I Don’t Need Nazis In My Germany

< World War II - Bonaparte Operation (4) >

October 3, 1940

Northern Italy, German-occupied territory – Milan

I attended a banquet at the invitation of General Manstein.

Erich Kordt had declined, saying he had no interest in gatherings with grunts, so I came alone, only to find two familiar faces.

"It's been a while, General Guderian."

"It's been a while for me as well, Vice-Chancellor."

Guderian, who was close to Manstein as they were classmates at the War College, had also lectured me on the doctrine of maneuver warfare there.

Having me attend his lectures was all part of General Model's big picture to raise me as an armored officer before I switched to politics.