The Third Reich Under the Banner of a Thousand Words The Third Empire Volume 3: Song of Iron and Fire Chapter 24: Executing Operation Black (I)

  In the late afternoon, the plane landed in Munich, where Xu Yang and others were greeted by Heidrich, head of the security department, and Paul Hausser, SS-Obergruppenführer of the Führerbegleitkommando.

  Xu Yang had heard many legends about Hausser before, but this was the first time he saw him. During World War I, Hausser served in Wilhelm's army and was wounded. He served in almost all departments of Germany, joined the Sturmabteilung after retiring from the army, became a district leader of the Sturmabteilung, survived the purge of the Sturmabteilung, transferred to the Waffen-SS, was ordered to establish the SS officer school, became the principal of the SS military academy, and soon promoted to commander of the SS brigade.

  Hausser had once been an observer in the experimental regiment formed by the Reichswehr, at which time Xuyang had already graduated and was transferred to the 1st Armored Division to work with Guderian. During Hausser's tenure as an observer in the experimental regiment, he was inspired to suggest that Hitler form his own armored force. Under Hitler's instruction, he began to prepare for the formation of the Kempf Armored Division, which would be composed of a mixture of Reichswehr and SS troops, and was appointed as the division's chief of staff.

  At this time, Hausser was wearing the uniform of an SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer, with a Second Class Iron Cross on his chest and a First Class Iron Cross hanging from the ribbon around his neck. These two decorations were earned by him in World War I for bravery. Like many others, Hausser always wore them in the most conspicuous place - it was an emblem of honor!

  Heidrich, with his blue eyes, aquiline nose, broad shoulders, slender figure and pale skin. His elegant demeanor, handsome face, robust physique, all perfectly coordinated, truly a favorite of the gods. It is said that he was an athletic genius, proficient in fencing, horseback riding, flying, and skiing. However, the feeling he gave people was one of darkness, opposite to sunlight, this head of the Imperial Security Bureau, whom people secretly referred to as the devil.

  The two stood with impeccable posture, watching as Xu Yang and the others walked down from the plane, standing upright with their right arms raised at a 45-degree angle, hands clenched into fists pointing forward, performing an extremely standard Nazi salute. The two slightly lifted their heads, opening their mouths to shout: "Heil Hitler!"

  Himmler, Helena and their entourage stood up reflexively, raised their right arms at a 45-degree angle, with fingers closed and pointing forward, and shouted loudly: "Heil Hitler!"

  These people are very proud. They have reason to be proud, because they have gone from having nothing to now having power in Germany.

  Xu Yang and Joseph stood out in the crowd of people giving the Nazi salute, their faces calm but feeling a bit desolate. Now throughout Germany, except for soldiers in the national defense system, almost all Germans consider the Nazi salute to be an essential courtesy, and not following it in public is even considered unpatriotic and un-German.

  "Attention, Sturmführer!" Hausser had once been a member of the Defense Forces and no longer gave the military salute. He gave the impression of being very straightforward, not one to bend or twist, perhaps this was why Hitler liked him. "Party regulations clearly state that when subordinates give the raised-arm salute to superiors, the superior must return a standardized raised-arm salute." His meaning was clear: he was dissatisfied with Xu Yang and Joseph for not returning the salute.

  At this time, G?ring got off the plane and looked very excited. "Hermann is still a hero of World War I, my flying skills are impeccable!" Seeing everyone standing still on the spot, divided into two clear camps, somewhat unclear about the situation, "What are you doing?"

  Xu Yang held his head high, "I am a glorious national defense soldier!" After finishing speaking, he stood at attention and saluted, with sharp eyes and an unyielding expression.

  Hausser was like a bull, "Your Excellency, don't forget your other identity: Your Excellency, the Munich SS leader!" He stubbornly walked up to Xu Yang, using all his strength to stand upright again, raised his right arm 45 degrees, with his fingers together and pointing forward, shouting: "Heil Hitler!"

  The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat eerie. Heydrich wanted to step out to ease the tension, but unfortunately his identity did not allow him to make such a move. On site were Luftwaffe Field Marshal Hermann G?ring, SS National Leader Heinrich Himmler, Adolf Hitler's chief secretary Helena, and he, as head of the Imperial Security Agency, could only stand quietly in place.

  Xu Yang did not intend to yield, he stood expressionless in a defensive military posture.

  Joseph's expression was stiff, he understood that Xu Yang had to make his position clear. If Xu Yang responded with a raised hand salute, it would have too many meanings. The first message it would convey is that the German army officially surrendered, and the national defense army's stance would no longer be firm. This gesture contained too much, the only certainty was that if Xu Yang responded with a raised hand salute, the faith of many people in the country of Germany would be cracked.

  Everyone's eyes were focused on Xuyang. Xuyang could feel a sense of oppression, and he suddenly felt isolated, wondering: Was he being implicitly forced to make a statement?

  "Honor belongs to the national defense army!" Xu Yang put down his arm, turned red in the face and turned around to leave. Joseph followed closely behind, and the two figures looked extremely lonely at this moment.

  "Hoessler failed!" Hoessler did not complete the task assigned by Hitler.

  G?ring, Himmler and Helena stared at each other in surprise, none of them having received any prior notice.

  Heidrich finally had the opportunity to speak, and he came before his superior, "Himmler, Supreme Leader, I am now formally transferring command of the Special Action Squad!" He was referring to the soldiers standing around him in black uniforms.

  ……

  A group of people arrived at the Nazi Party headquarters in Munich when Himmler, Heydrich and Haussel were immediately summoned by Hitler.

  Hausser reported everything that had happened at the airport to Hitler and humbly expressed his willingness to accept punishment.

  Hitler's face was expressionless as he asked Heydrich, "What have you found out?"

  Heidrich stepped forward, "My Führer! A telegram has arrived from Martin Bormann, a member of the Central Political Bureau. It has been discovered what Heinz intends to do. Section III and Department IIia have also confirmed that Heinz was rescued by Leeb."

  Hitler didn't want to hear this, he nodded and said nothing more.

  "Heiderich hesitated before speaking, "My Führer, the facts are more serious than we imagined. The Wehrmacht system has expressed reservations about your plan to annex Czechoslovakia within a year. General Karl-Rudolf Gerd von Rundstedt, commander of the Berlin III Military District, explicitly stated that without an order from the High Command, he would not accept any government directive. Field Marshal Fritsch has already drafted a contingency plan for the Wehrmacht, and if it is implemented, the Wehrmacht will no longer accept any government directives."

  "Himmler understood what he had to say now, he stepped forward and said confidently: 'My Fuehrer, your loyal subordinate, the Reichsfuehrer of the SS Himmler, with 18 million SS soldiers under his command, will await your orders at any time!'"

  Helena handed out the documents to everyone in a timely manner and introduced: "This document is a plan personally formulated by the leader."

  Everyone looked at him with rapt attention as he unfolded his plan, 'My Leader', a tale of wonder; outlining the course of various events.

  Himmler will be extremely busy for a while, he has many things to do.

  The plan referred to by Hitler as the "Black Plan" was put into effect, targeting numerous generals in the Wehrmacht. Another plan was also discussed that evening, with Hitler feeling that Jews living in Germany had it too good for the past few years.

  With the Holy See's Reichskonkordat, Hitler stopped his persecution of Jews for nearly seven years, and despite the constant forced emigration of Jews to other countries, many Jews still survived on German soil, and under the protection of Junkers and financiers, they lived quite comfortably.

  Since it had been established that R?hm and the SA were plotting something, Hitler felt that the pact with Roehm was no longer necessary. He would start a purge, letting Germany hear only one voice, and the Jews and those generals of the Reichswehr who had always opposed the Nazi Party would be the first victims of the 'Black Plan'!