

Although it was just two words, Linda could tell that these two short words contained all Lin Wei's feelings, and all the resentment disappeared in front of these two words: "Lampard, it's almost noon. "Father and mother are waiting for you in the room, go in and eat," Linda said softly while holding little Albert.

"Okay, Linda" Lin Wei replied gently: "Is this our child? He is so beautiful. He will be a handsome man when he grows up. Maybe he will be a good soldier." Lin Wei looked at There was indescribable pride in his own son's eyes.

"Okay, let's talk about the future later. When little Albert grows up, whatever he wants to do, he will do whatever he wants." After Linda finished speaking, she quickly pulled Lin Wei into Hugel's villa.

One year after the battle, Lin Wei returned to the Hugel Villa of the Krupp family and had a warm lunch with his parents. Lin Wei knew that in the future, as his affairs gradually increased, he and his family The time we spend together will definitely become less and less. Now Lin Wei will find ways to spend time with his family when he has time.