"Although I don't quite believe that the French high command has the courage to carry out bold roundabout operations, and its allies certainly do not agree with them. However, I still considered the countermeasures under this possibility." Manstein said with a relaxed expression.
.
Manstein used a telescopic pole to circle a long and narrow area on the map: "If the enemy wants to launch a breakthrough on our southern flank, he can only launch from both sides of the Maas River or between the Maas River and the Ouse River. And we
Just put pressure on this area from the start and defeat any attempt by them to attack from the south."
"This is also the reason why when I formulated the "Sickle Harvest Plan" in detail, I emphasized that Army Group A cannot only be assigned to two armies, but must be three armies." Manstein concluded.
In Manstein's specific plan, the German army changed from the previous Army Group B to attack alone, to two Army Groups A and B to attack in both directions. He used the two armies to cover the southern flank of Army Group B.
The single task was expanded to three tasks!
First, use a group army to organize a defense north of the Maginot Line to complete the original task of Army Group A, which originally covered the flanks of all Belgian troops. Second, use another group army to pass through southern Belgium, cross the Meuse River, and go north from behind.
Attack the enemy forces facing Army Group B to complete the encirclement. Third, use a newly added army group to keep advancing in the southwest direction, preventing the French army from gathering forces west of the Meuse River to launch a roundabout attack on the German army's southern flank.
"So..." Manstein raised the corner of his mouth and looked at Brauchitsch proudly: "Does the commander-in-chief still think there is anything wrong with the new plan..."
........
"No, I just don't think it's right anyway!" In the Venetian Palace in Rome, Italian leader Mussolini was trying to convince his generals that Italy already had enough strength under his leadership.
.
Mussolini told his generals that Italy, as a great country, must face the struggle to reorganize Europe rather than stand idly by.
Among the top four in Europe, Britain, France and Germany have already flexed their muscles in Norway, while Italy is still standing in the corner like a peacemaker. This is not at all in line with Mussolini's vision of a new Rome.
The image an empire should have.
"Leader," Ciano, who was still conscious, hurriedly added: "It's not that we can't participate in the fight for world hegemony, but our initial goal should not be north, but south."
After hearing what his son-in-law said, Mussolini also became slightly interested. As long as he could expand, he didn't really mind going north or south.
Seeing that his father-in-law finally stopped mentioning his stupid strategy of sending troops to Norway to show off his country's prestige, Ciano was slightly relieved: "According to Italy's current superior external environment, we can completely stay out of the hegemonic competition between Britain, France and Germany. But the reality is
But it can take advantage of the geopolitical shock caused by the rise of Germany, seize the opportunity to hide its capabilities and bide its time, try its best to avoid the war, realize its own comprehensive self-strength, and then flexibly formulate new strategic goals according to the changes in the European situation."
Ciano's idea is very simple. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Battle of Norway is the last layer of window paper between Britain, France and Germany. In the near future, a large-scale war will break out among these three countries.
According to the experience gained from the last world war, the war between Germany and France will not be fruitful for more than a year and a half. Italy only needs to use this long time to develop itself and finally join the winning side.
With a fully trained force, we can win the final victory.
If Germany and Britain and France want to go to war, just fight as long as they can. The longer the fight, the better. Only in this way can the country in front of you, which is rich and beautiful but surrounded by defeat, have time to reorganize itself and prepare for war. No matter whether Mussolini thinks so or not
, at least that’s what Ciano thinks.
"My dear Ciano, please tell me in detail your southward strategy." Mussolini said excitedly.
He could no longer bear the thought of the German head of state being the only one in the limelight. He was obviously the senior, and he was obviously much wiser than the naval sergeant named Reinhardt.
"It has to be said that our population size, national territory, natural resources, economic foundation, military strength, scientific research capabilities, etc. are far behind countries like Britain and Germany..." Ciano gradually
Explained to Mussolini.
"Nonsense! Italy is obviously very powerful. We will surpass them in these things in the future!" Mussolini interrupted these harsh words unhappily.
Finding that this method did not make sense in front of his father-in-law, Ciano wisely skipped this unpleasant part and started directly from the part that Mussolini liked to hear: "We in Italy have a superior geographical location.
, we are surrounded by the sea on three sides to the west and south, and to the north are the Alps, which are easy to defend and difficult to attack. In such an environment that is particularly easy to defend, it would be extremely difficult for European countries to attack us. "
"On the other hand, under your leadership, we have established a powerful naval force. We should make full use of this force to expand overseas interests." Ciano followed suit and inserted a flattering sentence to Musso.
Rini's words.
"Yes, the powerful navy I built with my own hands should be put to good use." Mussolini said with satisfaction when he heard someone flattering him.
Ciano straightened out his thoughts and gave his father-in-law some final guidance: "As a long and narrow peninsula country, the main part of Italy consists of the Apennine Peninsula, Sardinia and Sicily. The Apennine Peninsula is like a balcony.
Exploring into the middle of the Mediterranean, and Sardinia and Sicily are the largest and second largest islands in the Mediterranean respectively, this gives Italy a great geographical advantage in the Mediterranean. Coupled with our powerful navy, this is almost
God will give us the opportunity to expand to the Mediterranean."
"This is exactly what I want to hear!" Mussolini clapped his hands excitedly. It seems that his son-in-law understands his ambition and can give him good advice.
Mussolini had always wanted to restore the glory of the Roman era, and now Ciano's strategy of moving south to seek a sphere of influence around the Mediterranean was simply a grand strategy tailor-made for his ideals.
"Ciano, my dear Ciano, you are simply my Lepidus!" Mussolini patted Ciano on the shoulder and praised.
With my little ability, I become Lepidus? Ciano thought with a wry smile, maybe you want to be Caesar. (Feiyu’s note: During the Roman Empire, Lepidus worked faithfully for Caesar and was known as the most popular among Caesars.