When Borgo in northern Corsica was attacked by the Italians, the south of the island was also attacked.
Propriano is the fourth largest city in Corsica and the third largest port in Corsica. It is only 30 kilometers away from Ajaccio, the largest port city in Corsica.
But at this time, in Propriano's city hall, Lieutenant General Brazo, the commander of the 16th Army under the Sixth Army, was receiving the surrender letter from the mayor of Propriano.
"General Brazo, on behalf of all the residents of Propriano, I declare my surrender to you."
After receiving the surrender letter from the mayor, Lieutenant General Brasso said, "Please rest assured, Mayor, our army is here to return Corsica to the embrace of Italy. As long as there is no harm to our army, we will
Will protect you from harm."
Faced with Lieutenant General Brazeau's assurance, the mayor felt relieved, and he also made an explanation to the citizens of the city.
Speaking of which, the surrender of the city of Propriano was thanks to the help of the island’s independent organization. The secretary of the mayor of Propriano was a member of the independent organization. And under his persuasion,
The mayor, who originally had no confidence in holding Corsica, was persuaded to surrender to Italy.
Of course, the mayor alone is not enough. The independent organization also instigated the rebellion of two militia groups stationed in Propriano. These militia groups were formed by local militiamen in Propriano and nearby. Under the propaganda of the independent organization, these militia groups
There was some resistance to the Italian army fighting, and after some discussion, they decided to go ahead anyway after getting good conditions.
As for why the Corsican Independence Organization is willing to help Italy, the reason is simple. In addition to its cultural and language bias towards Italy, it is also because Italy has promised to provide development funds for Corsica after the war.
In addition, the rapid development of Italy in recent years has also been noticed by the Corsican people. Compared with the situation in France where I am a grandma who is not close to my uncle and who does not love me, it will not be worse than before if I change my home, right?
As for why they did not choose independence directly, these independent organizations are not stupid. If they choose independence at this time during the world war, it does not matter whether the Italians will do it or not. In order to ensure the ownership of Corsica, France may have to implement expedient measures.
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The surrender of the city of Propriano gave the Italian army a port in Corsica. Although this port could not berth larger ships, and the port facilities were relatively backward, there were small and medium-sized ships and sufficient manpower, which was still sufficient.
It became a supply port for the Italian army in the south.
The next task of the 16th Army is to rely on this port to launch an attack on Ajaccio.
The news that the city of Propriano surrendered without a fight naturally quickly reached the ears of Lieutenant General Fofana, the highest commander of the French army in Corsica and the commander of the 37th Army.
"These damn traitors, they betrayed France, they made deals with the enemy, it is a crime worthy of hell."
After seeing the news, Lieutenant General Fofana flew into a rage and cursed those who surrendered in his most vicious language. What made him so angry was that in addition to his anger at Propriano's surrender, he was also angry at Propriano's surrender.
The worries about the future of the officers and soldiers of my 37th Army.
In fact, France has long been mentally prepared for the attack on Corsica. As early as 1910, the French Army Staff formulated a combat plan for the Italian army to attack Corsica. In the following years, the French Army Staff
The plan was gradually improved.
According to the plan of the French Army Staff, the French troops in Corsica should use heavy troops to defend various landing sites where they can easily land. (The terrain of Corsica has resulted in very few locations on the island that can carry out landing missions.)
Some people may ask after seeing this, is this it?
Don't worry, there's still more.
After being unable to withstand the forced landing of the Italian army, the plan required the French troops to defend the island. They resisted and then retreated to the mountains on the island. Then they relied on the vast mountains to launch an attack on the Italian troops on the island. Ten troops relying on the mountains
The remaining supply warehouses can allow 40,000 French troops to live in the mountains for a year and a half.
After the French army launches a counterattack, the French army fighting guerrillas on the island can cooperate internally and externally to help the French army land on the island and recapture Corsica.
Hey, why is this plan not at all suitable for the French army's offensive-first style? It actually turned to guerrilla tactics.
The French army is not stupid. A blind man in the two navies can see the huge gap. When the disparity in the strength of the enemy's and our navies is so huge, it would be strange to put a large number of troops on Corsica. The person who made this plan is not a spy.
Therefore, the French army can also formulate plans according to local conditions. Of course, this is a last resort in view of the huge gap in strength between the two sides.
Lieutenant General Fofana, who was cursing in the Ajaccio headquarters, was also ready to think of a solution after venting his anger. Just then, the Chief of Staff, Major General Leblanc, rushed in.
"Commander, what is it that makes you so angry?"
Faced with the chief of staff's inquiry, Lieutenant General Fofana handed him the telegram. "Look, this is the news from Propriano."
After quickly browsing the contents of the telegram, Major General Leblanc frowned and said, "This is indeed a big problem. Propriano's behavior will have a big disadvantage for us in the next battle."
Major General Leblanc could see the impact of this incident on them at a glance, but then he changed his tone. "Have we not already made various plans? I remember that there were four different plans just because the local people no longer welcomed us.
plan."
As the commander of the army, Fofana certainly knew what his chief of staff meant. At this time, the commander could not calm down, so how could he make others feel at ease.
"I lost my composure. Bordeaux previously refused a request to replenish supplies, and then received the news that Propriano had defected to the enemy. I couldn't restrain myself."
Lieutenant General Fofana was convinced by these words. Naturally, LeBron would not continue to say anything. No matter what he said at this time, it would easily have a bad effect.
Just when Major General Leblanc was about to say something, suddenly a communications staff officer walked in.
"Report!"
"Come in."
"This is a telegram from Major General Bakers."
Major General Bex is the commander of the 52nd Division stationed in Borgo. What news will his telegram send?
At this time, Lieutenant General Fofana and Major General Leblanc both had a bad feeling.
Lieutenant General Fofana then took the telegram and read it. The telegram was short but its content was very disappointing.
"Chief of Staff, take a look."
Lieutenant General Fofana, who was trying to calm down, handed the telegram to the chief of staff.
Major General Leblanc also felt dizzy when he saw it, because the telegram sent by Major General Bakers was full of bad news.
First of all, the 52nd Division suffered heavy losses. In the three-day defensive battle of Borgo, it lost more than 6,000 people and lost the ability to continue fighting. (One division only has six to seven thousand front-line infantry. Without these lines of resistance,
infantry, they lose their combat effectiveness)
In addition, Major General Bex requested to evacuate here in view of the current situation in Borgo.
"Send a telegram to Major General Bakers and I agree to his request to retreat."
After thinking for a while, Lieutenant General Fofana agreed to the collect request.
After the staff officer left, Lieutenant General Fofana smiled bitterly and said to his chief of staff. "I have lost confidence in the ability to implement the plan formulated by the general staff."
Although Major General Leblanc wanted to persuade his commander, he could not speak out the words. Because he knew that it would be against his will to say it now, so in the end he had no choice but to say it.
"For the sake of France, we can only persist."
"Yes, for France."
There is no need to question the French army in World War I. They really blocked the German attack with blood.
