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墨書 Inktalez
September 1, 1926
Every year at this time, it is the time for the military review of the German Armed Forces. Despite being only a hundred thousand strong, the soldiers still attach great importance to the military review ceremony.
This year's autumn military review seems to be somewhat different from previous ones. Although the Supreme Command did not issue any special orders, every soldier from the National Defense Forces participating in the military review sensed a different atmosphere, and the troop movements from various military districts intensified the tension.
The military review was held on Berlin's "East-West Axis" street, extending from the Brandenburg Gate through Tiergarten to Charlottenburg Avenue. This street was designed and constructed by Speer under the appointment of Strasser, measuring 50 meters wide and 7 kilometers long, and it was completed the day before the military review.
The military review of the National Defense Forces is about to take place on the "East-West Axis" street in Berlin. The soldiers of the National Defense Forces participating in the military review are lined up on the street under the Bodhi tree, ready to be reviewed by General Siket. The reviewing stand of Seeckt is set up across from the technical school, and after the military review begins, the soldiers salute with their guns as the flags pass in front of the queue.
"What a mighty army," exclaimed Seeckt beside The Prince William who was returning to Germany from Netherlands by train. In theory, taking a plane would be faster, but The Prince William always remembered how he had fled in a sorry state from Germany by train, so he was determined to take the train back.
"This unit is loyal to you at all times, Your Highness Crown Prince. Don't be fooled by our current size of only 100,000 soldiers, they are all the best of the best. Within a year, the National Defense Forces will expand to 200,000, and in the future, it will be even larger," Seeckt flattered.
Upon hearing this, The Prince William seemed to recall something.
"I heard before that the expansion of the National Defense Forces this time was the achievement of a colonel from your General Staff of the Army. Why not introduce him to me?"
Seeckt felt a bit awkward upon hearing this, but he still called out Gregor Strasser from behind the review stand of the General Staff of the Army.
"This is the great contributor to the expansion of the National Defense Forces, Gregor Strasser."
"Welcome back to Germany, Your Highness. I have been looking forward to your arrival."
Strasser had no intention of putting this faraway Crown Prince in an awkward position, and to some extent, Strasser did welcome his arrival. However, The Prince William clearly regarded Strasser as one of his own. To show his approachability towards his subordinates, the Crown Prince did not take Strasser's outstretched hand but instead took the initiative to grasp Strasser's shoulder, mistakenly believing he was expressing goodwill in a friendly manner.
"Gregor, you are truly talented. The royal family will remember you. How about working with me in the future? I can offer you better benefits."
"You must be joking, Your Highness," Strasser smiled.
"I'm not joking. I sincerely invite you to join my team."
Watching the incessant chatter of Prince William and Strasser, who was maintaining a smile on the surface but had clenched fists underneath, Seeckt was sweating profusely. He hurriedly stepped in to mediate, but someone acted faster than him. At the command of the leading officer, General Jung, the military band began to play the music for the military review.
According to tradition, the national anthem "Deutschlandlied" of the Weimar Republic was played. However, unexpectedly today, the military band played "Heil dir im Siegerkranz" (Hail to Thee in Victor's Crown). The familiar music caught the attention of the entire audience, including Prince William, who closed his eyes and listened to the music he hadn't heard in a long time, completely absorbed.
Seeckt signaled to Strasser to make a quick escape, and the latter understood immediately, turning to leave the military review platform. Overall, this military review was quite successful; Strasser effectively concealed the true weapon of the National Defense Forces—the tanks—by focusing on the cavalry units instead. Although Germany had been permitted to use artillery as defensive weapons, Strasser chose not to showcase self-propelled artillery but instead displayed horse-drawn artillery.
The outdated equipment made foreign military observers and journalists who came to visit laugh out loud. While both the UK and France have already adopted armored vehicles as rapid transportation tools, Germany is still using horses for its mobile forces. A journalist from France wrote in his diary: "These soldiers of the National Defense Forces, riding high-headed horses, march majestically on the streets of Berlin. Although they have attracted cheers from many onlookers, I seriously doubt their performance against Mark machine guns and fortifications on the battlefield."
In my opinion, the German military is still at the level of 1918, while the French Army is at least ten years ahead of them. However, the military review ceremony organized by Strasser had more to commend it; at least the uniforms of these soldiers received unanimous praise both domestically and internationally. Strasser outfitted the National Defense Forces in the historically familiar M1936 uniforms of the World War II German Army.
It has an attractive design, tailored fit, and a cinched waist that highlights the chest and shoulders, showcasing the strength of a soldier. It is a representation of stylish uniforms.
The handsome German soldiers in their elegant uniforms captivated many onlooking young women.
This is considered Strasser's proudest masterpiece. Initially, Strasser approached General Siket with the design blueprints to request funding for a military uniform overhaul, but was promptly rejected by the latter. Seeckt even advised Strasser from his own experience that he should spend money wisely.
However, after Strasser presented the design plans to Seeckt, the stubborn old general ultimately signed his name on the document, while advising Strasser that this would be the last time and that the General Staff of the Army should not waste money in strange places in the future.
In any case, the military review concluded with a grand ceremony, but everyone involved knew that this was just the beginning.
The military review ceremony itself was not important; what mattered was that Prince William attended and observed the entire military review from the platform, which would not have been possible without someone’s directive.
Moreover, in the following speech, Seeckt was very outspoken. In his address to all the officers and soldiers, he strongly criticized the failure of Germany in Europe, attributing it to the betrayal of certain domestic villains rather than the responsibility of their leaders. Seeckt believed that Germany should be led by noble bloodlines, not by the bourgeoisie, the Communist Party, or Jewish people.
Although Seeckt did not directly mention the name, everyone knows who he was referring to.
The journalists invited to the scene were immediately excited, realizing they had stumbled upon a major news story.
Some fearless journalists directly asked General Siket after the military review what his attitude would be if His Majesty the Emperor returned to Berlin. His response was, "If His Majesty the Emperor appeared in Berlin today, I wouldn't know what to do except to cheer 'long live the Emperor'."
Excited reporters swarmed General Siket like jackals catching the scent of prey, bombarding him with questions one after another. Unable to withstand the onslaught, he brought out the entire General Staff of the Army to shield himself. Under the barrage of questions, everyone except the absent Ludendorff was forced to make a statement.
When The Prince William appeared in person at the press conference, the atmosphere instantly reached its peak. The Prince William confidently stated that leading Germany towards revival is the responsibility of the royal family, and the House of Hohenzollern will consider the people and country entrusted to them as a God-given duty. Anyone attempting to interfere with them will be crushed.
The military review ended in the afternoon when various media outlets in Germany reported the news of Wilhelm II's impending restoration. Almost everyone learned of this news through newspapers or radio, and the military review ceremony itself was hardly noticed. The public's attitude towards the emperor's restoration was quite varied.
Many Royalists are very excited, claiming that Germany is eagerly anticipating the return of their emperor, and Catherine Palace is waiting for its master.
Many democrats and big enterprise express concerns about authoritarian rule.
Communists are calling on the German people to unite and overthrow feudal forces.
Smart people are not in a hurry to take sides, because they know that only the attitude of those in real power is the key to whether Wilhelm II can be restored. The political scene in Germany is very quiet at the moment, but many big figures have disappeared at this time. The apparent calm brings only oppression, and everyone feels a sign that rain is coming.
A secret location in Berlin, where prominent figures in the German political scene gather. This includes the German President Hindenburg, Social Democratic Party leader Hermann Müller, General Ludendorff of the General Staff of the Army, and the leader of the Nazi Party, Adolf Hitler. They each have different purposes for being here, but one thing is the same - they are now aiming to sideline Seeckt.
"Seeckt has already been trapped, now it's our turn to act." Hindenburg began pre-war mobilization.
"I will repeat everyone's tasks. Tomorrow at the Congress, the Social Democratic Party will impeach Seeckt on the grounds of supporting the restoration of the emperor, and I will send people to rally in the public.
Ludendorff is responsible for taking over the defense of the entire Berlin by controlling The First Infantry Division.
Meanwhile, Hitler was responsible for expelling Strasser from the Nazi Party during the national representative conference and organizing armed forces to raid the headquarters of the National Socialist Party in Berlin. Is that clear to everyone?"
The crowd nodded in agreement. In their view, the plan was perfectly devised; they would launch attacks on four fronts simultaneously. Even if Seeckt and Strasser had extraordinary abilities, they would be powerless to stop it.
"Since that's the case, I won't waste any more words. I'm not worried about anyone else, but that Colonel Strasser is quite formidable; he might catch wind of our plans in advance."
"Therefore, no matter where he appears tomorrow, we must find him, regardless of life or death."
Hindenburg was concise and to the point. He took out the command knife he had carried with him during World War I, drew the knife up towards the sky, which was now hazy outside, with distant thunder rolling.
"For the future of Germany, let us all strive together."
"Victory!"
At this moment in Berlin, the night sky crackled like a felled forest, thunder roared, as if the sky was whipping fragments, also whipping at everyone's heart.
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