Chapter 188: Favoritism Between Britain and France
In May 1933, Madrid still had not fallen.
At the same time, the Italian Army approached Segovia, closing in on the strategic town only fifty kilometers away.
Because a large number of troops had been deployed around Madrid, the Spanish Forward Army units stationed near Segovia consisted almost entirely of wounded men returned to service and newly conscripted recruits. Faced with Italy's well equipped 1st Infantry Division, which had been transferred directly from the mainland and was supported by the Italian Air Force, they broke almost immediately.
The rout opened a dangerous window.
Thirty thousand Italian volunteers now had a chance to attack Segovia. A few scattered reconnaissance companies even clashed fiercely with German troops on the outskirts.
At that moment, a difficult question was placed before Paulus.
To fight, or not to fight.
If he chose to fight, he would have to recall the Eighth Armored Division from Madrid. That would turn the campaign to capture the capital into a prolonged struggle with no clear end.
If he did not fight, would Germany not appear like a coward, someone Italy could bully at will?
Paulus did not rush to make a decision.
He understood very clearly that Britain and France stood behind Italy.
After careful consideration, he reported the situation in Spain to the Wehrmacht.
The Wehrmacht then urgently placed the matter on Jörg's desk.
At that moment, Jörg was already buried beneath work.
Berlin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A silver spoon stirred gently inside a cup, producing a soft clinking sound against porcelain.
Jörg sat at the head of the conference table and took a sip of coffee. In his other hand, his steel pen moved continuously across a document while the British and French diplomats presented their questions and demands.
"Mr. von Roman," the British diplomat said, "I believe you and the Spanish Forward Army you support should make sacrifices for peace."
His tone clearly favored Italy.
"The Italian Army is also fighting for freedom and democracy. You should not regard one another as enemies. On the contrary, you should establish stronger cooperation and first drive Soviet Russia and the Spanish Communist Party out of that ancient land."
The French representative spoke next.
Using economic recovery as his justification, he began discussing the postwar division of Spain.
"After the war, considering the complexity of reconstruction, the territory north of Madrid should be administered by the Spanish Forward Party to carry out economic restoration and construction."
He pointed at the map.
"As for the land south of Madrid, because it is closer to the ports, it should be administered by Italy. Italy can better organize economic recovery in that region."
As he spoke, the map was passed into Jörg's hands.
Jörg looked down at the black dividing line drawn across Spain and could not help letting out a soft laugh.
It was called a north south division, but the French were clearly playing their own game.
They feared the emergence of a Spanish military machine completely subordinate to Germany.
Therefore, all Spanish territory near the French border had been allocated to Italy's side.
If this map were implemented, then after the war, the Spanish Forward Party's actual controlled territory would be smaller than what it held during the war. Germany would also lose every Mediterranean port it had hoped to access.
Only the Atlantic ports would remain.
It was truly ridiculous.
They wanted to sit at the banquet without shedding a single drop of blood.
Arrogant.
Although anger burned beneath his calm exterior, Jörg's expression did not change. A faint smile remained on his lips, and his deep blue eyes were still as tranquil as the sea.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I will repeat myself. The Spanish Forward Party is the legitimate political party recognized by Spain's election."
He placed the map on the table.
"In other words, they are the legitimate heirs to state power."
His gaze shifted to the British representative.
"The Falange is nothing more than an impostor. A stray dog."
Jörg's tone remained polite, but every word carried a blade.
"Mr. Carly, would your royal family choose a stray dog to ascend the throne?"
With one sentence, the British representative was left speechless, his face stiff with embarrassment.
The French representative, however, retorted forcefully.
"Mr. von Roman, does Spain still have a legitimate political party at this point?"
His tone sharpened.
"Or is legitimacy determined solely by your support? If you supported the Falange, would the Falange then become the legitimate political party?"
He pointed at the map with a serious expression.
"We propose this plan entirely out of consideration for Spain's size. Dividing it into two parts will allow faster economic recovery."
Watching the man tell a joke with such solemnity reminded Jörg of a saying from his previous life.
Sure enough, the best actors were all in politics.
By this point, he understood Britain and France's position completely.
They were openly supporting Italy.
They did not want him to gain control of Spain's Mediterranean ports.
Britain wanted to rebalance Europe through Italy.
France, meanwhile, was already considering the possibility of attacking Germany from multiple fronts in a future war.
Politics was not rigid clockwork. It would not move in a straight line according to the trajectory of his previous life. His own influence had already caused deviations.
The three way conflict in Spain was one example.
Britain and France supporting Italy to contain Germany was another.
But what did that amount to?
Supporting a country that would "never betray" them?
"Mr. Leon," Jörg said with a smile, "do you understand economics?"
The French representative frowned.
"Economics is not like Italian pizza, where everyone takes a slice and finishes it quickly. Economics is a holistic process."
Jörg leaned slightly forward.
"You say that whichever side I support becomes the legitimate political party. Very well. I also support the French Progress Party. Does that make the French Progress Party the legitimate political party of France?"
The counterattack was sharp, but Jörg did not completely close the door to discussion.
"Mr. von Roman, you are equivocating."
The French representative's voice rose.
"This is a decision supported by the majority of League of Nations member states."
Jörg rested his chin against his right fist.
"Is that so?"
His smile became calmer.
"Then convene another League of Nations assembly and let every member state discuss it. I do not believe their views are as unanimous as yours."
With that sentence, he forced the French representative into a dead end.
Because the French could not convene a League of Nations assembly and obtain majority support.
Everyone knew the League of Nations had already become an empty shell. More countries followed Germany than France now, especially those that depended on German trade, medicine, arms, or industrial orders.
Seeing the atmosphere grow tense, the British representative stepped in to smooth things over.
"Well... how about this, Mr. von Roman? Let us return and discuss the matter further."
He stood and offered a stiff smile.
"Thank you for your time."
Under Leah's guidance, the two diplomats rose and left.
The vast conference room soon held only Jörg, who watched their retreating figures in silence.
A moment later, once the guests had departed, Ethan stepped forward and handed him a sealed telegram.
Then he quietly conveyed the opinion of the General Staff.
"The General Staff believes we should fight."
Jörg took the telegram.
Ethan continued, "Only by dealing with the Italians first can we maintain the offensive against Madrid. Madrid has not fallen yet in any case."
He paused.
"Herr Heinz Guderian holds the same opinion."
Jörg tore open the telegram and read it quickly.
After finishing, he smiled faintly.
He had been considering how to find a pretext to deal with the Italians.
Now the other side had taken the initiative to attack.
"Tell Paulus," Jörg said, "to hit them hard. He does not need to worry about the international situation."
His voice became colder.
"The longer this drags on, the more complicated the international situation will become. Eliminating the Italian threat as soon as possible and leaving Britain and France with no bargaining chips is what he must consider."
Ethan nodded.
"As for Madrid," Jörg continued, "whether it falls tomorrow or in a week makes no difference. Soviet Russia's support is not infinite."
He placed the telegram on the table.
"And even if it were infinite, I would force it to stop."
Jörg looked toward Ethan.
"Order the Air Force to fully cooperate with Paulus's counterattack."
His words fell with absolute certainty.
"Before June, I want to see the Eighth Armored Division reach Zaragoza, directly threaten their main base in Toulouse, and drive them into the Mediterranean Sea."
.....
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