Chapter Twenty-Nine: Secretary of the Air Force

"These Vichy officials have connections; Koman said we shouldn't use violence," Alain reminded him with a slight frown.

"Rest assured, I certainly won't." A mischievous grin appeared on Martin’s face as he insisted he would never resort to crude methods, claiming his actions would stand the test of history.

"Then how did you manage it?" Alain asked, looking surprised. Was it sleep deprivation? But nineteen hours shouldn't be enough to make a grown man behave as Martin described, let alone soil himself.

Martin reached out and slung an arm around his comrade, beaming with pride. "I simply invited Mr. Mitterrand to listen to some music. I lined up eight phonographs at maximum volume, all playing different melodies. Mr. Mitterrand became so immersed in the sea of music that he couldn't help but be moved to his core and repent for his past mistakes."

As soon as Alain heard Martin’s description, the image formed in his mind. Indeed, when it came to tormenting people, humanity always managed to innovate and demonstrate a powerful spirit of creativity.

The Bastille was famous, but it couldn't hold many prisoners. The number of detainees held there now exceeded the total number of prisoners held in the century leading up to the French Revolution.

"The Bastille is holding over a thousand people. Those who collaborated with the Germans in less serious ways are being held in Paris police facilities. According to news from fellow units, over two thousand people have been executed by lynch mobs across the country, and tens of thousands of women have been subjected to the humiliation of being stripped and having their heads shaved. Of course, such humiliation is minor. Moreover, it is certain that most of these women have kept their secrets well. Initial estimates suggest there are over two hundred thousand German illegitimate children born during the occupation. The national bloodline registry program will surely ferret out every one of these children of unknown origin."

Koman followed General Dragon toward the pre-arranged residence, his mouth running incessantly. He didn't wait for the General to ask; he simply spilled everything that had happened since their return to the mainland.

Given their father-son relationship, there was no need for Koman to worry about maintaining a pristine public image. His conscience was clear; everything he did was for the sake of the country, so what was there to hide?

"Koman, are you being influenced by Fontaine?" General Dragon frowned slightly upon hearing Koman’s plan to root out all the German illegitimate children and the French women involved during the four years of occupation in Northern France. It seemed like the scope was becoming too vast.

"Father, do I look like someone who is easily influenced by others?" Koman asked with an amused laugh. When had he ever given anyone that impression?

"That doesn't seem like you, but where did this idea come from?" General Dragon shook his head slightly. This child was not one to be swayed by external factors, so why was he so fixated on this issue?

"War brings death, and there is little we can do for the dead. But for the living, we must ensure they live well," Koman said solemnly. "Beyond the soldiers who died in combat, there are those who were maimed. The nation cannot ask them to go to the front when war arrives and then discard them like trash when it ends. How can we ensure hope for these disabled veterans?"

Koman shrugged. "I know it’s unfair to these women; after all, not every woman chose to sleep with the invaders. But under normal circumstances, women don't choose disabled veterans. Therefore, we must label them as traitors first. If they don't want to go plant trees in the Sahara, I will offer them another option: if a soldier who fought for the country is willing to stake his own honor on her behalf, that woman can be spared from exile."

If France were like the two main protagonists of the European theater—the Soviet Union or Germany—where the number of dead men had already impacted national stability to the point where any man, no matter how broken, could find a beautiful companion, then there would be no need for the French disabled veterans to worry; they could choose their marriage partners freely.

The key was that France's losses this time were not actually that heavy, and women still had plenty of choices.

Koman felt that in terms of treating enlisted soldiers, he had done everything possible under the current reality. He took on the role of the villain and bestowed the favor upon the French women—was that not enough?

Perhaps his methods weren't entirely above board; he could have used public opinion and commendations instead. But he felt that negative reinforcement was simply more efficient.

By the time they reached the residence Martin had arranged, General Dragon was still deep in thought. The sound of the key turning in the lock brought him back to reality, and he said significantly, "You're right. We must prioritize the interests of the soldiers first."

The mass maiming of men during wartime was a source of instability; even if they survived, crime rates would rise significantly. Dragon had seen the situation in France after World War I; he just didn't know it was called war syndrome.

"Komo just needs to focus on his studies; the war has nothing to do with him, although, according to some, ten years old is indeed old enough to go to the battlefield."

Once inside the residence, Koman immediately arranged his younger brother’s studies, though he didn't forget about his stepmother, who was only a year older than himself. That was not a topic for open discussion. He followed General Dragon to the second floor before asking, "Should we arrange for a hospital for the delivery? Or will Father handle it himself? Do you remember the due date, Father?"

Koman’s nonchalant tone certainly reduced family tension, but from General Dragon’s perspective, it was slightly awkward. "I will handle it with the hospital."

That settled it. Koman was about to leave when he saw General Dragon pull out a map, so he decided to wait a moment.

The obstacle to invading the German homeland was the Siegfried Line, which sat directly opposite the Maginot Line. Unlike the Maginot Line, which was built during peacetime, the Siegfried Line had been reinforced during the war. Its strength was extraordinary, and a direct assault would not be easy.

Koman agreed. "That is why the main point of attack should be the Belgium-Netherlands line, where Operation Market Garden is currently taking place. The purpose of the Siegfried Line is similar to the Maginot Line—to force the enemy to take a detour. However, we must find a way to break through the Saar region. If we don't occupy it ourselves, we will have no say in its future ownership."

General Dragon’s finger hovered over the German-French border, his tone troubled. "This is truly difficult; it’s much harder than the Italian front."

The combat effectiveness of Germany and Italy was not the same, Koman mused to himself. The Italian army could at best manage some defensive counterattacks on their own soil—and defensive counterattacks, to put it plainly, were just a lack of offensive capability.

The initiative lay with the Allied forces; it was up to them whether to fight. If an offensive didn't go well, they could just regroup. The German army was not like that.

He figured that at this very moment, Operation Market Garden was likely destined for failure, with British and American paratroopers being chased and pummeled by German armored units.

A day later, General Dragon went to meet with de Gaulle to reiterate his support for General de Gaulle’s leadership in winning the war for France. Thorez, the leader of the French Communist Party, knew that he could not compromise easily. "Our party organized armed uprisings in over forty cities during the occupation; we should not be treated this way."

"Your contributions are worth acknowledging. The French Communist Party played its role, and the provisional government will certainly have a place for it," Pompidou reasoned calmly. "For instance, Mr. Charles Tillon—the reconstructed air force needs his leadership. The military also feels he is the most suitable person for Minister of Air."