5

After meeting Hindenburg, people's attitude toward me changed.

Since I was a war hero who was featured in the newspapers and even received a medal from the famous Hindenburg himself, everyone at the hospital gave me special treatment.

Not only medics and nurses, but even military doctors.

Certainly, the power of the medal was extraordinary.

Even in the original history, Hitler was awarded the Iron Cross, 1st class, but we know that he did not meet Hindenburg. He wasn't even in the newspapers.

Compared to Hitler in history, my current actions have changed slightly.

I almost died, but this is a pretty good start.

Just meeting Hindenburg and receiving a medal from him would be a huge plus point.

In actual history, Hitler benefited greatly from the Iron Cross, 1st class, which he received while serving in World War I.

Unlike most politicians who were in the safe rear during the war, Hitler, who was on the front line, actively used his war experience for publicity and succeeded in making a good impression on the public.

What's more, he received a medal directly from Hindenburg? Game over.

There's still a long way to go, but things seem to be getting easier.

***

After fully recovering from my injuries, I did not return to my headquarters right away, but was sent to a supplementary battalion.

It is said that the rule is that soldiers who are injured on the battlefield are sent to the main unit through a supplementary battalion.

Sent to the supplementary battalion, I advanced from corporal to sergeant. The award of the Iron Cross, 1st Class, for his achievements on the battlefield seemed to have had a decisive influence on his special promotion.

I was suddenly promoted from corporal to sergeant and was in charge of educating newly enlisted trainees.

It reminds me of my days at the army training camp.

The fact that I would have to eat and sleep here for a month made me feel bleak.

The difference from then was that now I was in a position to teach new soldiers.

"fist."

"fist!"

"listen carefully. The most important things on the battlefield are speed and insight. "The faster you run and the faster you move, the less likely you are to get shot, and the more quick you are, the more likely you are to survive."

"Gas is heavier than air, so it remains below the ground. If you are in a pit or trench and are attacked by gas, do not take off your gas mask even if enough time has passed. If you have to, come up above the ground and take it off. "Because a difference of just 1 meter can mean life or death."

"When throwing a grenade, be sure to pull out the safety pin and throw it. "Don't be stupid and just throw it without pulling out the safety pin."

The boys, who were at an age where pencils and notebooks were more appropriate than military uniforms, listened attentively to what I said.

The problem is that the newly enlisted soldiers these days are either too young or too old.

People who would normally be at schools or coal mines are now walking around the parade grounds wearing military uniforms. Because of this damn war.

Despite squeezing out all the men in Germany, the war situation was still grim.

The German army was repeatedly retreating from the Allied forces, and rationing became increasingly strict.

"What's for dinner tonight?"

"Well. "Steamed turnips and sauerkraut."

"Fuck, again? "It was the same thing this morning."

"I ate the same thing last night."

"Hold on a little. "If we win the war, we'll be cutting steaks in Paris."

"Yes, once the war is over, we will say goodbye to these 'similar foods' forever."

Despite this, people still could not give up hope that there would be victory.

The reason was the truce with Russia that had been concluded not long ago.

The Romanov dynasty, which seemed like it would last forever, collapsed in a revolution, and the Communist Party, which took power, signed an armistice with Germany.

The new Russian Soviet Republic had to hand over a huge territory, including the Baltic States, Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine, to Germany in return for an armistice, and the entire nation was enthusiastic about the great victory achieved on the Eastern Front.

"Extra, extra! "Russia signed the armistice!"

"at las!"

"Now the only ones left are the British and French!"

"Haha, long live the victory! Long live Germany!"

Morale, which had been withering, soared through the sky again.

The people began to have hope for victory, and the government also eagerly promoted this to give the people the impression that victory was just around the corner.

Not only the people on the streets, but also the trainees and nurses had no doubt that Germany would soon achieve victory.

Just as Russia collapsed due to revolution, revolutions will soon occur in France and England.

From my perspective, who knows the future, it was an absolutely ridiculous idea.

***

October 24, 1918

"In the end, is this the only way?"

"There is no other way in the current situation, Your Excellency."

German Naval Chief of Staff Reinhard Scheer and Commander of the High Seas Fleet Franz von Hipper prepared the final operation.

Although they succeeded in overthrowing Russia, Germany's defeat was virtually certain.

The number of men in the country was on the verge of drying up, and food and ammunition were also on the verge of running out.

On the other hand, the Allies are overflowing with ammunition and food thanks to the United States, a huge water supplier. In addition, the Allied forces were several times larger than Germany's.

Now that the possibility of victory had disappeared, it was necessary to deliver a 'final blow' to the enemy in order to gain even a slight advantage in the ceasefire negotiations.

The German Navy planned to mobilize all its remaining power to break through the English Channel, strike the British mainland and the Belgian coast, and engage in combat with the British fleet off the coast of the Netherlands.

From anyone's perspective, it was no different from a suicide attack with a slim chance of success.

"Break through the English Channel, go up the Thames, and attack the British mainland? Does this make sense?"

"Fuck it, just say hello."

"Why do we have to do this crazy thing? "I don't do it!"

When this reckless plan became known, the sailors were all shocked. And I was angry.

The sailors' anger, which had built up as they became dissatisfied with the long war, tighter rations, increasingly severe government oppression, and orders from their superiors, finally exploded.

November 3rd,

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency!"

"We're in big trouble!"

"What's going on that's making such a fuss?"

"The sailors have mutinied!"

Sailors revolted in the German port city of Kiel.

"We don't want to die!"

"War is boring! "Stop the war!"

The sailors who overpowered the officers and occupied the port soon poured into the city, and as the citizens who had accumulated dissatisfaction with the government and military, like the sailors, joined in, the situation grew out of control.

"Stop the war!"

"Go away from the incompetent government!"

"The Kaiser is responsible! "Bring back to life my dead son!"

The spark that started in Kiel soon spread throughout Germany.

People pouring out of their homes and workplaces filled the streets, and voices rang out in the air demanding that the government that started the war take full responsibility and resign.

"Your Majesty, the people's anger has reached its peak. "It is no longer possible to suppress their discontent."

"It is said that Congress has just declared a republic."

"If things continue like this, a civil war may break out."

"Your Majesty, as a subject, you are disloyal..."

"······."

The Kaiser, who lost even his remaining will amid the torrent of tragic news, chose to step down from the throne.

On November 9, German Emperor Wilhelm II went into exile in the Netherlands. This transformed Germany from an empire to a republic.

And two days later-

World War I ended with Germany's surrender.

***

After losing the war, Germany not only had to withdraw its troops from all occupied territories, but also disband its existing troops.

Because the Treaty of Versailles restricted not only armaments but also the size of the army, even those who had been in the army before the war had to leave the army.

Not only the boys and middle-aged men conscripted during wartime, but also the battalion commanders of supplementary battalions, company commanders, and military officers who had been soldiers before the war broke out had to take off their military uniforms.

But I wasn't.

Unlike those who were forcibly kicked out of the military, I was given a chance to choose.

"Sergeant Adolf Hitler, I have received orders and have arrived."

"You're here. "Take a seat."

When I opened the door and entered the conference room, three officers were sitting at a long table.

One was a colonel, the other two were a sergeant and a sergeant respectively. These are probably people whose abilities were recognized by their superiors and who were allowed to remain in the military.

"You know why you were called, right?"

"yes."

"I will give you a choice. You deserve to stay in the military. Of course, if you want, he can leave the army. "No one is forcing you, so do whatever you want."

Unlike others, thanks to the medal I wore around my neck, I was able to remain in the military or leave the military purely of my own will. If it weren't for this medal, I would have been a civilian by now.

"You can go out and find something you want to do. It's good to remain in the military. However, due to the circumstances of the country, we cannot give the same salary as before. Maybe for a while. "You have to take that into account."

"staff sergeant. What are you going to do? "Answer honestly."

"I am···."

It was already decided before I was called. My choice.

"I want to stay in the military."

I had planned to leave here someday for future plans, but that wasn't right now.

At least you won't have to worry about sleeping and eating while waiting for that day.

Although it is only 'for the time being'.

"Right. "I understand."

"You can just leave now. "Sergeant Hitler."

This left me in the army as Hitler's sergeant.