Von Vietinghoff spoke his thoughts, interrupting Speer.
“The initiative is lost, Herr Kanzler. We have surrendered it, but then, they do not have it either. The Communists will use this time wisely. They will rearm and resupply, despite what Truman says. We know they will hide their efforts well enough to get it done, especially if peace provides them with an umbrella.””
They all nodded, knowing that Eisenhower had said as much himself, despite the agreed reconnaissance flights that the Allies could conduct without interception.
“And these demarcation lines… stop in place now… roll back over the winter to October 1939 lines, except for the ‘small alteration’ of Prussia, which will remain in Soviet hands, to be negotiated at whatever meeting is arranged for Spring 1947, all because the predictions are for another hard winter.”
Guderian raised his hand to speak, and did so without acknowledgement.
“If it’s like last winter, the armies could not operate, Herr Kanzler.”
“So that means that the Communists have until spring next year to sort their forces out. Who knows what weapons they might have to hand by then? They have jets… shitty ones from what Galland reports, but they may get better ones. We’ve heard about these new tanks, and how they are better than anything else they have.”
Speer slammed his hands on the desk.
“All we’ve done is give the bastards time to prepare!”
He resumed his seat and took on a softer tone.
“Is there anyone around this table that believes this is anything but a ruse by Stalin and his lackeys? To buy time to save his army? Anyone who thinks other than he will use the time to rearm and replenish, whilst our Allies will draw back, weaken themselves, and enjoy the ‘hard-won’ peace… eh?”
There were no takers.
“I believe that Stalin will start all over again. We’ve discussed this, and I know you all… all of you…” he nodded to the one man who had remained silent and immovable throughout, “…Agree that we cannot let this peace treaty stand.”
The nods were universal.
Guderian interrupted again.
“But, Herr Kanzler, we cannot operate during the winter and…”
“Yes, we know that, Generalfeldmarschal, but we cannot let this peace stand, for it deprives all of us around the table with less than we had before we put these Communist bastards in their place during this last year. So many men have died, so much territory has been lost, and we’re just recovering it… and now this?”
The Austrians were the greater winners amongst the group, losing only a small corner of their country, and one that was slated to be recovered during the winter withdrawal.
None the less, Austrian Präsident Karl Renner nodded to show that he was still behind the venture.
Speer acknowledged the commitment with his own simple gesture.
Guderian paused to let the silent exchange run its course.
“Herr Kanzler, we know the reasons behind what you are proposing, but there is a simple matter of logistics and capability that cannot be denied. We cannot do what we have discussed for some time to come… probably two and a half months… which would mean winter, not the Russians, would be our greatest enemy. It must be delayed.”
“I agree.”
Von Vietinghoff could not do otherwise.
Renner raised his hand and the floor was ceded immediately.
“I’m not a military man, but my Chief of Staff agrees, Herr Kanzler. It cannot be done, so we must bear it.”
More than one brain suggested the thought that Austria had little to concern itself with, but all remembered that Renner had aligned himself both before and after the terms of the ceasefire were agreed.
Speer canted his head slightly in acceptance of the Austrian statement.
“So, we seem to be in a position where we have to accept and observe this… temporary settlement… because logistics and winter obstruct us. Do you agree, Herr Präsident?”
The previously silent man spoke in heavily accented German.
“My military advisors tell me this is the only way, Herr Kanzler.”
“Thank you, Herr Präsident.”
Neither party could yet get used to the fact that they were bedfellows in the enterprise. They both thought that time would possibly forge a stronger bond between their countries, although the enmity and hate of centuries that lay between them now would probably prove the stronger emotions. Just so long as they honoured their agreements, and tackled the mutual enemy.
“So, I seek a voice vote on the matter. A simple yes or no. Given what we have discussed previously, and I will pose the question like this. Do we accept the arrangements negotiated by our Allies without further comment, and appear to be full partners in the venture, whilst making our own plans, roughly as outlined by Generalfeldmarschal Guderian, but accepting that the delay will inevitably mean the enemy will strengthen themselves but…” he acknowledged Guderian, “… That we will also profit from the delay in some ways… or do we not?”
The ‘yes’ votes were universal.
Speer nodded in acceptance.
“Herr Präsident, Kameraden, on that basis, do we agree to begin our preparations for the spring, with the full intention of implementing our military and political plans at the earliest possible moment post-winter?”
He patted the folder sat in front of him, one of only seven in existence.
It contained their thinking for Operation Undenkbar, in itself a clever name, designed to supposedly mimic one devised by Churchill’s henchmen over a year beforehand.
Undenkbar… Unthinkable…
“Do we agree, in principle, to implement Fall Undenkbar in the spring of 1947? I can tell you that the Graf is in favour.”
Speer spoke of Johann Ludwig Graf Schwerin von Krosigk
He looked to Guderian who gave him the expected answer.
“Jawohl.
Von Vietinghoff…
“Jawohl.”
Karl Renner…
“Jawohl.”
The other Austrian member, Adolf Schärf, was absent, apparently suffering from a severe digestive complaint, although the real reason was known only to Renner.
Wilhelm Hoegner, Prime Minister of Bavaria…
“Ja.”
All eyes swivelled to the immaculately dressed man at the end of the table.
The moment was too great for a simple word.
It required dignified speech.
“Our countries are traditional enemies, and you have visited unprovoked violence upon my people on at least three occasions within living memory.”
He leant forward and clasped his hands together.
“And yet, it seems the only way forward is for my country to ally itself with yours, so that it can be made whole again as, yet again, we find ourselves betrayed by those are supposedly our friends. This also appears to be our best hope for an end to the curse of Communist oppression. So, for the good of my country…”
He opened his hands towards the group, palms first.
“…I say… tak.”
‘Yes.’
With that one word, Władysław Raczkiewicz, the President of Poland, allied his country and soldiers to those of Germany and Austria, and became a full partner in the plan to rekindle war in Europe.
To be continued…..
List of Figures Within Initiative.
Fig # 1 – Table of comparative ranks
Fig # 179 – Europe, May 1946.
Fig # 180 – The Japanese Home Islands.
Fig# 181 – The Baisha River, Zhujiawan, China.
Fig # 182 – Opposing forces at the Baisha River, China.
Fig # 183 – Baisha River battle.
Fig# 184 – Bräunisheim, Germany.
Fig # 185 – Opposing forces at Hamburg 17th June 1946.