Today, on April 18th, the Republic of Poland announced its unconditional surrender, following the massive presence of German and Russian troops within its territory. Field Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły delivered the official statement earlier today at 9 o'clock Western European Time.
The radio's volume was turned up slightly by a hand wrapped in bandages, the fingers shaking noticeably.
The man's torso and parts of his head were heavily bandaged. They did little to conceal the long, hideous scar running across his face, nor his blond hair, which fell carelessly over his shoulders.
The great powers of France and Britain have been shocked by the rapid advance of the German army, an outcome they had not anticipated. Both nations are now committing their full resources to the war effort," a foreign policy spokesperson of the United Kingdom stated earlier today.
Meanwhile, Germany has continued to build up forces along the French, Belgian, and Dutch borders. Armored units in particular have been massed in large numbers. It appears that war will once again reach Western European soil.
This was Tod Newsome for One News. Thank you.
"Hah. You've been quite busy, Paul," the man muttered.
He slowly tilted his head toward the open window. Outside lay a vast garden, birds chirping loudly as they flitted between the branches of a large apple tree.
Their wings caught the bright afternoon sun as it shone through the windows. Soft music now played from the radio, echoing quietly through the room.
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A normal telephone booth in Trier was now guarded by three Wehrmacht soldiers, their eyes scanning the surrounding passersby, their weapons always ready.
Inside stood a man in a brilliant Wehrmacht uniform. His black hair was neatly combed into a side part. He held the small receiver close, pressing it against his ear.
"Elisabeth, dear, how have you been?" Paul asked.
He noticed the look Gustav was giving the booth, but dismissed it as unnecessary caution.
"Good. Good," Elisabeth answered.
"You know how it is. I would have loved to meet, to talk, to embrace you, but duty has called once again," Paul said.
"I wonder how many wives have heard that today. Yesterday. Tomorrow," Elisabeth replied, her voice almost distant.
"That may be true," Paul answered, leaning against the wall. "But duty is compelling."
"Will you win quickly?" Elisabeth asked suddenly.
"I will," Paul replied, smiling faintly. "I will and…"He paused. "Perhaps I'll return earlier than you think."
Elisabeth chuckled softly at first, then fell silent. She knew her husband. He did not speak lightly.
"Why? What are you planning?" she asked.
Paul sighed, pressing his lips together.
"I will end this farce once and for all. Trust me, Elisabeth. Whatever I do, it will serve two purposes. What is best for this country and what is best for you."
There was silence. Then a quiet sigh came through the line.
"Be safe, Heinrich. Please, be safe," she said.
The line cut. Time was up. The receiver crackled, then went dead.
Paul slammed his fist against the metal wall, making the whole booth shake. He clenched his jaw, glanced at his watch, then at Gustav, who motioned for him to move.
Paul hesitated, his eyes shifting between the booth and Gustav, before reluctantly opening the door.
On the other end of the dead line, Elisabeth finished her sentence.
"…For your child, Heinrich."
But Paul was already gone, the receiver dangling freely inside the booth.
His car was driving straight toward the new frontline, toward the border with Luxembourg.
After some time on the road, flanked by military trucks and later by a Messerschmitt fighter circling above, they reached the perimeter of the front. The convoy slowed, then stopped.
Paul stepped out of the Mercedes and walked toward his familiar command tent.
It was a massive camp. Tanks, soldiers, and equipment arrived by the minute, spread across a vast area, the noise and movement never ceasing.
At his tent, he was greeted by his usual guards before pushing aside the tarp, only to find he was not the first to arrive.
"Erwin. Always the fastest, huh?" Paul said, stepping forward to embrace Rommel.
"Duty demands it," Rommel replied.
"That's exactly what I told my wife today," Paul said, exhaling slowly.
"Well, huh, seems we're quite similar," Rommel laughed, his eyes already returning to the map.
"Ardennes?" he asked, glancing up at Paul.
"Ardennes," Paul answered. "But first, Luxembourg. Let us pay a visit to the Grand Duchess."
"Oh, the Grand Duchess. That sounds pleasant," Rommel joked, dropping into a wooden chair.
"What about the French? Anything dangerous?" Paul asked.
"They have their defenses. Some tanks as well," Rommel replied. "But nothing that can match our newest Panzer IVs. Brilliant machines, really."He paused, then tilted his head slightly."A little bird twisted that you may have had some influence on their design?"
Seems like you aren't clueless, Paul thought, before answering.
"I helped here and there. Nothing major."
Rommel raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more.
But I agree, they make a fine addition to our now complete divisions," Paul added, before walking over to a small table and leaning down.
Rommel watched closely, interested.
"There should be some—" Paul stopped, his hand closing around a clear bottle.
"Zhukov gifted me this," Paul said, walking back toward Rommel.
"At duty, Jeager?" Rommel asked, raising an eyebrow.
Paul paused for a moment, meeting his gaze, before opening the bottle.
He filled two small glasses. The bottle was set aside again.
"So, what do we toast to?" Rommel asked, lifting his glass.
"To us. To our victories," Paul said.
"Wouldn't that be arrogant?" Rommel asked, smiling.
"Confidence is not the same as arrogance. Weak-minded people only perceive it as such," Paul replied, already bringing the glass to his lips.
Rommel laughed dryly, then did the same.
And indeed, they would remain right.
At 16:00 on May 20th, the Wehrmacht initiated Fall Gelb, the long-prepared offensive against Western Europe. It was a plan Paul, Rommel, and Manstein had refined relentlessly in the months before the war. Countless map sessions, arguments over routes, logistics, and timing had gone into it. Now, at last, their work was ready to bear fruit.
In the consulates of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, identical letters arrived almost simultaneously.
The German Reich hereby declares war on the Kingdom of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Kingdom of Belgium, effective today at 16:00.
By the time the declarations were formally received, the war had already begun.
German units had crossed the borders minutes earlier. Advance detachments moved fast, ignoring formalities. Columns of infantry, engineers, and reconnaissance units pushed forward, followed closely by armored formations.
Dozens of tanks rolled across roads and fields alike, their objectives already fixed. Bridges, crossroads, airfields. There was no hesitation. These units had particularly urgent business to attend to.
Fall Gelb was no longer a plan.
It was in motion.
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