Ch.183″Mussolini’s attack is blocked by the Ethiopian mountain division.”

# Emperor Haile Selassie’s efforts were well rewarded in the early stages of the war.

The Italian Red Army, having committed its full strength to invade Ethiopia, was confident. General Rodolfo Graziani’s Red Army forces stationed in Somalia quickly occupied northern Ethiopia, but…

“Let’s drive out the Italian invaders!”

“Let’s recreate the Battle of Adwa from 40 years ago!”

Soon after, when they engaged with Ethiopian forces in the highlands, the Italian troops suffered casualties from Ethiopian mountain divisions and were forced to retreat.

Mussolini’s attack had been halted by the Ethiopian mountain divisions.

But the mountain divisions weren’t the only problem.

The Italian forces had to contend with guerrilla attacks from Ethiopian royalist tribes. Even when they managed to break through, they found Ethiopia had stationed large forces armed with Russian weapons, making further advances difficult.

“Damn it. How can they stand against us?”

“I hear the Emperor himself is visiting the soldiers to encourage them in battle. Their weapons are just as good as ours too.”

Unlike Emilio De Bono, the figurehead commander-in-chief of the Ethiopian invasion force, Pietro Badoglio, the de facto commander, thoroughly analyzed the Ethiopian forces while attacking them.

“Does that matter now? Those African natives dare to resist our Red Roman Army!”

Rodolfo Graziani, who in the original timeline had pushed back Ethiopian forces with elite troops and mobility, now faced unexpectedly strong Ethiopian resistance.

This was a direct challenge to the Italian forces.

How could he proudly report victory to the Secretary General at this rate?

“They have numbers on their side. What about using poison gas?”

“Poison gas? Good idea.”

They eventually resorted to poison gas followed by bombing raids in an attempt to annihilate the Ethiopian forces.

While the bombers achieved some results, the poison gas proved useless against the Ethiopian troops.

This was because the Ethiopian soldiers were wearing the latest Russian-made gas masks, as if they had prepared in advance.

Italian infantry, hoping to defeat the Ethiopians with poison gas and bombing support, instead became fodder for Ethiopian PM M1910 machine guns and DS-39 machine guns, which had been developed and improved early through weapons development projects.

“Argh! Then, let’s use tanks!”

They finally tried to mobilize armored units, but Ethiopia didn’t just defend.

Emperor Haile Selassie personally launched an offensive operation called “Operation Lion,” with Ethiopian forces led by T-34 tank units counterattacking simultaneously from the north and south, recovering some territory.

However, Ethiopia’s hasty military modernization left them with insufficient supply capabilities within their own country, preventing them from completely driving out the Italian forces. The Italian army, initially overwhelmed by Ethiopia’s offensive, eventually regained their composure and halted the Ethiopian advance.

But contrary to the initial plan of quick subjugation, a prolonged war was now certain, and this news reached Mussolini in Rome.

“Comrade Secretary General! The Ethiopians have formed defensive lines in the north and south, blocking our army.”

“What? Are you saying they were prepared in advance?”

“Not only that, the Ethiopian Emperor is personally commanding his troops and has repelled our Red Army—”

BANG!

Benito Mussolini, faced with the desperate situation, slammed his fist on the desk, his eyes bloodshot.

Though the Italian forces hadn’t been completely expelled, this humiliation against an African army was unprecedented.

Wasn’t this an even greater humiliation than 40 years ago?

“What? How could we suffer such humiliation at the hands of Africans! Such incompetent fools!”

“It appears they received support from Russia.”

He had suspected something was amiss—Russia again?

Benito Mussolini chewed his lower lip in anger.

“Again. Russia again! That damned witch! Someday I will personally accept her surrender in Moscow!”

“Comrade, what should we do about the Ethiopian invasion—I mean, liberation?”

It was too late to back down now.

Especially when facing an African nation.

Even with Russian support, there must be limits to what they could do.

“They’re just African natives! We must overthrow their outdated Emperor and liberate them as a communist state under my leadership! As long as they’re blocked by our navy, Russia won’t be able to provide further support to Ethiopia unless they intend to go to war!”

Even Russia wouldn’t send troops for Ethiopia’s sake.

That cunning Russian fox somehow knew Italy would invade Ethiopia, but she probably just wanted to see them tear each other apart. She wouldn’t deploy troops for an African nation.

In early 1936, a year later than in the original timeline, the Second Italo-Ethiopian War entered a prolonged phase.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, Germany, there was a festive atmosphere due to the communist revolution in Denmark.

In truth, there wasn’t much of a communist revolution.

Denmark had a relatively strong monarchy, making it difficult to nurture a communist party there over time.

Instead, because the country was small, German People’s Army troops secretly infiltrated at night, quickly took control of Denmark, and established a communist state with the few communists there.

It was suspicious that the Danish king had fled to the German Empire and formed a government-in-exile as if he had known in advance, but at least this was a victory for the communist bloc.

So Karl Liebknecht gathered party members and held a celebration.

Yes, things had been going well until then, but…

“The Secretary General has been ousted!”

“Such traitors!”

With the support of officers from the People’s Army with Junker backgrounds, Joseph Goebbels expelled Karl Liebknecht from the party, and the Free Socialist Republic of Germany saw Joseph Goebbels rise to the position of new Secretary General.

“Your Majesty! I have finally delivered all power to Your Majesty! Please guide this imperial nation on the right path!”

“I shall never forget your loyalty.”

Unlike in actual history, in Japan, Hirohito followed the trend by supporting the Imperial Way Faction, leaving the Control Faction powerless and overwhelmed by the Imperial Way Faction. Finally, the Emperor-centered system was completed.

They pushed policies of intermarriage between Koreans and Japanese to make Koreans subjects of the Emperor, focusing on Korean integration before fully advancing into China.

—

Denmark’s communization. That was a shock for us in Russia.

Honestly, I hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Of course, I had said we should take care of Denmark as much as possible, but I didn’t expect it to go this far.

Even during World War II, they surrendered easily, but I thought they would resist more against communists.

The problem didn’t end there.

After the communist revolution in Denmark, Goebbels staged a coup and ousted Karl Liebknecht.

They even included former Junkers as military officers, so except for a few who escaped to Austria or the German Empire, they probably had a lineup similar to Nazi Germany.

This meant we needed to be on alert.

Though this Germany had no Anschluss, Munich Agreement, or allies, it was dangerous in a different way than Nazi Germany. They had spread the red seed in colonies enough to keep Britain and France busy.

If I had to describe it, it would be like a somewhat weaker Nazi Germany with hypnotic brainwashing abilities. Wouldn’t it?

A battle between Hitler of the Austrian Empire and Goebbels of Communist Germany.

My heart really races thinking about it. They’re both good speakers. I wonder how it will turn out.

Communist Germany’s mobilization order versus the Austrian Empire’s mobilization order. I’d like to hear those speeches.

No, that’s just my personal curiosity.

“What happened to the King of Denmark?”

I asked the Prime Minister while scanning through documents filled with details about Denmark and Germany.

“He fled to the German Empire.”

“He escaped quite quickly.”

“Christian was initially negative about our proposal, but he seems to have known that Denmark’s military couldn’t hold out.”

In the original timeline, when Germany occupied Denmark, he stayed in the Danish protectorate while trying to maintain some dignity and minimum face.

Having been invaded by communists, it’s natural that he would flee.

“I suppose so. East Prussia isn’t far from Denmark, so he can establish a government-in-exile and form an army with those fleeing from Denmark.”

I’m not sure how large it would be for a country of Denmark’s size, but from the current situation, Denmark didn’t have strong communist forces to begin with.

In other words, there are many with anti-communist tendencies who will likely cooperate with the government-in-exile.

With Goebbels rising as the new Secretary General amid this chaos, Danish communism won’t fare well either.

“Feeling threatened by this, Iceland has declared independence with British support.”

These hypocritical countries. War hasn’t broken out yet, but they’re doing everything else.

Wasn’t this supposed to happen during World War II?

Well, “support” is just a word—it’s essentially British control.

They’re probably trying to monitor the Communist German navy’s movements at sea.

Then, we should do what we need to do as well.

“What about our proposals to Sweden and Norway?”

“Sweden and Norway have approved military transit rights and airfield construction.”

“Not bad.”

With Denmark occupied, Sweden and Norway approved Russian military transit and airfield construction.

They must be quite scared.

Trusting Britain is difficult since they know Britain supported Germany, so the Nordic countries would rather trust Russia.

It’s good for the army to come and defend, and although our navy is inferior to Britain’s, it’s enough to protect Northern Europe from the German Red Fleet.

Yes, this should be sufficient.

Denmark has fallen, so what more can we do?

Weren’t Sweden and Norway monarchies too? If so, they should be wary of the communist threat.

For now, we need to protect the remaining Nordic countries diligently.

Moreover, building airfields in Sweden would allow us to bomb Communist Germany from Northern Europe later.

Wouldn’t that be perfect?

By giving up Denmark, we’ve gained influence over the Nordic countries.

Britain probably won’t be pleased, but what can they do?

“They don’t want to be attacked either.”

Especially in Sweden’s case, we need to make an effort.

Adjacent to Communist Germany? Then they need to build up their defenses as best they can.

It’s also important to see how Goebbels’ Communist Germany will act next.

Having consumed Denmark through revolution, they’ll start getting itchy.

If they’re getting itchy, we should scratch that itch for them. When will they start a war?

What if we start a war right now?

With Russia’s current capabilities, we can handle Communist Germany.

It might be better to let them trigger it while Britain is making a mess. Let them attack when they’re overconfident.

We’ve been building up our national power and military for a long time.

What if we beat down Communist Germany if they dare to challenge us? It might be good to just attack and beat them now.

“Your Majesty, our concerns have proven true. Oil is being supplied to Communist Germany.”

So oil is finally flowing to them.

This means Communist Germany might try to fight us, trusting Britain.

Because their biggest problem, oil, has been solved.

In the worst case, Britain might say they’ll remain neutral as long as Germany doesn’t target the Low Countries!

Everyone knows the Anti-Comintern Pact is just words now.

“So Communist Germany’s oil problem will be solved.”

Even Britain wouldn’t support them without thinking. As a colonial empire, coexistence with Communist Germany is impossible.

They want them to fight each other to the death.

They’ll delay their participation as much as possible and join when both sides have suffered heavy damage.

“Should we protest to Britain at this point?”

“They’ll just say ‘It wasn’t us’ and that will be the end of it.”

They’ll probably deny it with some excuse.

Meanwhile, Germany will try to develop oil sources in case Britain cuts off support.

Like developing Libyan oil.

Hmm, then we should finish them before Germany builds up its strength.

“I want to crush Communist Germany quickly.”

I clenched my fist, making cracking sounds.

Ah, I mean I want to beat Communist Germany soon. Honestly, it would be good if nuclear weapons were developed, but it would be better to beat them when we can.

What if they explode with anger management issues now?

If Communist Germany goes crazy and attacks us first, even Britain couldn’t say anything.

“Your Majesty, there’s one problem.”

“What is it?”

Is there another problem besides Germany with its oil issue resolved?

I’m thinking Germany should be dealt with as soon as possible.

“Considering the American Civil War, we need Communist Germany to start the war as late as possible.”

Ah, right. The American Civil War.

America will enter civil war as soon as they’re ready. Was our fortification unnecessary?

Either we finish the American Civil War before it breaks out, or Germany triggers it early so we can beat them quickly.

Either way, the American Civil War will be a hindrance.

“Ah, that’s true.”

I answered with a deep sigh.

If we have to handle the American Civil War too, the European front will inevitably be neglected.

Can Poland or Austria hold out until the American Civil War ends?