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“Looks like the Allies really can’t fight well. At this rate, something’s bound to explode somewhere.”

Well, even if Goebbels is aiming for something, it’s truly unexpected for Germany to be on the defensive. Churchill is acting far too urgently.

Is he that scared of Russia’s participation?

Is the British Empire scared of Russia joining the fray?

Who knows, we might hear jokes about this in the future.

“Your Majesty, do you see it that way?”

Honestly, it’s just a guess, but considering Churchill’s history, I feel like he might take a big hit.

Just as Nazi Germany’s gamble succeeded, there’s a chance Goebbels’s gamble will too.

“Yes. It feels like something big is about to happen.”

Communist Germany will probably plan a scythe operation.

First of all, Manstein is still around, and with Churchill acting rashly, Communist Germany will take its chances.

The fact that he’s giving direct orders to the Allied command means that Churchill is quite desperate right now.

If someone asked why he’s so frantic, the answer is obvious.

It’s because of us Russians.

Once the American Civil War ends, the Russian army will find any justification to join this war.

This might be seen as a perfect opportunity for them now that they’re tied up in America.

“What if, I say, the Communist German army passes through the Ardennes Forest?”

I pointed at the Ardennes Forest on the map of Europe by the Low Countries and France.

Right, Manstein’s scythe operation.

This is what I’m currently worried about.

“Hm. Wouldn’t it be difficult to pass through the forest?”

“That’s right. Even if they managed to get through, wouldn’t France keep its defenses up?”

It seems the military view that rather negatively.

If the White Army is looking here, then Manstein’s scythe operation might actually be quite effective here too.

“Hmm.”

Is the infamous scythe operation from history about to happen?

However, the Communist Germany in this world is weak compared to Nazi Germany.

Austria and Czechoslovakia, which need to be fed, still exist as the Austrian Empire.

For Communist Germany right now, the scythe operation would likely be a desperate gamble.

If it fails, isn’t it likely that Communist Germany will throw in the towel?

Uh, if they screw this up, it’s a foregone conclusion that Germany will fall to the Allies, right? Is this really okay? Isn’t it too risky?

No, let’s think differently. The scythe operation was always a risky undertaking in history.

In this world, Churchill’s Britain must also be busy managing its colonies.

Yet somehow, I can’t shake the feeling that Communist Germany might win this time.

France’s government is torn apart and could collapse at any moment.

The French Prime Minister seems to think unifying them through war might work, but if Germany supports the Communist Party within France, things could turn out differently.

In any case, France is out of the picture, even though Churchill has prepared a lot, he can’t have too many troops, considering they’re still bound by the colonies.

I know there are about 1.5 million troops stationed in colonies. Perhaps it won’t be more than that.

Even so, the French army is said to be second only to populous China and Soviet Union.

“Hmm.”

As much as I look at it, it feels likely to go that way.

Goebbels is definitely an impressive individual.

I wonder if he knows about the anguish I’m experiencing at this moment.

“If what Your Majesty says comes true, it might resemble the schemes of Mutaguchi Renya that recently occurred.”

The Baron Beria flicked his tongue and lit up his eyes.

Wait, are we really considering Mutaguchi Renya as a great commander?

That guy’s nothing but a fluke, you know?

Honestly, in the history of East Asia, there are barely any large-scale defeats on the battlefield, so Mutaguchi Renya may be called Japan’s best in the distant future, but…

In encirclement operations, I perceive that Mutaguchi just slacked off and is now reunited with the Emperor, who is currently a steak.

It’s totally different; besides, the opponent is a country like France.

It’s not like they’re up against a trash army like China.

I don’t know what the White Army is thinking, but personally, I’m confident Manstein is planning a scythe operation.

At this point, not doing the scythe operation is not an option.

The question is whether it will happen after Churchill’s offensive or before.

Since Communist Germany isn’t stupid, they’ll likely attack first before Churchill strikes.

Having defended for so long, no way would they even imagine Germany is planning a scythe operation.

So, in the end, we can do nothing but watch.

“By the way, I hear there’s some news from Japan today?”

I’m really curious about what’s going on with Japan right now.

I wonder what kind of mischief they’re up to.

I’ve already thrown breadcrumbs about America, haven’t I?

Better than shouting “Bring us oil, Russia!” and then attacking us is throwing over something suitable.

“Your Majesty, Japan’s movements seem a bit suspicious.”

Japan’s always suspicious. They even hide the Chinese extermination camps from us.

I might not be able to idly stand by, but I still wish China’s population would decline.

Since it’s not happening by my hand, I’m not intertwined in the dirt, right?

But there’s no way they’re preparing to go to war with Russia now, right?

“Are they preparing for war, perhaps?”

“I hear the Japanese Combined Fleet is heading south.”

Well, that’s a relief. I can appreciate that they aren’t attacking Russia.

But wait, the Combined Fleet is going south?

“If so, where are they headed?”

I’m feeling a mix of hope and disbelief here. No way? Is what I’m thinking right? Is Japan about to meet my expectations?

Even though I set it up, I didn’t think they’d act this quickly.

No, if it’s going to be a war anyway, they are likely the type to attack while they have the advantage.

Then it’s possible.

Realistically, Japan’s currently performing well in the war against China compared to actual history.

I’ve heard their slow advance is due to massacres they’re committing.

“I don’t know much yet, but the military believes their destination is Hawaii.”

“Where the US Pacific Fleet is located, huh.”

Yep, there’s not much else the Combined Fleet could target right now.

Being a signatory of the Anti-Air Defense Pact, they wouldn’t want to mess with Indochina either.

Then that leaves America.

I’ve already shared some intel regarding oil, so America might be looking to strike while their Civil War still rages.

“If it all goes according to plan, that’d be great, but we must prepare for the worst.”

Honestly, I can’t predict how Japan will move now.

Especially in this era.

In this history without the Soviet Union, I’m thinking of using as much of the knowledge I have as possible.

“Our Far East Army consists of 400,000 troops. Moreover, Japan has pulled surprise attacks even during the Russo-Japanese War, so we’ve given the Far East Army some instructions regarding this.”

“Hmm, that’s a relief.”

I can’t quite grasp what that sneaky Japan is up to.

While they’re at it with the Chinese extermination plan, they likely won’t think about opening a second front with Russia. However, they’d probably want to move their navy by now.

With the entire army sent to China for the extermination, if they’re to use the navy anywhere, it’ll surely be against another nation rather than Russia.

Yeah. Then wouldn’t they desire to aim specifically at America?

Besides, the Japan of actual history sought to extort oil from America by attacking it during the war and negotiating a ceasefire.

Such individuals wouldn’t hold back against the still-warring America.

In truth, MacArthur and Huey Long are currently in talks to wrap up the Civil War.

Prior to this civil war ending, they might just want to take a gamble.

The plausibility is high, isn’t it?

“The Allied naval forces also seem to be moving.”

The Allied naval forces are… I wonder if they’re against Italy.

Even if we called them the Communist German navy, it’s only about the existing fleet’s strategy.

“Is it to battle against the Italian Mediterranean fleet? Well, it’s not like Italy has any reason to oppose them here.”

If the Italian fleet challenged the Allied fleet, they’d be wiped out immediately.

If Italy had any sense, they wouldn’t do anything reckless.

Though there are still some aspects that seem suspicious. I do have a few thoughts popping up.

The Italian army seems overly weak.

Isn’t their military too weak?

Sure, we supported Ethiopia, but there’s a disparity in strength, and the Italian army ended up getting beaten up and couldn’t even establish Italian East Africa.

Could it be that they’ve built up their navy instead? That’s a reasonable suspicion.

Aside from Italy, there’s no one else to rely on within the Axis powers.

“How strong is the Italian navy?”

“They invested in their navy, but I’ve heard it’s still outclassed by the British and French fleets.”

Then I guess it’s indeed about naval superiority.

“Maybe they’re trying to at least secure naval dominance beforehand?”

“Perhaps they don’t have to worry about that.”

Even if the Italian Mediterranean fleet is somewhat threatening, I can’t see the Allied navy losing.

Even just by looking at the forces, if the UK really puts its mind to it, they can handle the Italian navy.

“Well, it looks like our navy is the one that’s at a disadvantage here.”

So this means the Italian navy won’t need to confront us at all.

Since there’s also the French navy, this can’t just be disregarded.

Unless by some miracle they get absolutely obliterated by the British Mediterranean fleet, who knows?

Feel for Kolchak, though.

“Your Majesty, I hear the Italian forces have retreated from Ethiopia.”

“Really?”

That makes sense. After all, their main forces are engaged in combat against France alongside Germany, so they wouldn’t be able to manage with just the African troops.

I bet Ethiopia is gearing up to counterattack too.

“I’ve heard that the Emperor has even captured tribal chiefs who surrendered to the Italian Red Army.”

“Wow. Mussolini really is a fool.”

At this rate, Ethiopia won’t be able to clean up and faces total defeat.

If Ethiopia successfully counterattacks, in this history, Mussolini ends up as the guy who couldn’t even beat Ethiopia.

Even if he were to establish it, he would lose it again during World War II, so it wouldn’t change much.

Future generations will likely say Italy was such a fool that they couldn’t even conquer Ethiopia.

At the very least, Japan, which defeated Russia, has the upper hand in firearms compared to Russia, and their navy is in better quality due to British aid, making it a reasonable competition in the Far East.

But Italy seems to have lost twice.

Of course, the second time was with our Russia’s help.

In fact, weapons support or sales often occur when wars break out. Any country will assist in restraining an enemy nation.

“Ethiopia. Ethiopia.”

I tapped my fingers on the desk, deep in thought.

The Ethiopian army, led by Emperor Haile Selassie, must be elite forces.

In fact, unlike the original history where Ethiopia was occupied by Italy, they withstood and even counterattacked.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

“I wonder if there’s a way to make use of Ethiopia.”

Ethiopia has significant military forces.

As a very last resort, they might be usable. After all, it’s not just because they haven’t perished until now that they’ve endured with Russian weaponry.

The current Ethiopian army shouldn’t be inferior when compared to European armies.

If we could receive help from this Ethiopia, it might create trouble for Italy in North Africa.

“Are you referring to the anti-air defense agreement you mentioned before?”

“Yes. While Ethiopia has been fighting Italy and using considerable resources, their military must have become elite now.”

Then we could mobilize them to assist us in times of crisis.

Although, we would have to attach certain conditions to that.

“It does show impressive combat power for an African army.”

“It would be best to strike Italy’s colonies using Ethiopia.”

“Oh, indeed. That makes sense.”

Emperor Haile Selassie must also bear a grudge against Italy.

If we offer adequate compensation, I believe he would accept.

Just causing trouble for Italy from below would be sufficient.

The lesson we could learn from Ethiopia is that ultimately, what matters is an unyielding spirit.

Emperor Haile Selassie likely serves as a strong role model for many colonies too.

The colonies under the sprinkled red seeds of the colonial empire may see violent communist revolutions erupting, but this initiative regarding Ethiopia might create a new paradigm.

“Since the British won’t be able to maintain this for long.”

In the end, no matter how this war unfolds, provided Britain doesn’t get completely wrecked, they will likely compete with Russia again after dealing with Communist Germany.

By then, they certainly won’t be unaware of how decreased colonial profitability is becoming.

Nonetheless, we need to prepare just in case they cling to those colonies.

“Despite my disdain for Britain, it’s still too early to turn hostile, isn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

Of course, Russia’s navy is currently quite limited.

Even though the once-great imperial German navy has fallen and separated from Communist Germany, some warships are still part of our fleet, so we might end up among the top five in the world, but we can’t overwhelm the British fleet.

But still, we can prepare.

Yes, for example, by promoting Ethiopia’s victory, which almost became a colony, to different quarters.

 

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