Father of France

Chapter 87 The End of the Empire
The French-occupied zone was perfect for Koeman, perfectly covering the borders of Austria, Italy, and Switzerland—one an Axis power and the other a nominally neutral country.

Neutral Switzerland, in particular, was highly deceptive. During World War II, Switzerland used its neutral status to buy up all the gold that Germany had looted from various countries at low prices and then sold it off at cost, helping Germany launder a large amount of money.

After occupying Europe, Germany plundered vast amounts of gold reserves from various countries and collected a large number of Jewish gold and silver ornaments in concentration camps. Germany melted down all of this gold and then stamped it with German symbols.

However, due to sanctions imposed by the Allied powers, Germany possessed gold but had no way to trade it. Switzerland played a crucial role at this time.

Switzerland, as the largest gold trading market in Europe outside of London, has long been a threat to the London gold trading market, and is even nicknamed the "Goblin of Zurich".

During the war, Switzerland used its financial industry to help Germany circumvent sanctions, and the laundered funds were reinvested in Germany's war machine.

Therefore, Switzerland's survival from invasion was far more important than its occupation by Germany, which explains why it remained unscathed while Germany swept across Europe.

With this money, the Germans purchased large quantities of chromium, tungsten, and other strategic materials from Switzerland—materials that other countries would not sell directly to the Germans—to manufacture armor-piercing projectiles and improve armor strength.

Switzerland also supplied Nazi Germany with military products such as machinery, technology, bearings, and electronic equipment. Major Swiss watch manufacturers also supplied precision parts to Germany.

It can be said that without Switzerland acting as a middleman, Germany's war machine would not have lasted until 1945, and Switzerland definitely deserves credit for Germany.

After Germany's defeat, Switzerland was one of the destinations for the German high command to flee to.

Germany had extensive operations and networks in Switzerland, especially since Switzerland already had a German-speaking region. German war criminals could use Switzerland as a transit point to escape to their next destination, even if they arrived under assumed names.

The French-occupied territories in Germany and Austria encompassed almost the entire border between Switzerland and Italy, making it easier to intercept German war criminals fleeing.

“Father, a large number of high-ranking German officials will definitely flee to Switzerland. Those Germans who choose to flee to Switzerland are mostly middle and high-ranking officials who have obtained wealth from Swiss banks. If we intercept them, we can recover a large amount of embezzled funds.”

After leaving General Patton's residence, Corman immediately said to General Dragon, "So we capture German war criminals alive and take their wealth from the Swiss banks. France can use this money in many places now, such as the post-war reconstruction in France or Algeria."

Koeman later saw some data showing that 90% of Germany's gold transactions during the war were with Swiss banks. High-ranking German officials would inevitably flee to Switzerland, and Koeman didn't know how much wealth these refugees possessed, but it must have been considerable.

“You’re really not suited to be a soldier.” General Dragon gave a wry smile. His son, Koman, never did anything pointless, and this time would certainly be no exception.

"No, I've dedicated myself to protecting my country since I was a child." Koman proudly puffed out his chest, but these were two different things.

The biggest beneficiary of his interception of German war criminals was Israel, not France. He wasn't the kind of person who would do it for justice, so of course it was for wealth.

War was just an interlude in Koman's military career. Peace will be the mainstream for a considerable period of time. Contributing to the country in peacetime is free, isn't it?
While advancing south into Austria, the Soviet army, having just concluded its Vienna offensive, was also heading towards its next objective. Security at the front remained a persistent headache; these men, brimming with a sense of honor, had a tradition of disregarding life and death, and those who remotely commanded from the rear were generally seen as incompetent and cowardly parasites. Many Soviet officers of colonel rank fell on the front lines.

The southern part of Germany, including Austria, is in a state of chaos. The remaining German troops that have not yet been annihilated, along with American, French, and Soviet troops, are mixed together, crowding the main roads.

The French army's southward route bypassed Vienna. The Young Division was always lenient, allowing French troops occupying German towns a day before entering the city to maintain order.

This was especially true for the great Soviet ally; Koeman could easily have imagined the current situation in Vienna without even having to guess it.

And indeed, Soviet soldiers, especially many from Siberia or Central Asia, were filled with a plundering desire for this famous European city. They broke into homes and stole watches, jewelry, pianos, and even toilets.

Women smeared their faces with coal dust in an attempt to avoid rape, but to no avail. Factories along the Danube were dismantled, and the machinery and equipment were loaded onto trains and transported to the Soviet Union.

Women and children hid in cellars, surviving by gnawing on tree bark and horse carcasses; in hospitals, the corridors were packed with wounded, and the screams of amputees without anesthesia were deafening.

Soviet soldiers, who considered themselves liberators, engaged in large-scale looting, rape, and retaliatory killings of civilians. Viennese women, who smeared their faces with coal dust to feign illness, still could not escape their fate.

Koeman's unit was headed to Feldkirch in Austria, a town that was ideal for monitoring trade between Austria and Switzerland. Because of its small size, it had a secluded charm compared to Vienna at the time, though this was only on the surface.

The First Army Headquarters has issued an order to promote French language education in the French-occupied territories, and this order will be carried out regardless of whether the Austrians in the French-occupied territories accept it. Alain accompanied Koeman to Feldkisch, while Martin is in charge of transporting the spoils of war back to France and will remain in Munich for some time.

“I don’t understand why French language education should be promoted.” Alain couldn’t understand why the country had such an order.

“Our country does this no matter where it occupies; it must be a matter of habit,” Alain asked Corman. Corman, however, had no choice but to attribute the order to French rigidity.

The environment in Feldkisch was quite good. Although the locals were wary of the arrival of the French army, they lived peacefully for several days, with little change except for the addition of a few checkpoints.

Unlike the tranquility of the small town, Berlin in the north was already resounding with the roar of cannons. This city, a symbol of Germany's glory, was now facing its most severe test. The outer defenses of Greater Berlin had begun to be attacked, and for most people, it was too late to escape.

Only a small number of foreigners are likely to escape unharmed. Swedes, who have good relations with most countries, fall into this category, but even they cannot guarantee their absolute safety.

Soviet soldiers might not have done anything to Swedish citizens, but bullets don't discriminate.

A Swedish woman who was trying to pass through Soviet troops in a farm wagon told Swedish embassy staff that while the Soviets were right in some places, German propaganda seemed more credible.

She added that this didn't surprise her, because she heard the Soviets who intercepted her talking about what the Germans had done in the Soviet Union.

Now, conversely, the Soviet army became equally ruthless when it discovered suspicious German partisan activity.

He was lucky; he managed to escape the melting pot. The Germans left in Berlin were now unable to leave at all. Lack of sleep made people more hysterical and more convinced of fate.

Fewer and fewer people are worried about being reported by the Gestapo for promoting defeatist ideas, because everyone is saying the same thing.

When greeting each other, the preciousness of life replaced the celebration of victory.

Indeed, at this point in time, Germany was completely unrelated to this word that had appeared frequently in the past few years.

The final judgment finally came. With the Soviet Supreme Command issuing the order to attack Berlin, thousands of artillery pieces and Katyusha rocket launchers began bombarding the German positions, turning the land upside down again and again. Even farmers who had been farming for decades could not find fault with the damage.

"Name!" Koeman asked with a stoic, businesslike expression, questioning the German in front of him at the Feldkisch French military base, hoping he would be the first one to slip through his fingers.

Whether the other party was an ordinary German or a hidden war criminal who had already sensed the danger, Koeman certainly hoped it was the latter. Otherwise, why would he come here for no reason? After Feldkisch, he would be in Switzerland.

What's next, Chile or Argentina?
Erich von Steiner answered meekly, "I am Austrian, and I went to Switzerland to stay with relatives because of the war."

"We need to verify where your relatives are in Switzerland," Koeman said with a smile. "Of course, don't misunderstand, some clever German war criminals know that neutral Switzerland is a good transit point, and we certainly know that too. Someone like you..."

As she spoke, she glanced at the dragoon beside Erich von Steiner. The gray streaks in her blonde hair were more noticeable in the sunlight, but her blue eyes remained as calm as an icy lake.

This combination is quite strange; it doesn't seem like an ordinary person coming to stay with relatives.

Although he said he was Austrian, Koeman didn't believe him. "So where in Austria do you live? I've recruited some German translators, not many, but from every Austrian administrative region. Ask them about your hometown. If you can answer that, you can go to Switzerland to stay with relatives."

Koeman's words caused Erich von Stein's expression to change slightly. He clearly saw the ill intent in Koeman's eyes, and he even felt that when the other man looked at his wife, a lewd look flashed in his eyes.

"Please forgive me, but I will have to interrogate you separately." Koman then walked over to the dragoon who called herself Hannah and said, "Ms. Hannah, right? You may not be able to meet until you are cleared of suspicion."

Koeman was absolutely committed to gender equality, treating women the same way he treated men. This attitude alone was enough to make Hannah lose her composure.

(End of this chapter)