AHumanMadeMOFO
patreon
Chapter 151: The Fourth Trading Partner (1)
🕑 Added 2025-01-11 06:56:13 +0000 UTCIn the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (region of Croatia) there was a small town called Valpovo.
Twenty kilometers south of Valpovo was another small town called Osijek, which belonged to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (A/N: hereafter referred to as the Federal Republic). (TL/N: The Communist Partisians rule the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
These two towns were once insignificant in Yugoslavia.
However, with the division of the two states, the border coincidentally ran right between these cities, making them important military strongholds for both sides.
To prepare for potential threats, both sides stationed large numbers of troops in the area, creating a tense standoff.
The troops stationed here were mainly the respective forces of the two Yugoslav states. The Soviet Union refrained from intervening in this region due to private agreements and the condition that Austria and America would also avoid direct intervention.
For the last six months, despite the stalemate, the situation remained relatively calm.
But on March 2, 1946, the Federal Republic suddenly claimed that the Kingdom of Yugoslavia had crossed the border and launched a surprise attack, prompting it to declare war.
At the time, King Peter II of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was in Vienna on a "state visit" to Austria. When he heard the news, he was completely shocked.
Although Valpovo had a strong military presence, the suddenness of the conflict caught them off guard. Within a day, the city fell.
The forces of the Federal Republic advanced quickly, heading straight for Zagreb, the capital of the kingdom (today's capital of Croatia).
On March 3, King Peter II rushed to Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and found Josh playing golf in the garden.
This former Habsburg royal residence had become Josh's home in Vienna.
"Leader!" Upon seeing Josh, Peter II saluted formally, though he couldn't hide the anxiety on his face.
The young king called Josh "Leader" for a simple reason; he had secretly joined Ouroboros. Though Ouroboros was one of Josh's public identities for the European branch of Hydra, being part of it didn't necessarily mean full affiliation with Hydra.
There was a difference between the two.
"What's the matter? Still not feeling well?" Josh smiled after hitting a birdie and then looked at Peter II.
"Yes!" Peter II nodded without hesitation.
"Don't worry. Everything is going according to plan, isn't it? Let Tito dig himself a deeper hole—it will only strengthen the international narrative in our favor. No need to overthink it." Josh handed his golf club to a servant and casually reassured him.
"...Leader, I want to go to the front!" Peter II hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Josh seemed slightly surprised and looked at the young man, whose handsomeness was only a notch below his own.
Peter II was indeed young—born in September 1923, he wasn't even 23.
Although he was five years older than Josh in actual age, his psychological maturity was far behind Josh's, a young man full of vigor and ambition.
His abilities were not to be underestimated. Five years earlier, while still a minor, Peter II had led a coup against his uncle, Prince Paul, the regent of Yugoslavia, who had aligned the kingdom with the Axis powers.
The day after Prince Paul announced his alliance with the Axis, Peter II overthrew him and purged the pro-Axis forces.
Although this move provoked Germany and led to the invasion and downfall of the kingdom, history proved his decision to be the right one.
Because of this bold action, Peter II enjoyed great respect in Yugoslavia.
Unfortunately, he was overshadowed by the much more formidable Tito. In the original timeline, Peter II became a mere historical figure who fled to America and died in frustration.
Despite his shortcomings, his skills made him a valuable ally, which is why Josh recruited him.
But like most young men, he wanted to make a name for himself.
"If you want to go, then go. I'll assign you as deputy chief of staff for the coalition forces, with the rank of marshal," Josh nodded, granting Peter II's request to go to the front. "However, you must follow Marshal List's instructions in all matters."
For a king like Peter II, the title of honorary marshal was fitting—anything less would have been inappropriate.
The Marshal List Josh referred to was none other than Siegmund Wilhelm List, one of Germany's most prominent former generals.
Though not as famous as the so-called "Big Three" of the German military—Manstein, Rommel, and Guderian—List's abilities were certainly on par with theirs.
He had achieved significant successes and military achievements in campaigns in Poland, France, the Balkans, and the Caucasus.
However, during the later stages of the war against the Soviets, disagreements with Hitler led to his dismissal and stripping of his military ranks.
Now, this former German marshal had become the commander-in-chief of the Austrian Defense Army with the rank of marshal. He was also appointed commander of the Austrian-Kingdom of Yugoslavia coalition forces for the operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The reason for such a role was simple; List was Bavarian and had played a key leadership role in the Bavarian militia during the Eagle's Nest Operation. He was not a blind follower of Hitler. When Hitler treated him wrongly, he retaliated by rebelling.
This attitude saved him from facing judgment after Germany and the Red Skull forces were defeated.
Moreover, during the German occupation of Austria, List had overseen the organization and training of Austrian troops, further deepening his ties with Austria. Thus, it was only natural that he would emerge as a leading figure in the Austrian military.
As for the other former German marshals, while Josh desired their service, he had no feasible way to release them from post-war trials or recruit them into his ranks, as they were neither Bavarian nor Austrian.
Peter II, on the other hand, was somewhat uneasy about working with List.
The reason was simple; it was Marshal List who had once led the invasion that had destroyed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Fate did indeed have a strange sense of humor.
