2306 The rotten boat also has three pounds of nails
During the Battle of France, the Italians took advantage of the situation and took advantage of Germany.
Now that the Kingdom of Italy has withdrawn from the war and is trying to write off its past debts, how is that possible?
The government-in-exile of the Kingdom of Italy is not the same as Free France.
Free France is not a government in exile, but a new government with its own territory. French North Africa is the capital of Free France.
The Italian government-in-exile had only one mouth to talk about and nothing else. Victor Emmanuel III fled in an extremely hasty manner without even taking his small treasury with him. Italian North Africa had been occupied by the Allies. Victor Emmanuel III
If you want to leave, let alone De Gaulle, Winston and Roosevelt will not agree.
Roark would not agree even more.
In the last world war, when Italy joined the Allied Powers, the Italian mainland was still controlled by the Italian government, so the Allied Powers held their noses and accepted it.
Italy's surrender this time was completely out of necessity. The Italian mainland was already controlled by Germany, and even the royal family's daily expenses had to be supplied by the Allies. What right did it have to be picky?
In Algiers, North Africa, Victor Emmanuel III and Prime Minister Marshal Badoglio lived in a hotel in the suburbs.
The condition of the hotel was not very good, the facilities were old, the services were backward, and the bathroom did not even have hot water, which made Victor Emmanuel III very angry.
"It's normal to have no hot water. Algiers has spring-like weather all year round and a mild climate. It doesn't matter whether there is hot water or not." Marshal Badoglio comforted Victor Emmanuel III. Algiers is not Rome, and neither is the hotel.
The palace is almost enough.
"His Majesty is the King of the Kingdom of Italy. Even in Algiers, he should enjoy the treatment that a king deserves. If the King of England or the Prime Minister of Southern Africa comes to Algiers, will there be no hot water in their room?" Victor
Field Marshal Umberto II, son of Emmanuel III, was restless. The lack of hot water was just a symptom, and the hidden problem was the most fatal.
After the outbreak of World War II, Umberto II served as the commander of the Italian Army Group on the Western Front, with 300,000 men under his command.
During the Battle of France, Mustache hoped that Italy would cooperate with the German army and launch an attack on France.
In Umberto II's opinion, the French campaign might turn into a protracted war like World War I. In order to avoid heavy losses, Umberto II refused to accept the small offer on the grounds that the Italian army had not yet completed preparations.
Beard's request deliberately delays time.
The development of the war was unexpected, and the French army was completely defeated.
Umberto II hurriedly mobilized his troops at this time. As a result, the French surrendered before the battle preparations were completed.
Although Italy did nothing in the process of conquering France, when France was partitioned, the fat bald lion opened its mouth and demanded that Nice, Corsica, Tunisia, Djibouti and southern France be added to Italy.
In order to win over Italy, Mustache agreed to Fat Baldy's request.
The fat bald man probably felt that he had not contributed much and was quite embarrassed to have taken such a big advantage, so he ordered the Western Front Army Group led by Umberto II to launch an attack on the remaining French troops stationed in the Alps.
Just because the French couldn't defeat the Germans doesn't mean they couldn't defeat the Italians.
The French army stationed in the Alps occupied favorable terrain and severely beat the Italians. This was one of the few bright spots of the French army during the French campaign.
What really worried Umberto II was not the lack of hot water, but that the Allies no longer recognized the status of the Italian royal family. This was the most fatal thing.
In previous contacts between Italy and the Allies, all Allied countries, including southern Africa, recognized the status of the Italian royal family and promised to help the Italian royal family maintain its rule over Italy after the war.
Now no one mentions this promise anymore. It is obvious that the Italian royal family has lost its value to the Allies.
"Your Highness, things are different now. We have to face reality." Marshal Badoglio was also speechless. How long has it been? He still maintained the airs of the royal family and refused to let go.
"Marshal, what we are fighting for is not whether there is hot water, but the interests of the Kingdom of Italy." Umberto II equated the Italian royal family with Italy.
Badoglio remained silent.
It's hard to say whether there will be a royal family after the war is over.
"Marshal, what do the southern Africans say?" Victor Emmanuel III was good at grasping key points. As long as he got the support of southern Africa, the interests of the Italian royal family could be safeguarded to the greatest extent.
"The people from Southern Africa haven't replied yet. I called Marshal Patton's office yesterday. Marshal Patton is busy with official duties." Badoglio looked ugly. The so-called busy official duties must be an excuse. If Badoglio is still the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy, then
No matter how busy Barton is, he still has time.
"Call the Allied Forces Command. I need a plane to fly to Pretoria." Victor Emmanuel III hoped to meet Roque. The king took the initiative to visit him. Roque must give him face.
"Marshal Alexander" Badoglio hesitated.
"No, call General Eisenhower." Victor Emmanuel III is cunning and cunning, and American support is also very important to Italy.
Everyone knows that Americans have ambitions in the Mediterranean, and Italy is one of the most important countries around the Mediterranean. If it has the support of the United States, the interests of the Italian royal family can also be safeguarded to a certain extent.
After the Battle of Sicily, Americans and Italians contacted frequently. One of the main conditions for the United States to agree to Italy's surrender was that Italy would lease Pantelleria to the United States in the same way that Britain leased Malta to southern Africa.
Pantelleria and Malta are also located on the transportation thoroughfare in the center of the Mediterranean. From a location perspective, Pantelleria has an advantage over Malta. It is 100 kilometers from Sicily to the north, 80 kilometers from North Africa to the south, and 80 kilometers from North Africa to the west.
200 kilometers from Malta.
This request was strongly opposed by the United Kingdom and France. Southern Africa has already entered the Mediterranean Sea aggressively. If the Americans also intervene, it is difficult to say who will have the final say in the Mediterranean Sea in the future.
"Your Majesty, a call from Marshal Patton." The adjutant came in a hurry to report, and Victor Emanuel III was overjoyed.
Victor Emmanuel III is now nominally Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Army.
Patton refused to meet with Marshal Badoglio and took the initiative to call Victor Emmanuel III, who readily accepted the appointment.
Patton's office was still in the military camp on the outskirts of Algiers, which was originally the headquarters of the French Foreign Legion. After the Free French Army recaptured Algiers, the Southern African Army transformed it into Patton's headquarters in North Africa.
Although it is a military camp in name, the conditions are actually very good, with a beautiful environment and green trees. Algiers is known as the "Garden City" and there is definitely hot water.
"Your Majesty, welcome to Algiers" Patton greeted Victor Emmanuel III at the door of his office. This was not considered rude because the office was too far from the entrance of the military camp.
This also fully proves that the camp area is very large.
In fact, Patton's office was built on a hill, and the entire hill was a military barracks.
"Marshal, I'm glad to meet you. Thank you for your invitation. You made me feel the enthusiasm of Algiers." Victor Emmanuel III's smile was just right, neither overly enthusiastic nor distant.
feel.
Barton was polite, sat down and had tea, and got straight to the point.
"I'm looking for your Majesty to discuss the Italian Navy's issues with you."
The Italian Navy and the French Navy are inseparable brothers.
The French navy declared neutrality after France stopped resisting. It did not accept the command of Vichy France or the solicitation of Free France, and became its own faction.
The Italian Navy was severely lacking in presence after the war broke out due to lack of fuel.
However, the Italian Navy was not mediocre. It made a surprise attack on Alexandria and sank two British battleships. Its performance was still amazing.
After the Italian royal family fled, the Italian Navy also stayed in its home port due to lack of fuel. When the German army occupied Italy, they did not send anyone to take over the Italian Navy.
The Germans know very well that with the current situation in the Mediterranean, even if the German Navy takes over the warships of the Italian Navy, it will not be able to counter the Allied superiority in the Mediterranean.
However, the Italian Navy is still very powerful, especially the three powerful "Vittorio Veneto" class battleships.
The "Vittorio Veneto" class battleships were originally planned to build four ships, but now three have been built, namely the first ship "Vittorio Veneto", the "Littorio", and the "Littorio"
"Roma" and the last "Imperial" are still on the slipway and are not expected to be completed in time.
When the "Vittorio Veneto" class battleship was designed, its main opponent was the French "Richelieu" class battleship. This class of battleship has a full load displacement of 45,000 tons and its main gun is three triple-mounted 381 mm naval guns.
, the maximum speed is 30 knots, and when the speed is 20 knots, the endurance is 3,900 nautical miles.
It seems that the battery life is a bit short.
However, considering that the "Vittorio Veneto" class battleships are mainly used in the Mediterranean, a range of 3,900 nautical miles is enough.
In addition to the "Empire" which is still on the slipway, the three "Vittorio Veneto" class battleships currently in service are all in the home port of La Spezia. Last year, in order to respond to the French Navy, the British Mediterranean Fleet and Southern Africa
In the joint operation of the Cyprus Squadron, both the "Littorio" and the "Roma" were damaged and have now been repaired.
Patton's meaning is very clear. If the Italian royal family wants to continue to maintain its rule over Italy after the war, it must cooperate with the Allies to bring the Italian Navy to North Africa. Especially the three "Veneto" must not fall into the hands of the Germans.
hand.
"Marshal, the Italian Navy is not without strength. We can only stay in our home port because of lack of fuel. As long as we provide the Italian Navy with sufficient logistics, our fleet will definitely make an important contribution to defeating the enemy." Victor Emmanuel
Er III was in high spirits. It was rare for Italy to have something that Patton liked. This was all capital.
Of course, it is impossible to sail warships to North Africa with only the Italian Navy.
Even with the support of the Allied fleet, the Italian Navy would still have to face bombing by the German Air Force on the way.
The Germans certainly do not want to see the Italian Navy join the Allied camp like the French Navy. Then the Axis powers' disadvantages around the Mediterranean will be completely irreparable.
"Your Majesty, does the Italian Navy even have no fuel to reach North Africa?" Patton didn't believe it. Some time ago, the Italian Navy was still capable of replenishing Rommel's North African Army, but now it doesn't even have fuel to leave the port. This is obviously impossible.
.
The situation of the Italian Navy is not as miserable as the Italians said. The so-called lack of fuel is just to reduce the frequency of dispatches and fool the Germans. It is the French Navy that is really out of fuel. Otherwise, when the French Navy is forced by the Germans,
Nor is it possible to choose only the tragic self-destruction.
As for the Italian Navy, it still has enough fuel to go to sea. The key depends on whether it has the courage to leave port.
"Marshal Patton, you know, Italy loves peace. We were forced to join the Axis Powers, so we did not go all out on many things." Victor Emmanuel III said confidently without blushing.
If Patton is an Englishman, I wonder if Victor Emmanuel III can still be so confident.
The Italian Navy frogmen did not save face for the British Navy when they raided Alexandria. The bombs were installed on the largest British warships, and they were all in fatal positions. Even if you install them in a slightly off-center position, the damage to the British Navy will be huge.
It won't be that big.
So the words "forced" and "not going all out" are all talking about people's opinions and ghosts' lies.
Of course, there is also a sense of bragging.
Look, our Italian navy did not go all out and caused you so much damage.
If we go all out, wouldn't your losses be even greater?
"Haha, I understand, I understand." Barton smiled and nodded repeatedly. Everyone is an old Versailles, so it is understandable.
"If the Allies can provide cover along the way, then I believe the Italian Navy will be able to reach North Africa smoothly." Victor Emmanuel III still laid an ambush.
The meaning of this is very clear. If the Allied cover is strong enough, then the Italian Navy will have no problem.
If the Italian navy fails to reach North Africa successfully, then it will be the Allies' problem.
"Okay, then let's talk about cooperation issues now." Patton's attitude is also very clear. After arriving in North Africa, whether the Italian Navy will accept the command of the Allies or the Cyprus Squadron must be decided in advance.
say clearly.
Anyway, Patton would not make a wedding dress for others. If the Italian navy arrived in North Africa and accepted the command of the British or Americans, it would be better to stay in its home port and not come to North Africa to cause trouble for Patton.
