Ch.152The Great Depression (2)

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Right. We might as well go with submarines.

After all, Italy is the only opponent we’d face with our fleet. We can gather all the defeated nations’ fleets later, so let’s focus on increasing our submarine numbers now.

“Your Majesty, what shall we name the submarines being built this time?”

Admiral Kolchak, pleased with the recent fleet expansion, asked with a friendly smile.

“Submarines?”

Though not aircraft carriers, they still seemed to please Kolchak in his position.

“Yes. We’ve developed the latest submarines by extensively developing U-boats.”

The latest submarines.

If they borrowed German technology, they might be far more advanced than the Soviet ones.

Yes. Then submarines would be an even better option.

Names. Names. I do have one in mind.

I snapped my fingers and spoke.

“We are an anti-communist nation. We should rightfully name them after generals who fought against communism. How about the Yudenich-class?”

“General Yudenich would be pleased.”

“Yes, Yudenich isolated the reds in Petrograd and blocked their retreat. Isn’t that fitting for submarines? Let’s go with Yudenich-class submarines.”

In truth, I just called it Yudenich-class because it didn’t really matter.

Originally, during the Russian Empire era, most ships were named after places where the Russian army had won battles.

We can’t exactly use Russian place names where civil war broke out. So naming them after generals is indeed the best option.

Wouldn’t the generals be pleased to have vessels named after them?

“Yes, Your Majesty. General Yudenich would be pleased.”

Yudenich is currently in charge of the Baltic forces.

Since the Baltic states gained independence from Russia and Bolshevik remnants remained there, I assigned the army that had captured Petrograd to guard the Baltic nations’ borders.

Yudenich-class submarines. Hmm. The name is quite unique, but considering that Soviet ships were named after “Revolution-something,” this is much better.

Next are tanks.

“How is the tank situation?”

I asked Mikhail Drozdovsky, who was leading tank production.

Since we were discussing weapons, I had to bring up tanks.

“We’re producing armored vehicles and tanks at the Yekaterinburg Heavy Equipment Factory.”

Yekaterinburg Heavy Equipment Factory.

This heavy equipment factory established in Yekaterinburg could be considered the equivalent of the Ural Heavy Machinery Plant in original history.

“Armored vehicles?”

“The Army Department felt the need for vehicles to transport troops based on civil war experience. They’re armored to respond to potential enemy attacks. We referenced the British Mark V.”

Oh, I wonder if the British Mark V was used as an armored vehicle.

If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to develop combat vehicles?

Infantry fighting vehicles emerged during the Cold War, but there’s nothing preventing us from making them now. They might be old-fashioned but would at least have minimal weaponry.

If we’re already making armored personnel carriers, it seems possible.

“Hmm, what about developing combat vehicles as well?”

“Combat vehicles? We already have tanks—”

“We’ll produce tanks separately. These would be cheaper to produce and maintain than tanks, designed to fight alongside infantry.”

Infantry fighting vehicles.

Of course, Russia has an abundance of people, but if we’re advancing technologically, we should explore various directions.

Even if people grow like crops in this country, relying solely on population isn’t ideal.

A white nation shouldn’t resort to tactics like China, right? Something like that.

Even the Soviet Union, despite its population growth, conscripted women during the German-Soviet war.

I don’t want to create such outcomes.

In original history, Nazi Germany was elite compared to the Soviet Union, trying to crush the Soviet population with combat power and creating a large exchange ratio before eventually being overwhelmed by numbers. I plan to make the Russian United States’ army a large-scale elite force utilizing our substantial numbers.

We’ll crush the Communist Germany, which is weaker than Nazi Germany.

“Not a bad idea.”

“Of course, it should be able to transport a small number of troops, gaining both transportation and combat advantages.”

I’m not sure if this will be developed in this era.

Well, mechanized infantry squads actively using armored vehicles, organized with tank units, would be quite effective in this era.

“Then the Army Department will work on it.”

“And the White Army Department should strengthen cooperation with Hispano-Suiza, especially regarding engine licensing production and weapon technology cooperation.”

Hispano-Suiza designs many things in France.

I don’t intend to leave it that way.

France might become a commune, and I don’t want Hispano-Suiza handing over the latest engines and weapons like machine guns to the reds.

Rather, I want them to come to our side first and provide aircraft engines and mounted machine guns.

A few years earlier than in original history.

Those few years are crucial for military power development.

“Hispano-Suiza?”

“It’s worth the money. They currently make engines and weapons in France, but what happens to Suiza if France turns red? We need them to make what our air force and army need.”

Suiza could fall to the reds.

What could be more important than this?

We’re already producing cars with Suiza’s technology, and the Army Department is getting help with tanks.

Veterans of the civil war would understand the importance.

We must secure the latest technology first.

Who knows? There might be weapon developers who were hidden during the German Empire era but will emerge successfully in Communist Germany.

This doesn’t happen in Russia, but Germany is another matter.

“If the commune takes over France, it will become a munitions factory for the reds.”

“Yes. This would be bad for us. We need to push forward somehow.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

In fact, the Soviet Union also received a license from Hispano-Suiza for the 12Y, which was produced for the French Air Force, and produced it under the name Klimov M-100.

We need more technical cooperation from Suiza.

We should somehow invest money and monopolize it.

Although it’s based in France, it becomes dangerous if France turns red.

It was nationalized by France in 1936 anyway, and continued to produce aircraft engines and automatic weapons for French defense afterward.

Moreover, Hispano-Suiza was divided into three parts during the Spanish Civil War.

Wouldn’t it be better for them to operate in Russia?

This is the big picture for the future.

“Your Majesty, if our country’s military technology advances, other countries might try to steal our secrets. We must be careful, especially since there are Bolsheviks who have pledged loyalty to the United States and are living normal lives.”

Currently, the United States’ main intelligence agency is the Okhrana.

So Boris Savinkov is suggesting we increase the size of the intelligence department?

Indeed, the Okhrana has too many responsibilities for its size.

Recently, they’ve been handling more work in Britain and America than domestically, and they also have a branch in Romania because we’re unsure about Carol’s situation.

“Are you suggesting we increase the Okhrana’s size?”

“No. What if each military department had its own direct intelligence agency? This is something we should do while many are loyal to the current government.”

That’s not wrong.

We executed all the extreme Bolsheviks as examples.

The State Duma includes moderate socialists, but not Bolsheviks.

Perhaps some disgruntled individuals might steal our secrets and deliver them to Germany.

Considering that, it’s not a bad idea.

“Hmm. Not a bad idea. Thinking about the American situation, we need to increase our domestic intelligence agencies. I approve. Prime Minister, please handle it.”

Is Russia just any country?

Its territory is vast, too vast.

We never know how and where spies might infiltrate. So it’s better to increase intelligence agencies.

Since the White Army Department won’t leak secrets, we should create agencies for each department.

“Yes, Your Majesty. However…”

“What is it? Do you have something to say?”

“Are things going badly in America?”

Hmm, looking at the situation, it seems the State Duma is still unaware of the American situation.

I tap the edge of the desk, wondering whether to tell them.

It’s not good to prepare hastily, but what I’m thinking is simply this.

While tanks and armored vehicles are important, the most urgent thing is to prepare for a situation where we can intervene in a war at any time.

With America in that state, we don’t know when civil war might break out.

“And prepare to intervene in a war at any time, just in case.”

“Is war breaking out already?”

The State Duma, which had been basking in national pride just moments ago, suddenly fell silent.

They had heard my prediction about World War II earlier.

They’re probably surprised because of that.

“The Great Depression makes communist countries likely to target us, but communist countries probably aren’t prepared militarily either.”

It’s not that, but about the new communist force in America, the KFC.

The State Duma needs to know to prepare for what’s coming in America.

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Recently, a communist force called KFC has been growing in America. That’s why.”

“It’s because of the Great Depression.”

Well, it’s ultimately Trotsky’s KFC, right?

Isn’t it a powerful racial equality communist ideology that didn’t exist in original history?

“Communists growing in America.”

Everyone seems incredulous.

As civil war veterans, they must know about America.

That country that fed the White Army through the Trans-Siberian Railway is now spreading communist ideology.

This must be hard to believe.

“Of course, we don’t know if this will lead to civil war yet, but considering the leader of the KFC, we must account for civil war. We must intervene to prevent America from turning red.”

The reason of stopping communist expansion should be sufficient.

If Trotsky makes a big move while America fails to properly resolve the Great Depression, we can certainly intervene against America in the current situation.

America’s opinion?

By then, wouldn’t America ask for help?

After all, we’re the only ones preparing for war right now.

“If I may ask, who is the leader of the KFC?”

“The escaped Trotsky.”

I said it in a matter-of-fact, dry voice.

Come to think of it, if that man starts a civil war with the KFC, what happens to the original KFC?

“Isn’t Trotsky a high-ranking Bolshevik?”

“He actively advocated for the execution of the previous Tsar. Shouldn’t we capture him immediately?”

“Yes. That’s why we’re using him. Let Trotsky erode America’s national power, and we’ll intervene for our benefit.”

This is a legitimate justification for Russia’s will to intervene wherever communism arises. This is proper justification.

I wonder how our baldy Lenin feels watching Trotsky being manipulated from hell?

“We should become a great power while America is weakened.”

“Well, I’m sorry for America, but what can we do?”

If they don’t like it, they should respond to the Great Depression, but it’s troublesome if Trotsky responds first.

Personally, I honestly hope Trotsky is a bit more cautious.

He should turn Americans’ hearts without armed struggle and aim for a few years later.

Wasn’t the Tuskegee syphilis experiment conducted from 1932?

That was also conducted on Black people.

Many Black people in Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama, were infected with syphilis but couldn’t receive treatment due to poverty. The U.S. Public Health Service used this for experimentation.

The experiment was to observe what happens when syphilis is left untreated for a long time.

The victims contracted syphilis without knowing, deceived into thinking they were receiving free healthcare from the government.

It’s funny that they conducted such experiments during the Great Depression, and they even collaborated with the Tuskegee Institute, a famous Black university.

So if Trotsky lies low and builds strength underground…

Later, we could use the Okhrana to inform Trotsky’s side about this experiment and have them expose it.

Aren’t you curious what would happen?

Of course, I don’t plan to mention this yet.

Even this might not happen in the history I’ve changed.

They might be too preoccupied with the Great Depression to have the luxury.

Trotsky won’t want to miss this opportunity, and the White House won’t accept depression countermeasures from the red group KFC.

Even without the syphilis experiment, Trotsky could certainly cause trouble using the Great Depression.

“Trotsky doesn’t even know he’s being used.”

The Duma members who understood my deeper intentions smirked.

Right. He’s being used by me.

Having executed the Tsar’s family, he should be used without knowing.

“It’s just one possibility, but looking at the current situation, it seems like it might be earlier than the Spanish Civil War—”

I covered my mouth with both hands mid-sentence.

Glancing nervously around the Duma, I saw everyone focusing on me. I pretended to fiddle with my pen.

“Will civil war break out in Spain?”

Ah, I’ve said nonsense again.

This is really dangerous.

The civil war might not happen due to the snowball effect.

KFC might start a civil war, France might establish a commune, and Spain might try to remain stable. Or Franco might quickly take over Spain.

“No, it’s just that they’re politically unstable with some factions, from what I know. It’s just a feeling.”

I strongly denied it, waving both hands.

Of course, if Germany becomes communist and communes start rising in France, something might emerge in Spain too.

Since the Spanish Republic hasn’t even been established yet, I can’t be certain.

Who knows, due to an unexpected snowball effect, there might not be a civil war in Spain, though I think the Spanish Civil War is almost certain.

Communist Germany will look for countries it can turn red.

And in Europe, Spain, behind France, would be a country susceptible to turning red. This means Germany will nurture the Communist Party within Spain.

Would Franco or José Antonio Primo de Rivera of the Falange just watch?

Rivera was executed during the Spanish Civil War in original history, but we don’t know how things will unfold in this world.

If, just if…

What if we could manipulate Spain from behind?