Chapter 618 Heavy Thunderstorm VI

Rome, Italy, Palazzo Venezia.

It is now 2 o'clock in the morning of June 1, 1942. Italy's great leader Mussolini is not sleeping with his mistress Betasi at night, but is still worrying about the future happiness of the Italian people!

The leader sitting at the head of a long conference table looks a little sad, pale and a little swollen. Obviously, he hasn't slept for several days-of course he can't sleep! Not long ago, the European war was still Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia-Hungary, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Romania, Bulgaria... and a lot of other countries fighting against the old British Empire in Europe. No matter how you look at it, you won't lose, so Mussolini was the happiest person in Italy during that time, happily planning to establish a new Roman Empire every day.

He planned to let Vittorio Emanuele III be Augustus and himself be Caesar-historically, the Roman Empire had two emperors, the emperor was called Augustus, and the vice emperor was called Caesar. Mussolini felt that his contribution to the Roman Empire was too great, and if he didn't become a "vice emperor", the Italian people would definitely not agree.

But who could have thought that in the blink of an eye, the United States across the Atlantic and the powerful Soviet Union in the East would become Italy's enemies! Who did Italy offend? Why is it so unlucky? Can't the Italians just quietly restore the Roman Empire?

However, Mussolini also knew that he and Germany had been in the same boat for a long time. Without Germany, there would be no Italian Roman Empire! And without the Roman Empire, he, the leader of Italy, would be finished, and no one would support him anymore.

Moreover, betraying Germany means being punished by Germany! Although the Italian Army also has 7 armored divisions, Mussolini doesn't believe they can resist Germany at all. So now Mussolini has only one way to go!

Just when Mussolini was worried about his future, his son-in-law, Count Ciano, received a telegram from a senior secretary of the Venice Palace, took a look, and then frowned and said: "Leader, Admiral Iñigo Campioni asked whether to dispatch the fleet according to the plan?"

The home port of the Mediterranean Fleet commanded by Admiral Iñigo Campioni is in Taranto, the old nest of the Italian Navy.

The fleet has three battleships, including Caesar, Duilio, and Doria, three heavy cruisers, including Taranto, Pola, and Gorizia, and five escort aircraft carriers converted from transport ships (real Diao Si aircraft carriers), and an amphibious assault aircraft carrier Giuseppe Miraglia converted from a seaplane carrier, as well as 15 light cruisers and 35 destroyers (including torpedo ships) and some auxiliary ships such as transport ships, oil tankers, ammunition ships, and landing ships.

The strength of the Mediterranean Fleet is not strong now, and it is not even as strong as the Indian Ocean Fleet commanded by the French. But the Mediterranean Fleet had no rivals. The Mediterranean was basically an inland lake of Germany, Italy and France. The potential rival was the Soviet Black Sea Fleet.

However, in early 1942, the Soviet Union transferred the main ships of the Black Sea Fleet, including the battleships October Revolution, Marat and Paris Commune, to Vladivostok to join the Pacific Fleet. This was actually part of the Soviet Union's war preparations, the purpose of which was to keep the Pacific route unobstructed - these three outdated battleships were certainly not going to fight against the Japanese Combined Fleet. Japan and the Soviet Union were in a "balance of terror" in the Far East. If Japan dared to blockade the sea, the Soviet Union would send troops to Manchuria on land, so the Japanese Navy would not rob the capitalist giant ship flying the red flag.

But now the route from the Suez Canal to Malacca is passable for the Axis powers. In theory, the European Combined Fleet can send a squadron to fight in the Pacific. The ships of these European countries don't care how powerful the Soviet Union's land power in the Far East is.

In fact, the Italian Navy's colonial cruiser "Eritrea" and auxiliary cruiser "Lamm II" are now in Kobe, Japan (they originally belonged to the Italian Red Sea Fleet and broke through to Japan after Italy joined the war).

Kuznetsov, the commander of the Soviet Navy, who had long anticipated this risk, proposed to transfer the main force of the Black Sea Fleet to the Pacific Ocean, and was approved by Stalin.

Therefore, the Mediterranean Fleet's entry into the Black Sea has only one risk... that is, Italy and the Soviet Union are at war!

"Leader, the Soviet government has not submitted an ultimatum to us now... that is, we can continue to maintain peaceful relations with the Soviet Union." Dino Grandi, the Minister of Justice of Italy and one of the "core" leaders of the National Fascist Party. He was an old minister when Mussolini rose to power, but now he has some differences with Mussolini. When Mussolini decided to follow Germany to declare war on the United States, he expressed his opposition.

"But... how do we explain to Germany?" Mussolini looked at his former right-hand man, "We are allies with Germany."

"Even if we declare war, what can we do to help?" The Italian Minister of Justice shrugged and said, "If the Germans want to bombard Batumi, they can send out their own fleet. They have many large battleships available in Gibraltar. If the Germans want armored divisions, we can hand over all 7 armored divisions to the Germans as Italian volunteers. As for the Italian Air Force, most of it is now used to fight Britain and guard against the United States. There are not many planes available on the Eastern Front."

Count Ciano also agreed with Dino Grandi's opinion. He frowned and said: "Leader, we have no claim on the territory and resources of the Soviet Union. If we do not declare war on the Soviet Union, there will be a gap between the Soviet Union and Germany. A bridge for peace talks. I think the Germans have no intention of destroying the Soviet Union, and peace negotiations are entirely possible. Moreover... our Roman Empire is not an EC country after all, and there is no need to follow the German baton."

Although Italy has now become Germany's little brother, it is an ideal little brother and has not joined the European Community dominated by Germany. Therefore, there is no obligation to be completely consistent with Germany in diplomacy.

"That's fine!" Mussolini, who originally didn't want to get involved in the Soviet-German war, was persuaded by his son-in-law. He nodded, "We will not declare war on the Soviet Union, but we can send volunteers to participate in the war. Seven armored divisions have It can be handed over to Germany... In addition, call back to Admiral Compioni, and the fleet will not be dispatched for the time being. "

…

"Make arrangements for me, I want to visit Rome..."

"Wait a minute, leader, we have enough strength and we don't need Italy to join the war."

There is a hotline between the Palazzo Venezia and the German Chancellery, and the Italian leader's decision was immediately transmitted to Berlin through the hotline. However, Hitler was not in the Chancellery at the time, but his secretary Martin Bormann answered the phone. Then Bormann immediately called the headquarters conference room and reported the news of the Italians' dove release to Hitler.

As soon as Hitler heard the news, he immediately wanted to leave for Rome to find his good friend Mussolini, but Hessmann quickly stopped Hitler - it was a good thing that Mussolini didn't want to send troops to fight the Soviet Union. If he He was very enthusiastic and sent many noodle soldiers to the Eastern Front. Hessmann also had to ask Guderian to send German troops to protect the Italians. Moreover, too many Italians came, and Germany's logistical pressure would increase.

"But if the Italians don't follow us," Hitler shook his head and said, "What will countries like France, Spain, Romania, and Bulgaria think? Can European unity be guaranteed?"

Hersman said: "Romania has the Bessarabia issue and will definitely participate. Spain is not an EC country, so there is no need for them to participate. As for Bulgaria and France... they are EC countries and must follow us. Because this war with the Soviet Union is our European Community’s war, and we must face it together.”

Hersman thought for a while and then said: "Leader, the key to uniting the European Community lies in France... If you want to visit, you should also go to Paris."

"France?"

"Yes," Herschmann nodded. "The core of the European Community now is actually France and Germany."

Since Italy does not participate, France is the only one in the European Community that can compete with Germany. If France supported Germany in declaring war on the Soviet Union, the European Community would act in unity.

"What conditions can attract France?" Hitler asked.

"North Africa!" Hessmann said, "We support French rule in French North Africa and recognize that French North Africa is France and part of Europe!"

French North Africa now includes French Algeria and French Morocco, both territories operated by the French for many years. Moreover, the population structure there is different from that of later generations. French and Catholics account for a considerable proportion (more than 30% in Algeria) and are still rising.

Moreover, the French have long regarded French Algeria as their homeland, and their long-term goal is to turn Algeria into a part of France. If this plan is realized, France will become a "forever" great power.

"There are at least 2.7 million square kilometers and millions of people there!" Hitler knew the French people's thoughts very well. "Once it becomes the French mainland, France will become the country with the largest territory in the European Community and its population will exceed 50 million. "

Hersman nodded and said: "So Pétain and Darlan will not refuse. They now know very well that without our support, France is now unable to assimilate French North Africa. Once French North Africa is Frenched, Pétain will When compared with Darlan, he can be compared with the greatest figures in French history."