Chapter 18: Attache to the French Colonial Army
The term which Bruno had used to insult the French soldiers was one taken from his past life. Whether it was invented or merely popularized in the late 20th century, Bruno was not entirely aware. But its origins lie in with the French surrender in 1940, a mere six weeks after the conflict with Germany began.
This was something that Americans had never let the French forget, despite actually being allied with the French Resistance throughout the remainder of the war. And naturally certain more nationalist leaning Germans had picked up on the term.
Because Bruno had his memories from his past life, he was quick to shove the insult in Leon's face after the man had blatantly disrespected him, first by spitting in his direction, and then by using a French derogatory term for the German people.
He had not provoked the man at all, but the revanchist sentiment was strong among the French population following their defeat in 1871. And this hatred for the Germans would continue for decades to come.
Culminating in their declaration of war against the German Reich in 1914, as well as the imposing of the abominable treaty of Versailles in 18, which due to the punitive actions taken against the German Empire, for literally no reason other than French pettiness, ended up being a direct cause for the Second World War a mere two decades after the fact.
No doubt Leon would be one of the men lining up in 1914 to fight against the Germans, and assuming he stayed in the French Army until then would probably be a high-ranking officer by then. Far more powerful than he currently was.
But Bruno would not let the Germans be defeated in this timeline now that he had been given a chance to change the future. Hell, he had already changed the timeline with several minor actions in the Boxer Rebellion.
As for Leon, he naturally took the term Bruno had used as an insult for the French surrender in 1871, despite just now hearing it for the first time in his life. And was damn near ready to attack Bruno for his words, despite him himself starting the dispute. That is, until the French General who invited Bruno and his men stepped in and defused the situation.
"What is going on here? Captain Sinclair, I hope you are not causing trouble with our new advisors?"
Leon was forced to cease any further hostilities he had planned when Major General Henri- Nicolas Frey stepped forward to personally welcome Bruno to the French occupied territory. He immediately threw up a salute to the French General, as did Bruno and his men, as a sign of respect for the man's position.
"General, I was merely introducing myself to the German Captain!"
Although General Frey eyed Leon with suspicion, being well aware of the man's prejudices towards the Germans. He did not say anything further, instead stepping past his own officer to greet Bruno, and was quite friendly in his introduction.