Under the protection of the SS, Reinhard survived this dangerous assassination basically unscathed.
Although seven soldiers of the 0th SS Division died due to poisoned bullets, the killer also paid a greater price.
Except for Stauffenberg, who was stunned by the grenade explosion and was captured, the other killers, including Coulson, were killed on the spot.
This kind of ending is actually a very good one.
Originally, Stauffenberg and the others planned to assassinate the three giants of the empire, including Reinhardt, Steve, and Ross, the central souls of Germany.
However, after finding that the difficulty was too great, Stauffenberg chose to compromise. He and the resistance organization chose to do the next best thing and prioritize the assassination of the most important head of state, Reinhardt. After that, they would use the chaos of the head of state's assassination to find opportunities.
Kill Steve and Ross.
In the end, even Reinhard was not successfully assassinated by them. The seven loyal SS soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Führer used their lives to fulfill their oath when they joined the SS and serve the Führer.
They gave their lives to protect everything they swore to protect.
"This is... Claus von Stauffenberg, right?" Reinhardt, who was lucky enough to escape the assassination, walked up to the prisoner surrounded by the guard battalion of the 0th SS Division.
Suddenly pointed out.
Although Reinhardt could not remember Stauffenberg's appearance clearly, Stauffenberg's characteristics and general image were very easy to identify.
Blind in his left eye, single-eyed in his right eye, his right arm completely broken, and only 3 fingers left on his left hand. This is the classic image of Stauffenberg, who is famous in history.
Coupled with the other party's connection with the assassination of the head of state, Reinhard almost subconsciously recognized his identity.
However, Reinhard didn't understand. Even if it was okay for Stauffenberg to be injured earlier than historically, it would still be unjustifiable for him to assassinate the Führer according to history, right?
"I didn't provoke you?!" Reinhard complained in his heart with grievance. He didn't start the Soviet-German war, so he shouldn't be blamed for the war, right?
As for the Battle of Britain, others have declared war. Is there any reason not to fight? Besides, the Battle of Britain was very successful, and London is about to be captured. This shows that there is no problem with Reinhardt's strategy.
In addition to Reinhard, even more puzzled were the accompanying SS officers such as Accardo.
"Führer, do you know this disabled assassin?" Accardo asked in surprise and confusion.
In his opinion, Reinhard should not know such a small person in front of him. This assassin is actually not comparable to all the famous figures under Accardo's influence.
How did the Führer meet the killer?
Hearing Accardo's doubts, Reinhardt didn't pay much attention.
This was not a big problem. He didn't even bother to make up a good reason and replied: "He used to be a member of the General Staff, and I happened to meet him. Later, I happened to see that he was transferred in a document.
Information about going to Africa to fight, so I deepened my impression and wrote down this person."
After all, it wasn't an important doubt. Accardo just asked casually, so Reinhardt's words were basically not doubted.
Of course, it is impossible for anyone among the officers and soldiers of the 0th SS Division present to question what the Führer said.
"Then this is General Rommel's subordinate?" Although Accardo did not know Stauffenberg, he did know Rommel, who was Reinhard's confidant, and knew that Rommel was the supreme commander of the German troops in Africa.
official.
"Probably." Reinhard nodded.
Hearing this, a bad thought suddenly flashed through Accardo's mind, and then he looked at Reinhard with some worry.
After struggling for a while, Accardo tentatively asked Reinhardt: "My head of state, although I shouldn't say this, does this matter have something to do with General Rommel? If this killer
He was really a subordinate of General Rommel, and the assassination incident..."
"The assassination should have nothing to do with Rommel." Reinhard waved his hand very reassuringly, interrupting Accardo's suspicion and said: "I believe General Rommel, and he has no reason to be disadvantageous to me."
Indeed, the current situation is completely different from that of 1945 in history. Germany is not in a desperate situation, and it is still able to cope with the two-front war for the time being. At this moment, Rommel has no motive to betray Reinhardt at all.
From Rommel's point of view, what he hopes most now is to be one of his three famous generals under Reinhardt. He will first defeat the British army in Africa and avenge his humiliation, and then strive to become the conqueror of Africa with the title
Field Marshal of the Empire!
Without Reinhard, Rommel would never have been recognized by those factions who claimed to be orthodox and traditional Prussian military nobles and those who graduated from traditional military academies, given Rommel's background.
After all, in the eyes of those in that faction, a grassroots faction like Rommel, who had worked his way up from the grassroots level and had not gone through systematic study in a military school, was simply not worthy of commanding an army of more than one division, let alone winning the honor of marshal.
Yes, Rommel relied on his experience in front-line combat to refine his flexible tactical command. He was good at finding breakthroughs, conducting mobile warfare, long-distance raids, surprise attacks, and striking the enemy's vital parts. However, if he wanted to further command large-scale corps
Fighting requires not only cultivating strategic awareness, but also the support of a person with sufficient status.
In Germany, this person could only be the Führer Reinhard Heydrich.
It can be said that without the head of state, the peak of Rommel's military career would have been a division commander at most.
Reinhard gave him 1 German army, plus the Allied command of 2 armies. This was the size of an army group and the largest army Rommel had ever commanded.
Even if Reinhard's kindness and promotion to Rommel were completely discarded, it was impossible for Rommel to join now just because of Rommel's enthusiasm for military command and his fanatical pursuit of the title of African conqueror.
The assassination attempt on Reinhardt.
Even if Rommel has relevant information, he will not even choose neutrality, but will report directly to the country to protect the safety of the head of state as soon as possible.
So, the number of people or groups that may be connected behind this assassination is already very limited.
"Ross can arrange for the secret police to start a thorough investigation of this matter, and the relevant persons involved will be arrested directly. In addition, take Stauffenberg back and lock him up. I will interrogate him personally in a few days." Reinhardt
It was decided that this time all the found members of the resistance organization must be thrown into the labor camps.