The German Peace

by Derek Pennington

  The actual peace treaty would be signed one week after all Japanese troops had vacated Chinese territory.

  The United States had already given an undertaking not to impose sanctions of any kind on any country provided the peace treaty was respected by the signatories.

  Presidents and Prime Ministers around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. The danger of a major war in the far east had ended.

  BERLIN

  Von Brauchitsch addressed the council. “Gentlemen we have successfully accomplished everything we set out to do. We now have a strong anti-communist ally in China. We even managed to engineer an anti-communist alliance between the far east’s two strongest powers. We know that there is currently some Japanese feeling of antipathy towards Germany because of the part we played in re-arming and training the Chinese, but at least they are still talking to us. I believe relations with Japan will quickly normalise now that the extreme militarist elements have lost their influence. All in all, I think we can be proud of our achievements.”

  The Foreign Affairs Minister added to this. “This is a perfect example of maximum effect with minimum cost and effort. One year ago China was in chaos. Today, thanks to our timely assistance they are a great nation. And our friend.”

  Schacht, the Economics minister also had something to say. “I only hope they now manage their economy sensibly. It is vast country with diverse factions. I wish them great luck.”

  The governing Council were immensely satisfied with themselves.

  LONDON

  It was Winston Churchill’s last cabinet meeting of 1941. He had the feeling that the National Government originally formed in 1931 to counter the depression, and later extended to fight the European war, would not last much longer. The politicians in the individual political parties were now seeking power for themselves. Churchill was sad but at the same time content with a job well done.

  In the year and a half since the end of the war the British economy had held up well. The world was a safer place. Japan’s aggression had been halted, and, most unexpected, they were now in an anti-communist alliance of sorts, with China.

  Churchill offered his silent thanks to Germany for having the fortitude to take on the task of sorting out the China/Japan mess.

  His last act this year would be to sign the detailed document that was Britain’s application to join the European Alliance. He had to admit the Germans had done a magnificent job when they put the alliance together. They had rehabilitated all the countries they had conquered in 1939 and 1940. Even that difficult case, France, now seemed to be able to govern itself effectively.

  That rogue in Spain, General Franco, had reluctantly ratified the centuries old British ownership of the Rock of Gibraltar, and introduced a much enlightened form of government in his country. All at the insistence of the Germans as a condition of joining the European Alliance. The Alliance then accepted his country as a new member. Portugal had joined at the same time. The European Alliance now stretched from Norway in the north, to Spain in the south.

  The demented - in Churchill’s opinion - dictator in Rome, continued to sulk at the exclusion of Italy. Opposition to his oppressive rule seemed to be building. Churchill expected Mussolini to be removed violently before very much longer. And justly so!

  Germany had literally banged the heads together of the leaders of Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Each was wary of the Soviet Union and wanted to join the Alliance, but they had historical territorial claims on each other that created a lot of animosity and endless quarrelling between themselves. Churchill had heard that the German Foreign Minister, von Altendorf, had called them together and read the riot act to them. He told them to put their house in order or be permanently excluded from the Alliance. What is more, if this happened, he would formally advise the Soviet Union that their three countries were no longer regarded as belonging to the German sphere of influence. An open invitation to Stalin to meddle in their affairs! That concentrated their attention wonderfully!

  ‘I would love to have been a fly on the wall at that meeting’, He gleefully thought.

  Von Altendorf’s tactics had worked. The three central European countries quickly resolved their main differences and re-distributed some land between themselves. Three months later they were formally admitted into the European Alliance.

  Greece, scenting free security, which meant they could reduce spending their own money on their armed forces, had applied for membership. It had been vetoed by Germany whose view was that Greece, as it always had been, was politically and economically a mess. The old man chuckled. He loved Greece and its history, but their corrupt officials and politicians…..

  DECEMBER

  PEARL HARBOUR

  The Articles of Peace between China and Japan were to be signed today on board the American battleship, USS Arizona, which had been provided by their hosts as neutral ground. Around the harbour were gathered great warships from the nations with an interest in the peace process.

  Germany was represented by their newly commissioned aircraft carrier, Graf Zeppelin. Great Britain had sent the well-known battleship, Hood. France’s battleship Richelieu, was there, and the Dutch were represented by the cruiser, Tromp.

  China’s new battlecruiser, formerly the German battlecruiser, Scharnhorst, and now renamed Nanking, had a prominent berth near the Arizona.

  Towering over all of them was Japan’s pride, the mighty Yamato, the biggest battleship ever built. It was armed with nine massive eighteen inch guns. A truly fearsome beast.

  On Yamato’s bridge Admiral Yamamoto gazed at the naval might around him. He was relieved that Japan had pulled back from war. Nobody in their right mind would willingly go to war against the combined fleets of the western nations. In the case of the United States it would have awoken a sleeping giant!

  But it had been a close run thing. He thought of the plans he been ordered to draw up in case of war with America. He had objected to the concept at the time, but had nevertheless followed orders. If things had gone according to that plan, without any formal declaration of war his carrier force would have launched a full scale air attack on the American fleet at the very port where he now stood, Pearl Harbour.

  The planned date would have been more or less the same date as today, 7 December 1941, he reflected.

  BERLIN

  15 DECEMBER

  Most of the German advisors, and all of the French advisors to the Chinese Army were now back in their home countries. An excellent rapport had been established between these former enemies while they had fought together in that strange and foreign country. It was hoped that this mutual respect would grow and eventually permeate throughout all the military forces in the European Alliance.

  Some of the Germans had volunteered to stay longer as part of the next batch of advisors, now reduced to only three hundred. These would be under the command of Sieckenius, now promoted to General in the German Army. He was Generalissimo Chiang’s new chief military adviser. The Germans would continue with the still huge task of training the Chinese army.

  Colonel von Luck was asked to stay by General Cheng who had grown fond of this young German fighter. He offered him the rank of General in the Chinese army, with a long term contract and other inducements if he would stay. It was tempting, but poor von Luck could not shake the picture he had in his head of four heads in a basket! He had had enough of China. He bade a fond farewell to his Chinese troops and General Cheng, and headed for home.

  BERLIN - 20 DECEMBER

  Klaus von Altendorf was in his dress uniform. He was more nervous today than he had been at any time during the campaigns in Poland, France and China. He was Jeremy Blackstone’s best man at the wedding of Jeremy to his sister Erica.

  Jeremy’s entire English family were in Berlin for the wedding. All were accommodated at the von Altendorf estate. Jamie MacLellan was also staying there for the weekend. Here he met Jeremy’s beautiful spirited sister, Katherine.

  Jeremy’s older brother
James, the Conservative Member of Parliament for a largely rural district in Lancashire, brought his new girlfriend, Fiona, a pretty little thing much younger than James, who had recently celebrated his fortieth birthday. The youngest brother, George, the doctor, had also arrived with his father and mother.

  Newly promoted Field Marshall Rommel was there, together with many of Klaus’ past comrades in arms, including von Luck, who had arrived back from China a week later than the rest of the German contingent. He could never again look at a basket without thinking of heads!

  In a sign of how close the members of the Governing Council had become, all were there. Even dour old Hjalmar Schacht!

  Lord Halifax had arrived in Berlin yesterday. Since their meeting in Lisbon the previous year, the British Foreign Secretary, now about to retire from active politics and become Ambassador to the United States, had been in regular contact with Baron von Altendorf. Halifax brought with him a special gift for the wedding couple from King George. He had another even more special gift for the Baron.

  King George Vl invited Baron von Altendorf to Buckingham Palace in May next year, for the investiture of the Baron into The Order Of The Bath, one the highest ranking orders in the land. It had been founded in 1725 by King George 1. It is awarded by the British monarch for exceptional achievement. Baron von Altendorf’s outstanding efforts in creating peace across Europe, was recognised, and now being justly rewarded.

  The Baron was astounded when Halifax told him this in private. There was a hint of tears in his eyes after Halifax left him to make the announcement of the honour to the other guests. Von Altendorf regarded this gift from the King as an honour for the whole of Germany, not just himself. He felt enormous pride. After the abominable Nazi thugs, his country stood tall!

  He had come to know the British well in the last year and a half. What madness induced Hitler to risk war with this magnificent island race? Thank God we were able to avert a catastrophic world war!

  It had been the wedding of the year. The whole of Germany had reacted to the news of the honour bestowed on their Foreign Secretary with an outpouring of affection for Great Britain, cementing their new bond.

  It was a good end to the year.

  24 DECEMBER

  Letter from Jamie MacLellan

  Dear Mr President

  I few days ago I attended the wedding of the daughter of the German Foreign Minister. I had the opportunity of speaking with many of Germany’s top officials, including the entire Governing Council. I picked up a heck of a lot of gossip.

  The Defence Minister confirmed that the German armed forces have now finally been reduced to less than one million men. The regular forces will total three hundred thousand. A professional all volunteer force. The balance of personnel is made up of conscripts, but well trained.

  They are maintaining conscription but reducing the period that conscripts serve to eighteen months. The Council are all in agreement that a period in the armed forces is character building for Germany’s youth, as well as crucial in maintaining the country’s defence capabilities. Apparently some sort of educational or vocational training programs will be introduced into the forces to better equip conscripts for future civilian life when their period of conscription is over.

  General Beck told me that the European Alliance could now call upon more than fifteen million soldiers in an extreme scenario. General von Mannstein is stepping down from his position as Acting Supreme Commander of the alliance. Field Marshall Rommel is replacing him.

  I am glad they are on the same side as us!

  Last month I took another whistle stop tour of Poland, Denmark, Holland and France. Since I was last there at the beginning of the year I have detected a greater sense of acceptance of the new order in Europe. Everyone feels safer and a little better off financially. There does not seem to be any desire whatsoever to return to what are conceived to be ‘the times of corrupt, useless and self -serving politicians’.

  The Norwegian Government has stated that they are rewriting their constitution and will hold democratic elections in the not too distant future. The problem is, most Norwegians don’t seem to be very enthusiastic about it. It will be interesting to see what transpires.

  It is my candid view that the European War exposed the pre-war inefficient and some cases, chaotic or despotic, politics for what they were. Now there is peace, security, stability and prosperity. People are more contented. They are relieved and say to themselves ‘we have never had it so good.’

  The Germans have quickly shed their dark recent past and are proud of their country’s contribution to peace in the far east. German businessmen are flocking to China and Japan looking to open new export markets for their goods. Not far behind them are the other European countries, but the Germans were there first!

  Little news of interest comes out of the Soviet Union. As far as I can ascertain the Germans believe Stalin does not really fear a war may break out in the near future. He continues the relatively slow pace of re-equipping his armed forces. I suspect he knows that if he picks up the pace, the Germans and Europeans will immediately do the same. They watch Russia with eagle eyes!

  I continually hear of increasing opposition to Mussolini in Italy and his North African ‘empire’. It is something of a pressure pot and the lid could blow off soon. Some people have asked why Germany does not forcibly depose him. The German’s answer is that Italy is a sovereign country and they must choose their own destiny. They scold Mussolini when it is necessary, but they are not willing to be seen as imposing their will on other people. They are not the world’s policeman! I suppose this is a reaction to Adolf Hitler’s previous aggressive policies.

  Apart from the Italian situation, Europe is in a good position.

  The German inspired peace is working!

  I wish you a happy New Year, Mr President.

  Yours respectfully

  Jamie MacLellan

  CHAPTER FOUR - STABILISATION

  1942 & 1943

  BERLIN – JANUARY 1942

  It was the first meeting of the Governing Council following the New Year holiday recess. The Council now consisted of nine ministers, following the appointments of Speer’s two nominees to the positions of Ministers of Justice and Agriculture. Deputy defence Minister Kesselring had also been elevated to Minister of Aviation.

  Von Brauchitsch welcomed everyone and enquired with genuine interest if their holiday period had been good for them. Then straight down to business. As usual the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke first.

  “We have finally received the British application to join the European Alliance. This pleases me personally, and I believe both they will greatly benefit the organisation. Within the confines of these four walls I will go as far as to say that I believe they will prove to be far better allies than the French, and a lot easier to work with. They have the strongest navy in the world, and an air force more or less equal to our own in quality and only slightly inferior in numbers.

  Their application will be vetted by the applicable ministries and then discussed further. I hope it can be approved as a matter of urgency as I believe it is possible the British may hold elections for a new government during the course of this year, probably May or June. Although I consider it unlikely, it is not impossible that a new British government could view the European Alliance in a different light.

  Next. The US State Department has approached us with the idea of dissolving the League of Nations and forming a new successor, possibly to be called ‘The United Nations’. They have what I perceive to be lukewarm support from Great Britain for this concept.”

  The League of Nations had been formed in 1920 with its principal mission being the maintenance of world peace. It had failed miserably and had practically ceased to function by 1940, the year war exploded in Europe. The League had proved to be completely incapable of preventing aggression by Germany, Italy or Japan in the 1930’s. Mussolini expressed his contempt for it when he said, “The League is very well when
sparrows shout, but no good at all when eagles fall out.”

  Various members had already left the League over the years, including Germany. The United States had never even joined.

  “This new, ‘United Nations’ has much the same objectives as the League had, namely international co-operation. My personal view is that it will be just another ‘talk shop’ for self-inflated politicians. Probably a complete waste of time and money.

  I need the opinions around this table before I can formulate a response to the Americans.”

  The entire Council were united in their low opinion of the failed League of Nations. There was no enthusiasm to participate in a similar scheme, no matter how laudable its objectives. Individual member countries of such an organisation would always put the interest of their own country before others.