After all, there are only a few people who dare to risk the disapproval of the world, and most people are still very sensible.
Roque's speech did not last long. The next step was Free France according to the procedure.
Only one person from Southern Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom attended the press conference.
There were only two people from Free France attending the press conference.
This is difficult to do.
Giraud would be unhappy if de Gaulle was allowed to speak on behalf of Free France.
It is even more impossible to let Giraud speak. After all, de Gaulle is the president of Free France.
Roque was definitely leaning towards de Gaulle. Although Winston and Roosevelt wanted to support Giraud, they retained their opinions.
"France has not stopped resisting. We have been fighting and doing our best. In the just-concluded North African campaign, the Free French Army also participated in the battle and caused heavy casualties to the enemy. As the President of Free France, as well as the Free French Army
The founder, I am proud of our young man -" De Gaulle would definitely not miss this opportunity, and the word "founder" is used well.
Giraud looked ugly, even though what de Gaulle said was true.
"This situation cannot continue, we must make a choice." Winston quietly sat down next to Rock.
Rock glanced at Winston and said nothing, blaming me——
"We can assist the Free French Army with a batch of tanks to help the Free French Army gain greater strength." Roosevelt was also whispering to Giraud.
"Thank you so much. The Free French Army will definitely perform well in the landing operation in Sicily -" Giraud smiled broadly and did not ask about the price at all. That was De Gaulle's business.
Rock and Winston felt deeply malicious for a moment.
The combat effectiveness of American tanks has been fully proven in the North African Campaign.
Giraud probably didn't read the battle reports carefully, so he had illusions about American tanks.
This possibility is unlikely. What is more likely is that even if Giraud knew it, he would not have the confidence to reject Roosevelt.
I've given you such great support verbally, so it doesn't matter if I sell you a few tanks, it's not like they can't be used.
"Your navy should also participate in joint combat operations. Flowers in a greenhouse cannot face the violent storms in the wilderness. The army must accumulate experience in actual combat." Roosevelt wanted to drain Free France dry.
"When will Washington's aid arrive?" Giraud did not have no bottom line. The emperor was not short of hungry soldiers.
"Soon, soon, our production capacity is increasing rapidly." Roosevelt said firmly, but did not give a specific date.
Then only God knows when the warships that the United States promised to assist Free France will arrive.
The Americans' own warships are not enough.
In another time and space, the United States, after entering the war, entered the explosive mode. News about one destroyer in three days and one aircraft carrier in one month were all over the sky.
It's not that kind of escort aircraft carrier, it's a real fleet aircraft carrier.
Americans are very cautious in this time and space.
Even if you build so many warships, you have to be able to sell them.
Don’t forget that there are Southern African shipbuilding companies with more advanced technology, stronger industrial capabilities, and cheaper prices that are grabbing orders all over the world.
De Gaulle's speech ended quickly, and then when he accepted questions from reporters, De Gaulle encountered a bigger problem than Roque.
When Roque was speaking, reporters did not dare to ask too sensitive questions.
He was obviously rude to de Gaulle, and the more pointed the questions, the better, so that he could make big news.
"General de Gaulle, "Le Figaro" conducted a social survey and found that more than 80% of the French people identify more with Vichy France. What do you think of this issue?"
The name "Le Figaro" comes from the protagonist Figaro in the famous play "The Marriage of Figaro" by French playwright Beaumarchais. Its motto is that if criticism is not free, praise is meaningless.
This statement is very exciting, but it is also very confusing, because the focus is on criticism.
"They were deceived. This was not their true voice. Faced with the threat from the Germans, they could only say things that went against their will." De Gaulle did not mean to blame the French and put all the blame on the Germans.
But this is not right. There are still two people who support Free France. Are they not threatened by the Germans?
"Free France is also part of the Allies, but the interests of French Indochina have not been better protected. As the president of Free France, are you responsible for the French people who died in the war?" There are still some stubborn people.
, the surrounding staff were gearing up.
"The ones who should be responsible are the Japanese, the Germans, the Italians, the careerists who provoked the war, and the warriors who fight for justice should not be blamed -" De Gaulle followed Roque closely and refused to accept any provocation.
"My lord, if you have time later, let's have a meal together and talk about issues in Asia -" Roosevelt made a direct appointment to dinner, and he must give him this honor.
To Rock's surprise, Roosevelt did not invite Winston.
This is normal, everyone is very tight on time, and we must make full use of our meal time. Winston, the Prime Minister of the British Empire, does not have that much time to eat with him every day.
De Gaulle only answered two questions, and the press conference ended in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.
After the meeting, Rock took the initiative to push Roosevelt's wheelchair, which also killed many reporters' photos.
Roosevelt still attached great importance to Rock. In order to take care of Rock's preferences, he specially hired a Chinese chef.
It doesn't matter to Rock, it doesn't matter what you eat, what matters is what you talk about.
"We need to implement a more thorough open door policy in Asia, with equal benefits and equal opportunities. This is more in line with the interests of the United States and southern Africa. After all, we all need a broader market." Roosevelt reiterated the open door policy, his core appeal
It is still necessary to break the economic monopoly of the old colonial countries on the colonies.
This is an old problem that all late-developing countries have to face.
The United States proposed the "Open Door Policy" at the end of the last century, which temporarily alleviated the conflicts among the world's major powers in the colonies at that time.
The "Fourteen Points" proposed by Wilson after the end of World War I were essentially a continuation of the Open Door Policy.
The "Fourteen Points" were opposed by Britain and France and ultimately failed.
Now that Roosevelt once again mentioned the "open door", all he needed to do was convince Rock.
"Indeed, this is our common wish." Rock agreed with Roosevelt's proposal, but he was not optimistic. As long as Britain is alive, it will be difficult to implement the open door.
Roosevelt also knew this, so at the meeting the next day, Roosevelt raised the issue publicly and put pressure on Winston and De Gaulle.
"Our most important problem now is to win the war." De Gaulle did not express any objection. Anyway, France only has this little overseas territory left. As long as Britain agrees, France has nothing to lose.
"Mr. President, it's impossible!" Winston's attitude was clear, and Rock didn't give any face on this issue: "——The open-door policy only applies to emerging markets, not countries and regions with clear sovereignty. This point
Undisputed."
The world's largest emerging market has been fighting Japan for a full decade. The war is not over yet, and the Americans can't wait to start dividing the fruits of victory.
The British expelled southern Africa from the Commonwealth in the first place in order to maintain Britain's dominant position in the Commonwealth.
This decision was not successful. After Southern Africa left the Commonwealth, it still poached the British through numerous shell companies.
This is enough to make the British uncomfortable. If Americans are added to the mix, the British colonies and dominions will be completely out of control.
It is not an exaggeration to describe it as the disintegration of the British Commonwealth.
When Winston spoke, he looked at Roark.
You don't just have to reject something if you don't want it. The great wheel of the times cannot be stopped. No matter how tough Winston is, he can only try his best to delay the process. To protect British interests, the key is for the British to strengthen themselves.
If there is Rock's support, Winston will have more chips.
"After the war is over, the world will enter a new stage, and then every country will have a chance." Rock had ulterior motives, and Winston and Roosevelt were on alert at the same time.
What the hell do you want to do?
It sounds like this means not just Asia, but the whole world, so is America still the America of the United States?
Will Canada and Australia make more extreme demands?
What about India?
De Gaulle smiled and said nothing.
What did I just say!
"If this problem is not resolved, it will affect our determination to defeat the Axis powers." Roosevelt wanted to give up the challenge if he could not achieve his goal.
This time Rock also smiled and said nothing.
Who is crying about landing in Sicily?
Not southern Africa anyway.
In the next few days, time was wasted on this issue, and no one mentioned the opening of a second battlefield at all.
If the benefits are not distributed well, then why fight?
Roque is not in a hurry. This problem cannot be solved in a day or two, or even in a generation. The distribution of post-war benefits will be discussed after the war is over. Southern Africa must get the benefits first.
After the fighting in North Africa ended, the Second Army and the Third Army were liberated at the same time. The Third Army began to concentrate on Spain, and the Second Army was transferred to Asia to increase the intensity of its attack on Japan.
The Fifth Army led by Arthur is not idle either. All preparations for the landing on the Peloponnese Peninsula have been completed and can launch an attack at any time.
Roque has now completely recognized the true face of the Italians. He is fat and bald, with an unsatisfied desire, and a disgusting appearance of sitting on the floor and raising prices. Roque has completely lost his patience.
After the recapture of Crete, reconnaissance aircraft from southern Africa took off from Crete and were able to conduct reconnaissance throughout Greece.
The Greeks did not completely surrender. Resistance actions against the Italian garrison continued one after another. The descendants of the Spartans did not completely lose their courage. This has been proved in the first stage of the Greek campaign.
Several months have passed. With the cooperation of aerial reconnaissance and ground penetration, the Axis powers' deployment in mainland Greece has been basically figured out. With the strength of the Cyprus Squadron and the Fifth Army, they are fully capable of defeating the Greek troops.
of the Italian Army.
Mustache's current situation is indeed a bit bad. All the Axis troops stationed in Greece are Italians, and the German troops have all withdrawn.
Italy has only 9 divisions in Greece, and all of them are infantry divisions. Referring to the establishment of the Italian army, the total strength is less than 120,000.
The strength of 120,000 troops is simply not enough to control the entire territory of Greece.
Without German troops stationed, the Italians lacked confidence. The troops were hunkered down in the city and did not dare to go out. The rebels were active in the wild. The reconnaissance troops sent by the Fifth Army made contact with the Greek rebels early and even sent some combat supplies to them.
Delivered to the Peloponnese Peninsula in advance.
The Americans' demands were not met, and Roosevelt was reluctant to order a landing across the sea.
Rock felt that it was necessary to give Roosevelt an example and let him see how easy it was to defeat the Italians. This might increase the enthusiasm of the Americans.
Of course, Roark would never tell Roosevelt that there was any difference between the Italian army fighting on home soil and the Italian army fighting away from home.
On March 1, Roque issued combat orders to the Fifth Army and the Cyprus Squadron.
Arthur and Mike Tolan had been looking forward to this for a long time. The Fifth Army and the Cyprus Squadron had already made preparations, and the battle plan had been revised several times. However, the attack order had not been issued for a long time, which was very damaging to morale.
As usual, the first wave of fighter jets took off from the field airfield in Castellion to compete for the airspace of the Peloponnese Peninsula.
Castellion is the closest city to the Peloponnese Peninsula, less than a hundred kilometers away. The "Cheetah" fighter jets arrived over the Peloponnese Peninsula fifteen minutes later.
To the disappointment of the "Cheetah" pilots, the Italians seemed to have given up on fighting for the airspace, and no Italian fighter planes took off to fight.
Next to arrive was the close ground support aircraft.
Unlike the strategic bombing force, the bombing of key locations such as ports, airports, and military camps is all carried out by close ground support aircraft.
Especially in the bombing of ports, we must be cautious and carry out it carefully. We must effectively attack the ground air defense positions without causing too much damage to the port facilities. After all, these port facilities will continue to play a role during the subsequent landing.
The landing site chosen by Mike Tolan is Kalamata, which has a special meaning.
During the Greek Campaign, the final battle took place at Kalamata, where the Germans captured approximately 8,000 Allied officers and soldiers.
Wherever you fall, you have to get up. Mike Tolan wants to avenge the Allied officers and soldiers who died and were captured in the Battle of Greece.
The Italian army stationed in Kalamata has only one infantry regiment with about 2,500 troops.
The organization of the Italian army is a bit chaotic. There are infantry divisions stationed in Greece, each with about 13,000 people.
The infantry divisions serving in North Africa only have about 8,000 men per division.
The defense strength of 2,500 people was not enough under the attack of the Fifth Army and the Cyprus Squadron. The escort fleet sent by Mike Tolan consisted of 47 warships. The average number of artillery and anti-aircraft weapons installed on each warship totaled 110.
Door.
If calculated this way, the escort fleet alone is equipped with more than 5,000 artillery pieces.
