When Southern Africa entered the war, the Ministry of National Defense divided several theaters, appointed theater commanders, and formed several group armies in a serious manner, as if it was a big war.
Then there was nothing. Except for the Second Army, which massacred everyone when it attacked Italian East Africa, the other armies had no use at all.
No, the Fifth Army participated in the Battle of Crete, but the results were not satisfactory, at least on the surface.
The Third Army directly under Patton only played a role in the occupation of French North Africa. Not even a decent battle broke out during the entire process. Since then, it has been fishing in Algiers. If the Spaniards launched an attack on the Gibraltar Peninsula,
Patton is crazy about music.
The Spanish do not have the ability to regain the Gibraltar Peninsula. The 2nd Airborne Division and the 33rd Armored Division have a combined strength of more than 30,000 troops, and the total strength of the British army exceeds 40,000. Although the Spanish government can continue to increase its troops, it is subject to the constraints of the Gibraltar Peninsula.
Due to terrain restrictions, it cannot be deployed, and too many troops cannot be invested at one time. The refueling tactic puts no pressure on the southern African army.
Of course Alvaro Garcia doesn't think so.
It should be said that the success of the Germans gave Alvaro Garcia great confidence.
France, known as the "world's largest army", only lasted 38 days in the face of the German attack.
So what if the Empire never sets? It is still suppressed on the British Isles, and no sail can cross the sea.
Southern Africa is not much better in Alvaro Garcia's view. It has great strength, but even Italian North Africa does not dare to attack. Alvaro Garcia thinks that his ability is not much worse than Rommel.
Even stronger than Rommel.
Gibraltar has now become a military city, with tens of thousands of soldiers deployed on 6.5 square kilometers of land, and a total population of more than 100,000 civilians and port staff. After the Mediterranean Fleet was split, Vice Admiral James Somerville led the
Fleet H is also stationed here.
The peninsula itself is already very crowded. There is also a "Mountain of Tariq" on the small peninsula. This mountain is actually a huge rock. It is precisely because of the existence of this mountain that the British army was able to defeat the Spanish many times.
attack.
The 33rd Armored Division is stationed next to the airport at the foot of the mountain. This airport was built after the 2nd Airborne Division parachuted into the Gibraltar Peninsula and can take off and land large transport aircraft.
North of the airport is the border between Britain and Spain, which is about four kilometers long.
Due to the long-term territorial dispute, Britain and Spain have built many permanent fortifications on both sides of the border. The density of fortifications has increased significantly in the past two years. The addition of tanks has greatly enhanced the defensive power of the fortress group. Spain also deployed
into a minefield, which fully proves that Alvaro Garcia’s confidence is not that strong.
The minefields laid out by the Spanish army are all on Spanish soil. If you focus on offense, there is obviously no need for minefields to strengthen defense. Probably Alvaro Garcia also knows that the No. 1 tank cannot defeat the "Tiger" and "Leopard".
, so two more anti-tank trenches were dug behind the minefield, and the Spanish army's defense line was behind the anti-tank trenches.
"The Gibraltar Peninsula is too small and has no depth at all. The Spanish cannonballs can easily cover the entire island, which is a huge threat to us." Vice Admiral James Somerville does not want to go to war with the Spanish. Now it is different.
A hundred years ago, the range of artillery a hundred years ago was only a few hundred meters, but now it can reach tens or hundreds of kilometers, which is terrible.
The Spanish have never given up their pursuit of the Gibraltar Peninsula, so James Somerville has reason to believe that the Spanish artillery has already prepared a range chart for the Gibraltar Peninsula. Once a war breaks out, the Allies will be prepared to suffer heavy losses.
Prepare.
Of course, Spain will also suffer retaliation from the Allies in the future, which is the fundamental reason why both sides are wary of the enemy.
"If war breaks out, we can break through the Spanish positions in the shortest possible time. The Second Airborne Division is ready to airborne and can parachute behind the Spanish positions at any time." Patton was already prepared, and the Second Airborne Division was already ready.
Retreat to Almina on the other side of the strait, where you can parachute at any time.
Almina is a small town located on the south side of the Strait of Gibraltar and is part of Monaco.
In 1912, Monaco became a protectorate of France. In the same year, France and Spain signed a contract to designate the northern area of Monaco and Ifni in the south as Spanish protectorate.
Strictly speaking, Almina is also Spanish territory, but the French are not so kind. Tangier, the largest city in the north of Monaco, became an international condominium in 1923 and became an "International Free City" composed of Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
Eight European countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and later representatives from the United States formed a long-term condominium committee to govern the country, and Spain lost control of northern Morocco.
"The German paratroopers suffered huge losses in Crete, and airborne troops should be more careful in combat." Somerville was not optimistic about airborne operations. After the Greek campaign, the Allied forces reviewed the Greek campaign, which had just emerged a few years ago.
The paratroopers returned to silence.
Not long ago, in order to counterattack the European continent, the United Kingdom also added a new paratrooper system.
Now the British paratroopers have not even completed their parachute training, and the paratroopers have been disbanded.
The British were frightened by the tragedy of the German 7th Parachute Division. More than 4,000 of the 6,000-person airborne troops were killed, and most of the remaining troops surrendered, fully proving how risky paratrooper operations can be.
"Our paratroopers are different from the German paratroopers." Patton was not worried about this problem. The Germans always encountered ghosts when they walked too much at night, and there were no adventures in southern Africa.
The Southern African military began research on the use of paratroopers many years ago and has accumulated rich experience.
Due to limited national strength, Germany did not equip its paratroopers with heavy weapons.
Even tanks can be airdropped here in Southern Africa. Countless tanks have been smashed into lumps in order to study this technology. The Germans have no time and no ability to conduct research in this area.
The key is still not to let go.
When Southern Africa began to study air-dropped tanks, shortly after the end of World War I, there were many tanks that Southern African paratroopers could throw around.
Germany's steel production is much lower than that of southern Africa. Every tank is precious. After the European War broke out, the German paratroopers' opponents did not need the help of tanks to defeat them, which gave the Germans the illusion that their paratroopers could complete all tasks.
.
The key point is that Southern Africa is also assisted by the air force and navy. If parachuting is carried out behind the Spanish army's defense line, air and sea control will definitely be controlled by Southern Africa. In this way, the Southern African paratroopers will be in an invincible position.
"If you insist, I will give you the necessary cooperation." Somerville was not willing to be alone. If Patton insisted on provoking a war with Spain, Somerville would not mind helping him.
The reason soon came.
After the Spanish merchant ship was seized in Southern Africa, the Spanish government's appeal failed but failed. Franco was really angry, so he took out his anger on Southern African companies.
The unlucky ones are South African companies.
After the outbreak of the world war, the business of South African companies grew rapidly and spread all over the world.
The main business of the South African company is food. Even if there is another war, there will always be food to eat, and the same is true for Spain.
Although the Spanish Civil War has ended several years ago, the Spanish economy has not yet recovered.
The civil war that lasted for several years caused devastating damage to the Spanish economy. Factories were shut down, farmland was deserted, the economy was in recession, and people in remote areas began to starve to death. It is hard to believe that this kind of thing could happen in Spain.
Spain is also an old colonial country. Although the Spanish Empire, which once had vast colonies around the world, has been destroyed, it still has its heritage. When the Invincible Fleet swept the world, more than half of the world's gold flowed into Spain. There are countless antiques and cultural relics in South Africa.
The company had problems in this regard.
Because of one's love for antiques, Southern Africans collect various artifacts from all over the world, and so do South African companies.
Antiques in prosperous times and gold in troubled times, every war is a good opportunity to buy low prices. Countless precious cultural relics from all over the world have flowed into southern Africa in various ways. Nyasaland State Museum has become one of the largest museums in the world.
The South African company also has a branch in Spain. In early August, a truckload of "handicrafts" from the Spanish branch was seized by the local government of Santa Maria Port on the grounds of smuggling when it was about to be shipped.
The South African company contacted the Port of Santa Maria and requested the Port of Santa Maria to immediately release the seized "crafts", but the Port of Santa Maria refused.
"This car is full of valuable cultural relics. You have the nerve to call it a handicraft. Do you think we are all blind?" Arrocas, the customs director of the Santa Maria Port, was very angry. This car was listed on the South African company's customs declaration.
The value of the goods was only 110,000 pesetas. After verification by customs staff, the value of this car of "handicrafts" was more than 15 million pesetas.
The current exchange rate of peseta to rand is 1:15.
During the Spanish Civil War, southern African businessmen used various methods to smuggle cultural relics from Spain. This situation has long attracted the attention of the Spanish government.
In 1492, Columbus set out from Spain on his circumnavigation of the world.
Starting from the 16th century, Spain began its colonial era. Over the past hundreds of years, it has plundered countless cultural relics from all over the world. In this regard, Spain may be the richest country in the world.
After the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the price of cultural relics plummeted. Countless cultural relic dealers were running around Spain, and countless cultural relics were lost. Every Spaniard was saddened by this.
"These are all handicrafts, and we have paid taxes according to the actual price. If you don't let them go, then the noble Lord Rhodesia will be very angry." Sergio, the legal adviser of the Spanish branch, was very angry.
As a Portuguese, I wish the Spaniards would be unlucky.
"Hasn't southern Africa already separated from the British Empire? Your master has already disowned his title, so why do you, a Portuguese, still insist on it?" Arrocas's sarcasm was merciless, considering what Portugal did during the Spanish Civil War.
The Spaniards have not forgotten this.
During the Spanish Civil War, Portugal played a huge role. When the Falangists were at a disadvantage, Portugal would help the Popular Front. Once the Popular Front had a huge advantage, Portugal would lean towards the Falangists.
In short, it helps the weak side, which seems to sympathize with the weak, but in fact it brings greater harm to Spain.
Two countries with adjacent territories will always have historical disputes of one kind or another, especially Spain and Portugal. When they competed for colonies, wars often broke out, and Portugal was once annexed by Spain.
"Mr. Director General of Customs, I have to remind you that your actions may trigger a war between southern Africa and Spain." Sergio looked grim and threatened Arocas with war.
"If you insist on thinking this way, then let the war come. There are not many wars breaking out now!" Arokas didn't think it would be serious to this extent.
This is normal. Big figures like Rock and Winston may make misjudgments, not to mention Arokas.
Sergio left in anger, and three days later, Madrid received a poorly worded diplomatic message from Pretoria.
Franco had no idea that relations between southern Africa and Spain had become so tense.
After the European War broke out, Franco had both sides and did not want to join any side before the situation became clear.
After the start of Plan Barbarossa, the German army went smoothly and Russia suffered heavy losses. Franco finally couldn't help but make a bet, but at this time Franco was not ready to fall out with the Allies.
Otherwise, the Spanish army would not have put on German uniforms and participated in the war.
Franco knew very well that without the help of the German army, Spain would be unable to resist the offensive in southern Africa.
"I don't care what the facts are, I tell the customs chief at the port of Santa Maria to return the goods to the southern Africans and don't drag Spain into the war at the wrong time because of some worthless gadgets." Franco
Very angry, this kind of thing should not happen at all.
Franco was also in a dilemma. From his point of view, Spain did not want to join any party and just wanted to avoid this disaster.
It's a pity that both the southern Africans and the Germans are pressing hard against Spain.
Compared with southern Africa, Germany had a better attitude, so Franco tended to Germany.
However, the threat from southern Africa cannot be ignored. Franco does not want to cause trouble before the war in the north is over.
"Southern Africa has seized our cargo and has not released it yet. If we release the cargo from Southern Africa, we will not be able to explain to the public." Franco's personal secretary Gomez is very worried. The Spaniards also have self-respect and cannot
Let Southern Africa be trampled upon.
"So we will retaliate against the Southern Africans in equal measure? What if the confrontation continues to escalate? Do you think the strength of the Spanish army can withstand the joint attack of the Southern African Army and the Royal Navy?" Franco has been able to get to this point today.
, definitely not a fool.
It's a pity that there are not many people in Spain as sober as Franco.
