Chapter 1693 Warsaw Military Parade

Nuclear weapons, strategic weapons that disrupt the balance of power, would render all of East Africa's current war preparations meaningless should they appear in Germany. The enormous sums East Africa has invested in preparing for war are already astronomical, even impacting its own economic development.

This money was invested in order to secure East Africa's new international status and broader interests in the future.

Therefore, East Africa would do anything to offend Germany in advance and thus prevent German nuclear weapons from appearing on the battlefield of World War II.

...

Warsaw, Poland.

The formal commencement of the joint Axis military exercises instantly made Warsaw, the Polish capital, the focus of attention across Europe at the end of 1938.

The streets of Poland are devoid of their usual hustle and bustle, replaced by solemnity and reverence. Steel and military forces are concentrated in this Eastern European city, as if demonstrating to the world.

The flags of Poland and Germany, among other countries, are displayed on windows along the streets of Warsaw and on landmarks, showcasing the deep "friendship" between Poland and Germany.

The entire city of Warsaw seemed to have transformed into a giant military camp.

From the streets of Warsaw to Alexanderplatz in the city center, Axis soldiers in gray uniforms formed what appeared to be an endless sea.

They were arranged neatly according to their branches of service—infantry, armored, artillery, engineers, and communications—a visual feast for military enthusiasts.

European dignitaries and journalists were seated on special viewing platforms, their cameras constantly flashing, and their pens flying across notebooks as they recorded this historic spectacle.

On the makeshift viewing platform, members of the Axis powers waited leisurely and expectantly for the military parade to begin.

Italian Prime Minister Benito, however, was uninterested and showed little enthusiasm, while British Prime Minister Chamberlain and many other non-axis states' leaders were even more restless.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Adolf officially arrived at the scene, and everyone stood up to greet the leader of Europe's leading military power.

"Prime Minister Adolf, we have been looking forward to your arrival for a long time." Polish President Piłsudski, as the host, was listed first, and Adolf nodded in acknowledgment.

"Adolf!" Benito forced a smile and extended his hand to shake hands briefly with Adolf. Adolf didn't notice Benito's dejection. He and Benito were old acquaintances, so they exchanged a few pleasantries.

Next, during Adolf's visit to Warsaw, the person he was particularly interested in was undoubtedly British Prime Minister Chamberlain, whom he approached.

"Mr. Chamberlain, welcome to Warsaw. I believe that this time Germany and Great Britain will be able to make new progress and contribute to the cause of peace in Europe."

Adolf's words calmed Chamberlain, who was initially somewhat nervous.

In his mind, this was a gesture of goodwill between Adolf and Britain, and that the joint military exercises and parade with Germany were simply aimed at the Soviet Union.

He smiled and said, "If Your Excellency thinks this way, it is a blessing for all of Europe. We in Britain are also full of expectations for the peace in Europe today and hope that this stable order can continue."

By this time, Chamberlain was no longer so resistant to the strength of the German army.

Chamberlain believed that peace in Europe should refer more to Western Europe, and that a war between Germany and the Soviet Union would not constitute a disruption of peace in Europe.

The Soviet Union was not a purely European country.

Moreover, Britain originally hoped to divert the trouble eastward, causing Germany and the Soviet Union to go to war, so that they could remain in a position of power.

However, without Adolf's explicit statement, Chamberlain clearly had some concerns about the Warsaw military parade and Germany's military exercises in Eastern Europe.

Now that Adolf has said he wants to strengthen relations with Britain and maintain peace in Europe, this can be interpreted as Germany not being hostile to Britain.

As for "peace," Chamberlain clearly understood that the recent German demonstrations in Eastern Europe were not aimed at achieving genuine peace.

However, he didn't care about that; all he needed to know was Germany's attitude towards Britain.

Adolf: "Regarding the issue of peace, I think we will have a lot to talk about after the parade. Until then, let's enjoy the display and performance of the most powerful military force that will defend peace throughout Europe!"

Chamberlain gladly accepted Adolf's invitation and other European dignitaries took their seats.

Adolf was about to give a new speech, speaking into the microphone and facing the invited crowd in the square and the Axis soldiers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, on this vibrant morning, we gather here in Warsaw, this ancient and historic European city..."

"Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and other countries are committed to maintaining peace and development in Europe, but Europe is not peaceful right now."

"Evil forces and ideas are gathering in the shadows, constantly and greedily eyeing the land of Europe, attempting to erode and enslave the whole of Europe."

"In order to deter this evil force and ideology, and in order to safeguard peace and freedom in Europe, we, Germany, and our partners, are willing to make our own contributions."

"This Warsaw military parade and joint military exercises with Eastern Europe demonstrate our stance: to tell our enemies that victory belongs only to the great people of Europe and the defenders of freedom! Long live victory! Long live peace!"

A burst of enthusiastic cheers immediately erupted in the square, spreading like a tsunami from afar.

"Long live peace! Long live victory!"

Even the Polish people were infected by this atmosphere and couldn't help but shout along. Like the German soldiers, they saluted the podium with Roman salutes and were caught up in the frenzy.

"This is insane!" The East African ambassador to Poland thought to himself from the stands. He knew very well that Adolf's speech had nothing to do with so-called "peace" or "freedom," but was instead accelerating Europe toward the abyss of war.

Adolf's speech, which almost unabashedly listed a certain major Eastern power as an enemy, was tantamount to a direct provocation against the Soviet Union.

It is conceivable that the already strained relationship between Germany and the Soviet Union would worsen further, until neither side could tolerate the other's existence any longer, inevitably leading to the outbreak of war in Europe.

The so-called defenders of freedom are also nonsense. The social atmosphere in Germany itself is quite oppressive. At least compared to Britain and France, Germany is definitely a dictatorship and a country with no freedom of speech.

Therefore, Adolf's words should be interpreted in reverse: he longed for war and hoped to bring all of Europe into the system and rule of present-day Germany, so that all of Europe could only have one voice, that is, the voice of Germany.

If East African diplomats were merely ecstatic about the speech, people in other countries were utterly uneasy.

Inside a building on Warsaw's Parade Ground, a Soviet intelligence officer angrily declared, "That madman Adolf is leading all of Germany toward utter ruin."

"We must immediately relay this message back home, report Germany's wolfish ambitions to Moscow, and assure you that our motherland is invincible!"

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Chamberlain and the French were secretly delighted by Adolf's highly instructive speech.

The French, in particular, were unwilling to go to war with Germany. Now that Adolf had openly turned his attention to the Soviet Union, France should be safe and sound!

Adolf was very satisfied with the crowd's performance. His gaze swept across the stage, observing the expressions of the invitees from various countries, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

After the cheers subsided, he regained his solemn expression and announced, "The military parade shall now begin!"

At Adolf's command, the military band in the square immediately began to play magnificent music, "Horst Wessel's Song," which is also the party anthem of the German National Party.

Accompanied by deep and powerful music, the reviewing troops began to enter the field in an orderly manner. The flags of the Axis powers, led by the German flag, marched past the reviewing stand with crisp and clear steps.

In order, they are Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the Ottoman Empire...

Apart from Poland, which was the host country and therefore ranked first, the order in which the flags of other countries appeared was basically based on their national strength and their influence within the Axis powers.

Adolf and other Axis leaders raised their hands in greeting to the flag bearers from the reviewing stand.

Next came the infantry formations, led by the German Wehrmacht, with German soldiers carrying Mauser rifles and marching in perfect unison to receive the inspection.

The gray steel helmets reflected a cold light in the sunlight, and the faces of the German soldiers also carried a grim and murderous air.

They marched forward with a precise pace of 120 steps per minute, moving through the streets of Warsaw with a magnificent and indomitable spirit.

Everyone held their breath, staring in awe at this disciplined and terrifying army. The aura they exuded made them feel an invincible force from the depths of their hearts.

The sound of military boots striking the ground echoed across the road, steady and powerful, as if the whole of Europe was already beneath their feet.

Faced with the might of the German army, even the military officers from various countries who were observing the ceremony were filled with awe and admiration. Some even turned pale when faced with this highly disciplined army that exuded a strong fighting spirit.

Following the German Wehrmacht infantry formations were infantry formations from other Axis powers, creating a stark contrast.

They were far inferior to the German Wehrmacht in terms of momentum, and their movements appeared somewhat chaotic, but no one underestimated them either. Among the Axis powers, only the Ottoman Empire and Romania performed poorly; the other countries were excellent, and Germany was also a perfect score.

Overall, the Axis infantry phalanx delivered a result that would satisfy the vast majority of people, and Adolf enjoyed the moment, especially given the German army's outstanding performance.

In contrast, Benito, who was standing next to him, did not look so good.

Benito was dissatisfied even before the parade began, because once he arrived in Warsaw, he already knew that Germany had stolen the limelight.

Although Italy also participated in the Warsaw military parade, it was difficult for Italy to surpass Germany in terms of numbers, discipline, or weaponry.

However, no one seemed to care about Benito's feelings at the moment; everyone's attention was focused on the parade ground as the infantry marched by.

A deep, rhythmic roar came from afar, the sound of hundreds of engines operating simultaneously, accompanied by the screeching of metal tracks grinding against the concrete pavement. It grew closer and louder, like the prelude to a steel torrent, making the windows of the buildings along the street tremble slightly.

They were arranged in perfect columns, moving slowly eastward along the street, their metallic surfaces reflecting a cold gleam in the sunlight.

They displayed the power of conquest and destruction.

Like a torrent of steel, it surged until it engulfed the entire continent and destroyed any force that stood in its way.

Each tank's turret side was painted with the Iron Cross, and German soldiers sat upright in the turrets with serious and proud expressions.

This aesthetic, imbued with machinery and violence, captivated and filled the Germans present with pride, and even the Polish people were completely immersed in the worship of German military power.

The entry of German armored forces brought the parade to its climax.

Chamberlain remarked to the British official beside him, “I have never seen such perfect military machines. Their formation is so orderly, their engines roar so synchronously, as if these steel behemoths were part of the same monster.”

"Hopefully these steel behemoths will never be used against us, but rather their turrets will be pointed towards the Soviet Union."

Following the armored forces were the artillery units of the Axis powers. The main participants this time were only Germany and Poland. Germany's artillery equipment was diverse, with all kinds of calibers.

Each artillery piece was towed by a standard tractor, demonstrating the German army's fully mechanized logistical capabilities.

In contrast, Poland's artillery formation was merely a supporting element to Germany's display. Poland was the host country for this parade, which allowed them to organize an artillery display, a privilege not afforded to other countries.

Even so, German artillery still reminded Europe of World War I; these kings of war were chilling to behold.

As the artillery formations slowly passed through Alexanderplatz, a massive formation of hundreds of aircraft flew overhead, their engines roaring deafeningly, which once again drew cheers from the crowd.

German Air Force Commander-in-Chief Göring was very satisfied with the performance that the air force had meticulously prepared.

He proudly told the person next to him, "That's our air force, the best air force in the world."

The Warsaw military parade was very well organized by the German government, perfectly showcasing the strength of the German army and air force.

German and Axis news media also perfectly recorded every detail of the parade, from the soldiers' pace to the cheers and slogans of the crowd. Newspapers, radio, and newsreels provided comprehensive coverage, spreading the parade to the world.

Countries such as Britain and France also reported on the parade, praising the strength of the German army and calling on Germany to use this military force for peacekeeping.

Conversely, Germany's enemy, the Soviet Union, naturally gave a completely opposite account of the parade.

Some French news reports, wary of Germany, stated: "They are preparing for a war, while people are celebrating. God bless Europe."

The Soviet newspaper Pravda described it as follows: "The Germans have assembled an army capable of destroying the existing order in Europe. Today we must face the reality that the balance of power on the European continent has been completely broken."

(End of this chapter)