Chapter 145: Oil Sanctions
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In Akado’s Führer’s office, Economics Minister Schacht, Navy Commander Raeder, Wehrmacht Commander-in-Chief von Brauchitsch, and Intelligence Chief Gascoigne were holding a meeting with Akado regarding Germany’s energy problem.
“Schacht, Brauchitsch, give me a report on the data regarding our strategic material reserves. I’ve been busy with the takeover of Czechoslovakia these days, and there’s still a pile of affairs to handle in the Eastern Province. I’m swamped,” Akado said, stretching.
He hadn’t slept for two consecutive days. Even in the prime of his life, he felt exhausted. Although his work secretary, Cindra, had reasonably scheduled most of his time, there were simply too many matters to attend to, and Akado was still lacking sleep.
Sometimes, Akado himself felt sorry for those pitiful emperors, especially the famous hands-on ones. While seizing more power, they were inevitably forced to give up a lot of their own time. Those emperors who could fall in love, travel, solve a couple of strange cases, and also happen to be peerless martial artists who could beat ten men with a fan were truly not ordinary people.
Take Akado himself, for example. His best shooting record was currently the seven-ring. Although he was very determined to train his personal abilities, he was defeated by his increasingly tight schedule. Because his personal combat skills were really not up to par, the SS Führer’s Guard Detachment responsible for his personal safety now numbered as many as 700 men, under the command of Anna and Ger.
“My Führer, Merkel achieved great success in Italy. Italy has agreed to join our ‘German-Italian-Spanish Three-Power Axis Pact’ as our ally. Half a month ago, we signed the ‘Oil Energy Transport Agreement’ with Italy on the economic front,” Schacht introduced proudly. “This allows us to utilize the Mediterranean ports more efficiently, and we are protected by the Italian Navy.”
He handed a form to Akado, which was filled with all kinds of data. “We will give Italy five percent of the oil transported to Italian ports as a benefit. This way, the Wehrmacht’s disguised transport units can pass through Italian territory unhindered.”
“After getting his benefits, Mussolini has gained nearly one hundred percent support at home, so he is also very optimistic about our cooperation plan,” he said, pointing to the final tallied numbers on the form. “In the past half-month, because we shortened the voyage and reduced shipping costs, we have rush-shipped 200,000 barrels of oil.”
Brauchitsch continued, “My Führer, the Wehrmacht has 5.1 million barrels of oil in reserve, and about 750,000 tons of gasoline. According to your orders, the navy’s 70 Hercules-class transport ships are continuously shipping oil to Italy.”
“Grey Wolf has sent back news. The British battlecruiser HMS Hood and the battleship HMS King George V are heading to Egypt with several cruisers. It seems the British are finally starting to guard against us. They want to control the Suez Canal,” Gascoigne followed up. “Intelligence shows that the British high command is aware that we are rush-shipping oil back to our country.”
“U-121, responsible for reconnaissance in the south of Britain, has also sent news. They saw this fleet and confirmed that it is heading south,” Raeder said, pointing to a map of the Mediterranean hanging on a blackboard to the side. “The navy is powerless to stop the British actions, not even having the ability to make a demonstration.”
“Italy will not use its navy to fall out with the British over this matter. They will ask the British for certain benefits, and then turn a blind eye to our oil shares in the Middle East being carved up,” Akado said with a sigh. “Mussolini will definitely do this. There’s no doubt about it.”
“In addition to the military’s reserved oil, our country’s civilian oil reserves are about 7.9 million barrels, and gasoline reserves are about 1.6 million tons. Mr. Bosch’s IG Farben company can also provide a certain amount of synthetic gasoline as a supplement every month,” Schacht continued. “As it stands now, if oil imports are cut off, we can maintain a normal oil supply for about a year at most.”
“Our investment in Romania has made some progress. This month, because we occupied Czechoslovakia, we now have a land border with Romania, so we can import a portion of our oil from there. However, this will depend on the Soviets’ attitude, as they have a considerable say in that region,” Akado said helplessly. “This might solve some of our urgent needs.”
“Distant water can’t quench a nearby thirst, my Führer,” Schacht said, shaking his head. “In the next two years, oil imports from Romania will not be able to meet our development needs. Therefore, my suggestion is that you, Führer, personally visit Britain once and try to stabilize the oil source from the Saudi side.”
“It’s too late. With the French fanning the flames, Britain will definitely have to do something this time to stabilize its allies. And the British themselves need to see our promised performance on the anti-communist front,” Akado shook his head. “They are forcing us to pressure or even turn on the Soviet Union.”
Akado forced a smile, picked up a document and glanced at it, then threw it back on the desk. “There’s nothing to be done. The slogan we’ve put forward is ‘anti-Soviet and anti-communist.’ On this point, our interests are aligned with theirs, which is why Britain turned a blind eye to our little tricks under France’s nose. Since we’ve reaped the benefits, it’s only natural that they now want to see our actual actions.”
“So what should we do now?” General von Brauchitsch asked with a frown. “The oil we have in reserve is only enough for us to launch one large-scale offensive. Once we start a war, the initiative will fall into the hands of the British and French! This is something we do not want to see.”
“First, mobilize other transport ships. Do everything possible to rush-ship oil resources from the Saudi side! Transport as much oil to Italy as possible,” Akado said after thinking for a moment. “All transport ships in the vicinity of the Mediterranean are to cancel their leave and unload all their cargo in Italy! Better to let Mussolini have it cheap than to leave it for the British and French.”
He thought for a moment and then continued, “Second, plant explosives in the oil factories we control! If the British and French try to seize them, demolish and destroy them immediately! We must ensure that they cannot use this oil extraction equipment for a short period of time.”
“My Führer, once we blow up the oil equipment, won’t that be indirectly falling out with Britain and France? The Wehrmacht is not yet prepared for an all-out war! This will put us in a passive position. If the war is lost, everything will be over,” Brauchitsch urged anxiously.
“We are not ready, and neither are the British and French! We’re all at the same level,” Akado said with a wave of his hand. “I have prepared a complete set of blueprints and documents for the Siegfried Line for the French intelligence personnel. I have also hired many people on the Franco-German border and built a dozen underground ammunition depots and a large number of fuel depots. These are all proof that the Siegfried Line is impregnable.”
After speaking, Akado stood up, walked to the large map of Europe, pointed to Poland, and said in a firm tone, “Therefore, in the next phase, our main target is here! Once we begin this operation, Britain and France will let down their guard. At that time, they will patiently give us another batch of oil and supplies.”
“That won’t be easy, my Führer,” Gascoigne said from behind Akado. “Poland has signed alliances with both Britain and France. If we make a move against Poland, it will definitely provoke a reaction from Britain and France, and then we will be directly plunged into the terrible situation of a two-front war.”
“And Poland is in the Soviet sphere of influence. Although Poland is still politically inclined toward Britain and France, it is indeed the Soviets’ barrier against the eastward advance of the European powers,” Navy Commander Raeder said. “If we rashly make a move against Poland, it will also cause great hostility on the Soviet side. We might really be doomed beyond recovery.”
“The Soviet side, leave that to Merkel and his people! I want to sign a secret treaty with the Soviet Union and use this treaty to resolve their hostility!” Akado said with great confidence. “I will give the Soviets a reassurance pill! Make them willingly wipe Poland off the map of Europe!”
“And what the Wehrmacht needs to do,” Akado paused, looked at the several key generals in the conference room, and then said with a smile, “is to double the current number of troops in our hands! Before the plan for eastward expansion is implemented, I want an army of two million men! Promote all your squad and platoon leaders. If you can’t provide positions, transfer them to the SS to serve in office! Disseminate their training methods and combat thinking to every soldier’s mind!”
He looked at the stunned generals with a great sense of accomplishment. “Gentlemen! Winning the Spanish Civil War means nothing! The glory of the Germanic nation can only be achieved by stepping on the blood of our enemies, step by step. All you need to do is follow me forward! That’s all for today’s meeting, gentlemen! Later, I will be going to the Reichstag to give a speech, a speech about full-scale military expansion!”
“Heil Führer!” Schacht, Raeder, and Gascoigne saluted.
“I will do my best, my Führer,” Brauchitsch appeared somewhat cautious. He slowly raised his right hand and gave a less-than-perfect German salute.
Akado took the black pure leather trench coat that Anna handed him, draped it over his slightly thin shoulders, and walked toward the door. As he walked, he said, “I hope that on the road to victory, you are not left further and further behind by me.”
