Chapter 163

"Mr. Bernano, I am so pleasantly surprised. I must inform the upper management of this news as soon as possible." Jensen said excitedly.

Jiang Hao nodded, "I think our cooperation will be very pleasant."

"Yes, I think so too."

Time flickered and entered May 1943. The United States and Britain won a complete victory in the North African battlefield. Germany was defeated. In order to protect the rear, a large number of German troops retreated to Sicily. At this time, Sicily became the center of the world battlefield.

On this island of only 26,000 square kilometers, about 260,000 Italian troops and about 40,000 German troops gathered.

On the opposite side of Tunisia, the total strength of the Allied forces has reached 478,000, more than 4,000 combat aircraft, and about 3,200 combat ships and auxiliary ships.

The code name of this landing battle has been chosen, it is called "Husky Operation", which is enough for two names. However, this landing battle is one of the largest landing operations in the history of World War II. It is tied with the Normandy landing and the Okinawa landing. Great landing battle.

However, 124,000 Allied troops in Normandy died, 114,000 German troops died, 75,000 Allied troops died in the Okinawa Landing Battle, 110,000 Japanese troops died, and what about the Sicilian Landing Battle, huh, the Allies only died 20,000 People, the German-Italian army lost 230,000 people, is it an exaggerated figure?

The war over Sicily was cloudy, and everyone was trembling. Allied planes would come to bomb the German positions on the island every now and then.

Almost all the people hid in their homes, shivering.

Jensen came again and saw Jiang Hao in the study.

"Your Excellency Bernano, the time for the landing battle has basically been set. It will be in early July. During this time, we need to collect more information and compile a map of the German and Italian defenses. This time I came and brought it here. 300 intelligence officers, thanks to Mr. Luca for the channel that allowed us to get here."

"Next, we will carry out reconnaissance activities in Sicily. We hope to get your support. It is best to send someone familiar with the local situation to cover and lead the way for us, so that we can collect the information we need."

Leading the way party is very important.

"No problem, I will arrange shrewd people to help you, David, Luka, Sakadu, the three of you are responsible for the specific deployment of personnel." Jiang Hao instructed.

The three subordinates stood up immediately.

It only took half a day for the Mafia to deploy enough manpower to cooperate with American spies to start activities on the island.

With their cooperation, these spies are like fish in the sea and birds in the forest. It is not easy to collect information. This may be the most comfortable task they have ever performed.

It only took ten days for the Allies to collect enough information.

Originally, according to past practice, the survival rate of spies was about 50% to 35%, but in Sicily, it reached an astonishing 100%.

The Allied generals were very surprised, and immediately changed their plans to allow these agents to stay here and continue to collect intelligence until the war began.

What is energy, this is energy,

As the head of the secret service, Jensen had the most personal experience during this time. Although Jensen served the country and was extremely knowledgeable, it was still shocking that a small mafia had such a large amount of energy.

In late May, the Allies dispatched a formation of surface ships and 12 submarines to serve as cover for the campaign and completely gained control of the Tunis Strait.

In early June, the Allies occupied the island of Pantelleria, gaining forward airfields for fighter jets.

Beginning on July 4, the U.S. and British allied forces set sail from ports in North Africa and the Middle East respectively, and assembled in the direction of Sicily.

The Allies were ready to start the landing operation. The British Eighth Army of Montgomery landed on the island in the southeast of Sicily, and the American Seventh Army of Patton landed in the southwest of Sicily.

Before landing on the island, the U.S. military informed the British army about the island's intelligence, and pointed out that the local mafia could lead the way.

"I don't need the help of a group of gangsters, my army will crush Messina as quickly as possible."

Historically, Montgomery said the same, and paid a heavy price for it.

Messina is the third largest city in Sicily, second only to Palermo and Catania. It is close to the Italian mainland and is only separated by a very narrow strait. As long as Messina is controlled, it is equivalent to cutting off Sicily. The island's connection with the Italian mainland completely controls the whole of Sicily.

In the end, the U.S.-British coalition really did it. Many Italian soldiers couldn’t run at all. That’s why they lost 230,000 with 20,000 casualties. There was no other way. They were all trapped on the island and couldn’t run. The Italian army was very happy. of surrendered.

On the evening of July 9th,

Air defense sirens rang throughout Sicily, first with a round of heavy bombardment that lasted for several hours, and at around 3 a.m., the Allies began to forcibly land on the island.

Before landing on the island, the Mafia took American agents to work. At this time, the Italian army personnel were depressed, and many fled directly as they said, so when the Americans landed on the island, they did not encounter much resistance.

The Americans quickly seized control of the southwest coast, but the British army commanded by Montgomery did not go so well. The British army advancing northward along the east coast of Sicily was fiercely resisted by the German troops stationed there. Heavy casualties.

Patton wore his three-star steel helmet, a binoculars around his neck, and a mocking smile hung on the corner of his mouth, "Montgomery didn't trust our intelligence, and this is a big loss. This time I really want to thank our Mafia friends, Let us win the first game so easily and smoothly."

"By the way, have the guides come already?" asked General Patton.

"Yes, Your Excellency, they sent thousands of people to be with our intelligence personnel. They were all local gangsters and were very familiar with the local environment, and even many of them were very familiar with the local Italian defenders." .

Patton said with a smile: "Take advantage of our advantages and quickly attack west and north. I want to occupy the northern part of the island as quickly as possible."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"By the way, after the war, I want to meet the mafia leader, if I have time." Barton said suddenly.

"Okay general, I have written it down."

At this time, Jiang Hao was in the manor on the outskirts of Palermo, and things had been arranged for his subordinates to do. His five team leaders, 20 team leaders, thousands of members and peripheral personnel were all busy with this matter. It can be said to be out of the nest.

Now is the biggest business.

Of course, Jiang Hao would not take risks with himself, but he also wanted to protect Marlene's safety.

In the manor, he left Sakadu and two team leaders and a hundred most heartfelt escort men, all armed with guns, guarding the perimeter of the manor.