Time goes back to one day ago, the day Mussolini was hospitalized.
Although he refused any help from the Germans, Captain Otto Kretschmer, who was sent by the German submarine force to participate in the British Navy's surrender negotiations, still did a great favor for the Italian Navy.
If Captain Otto hadn't stopped Forbes and his party who were preparing to carry out the "British version of Operation Rainbow" in time, the Italian Navy would have returned to the era without aircraft carriers.
At that time, because of the German submarine force, five U-shaped submarines, headed by the U-99 submarine, participated in the Italian Navy's interception operation against the Forbes fleet, and played a key role in determining victory in the end.
Therefore, the German side naturally sent a U-99 submarine commander, Captain Otto Kretsch, to participate in the British surrender negotiations against the German and Italian fleet.
Prior to this, Otto had already taken the U-23 submarine he was commanding at the time to sink the 1,375-ton British destroyer HMS Audacity, creating a classic example of a submarine sinking a destroyer in the German Navy.
Then, he was transferred to command the more advanced newly built submarine U-99, which carried out surface attacks on the British escort fleet nine times, and sank three 10,000-ton British armored cruisers in succession!
But this time, Otto not only sank a British destroyer in the war, but also captured Forbes and his entourage with malicious intentions, thus avoiding a tragedy for the Italian Navy.
Back at that time, Captain Otto, who had just led his subordinates to communicate with Italian Fleet Commander Leifer and accepted Admiral Leifer's personal thanks, not only did not show any pride, but instead took his men to observe the British situation.
HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier, collecting data.
"Captain, do you see why there are five British people acting alone over there?" One of Otto's men pointed at Forbes and his party who had just separated from the Italian major and obtained the right to act independently.
Immediately feeling that something was wrong, Otto didn't say much and immediately commanded: "Stop them."
All fools know how dangerous it would be to allow the British to return to their flagship and act alone.
What's more, in order to maintain the operation of the Ark Royal, a large number of British captive soldiers were retained to operate the battleship.
Otto could tell at a glance that the middle-aged and elderly man in front of the four British soldiers was Sir Forbes, who had surrendered on behalf of the British fleet during negotiations with them.
As a representative of Germany, Otto recognized this obviously older British commander.
At this time, how can Forbes be allowed to act freely?!
Then, Otto took the four German soldiers beside him and walked up to meet him.
"Take your time, don't be anxious. I can wait for you a little longer." The voice of the Italian major came from a distance, causing Forbes and others to stop and turn back to reply to the Italian major.
Taking advantage of this gap, Otto and his men went around between Forbes and the others and the passage to the interior of the Ark Royal, blocking the path of Forbes and his party.
5 people versus 5 people!
On one side is Sir Forbes, and four senior British officers behind him.
On the other side, there was only the German submarine commander Otto, who was only a captain, plus four German navy soldiers behind him.
It can be said that on Forbes' side, even the last two staff officers have the rank of lieutenant colonel, which is two levels higher than Otto, the leader of the German side.
However, this is Italian territory. On the deck of Ark Royal, there are Italian officers and soldiers who are German allies.
Although he is only a captain, Otto is now the most senior military representative of Germany left here. It is not difficult for him to call a few Italian soldiers to help.
But Sir Forbes, even if he was a general, could not change his nature as a prisoner, and it would not make him hold his head high in front of Otto.
"Tell your commander that this road is blocked!" Sure enough, Otto didn't mind at all that the other party's military rank was much higher than his own, and he mercilessly embarrassed Sir Forbes when he opened his mouth.
After understanding Otto's words from the staff behind him, Forbes could only say to the staff with an embarrassed look: "Translate for me to the German captain. The Italians have agreed to allow us 20 minutes of freedom of movement."
, please don’t embarrass us.”
However, the German captain did not buy it and continued to speak to the translator in German: "Italians are Italians and Germans are Germans. Although our head of state has agreed to hand over the Royal Ark to the Italian Navy, we Germans
Until we withdraw, this place is still under our joint jurisdiction!"
Otto's tone was very tough, and he did not save any face for the British or even the Italians. After all, this Italian ally had already caused them too much trouble, and they did not want anything to happen to the Ark Royal at this time.
After the translator once again conveyed Captain Otto's meaning to Sir Forbes, the British Sir was extremely anxious. After all, the success or failure of the "British version of Operation Rainbow" all depended on this one move!
So Forbes even put down his airs as an admiral, changed his expression, and begged the German captain with a hint of pleading: "Mr. Captain, we are about to leave this aircraft carrier and leave the people we have worked with day and night.
Today, I just want to admire this ship for the last time before leaving. After all, we will most likely never be able to board here again. I beg you, please allow us to move freely on the ship for twenty
minute."
After hearing the interpreter's statement, Captain Otto thought for a while and said: "Okay, I promise you."
Hearing this, the British staff officer was overjoyed. Just as he was about to translate for Forbes, he heard Otto add: "I promise to find someone to help you make a photo of Ark Royal for you to see as much as you like."
"Now," Otto waved his hand in a somewhat inhuman tone and said, "Go back immediately, don't force us to do anything."
That's too much! Forbes was about to get angry, but Otto spoke up first: "Don't think I don't know what you want to do. Free movement? I'm afraid you want to join your old subordinates to do bad things!"
Hit the mark! Forbes and his entourage gave up the argument after their conspiracy was exposed.
"Find a few Italians to push them back and watch!" Otto said to a German soldier behind him: "Wait while I go to the Italian Commander Leifer to report."
Sure enough, that night, Forbes got a different dinner in the detention room. It was an unnaturally luxurious meal, starting from the appetizers to the macaroni and meat, and even the fruit and red wine at the end.
"Is this the so-called last supper..." Forbes, knowing that his crime had been exposed, smiled bitterly and finished the best meal since he was captured.
He is ready to accept the trial tomorrow morning. This time, with the ruthless Germans around, there must be no good fruits to be gained.
Unexpectedly, the next morning, an Italian colonel who seemed to be of high rank appeared in front of Forbes: "We made a small mistake before, and provided your Excellency, as a general, with the general captive soldiers.
Dinner. This is definitely not intentional abuse of prisoners. Therefore, we will also choose to forgive you for sneaking back to Ark Royal to find food."
"Now we are clear," facing the surprised Forbes, the Italian colonel said with a smile: "Please help us hide this matter from the Germans, and don't let them spread it out that we tortured the prisoners."
