On April 12, 1937, Reinhardt tried all kinds of means, even whimsically invited famous Asian Chinese medicine doctors to recuperate, but he still could not save the life of a German general.

Hans von Seeckt, the commander-in-chief of the German Army, known to the British as the "Sphinx" (Sphinx) in World War I and later known as the father of the Wehrmacht in World War II, left his beloved country in the early hours of April 12, 1937.

Sickert's death also marked the end of an era.

Reinhardt, who had lost the strong support of Sickert, reorganized the Weimar Republic into the Third German Reich in order to further concentrate power against foreign enemies, but still retained the basic bureaucratic system of the original republic.

Before Sickert's death, the Wehrmacht peacefully crossed the border between Germany and Austria and moved into the whole of Austria. The new leader of the Austrian cabinet, Seth Inquart, signed the "Law on the Reunification of Austria with Germany", and Germany and Austria were formally merged.

Austria became the German Eastern Province, with Seth Inquart as governor. The merger of Germany and Austria expanded Germany's territory by 17 percent, increased its population by 10 percent, and greatly increased its military strength.

The respected general, thanks to the efforts of his close disciple Reinhardt, finally met a rising Germany before he died.

Before he died, Sickert on the hospital bed said his last words: "Thankfully, God bless Germany!" Thankfully, I have a good student! ”

In Austria, Reinhardt, who was in Vienna, received the news and immediately flew back to Berlin to personally preside over a grand German state funeral.

With the exception of Reinhardt, almost all of the top leaders of the Third Reich gathered here. There were Speer, Minister of Armaments Production of the Third Reich, Steve, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the SS and Chief of Staff, Ross, Minister of State Security of the Third Reich, who was the supreme head of the Gestapo, Gustav, the outgoing former President of the Weimar Republic, Miles, the re-elected Minister of Oil, Mors, the newly promoted Minister of Security of the Third Reich, and Hans, who had just been transferred to the post of Minister of Propaganda. Feng. Furmanred, among whom was also an honorary member of the board of directors of the Rheinish Company, the Minister of Economy of the Third Reich, Shacht, and Manstein, a senior representative of the Wehrmacht under Sickert, were already officers........

Never before in the history of Germany has a general's funeral been of such a standard. Almost all the powerful figures and representatives of a country participated in this high-scale German state funeral.

The streets have long been crowded with people. Under the propaganda of the social work newspaper, Sickert's exploits were known to the world earlier than in history. The people are convinced that Germany's thriving national strength and military strength are absolutely inseparable from the merits of General Sickert.

Moreover, he was Führer Reinhardt's most respected teacher. It was he who once taught the "gift from God to Germany" who would continue to lead the German people down!

After the marching band played the second chapter of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Reinhardt slowly stepped up to the front stage and delivered a pre-prepared eulogy praising Sickert's exploits:

Colonel Johannes Friedrich Leoped von Sickert, the fine German general, was brought to Schleswig in Germany by God on April 22, 1866, and was recalled to his arms by God on April 12, 1937.

He was my teacher, the founder of the new German Wehrmacht, the hero who laid the foundation for Germany's resurgence, and the pride of all Germans!

General Sickert is a model for our German army commanders in the new era, and a perfect example of the German General Staff's principle of "less talk and more action". Under his infection, many people, including me, were the chief of the chief.

Mr. Smith, the British ambassador to Germany, once remarked: "General Sickett's mind is much broader than his restrained military appearance, and his knowledge is more extensive than his stern and neat appearance."

I have to give a compliment to Mr. Smith for that, and he was very accurate.

Many people know that Admiral Sickett was an excellent officer who graduated first in the staff school. But few people know that he also had a literary prowess, and that in sports he was given the extraordinary title of "Abtna" (the best athlete).

I have no hesitation in believing that General Sickett is more than capable of achieving greater success in literature or sports.

In the end, however, General Sickt chose to join the army. For the sake of the country he loved so much, General Sickett gave up his literary talents, abandoned his pen and became a good officer.

This officer, who has a great literary talent, shows us another talent on the battlefield.

He served as chief of staff of a newly formed army group, planned a devastating offensive, advanced 100 miles in two weeks, captured 140,000 prisoners in 12 days, recaptured Przemisch, the second largest fortress in Central Europe, in a month, and received the highest military honor, the Medal for Valor!

General Sickert lived through the Lemberg victory, took part in the famous Battle of Warsaw, and planned a surprise attack on the Brest-Litovsk fortress.

He had planned many things that the Allies were unable to achieve, for which he was awarded the Oak Leaf (Medal of Valor with Oak Leaf).

Having also been a general, I can't think of anyone who was a more suitable chief of staff than General Sickett.

During the 17 years from 1920 to 1937, General Sickt made great achievements in his position. In a time of political turmoil and the country in ruins, he created an army that became the backbone of the country, proving to be the best trained and most capable of leadership of its contemporaries.

And now, the teacher has put this army in my hands and entrusted me with his dreams and expectations! And I will live up to the trust!

Long live General Sickt!

Long live the Third Reich!

............

With Reinhardt leading, everyone who heard the radio in the square and in the streets let out a loud cry.

"I announce that Admiral Sickt has been promoted to the rank of the first Field Marshal of the Third Reich, conferring on him the Marshal Scepter........."

"Hooray! ........"In this exciting atmosphere, the emotions of the German people are also mobilized to the extreme.

In addition to ordinary people, high-level German officials and some astute journalists immediately heard a deep meaning from Reinhardt's eulogy.

If Reinhardt called Admiral Sickt by the unofficial word "teacher" at the end of his eulogy, he did so out of reverence and affection.

That Reinhardt bypassed the president and the Army Command and announced the promotion of a field marshal directly in this public forum, which is more than respectful and lovable.

Behind this thought-provoking act lies an incredible possibility that Reinhardt has already mastered, or is about to grasp, the power of the German president and the army command!

Reinhardt, who was born in the navy, naturally seized the leadership of the navy long ago. And the emerging Luftwaffe, from its commander Catherine to the captains who were sent to the Soviet Union for special training, were all Reinhardt's cronies.

In addition, Reinhardt has been running the post of chancellor for many years, and he has long spread his influence in political circles. Not to mention that President Gustav once came to power with his cooperation, even now more than 99 percent of German officials at all levels have joined the Socialist Workers' Party and declared their allegiance to Reinhardt.

Once this inference comes true today, the word Führer will really be well deserved.

Germany, having lost some of its past heroes, may soon have more new heroes!