In Germany, in the Chancellery on Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin, Reinhard calmly received the envoy sent by Franco to ask for help.
Due to the U.S. arms embargo against the Spanish Republicans, the Spanish government turned to Germany to purchase a large number of backward weapons. Reinhardt only used the 100,000 Gew.98 rifles in stock after the last world war and the so-called follow-up
Pending support, a full 100 tons of gold reserves in the Bank of Madrid, Spain, were exchanged. Moreover, the Spanish government was also required to temporarily deposit 400 tons of gold to the Reichsbank in Berlin, Germany, as a "guaranteed deposit."
In order to achieve his goal, Reinhard also threatened the Spanish Republican government. If they did not buy these German weapons, they would mortgage the weapons to Franco's National Army. As a result, the gold that had historically flowed into the Soviet Union to purchase weapons, and the so-called
The "security deposit" was all transferred into the German government's treasury.
Since then, Spain, once known as the world's fourth largest gold reserve country, has forever lost its 500 tons of gold reserves. Germany, which has not reserved much gold after World War I, has become the new world's largest gold reserve country.
4 major gold reserve countries.
The eager Spanish envoy couldn't wait to clarify his purpose when he saw Reinhardt at the first sight: "Dear Mr. Prime Minister, the Spanish people need your rescue. Our compatriots are suffering, and they urgently hope that you can lend a helping hand."
Helping hand.”
Reinhardt, who had just taken 500 tons of gold from the Spanish Republicans, hinted to Franco's envoy in the blink of an eye: "In exchange for my help, your country's Republican Army gave up a full 100 tons of gold.
, and also placed 400 tons of gold with me as a deposit for cooperation between the two parties. I wonder what the National Army can offer in exchange for German support now?"
Although he knew that the Republicans were using their gold reserves to buy weapons from Germany, Franco's envoy couldn't help but be shocked when he heard the amount revealed by Reinhardt. The German Chancellor, who has a big mouth, is actually so greedy.
What a situation! Not only did they get 100 tons of gold at an arbitrary price, but they also pretended to ask for 4 million tons of gold as a deposit. Anyone with a discerning eye knows that this "deposit" cannot be returned, but the idiots of the Republican Army still agreed!
The most important thing is that the German Chancellor who took 4 million tons of gold "guarantee" from the Republican Army has the nerve to ask for the price from both sides, and is shameless enough to ask for benefits from the National Army!
Suppressing his contempt for Reinhardt, Franco's envoy had to smile and reassure Reinhardt: "Mr. Prime Minister, the National Army cannot give you that much gold. In fact, we
Everything is lacking now. But we can guarantee that once General Franco leads the whole of Spain, Germany can import any resources from Spain, including strategic materials; it can also rent any military port under Spanish control and build a naval base."
"Listen to what you say, I can't get any benefits now. And Germany has to pay extra for the benefits you promised. What's the point in just reaching a future fair trade contract?" Reinhard looked unhappy.
Look at the envoy.
Ambassador Franco's current psychological activities are simply overwhelming. There are probably only a few leaders in the world who can be so shameless. Spain gives Germany its own ports, allowing Germany to import as many strategies as it wants.
He actually wanted to take the supplies for free. And from the very beginning, he made it clear that he did not want to reach a fair deal contract, and that he would help whoever offered the most benefits.
"Then what benefits does Mr. Prime Minister want to get?" Franco's envoy forced himself to ask calmly.
"You should have told me earlier, I have actually thought it all for you." Reinhard looked like he would shamelessly persist to the end, and said with a hearty smile: "Actually, Germany's requirements are not many, we only need two in the Atlantic direction.
Ports, two ports in the direction of the Mediterranean. After using them for 99 years, we will return the better ports to you."
Isn’t that enough?! The envoy sent by Franco was shocked by Reinhard’s appetite. However, Reinhard’s request was obviously not finished yet.
Then, the special envoy saw Reinhard wave his hand: "Originally, I wanted to get 100 tons of iron ore for free, but for the sake of the traditional friendship between Germany and Spain, I will purchase these at market prices. Otherwise
In addition, the Spanish government can only export resources such as zinc, lead, and tungsten to Germany.”
Hearing this, Franco's special envoy was sweating profusely. He regretted why he had agreed to come to Germany for negotiations instead of serving as a special envoy to Portugal or Italy.
Seeing the nervousness of the special envoy, Reinhard patted the special envoy thoughtfully on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Don't worry, we will also pay for food import cooperation. How about signing a three-year food cooperation plan first?"
"
Hearing that Reinhard asked for food, the special envoy almost cried: "General...Mr. Prime Minister, these requests are somewhat...difficult. But...we
You can grit your teeth and accept it.”
Seeing the Spanish envoy accepting those demands, Reinhard also appeared to be very generous and said: "As long as you can accept it, let me just say that the friendship between Spain and Germany is strong and long-lasting, and this request counts.
What. Don’t worry, we will arm the National Army with 10 elite infantry divisions. In addition, Germany will provide General Franco with 60 No. 1 tank destroyers produced by Krupp and 30 military trucks produced by BMW.
Type A, to help the Spanish National Army form an armored division."
The Type 1 tank destroyer that Reinhard talked about was modified from the experimental tank (Type 1) previously developed by Krupp. With Reinhardt's intervention, only 60 units of this experimental tank were produced.
It was discontinued. After that, Krupp removed the turret of the experimental tank, installed a 47mm anti-tank gun on the tank chassis, and converted it into a more practical No. 1 destroyer tank.
As for the military A-type truck produced by BMW, it uses a large amount of wooden structure instead of steel parts and replaces it with a rainproof canvas shed. It is an experimental car developed by Germany to save steel. Reinhardt provided it to Franco
, also to test how effective this simplified version of the truck is.
Hearing that Reinhard had prepared so much weapons and equipment for the National Army and would form the first armored division for the National Defense Force, Franco's envoy finally showed a hint of joy and said: "I think the Spanish people will definitely be grateful for the generosity."
Mr Prime Minister".
I saw Reinhard saying to the special envoy with a cheerful face: "There is nothing for you to be grateful for. We are all friends. Besides, we in Germany will still hope to mobilize these troops to help in the future."
"Wait!" At this time, the special envoy did not care about etiquette. He said nervously: "Does Germany want the right to mobilize Spanish troops in the future? I dare not agree to this. Once the country knows that I have signed such a treaty,
, I will be marked as the pillar of shame in Spanish history!”
"Don't be nervous, all we want is the right to mobilize these 11 divisions. It's up to you to decide the rest of the troops. And this treaty will be signed in secret, and we will keep it secret for you and General Franco." Reinhard seemed to comfort him.
Knocked to the Spanish envoy.
Finally, Reinhard thought for the sake of the special envoy: "I heard that the National Army has lost Granada, and the defense line in Cordoba is also crumbling. Once General Franco cannot receive assistance in time, then he will set up a
There is no way we can hold the frontline headquarters in Seville."
