As a historic naval port, the Port of Toulon has always been the base camp of the French Navy in the Mediterranean.
After the war broke out, all the main French battleships were gathered in the Port of Toulon. From the two Dunkirk-class battleships equipped with 350 mm main guns to deal with the Italian Vittorio class, the Dunkirk and the St.
From the Strasbourg to the two Richelieu-class ships equipped with 380 mm main guns, the Richelieu and the Jean Bart, as well as their improved versions, the Alsace and the Normandie, also called the Alsace class.
As for the three historical Breton-class battleships, because the imaginary enemy Italy decommissioned the old World War I battleships in order to build new ships, France had to follow suit and decommissioned the three Breton-class battleships.
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These 6 battleships are the core force of the French fleet. Of course, there are other battleships, such as France's only aircraft carrier Béarn, and 7 heavy cruisers next to the battleships. In addition, light cruisers, destroyers, torpedo boats, submarines,
Patrol boats, etc. These warships filled the port of Toulon.
However, most of the warships were running their engines today, as if they were about to go to sea.
Yes, this will be the largest naval operation in France's history. In order to ensure the success of this operation, Darlan, as the naval chief of staff, personally went into battle to direct the battle. Such a battle, no matter what the outcome, is bound to be
Hu ibei will be recorded in the annals of history.
Darlan, who agreed very much with this, stood in the command podium of the flagship Alsace and said to the communications officer beside him with great fighting spirit. "The order is given, let's go."
"Yes, Your Excellency, General."
Following Darlan's order, the huge French fleet began to set sail. These sea monsters, weighing tens of thousands of tons, began to prepare for their own journey.
A large number of French fleets left the port, and this situation could not be hidden from Italian eyes.
Shortly after the fleet left port, the news of the French Navy's dispatch reached the ears of Admiral Cavignari, Chief of Naval Staff. Since Cavignari knew about it, how could Mussolini, as Prime Minister, not
Know.
So a few minutes after he got the news, a call from the Prime Minister's Office came to his desk.
The phone number was not difficult to guess. It was Mussolini's call requesting him to come to the Prime Minister's Office for a meeting.
Of course, Kavniari did not dare to neglect and immediately rushed to the Prime Minister's Office by car.
When he arrived at the Prime Minister's Office, several people had already arrived. Among them, Ciano, who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was the first to arrive and stood beside Mussolini.
Others arrived a few minutes later, and after seeing everyone arriving, Ciano, the son-in-law, spoke on behalf of his father-in-law. "Now everyone knows that the French fleet has left Toulon, right?"
Ciano's words made everyone present nodded.
After skipping this opening statement, Mussolini asked directly, "What do you think of this as a navy?"
Cavniari knew that he was being asked again, because Mussolini was the Minister of the Navy and the Army, so he was the number one person in the Navy.
I saw Cavignari speaking. "Our navy initially estimates that the French fleet is attacking this time to relieve the Tunisian defenders, or at least to escort the transport fleet to Tunisia."
After Kavniari told the navy's estimate, the scene became noisy.
Unexpectedly, the French fleet would actually dare to come out, which made many people feel a little incredible.
In response to the noise at the scene, Mussolini knocked on the table to signal for silence. Then he said, "General Valais, your air force needs to be responsible for detecting the movements of the French fleet."
A little man stood up and replied, "Good leader."
This is Air Force Chief of Staff Valle. Because Air Force Minister Marshal Balbo is commanding the battle in Tunisia, Valle will represent the Air Force this time.
Although Mussolini only named the air force, Cavignari, as a navy man, knew that the air force alone would not be enough to find the French fleet. After all, the aircraft had a limited range and could not cover the entire sea area.
Sure enough, Mussolini clicked on him next. "This battle depends on the cooperation of your navy and air force. I hope you can severely damage the incoming French fleet and open up the situation for the next battle."
Although Mussolini did not say it, all the military and political leaders present knew the next plan. Yes, Italy also expanded its goals. After Tunisia was about to be captured, they set their sights on Algeria.
This time, after luring the French fleet out, it severely damaged its fleet and severed the connection between Algeria and the French mainland.
So then, Mussolini ordered several more people to ask for sufficient support for this operation. In a word, if you want people to give things to people, you must ensure the success rate of this operation.
After talking so much about other aspects, of course, the fleet still needs to be implemented in the end. So in the end, Mussolini stopped Cavignari. "How are the preparations on the fleet side?"
"Prime Minister, the fleet is ready, so the warships have been inspected before to ensure that there will be no problems in the battle. And fleet commander Amaretti also sent a telegram, and the fleet officers and soldiers are already ready for battle."
"That's good, this time you are related to the future of Italy."
While Italy was preparing for the upcoming war, the French fleet that was already sailing on the sea was turning. Don't misunderstand, they were not preparing to return to Toulon, but adjusting their course.
They will sail southeast along the French waters. This time their route will pass through the Balearic Islands belonging to Spain, and then sail all the way to Algiers, the capital of Algeria. This is also the route currently taken by French transport ships.
On the flagship Alsace, Darlan was walking back and forth in his luxuriously decorated room. The expensive carpets on the floor and the paintings by famous artists on the walls could not attract his attention. Now he was waiting for news, a news about
News about the success or failure of this military operation.
"Report."
The sudden sound from outside the door made him stop his movements.
"Come in."
Immediately, the door was opened, and a communications staff officer walked in. "Commander, this is the telegram we received."
Although the staff officer's words were confusing, it refreshed Darlan's spirits, and he quickly took the telegram and read it.
"good very good."
After reading the telegram, Darlan immediately ordered the staff around him. "Immediately give the order to the fleet and rush to Algiers at full speed."
"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander."
Following Darlan's order, the fleet immediately speeded up and hurried towards the target.
It turned out that this telegram was sent by the British fleet coming to the rescue, informing Darlan that they had arrived off the coast of Portugal and were about to pass through Gibraltar and enter the Mediterranean.
This news naturally makes Darlan confident. In this case, the power in his hands will exceed the strength of the Italian fleet. He will have two more battleships and three more aircraft carriers than his opponents. Plus other warships, whether in terms of tonnage or quantity,
He will have the advantage. And more importantly, the opponent is completely unaware of this. This is the key.
Think about it, when the two sides are setting up their positions and preparing to fight with open swords and guns, reinforcements suddenly appear on your side, how much panic this will cause to the enemy.
Darlan is full of strength and confidence for the upcoming battle.
