Franz Halder was on his way to see the Führer. The invasion of France was over with and the Vichy government was being set up. He was so relived that it did not bog down into a stalemate like last time. Hitler had ordered him to Berlin to discuss something big and he was a bit weary. The events at Zossen were still fresh in his mind. When he got to Hitlers Headquarters, Hitler presented him with the plans. Halder was to help prepare for the invasion of Russia. This was to be the largest attack of the war. His head began to spin as he thought of how this could affect Germany. Even with the easy defeat of France, the USSR was a much bigger opponent. Hitler could bring an end to the Germany that had just been reborn. Halder couldn't think anymore, he only acted. He took out his pistol and unloaded the clip into Hitler before he could be stopped. An SS guard who rushed into the room fired on Halder but with poor aim, he’d just nicked his left shoulder. Halder fell to the ground and was taken away while Hitler was rushed to the Hospital. The leader of the Nazi Reich was pronounced dead 1 hour later but that's when the real actions happened and the new leader of Germany would show himself.
Word had gotten around fast that the all mighty Führer was dead. This news made some cry, some angry, and a few took this news as a chance. The first man to take advantage of the situation was Admiral Canaris. He had been conspiring with the British against Hitler for years and moved very quickly to do everything in his ability to restrict the movement of all SS units as to keep the Nazis in check. This also had the effect of helping another take power. Canaris wanted to stop the Nazis from keeping control and also to make peace with the British. There was one man though that had more influence and power to insure he would be the next leader of Germany. While Canaris was busy ordering “hits” on all the high power German officials, this man got several generals on his side and even with his large size, was able to doge an assassins bullet that Canaris had sent. This bulging man had gotten support from Ludwig Beck and many army units under the command of General Brauchitschand and Erwin von Witzleben (swayed by the death of Hitler). As Berlin was being garrisoned by the SS moving in to secure the Nazi leadership, the Heer surrounded the capital and several other big cities in Germany and placed the entire country under martial law. The Nazi party which had gathered in the Reichstag to hear a speech by Himmler. They were now barricading themselves inside to try to hold out for the SS. Himmler had been addressing all of Germany to reassure them that this crisis would soon pass, when news of the army coming reached him and the power was cut. There were only a few SS guards so the Nazi party never had a chance. After a 30 minute “siege”, the army finally broke in and what would be later called a massacre (only by the handful that knew), the army units eliminated all the Nazi party members that attended which accounted for about 90%.
The Army was continuing the round up of the rest of the Nazi party members that were not killed in the Reichstag Siege. SS units which had not made it to Berlin were making stands in whichever city they were in but almost half their numbers were deserting as there purpose and leadership were gone. The highest officers had gone into hiding and would slowly make there way to the Swiss border. Only 25% of these officers would ever be caught crossing the border. These men would later return to cause discontent with the new government. With all this going on, a new government was being born to replace the Nazi totalitarian rule. A faction within the Nazis now had the power to control the country and break away from being labeled as such. This new government would resemble to the Weimar government. This government was to be controlled by the Wilhelmine Imperialists. The New President would be the most influential of the Imperialists. Herman Goering, the man who cast Hitler aside and who will lead Germany to its rightful place as the leader of Europe. Or that’s how the German people perceived it, as they were smoothed talked by one of the only Nazis that could stay in power; Joseph Goebbels. The Other Nazi to not be eliminated was Albert Speer, who was allowed to stay as he would be the one to revolutionize German Industry.
It was July and the German government was finally stabilizing. The Nazi name had been taken off the door with all open Nazis meeting firing squads except those that were still needed. The SS hold outs and some uprisings across the country that had taken place because of the chaos in Berlin were now getting real attention from the Heer and were falling apart. Germany was now known again as Deutsches Reich (German Empire) with its new President Herman Goering leading the way. With his new found power, he wanted to put Germany in a solid position as to not lose this war like the old. He tasked Albert Speer to revolutionize Germany into a new age. He was ordered by Goering personally to work with Messerschmitt on a jet fighter he was developing as it would make a fine edition to the Luftwaffe. It would outclass anything currently in the air and Messerschmitt would be given all the money he needed for this new plane. Two army generals also suggested that a new tank be made. It would have an 88 for the barrel and incorporate slanted armor as this would deflect shells and anti-tank rounds better. Rommel and Manstein would soon enjoy the wonders of this new tank but not for some time as the Luftwaffe's budget increased at the cost of the Wehrmacht and the Kriegsmarine.