Chapter 113

The Austrian government finally understood its situation in July 1933. The British and Western European powers finally abandoned them in order to let Germany "move eastward". The French are struggling in the economic crisis and the bottomless hole of the Maginot line, and they can't take care of them for the time being. At the beginning, the Soviets secretly flirted with Germany and sold the sudetende region of Austria and Czechoslovakia to the Germans. Italy, the only country that opposed Germany's annexation of Austria, changed its mind after Mussolini's visit to Berlin and began to support the German plan. After some discussions in Congress, the Conservatives suppressed the hardline President Roosevelt and chose to support the German "peaceful" rise.

The despairing Austrian government had to play the most sensible card of public opinion, hoping to rely on the will of the people to prevent itself from being annexed by the powerful Germany. The determined Austrian government announced that a referendum would be held in September 1933, in which the people would choose whether to join Germany or remain independent.

But then, under the pressure of the strong international situation and the aggressiveness of German diplomats, they signed a compromise transition treaty with the German government, which stipulates that "the Austrian government must act under the principle of recognizing itself as a Germanic country."

Austria hopes that such an agreement can ease the relationship between the two countries, delay the timetable for Germany's annexation of Austria, and achieve the purpose of delaying observation. When the international situation changes and the Western European powers come out of the economic crisis, they can naturally stand up to stop the German expansion ambition.

Unfortunately, akkado did not intend to give the Austrian government such an opportunity. After receiving the promises of several major countries, he began to grasp the deployment of annexing Austria.

On a fine morning on August 25, 1933, the officers and several soldiers on duty at the Austrian border checkpoint saw a large army coming into Germany.

There are military trucks one after another on the road. There are a large number of horses and cavalry on both sides of the road. Tanks and armored vehicles can even be seen in the rear of the truck troops.

An open top Mercedes Benz military car was rickety and stopped only a few dozen centimeters away from the border between the two countries. The door was opened. A major officer of the national defense forces stepped out of the car, took off his gloves and took two guards with submachine guns to the door of the Austrian checkpoint.

"Good morning! I'm major Hoffman of the independent Panzer training battalion of the 25th panzer division of the national defense forces. I've been ordered to take control of this place and advance to Vienna. " The major said as he walked into the checkpoint, found a chair and sat down: "don't make unnecessary resistance, it will only make more Germanic compatriots bleed."

"Major, I have no orders to allow you to enter the country!" The Austrian officer frowned and said, "you are invading."

"This morning, Vienna was besieged by * elements and formally submitted an application for protection to the German government." Major Hoffman said casually, "now there is no Austria, only the eastern province of Germany."

"I'm sorry! I didn't get any information about it! If you insist on entering Austria, we will fight back! " The Austrian officer said as he touched the pistol at his waist.

Two German guards had aimed their submachine guns at him, but major Hoffman seemed to disagree. He waved his hand: "don't be so nervous. I got up a little early today. In a few minutes, you'll get the order to let go. So you'd better wait and make a decision, so as not to take your own life. "

While he said this, he pointed to the troops with no less than 300 people outside, as well as the tanks behind them: "you see, if we attack directly, you don't have any chance to fight back. If we don't fire directly, we just want to protect our fellow Germanic people. Isn't this sincerity enough to explain the problem?"

The Austrian officer nodded and moved his hand away from the pistol. He pulled a chair and sat down by the phone, tapping his fingers on his desk and looking at major Hoffman. It has to be said that the uniforms of German armored forces are so handsome!

"Bell, bell, bell." As expected, it didn't take long for the telephone to ring, and the Austrian officer grabbed the receiver: "this is the border checkpoint! We have a German team that wants to pass. What's going on? "

"Let go! They are not enemies The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds, with helpless and unwilling tone, slowly said: "now Vienna is in a mess, many conflicting orders are issued everywhere."

"God, what happened?" The Austrian officer's hand trembled with the receiver.

"The government has just ordered that the German armed forces be allowed to enter Austria in order to avoid more blood from the Germanic people, but he once again reiterated that the September referendum will not be cancelled." The man on the other side of the phone sighed and hung up.

Listening to the busy voice on the phone, the Austrian officer didn't turn around, but took out his pistol and photographed the side of the phone in front of everyone, making a "Dong".

"Lay down your arms! Let them have it here! " With that, the Austrian officer went out. Behind him, several Austrian soldiers also handed over their guns and ammunition, and reluctantly walked out of their border checkpoint.

Major Hoffman raised the corner of his mouth and gave the order to the adjutant who came in: "take your men and move east. Control all the facilities, factories and barracks you encounter! Take command of these places. Go The adjutant nodded, took a few soldiers out of the checkpoint, the car on the road started to start, with a burst of dust and smoke, the cavalry rode forward, the whole border checkpoint once again lively up, tanks and armored vehicles one by one across the original border, heading for Austria“ Sign it. " A German diplomat pressed the document in front of Austrian leader schuschnig, with an arrogant expression: "believe me! You have no better choice! The world has recognized that Austria belongs to Germany! No one will fight for Austria and Germany! "“ I won't sign any document without a referendum! I can't go against my conscience Shuschnig said, shaking his head. The German diplomat snorted coldly: "are you not crying when you don't see the coffin? Prime Minister akado has ordered that the referendum in Austria will be held ahead of schedule tomorrow, and all German people have the right to vote for the ownership of Austria. " Shuschnig was stunned, and then his face became ferocious: "you are cheating! Why count the Germans? This referendum should be the decision of the Austrian people! You are blackmail“ Prime Minister akado believes that since the future of the Germanic people is decided, it is up to all the Germanic people to decide! Austria cannot be independent of Germany! We believe that this is the wish of all the German people! It's also the wish of the German people in Austria! " The diplomat handed the pen to schuschniger: "as for you! It's the best choice to hand over your power and go to the country to find a house for the rest of your life! "“ I have said that! I won't sign if I die! Even if I am the only Austrian willing to shed blood for independence and freedom! It also proves that some Austrians fought for the truth! " Shuschnig said angrily“ Noble! Great The diplomat laughed: "but stupid." A German official came into the room and reported to the German diplomat: "sir! Vienna is already under our control. The 25th Division has taken control of all important areas, and the Austrian forces have all been disarmed. "“ No, sir The diplomat pointed to the Austrian leader schusnig sitting in his seat: "the Germanic people have returned to the embrace of their motherland! But here's another Austrian who won't surrender! " The commander raised the corner of his mouth, took out his pistol and pointed it at schuschnigger's forehead“ Wait Schuschniger turned pale“ Bang!... " The gun went off. The commander shrugged helplessly: "sorry, you said it was late." For Germany's de facto leader, akkado? For Rudolph, September 15, 1933 was a day of unprecedented glory. The German leader has always taken a strong German state as his slogan and goal, and today, when he came to Vienna with his army to announce the "merger of Germany and Austria", he really did everything he said. He was warmly welcomed by thousands of people. Akkado came to the capital of Austria from Linz, where his temporary headquarters is located. 40 tanks drove in front of him, and the police cars full of officers served as guards. Along the way, he was welcomed by followers of the great German Party from all over Austria. For most of the road, akado stood in the open top car, dressed in a black SS uniform, waving almost hysterically to the fanatical supporters. Many of his supporters are waving German flags. Some members of the great German Party sewed the German flag on the Austrian flag“ What we feel at this moment, "akkado declared in the streets of Vienna, waving his hand," is also the common feeling of all other Germans! No matter what happens, the United Germany that we claim today will never be divided by anyone and will never be in a state of division. " the second day. Akkado and the Austrian military signed a decree that he, as the German prime minister, will be the acting commander-in-chief of the Austrian army. All Austrian soldiers must swear to be loyal to the chairman of the great German Party, the national leader who leads more than 70 million Germanic people.