Father of France

Chapter 29 Air Force Minister
“These Vichy French officials have connections, and Koeman said we can’t use violence,” Alan reminded him, frowning slightly.

"Don't worry, I definitely won't." A mischievous smile appeared on Martin's face, indicating that he would never use brutal methods and that he could completely withstand the test of history.

"How did you manage that?" Alan asked in surprise. Was it a tactic of attrition? But nineteen hours seemed insufficient for an adult male to even wet his pants, as Martin had claimed.
Martin reached out and hugged his comrade, beaming, "I just invited Mr. Mitterrand to listen to music. I put eight phonographs on full volume and played different melodies. Mr. Mitterrand was so immersed in the sea of ​​music that he couldn't pull himself out. It touched his heartstrings and made him repent."

As soon as Alan heard Martin's description, he could picture it in his mind. Sure enough, when it comes to tormenting people, people can always come up with new ideas and demonstrate a strong spirit of innovation.

The Bastille is famous, but it couldn't hold many prisoners. The number of prisoners held there now is more than the number held in the French Revolution a century before.

"The Bastille held over a thousand people, while some less serious German collaborators were held in the facilities of the Paris police station. According to information from the fraternal forces, over two thousand people were found to have been executed by lynching in various places, and tens of thousands of women were humiliated by being stripped and having their heads shaved, though this humiliation was not severe. Moreover, it is certain that most of the women were well hidden. It is initially estimated that over two hundred thousand illegitimate children were born in Germany during the occupation, and the national blood bank program will certainly find all the illegitimate children of unknown origin."

Koman followed Admiral Dragon to the residence that had been found, talking incessantly along the way, and without Admiral Dragon asking any questions, he recounted everything that had happened since returning to the mainland.

The father-son relationship is there for all to see. Koeman himself cannot lose his upright and honest persona. His actions are all for the country, so what is there to hide?
"Coman, are you influenced by Fontaine?" When he heard that Coman wanted to dig out the German illegitimate children and French women from the four years of French occupation, General Dragon frowned slightly, as if the matter was getting a little too far.

"Father, do I look like someone who's influenced by others?" Koman asked with amusement. When did he ever give others that impression?
“That doesn’t seem like it, but where did you get this idea?” Admiral Dragon shook his head slightly. This child is not influenced by external factors, but why keep focusing on this question?

"War kills people, and there's nothing we can do for the dead. But for the living, we must help them live well."

Koeman solemnly stated, "Besides the fallen soldiers, there are also wounded soldiers. A nation cannot send them to the battlefield when war comes and then send them away when the war ends. How can we guarantee the hope of these wounded soldiers?"

Koman shrugged. “I know it’s a bit unfair to these women, after all, not all women are willing to sleep with invaders. But normally, women wouldn’t choose wounded soldiers, so we have to put the label of traitor on their heads first. If they don’t want to go to the Sahara to plant trees, I’ll give them another option. If a soldier who fought for the country is willing to guarantee his honor, that woman can be spared from exile.”

If, like the two main protagonists of the European theater, the Soviet Union and Germany, the number of men killed in action already affected national stability, and regardless of their appearance, they could find partners with decent looks, then wounded soldiers in France wouldn't have to care and could choose their marriage partners at will.

The key point is that France's losses this time weren't actually that great; women still had too many choices.

Corman felt that he had done everything he could under the circumstances in his treatment of the conscripted soldiers. He had been the villain, but he had done the favors for the French women. Wasn't that enough?

While the methods might not be entirely aboveboard, they could be implemented through public opinion guidance and commendation. However, he felt that negative methods would be more effective. Even at the residence arranged by Martin, General Dragon remained lost in thought. The sound of a key unlocking the door brought him back to reality, and he said meaningfully, "You're right, we must first protect the interests of our soldiers."

The large number of wounded men during wartime is a destabilizing factor; even those who survive often experience a significant increase in crime rates. Dragon had witnessed the situation in France after World War I, but he didn't know it was called war syndrome.

"Como should just focus on his studies. The war is none of his business, although for some people, ten-year-olds can indeed go to the battlefield."

After entering the residence, Koman immediately arranged his younger brother's studies. Of course, he didn't forget his stepmother, who was only a year older than him. This was something that couldn't be discussed openly. He followed Admiral Dragon upstairs before asking, "Should we arrange for her to go to the hospital for delivery? Or should Father arrange it himself? Father, do you remember your due date?"

Koeman's nonchalant tone did reduce family conflicts, but from Admiral Dragon's perspective, it was slightly awkward: "I'll talk to the hospital."

That's fine then. Just as Coman was about to leave, he saw Admiral Dragon take out a map, so he thought he could wait a bit.

The obstacle to attacking German territory was the Siegfried Line, which faced the Maginot Line directly. Compared to the Maginot Line built during peacetime, the Siegfried Line had been reinforced during the war, making it exceptionally strong and difficult to breach by force.

Koeman agreed, "So the main attack direction is the Belgian-Dutch line that is now in Operation Market Garden. The Siegfried Line serves a similar purpose to the Maginot Line, forcing the enemy to take a detour. However, we still need to find a way to break through the Saar District. Since we didn't occupy it ourselves, we won't have any say in its ownership in the future."

General Dracon's finger hovered over the Franco-German border, and he said with a troubled tone, "This is really difficult. It's much more difficult than the Italian campaign."

"Germany and Italy have different combat capabilities," Koeman thought to himself. "At best, the Italian army can only launch some defensive counterattacks on its own soil. To put it bluntly, defensive counterattacks mean they have no offensive capabilities."
The initiative was in the hands of the Allies; it depended on whether they wanted to fight or not. If the offensive didn't go well, they would take a break. The Germans, on the other hand, didn't do that.

At this moment, it is estimated that Operation Market Garden is doomed to failure, with British and American paratroopers being relentlessly pursued and attacked by German armored forces.

A day later, General Dragon met with de Gaulle and reiterated his support for de Gaulle's leadership in winning the war. French Communist Party leader Torres also knew that he could not compromise easily, saying, "Our party organized armed uprisings in more than forty cities during the occupation and should not be treated like this."

“The credit is undeniable. The French Communist Party has played its part, and it certainly has a place in the provisional government,” Pompidou calmly advised. “For example, Mr. Charles Dijon, the rebuilt air force needs his leadership, and the military also feels that he is the most suitable candidate for Minister of the Air Force.”

(End of this chapter)