The Third Reich in Desperation

Miles laughed loudly and said, "Supporting roles? No, no, no, we are still the protagonists. Next, we will act in many plays. Imports from Venezuela, Mexico, the Dutch East Indies, the United States and other countries will continue, and Let Britain and France know about our import actions. Romania’s imports can be appropriately reduced, and more can be allocated to Italy.”

Patting the young civil servant on the shoulder, Myers smiled proudly: "The deceptive operation code-named "The Lean Oil Plan" has already begun. The leading role is our German Ministry of Petroleum."

Text Chapter 83 The Splendor of Italy

Rome, Italy

"General De Bono." Rossi, who is about to go to Ethiopia with De Bono, communicated with this future colleague behind the balcony of the Venice Palace: "The leader has made up his mind and declared war on Ethiopia immediately."

De Bono, who was standing beside Rossi, glanced at Mussolini who was standing on the balcony giving a mobilization speech, nodded and said: "Yes, for more than half a year, we have established 6 countries in Eritrea and Italian Somalia. A military airport, mobilized more than 30 troops. It would be strange if the leader did not order a general attack."

"A solemn and sacred moment in the history of our motherland is approaching! 2000 million people throughout Italy gathered in squares across the country to declare their determination and will." Mussolini on the balcony of the Venice Palace, provocative mobilization Said: "The wheel of fate is moving smoothly towards the goal. Now, its speed is getting faster and faster, going straight forward, unstoppable! This is a symbol of the expulsion of the 4400 million people in Italy from the shadow of injustice hanging over our heads!"

Looking at Mussolini full of passion and confidence, De Bono whispered to Rossi beside him: "The leader didn't give any military instructions at all, he just stubbornly ordered us to defeat the Ethiopian army within a month. The army occupied its capital Yasbeba. According to intelligence, Ethiopia has concluded an agreement with France, purchased arms from France, and trained the army with French officers. It already has extremely strong combat effectiveness. But the leaders turned a blind eye to this and only knew to tell us Ask, ask, ask again."

The implication of De Bono's words is very clear that no matter how many Mussolini's demands are, they must be realized.The Italian army obviously does not have the ability to fulfill these requirements.

Rossi smiled lightly and comforted his future colleagues: "It is not impossible for the general to achieve the leader's strategic goal. At that time, I only need to lead five divisions of black shirts to play the forward."

"You can play forward...... Are you so sure?" De Bono frowned and said, "This is not a joke, I don't think your team is fully sure. Although the battle of the black shirts The will is generally higher, but this is only a relative term. Once the situation in the battle turns bad, our troops will all suffer from low morale and a decline in combat effectiveness. I have no doubts about this."

After clapping his hands, Rossi applauded: "That's right, your analysis is completely correct. That's why we have to come up with secret weapons to enhance the combat effectiveness of the army."

De Bono reacted very quickly, and he was surprised in an instant: "God, do you want to use poison gas?!"

"Of course," Rossi said sternly after receiving Reinhardt's reminder: "Instead of waiting for our army to be resisted by the so-called native army and then use poison gas to open the way in desperation, it is better to use poison gas from the beginning. .At least this can guarantee our victory and avoid possible embarrassing situations.”

On the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia, Mussolini was still chanting enthusiastically: "We have endured for 13 years the situation that Italy does not have enough right to speak because of the lack of colonies. We have endured the provocation of Ethiopia even more." For 40 years, it has reached the point where it is unbearable! Our respected Caesar once ruled the whole world here, and now it is my turn to lead you to reproduce the glory of the Roman Empire. Glory will belong to Italy...... .”

"Well, I agree with you. It is more cost-effective to use the secret weapon earlier than later." After seeing Mussolini's frantic speech, De Bono made a compromise: "Because the leader... ...will not allow failure."

In October 1935, the Italian Army launched an attack on Ethiopia in two ways.

On the southern front, Italian Army General Rudolph Graziani led a second-rate force of 11 people from Italian Somalia to rush in the direction of Grahei-Haral-Di Dawa in southern Ethiopia.Their task is to contain Ethiopia's elite troops on the southern front so that they cannot go north.

The northern line group, which is the main direction of Italy's attack, has deployed a full 25 main Italian army.Among them, 5 divisions are the main force of the black shirt army brought by Rossi and are used as forwards.The remaining 5 divisions under the command of De Bono are also the first-level troops that can be regarded as the main force in the Italian Army.

Due to the unscrupulous large-scale use of poison gas by the black shirts, the Ethiopian army, which lacked gas masks, was defeated one after another.This made the Italian army's offensive on the northern front extremely smooth, and quickly occupied Adignat, a strategic location in northern Ethiopia, and assaulted the two important cities of Amewa and Aksu.A pincer attack was formed on Asbeba, the capital of Ethiopia.

With the cooperation of the Italian Royal Air Force, Rossi, who is not good at fighting, actually commanded the two fastest divisions of the black shirts to fight all the way to Asta, which is less than 2 kilometers away from the capital of Ethiopia.Only one month has passed since the start of the war.

In contrast, the 11 troops of Graziani on the southern front, not to mention the loss of troops, only slowly advanced 10 kilometers in one month.General Badoglio, who was originally sent by Mussolini to replace De Bono, commander of the northern line, became the successor of Graziani, commander of the southern line this time.

Badoglio, who arrived in office, immediately learned from Rossi's practice and launched a poison gas war.So Italy's Southern Front Army barely advanced another 20 kilometers a week later.

The same result that Reinhardt predicted for Rossi, Ethiopia reported the expected League of Nations and did not provide useful help to this poor country.

As Italian Prime Minister Mussolini assured the French government, he renounced his claim to French Tunisia and agreed that France also enjoyed privileges in Ethiopia.Not only did the French government not condemn Italy for using poison gas, but it also ceded 11 square miles of the Sahara Desert to Italy, agreed to Italy's arbitrary use of the port of Djibouti, and supported Italy's military invasion of Ethiopia in disguise.

At the request of Mussolini, the British government issued a public statement: "Being friendly to Italy and helping Italy has always been the goal of the British government."

The United States, which passed the neutrality law in August 1935, even cut off Ethiopia's way to buy weapons from the United States.

Under the appeasement policy of Britain, France and the United States, although the League of Nations finally had to declare that Italy was an aggressor, it did not implement an embargo on Italy's oil and other strategic materials, which hardly caused any hindrance to Italy's invasion.Italy can even safely use the Suez Canal controlled by the United Kingdom to transport supplies.

On January 1936, 1, Italy ended the Ethiopian War four months earlier than in history.As Prime Minister of Italy, Mussolini was awarded Italy's highest medal of honor by the King of Italy in recognition of his "contributions to creating a new empire".

Mussolini, who was becoming more and more powerful, had a faint attempt to abolish the king and proclaim himself the new Roman Empire.Under the secret control of his most trusted No. 2 fascist figure, Rossi, he was opposed by the king's supporters in the fascist party.

However, Mussolini still had the right to be on an equal footing with the Italian king and became the uncrowned king of Italy by virtue of his achievements in expanding the territory.

Text Chapter 84 The last lesson

"Yes, the 5th SS Division is on standby. Repeat, the 5th SS Division is on standby." Standing on the phone was a staff officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel of the SS on his shoulder.

"General Model, should we report to the Wehrmacht?" After putting down the phone, Terrell, as the division staff officer of the [-]st Division of the SS, reminded again: "After all, this operation is a blatant challenge. The Treaty of Versailles, once the French take a counterattack, we can't resist at all. At least we should also remind the Wehrmacht Command so that they are prepared."

Glancing at the worried Terrell, Model, who has followed Reinhardt for more than 10 years, just mentioned lightly: "Lieutenant Colonel Terrell, take a look at the uniform you are wearing. Is it black or green? of?"

"Black, general!" Terrell stood at attention without hesitation, raised his right hand and saluted 45 degrees and replied.

Model was very pleased with this response, which meant that Teller was at least firmly on the SS side.

"Don't be too cautious, Lieutenant Colonel Teller." Patting Teller's shoulder with his hand, Model smiled and said, "I don't doubt your loyalty to the Führer. I just want to remind you how our SS developed to this day."

A smile appeared on the corner of Model's mouth and said: "Who would have thought that the defeated Germany could have such a huge force. We are not only large in number, but also well-trained and firm-willed. I still remember that in the Battle of the Ruhr, Did Admiral Steve lead the backbone of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Divisions of the SS to defeat the elite French army with excellent equipment?"

"Remember, General. I studied the analysis of that battle repeatedly in the military academy." Teller said proudly: "This is the reason why I joined the SS. I want to join this glorious and powerful group."

"This is also the reason why I joined the SS." After handing a signed document to the adjutant who came over, Model laughed at Terrell: "At that time, the equipment of the SS was worse than it is now. Too much, no air support, and not enough heavy weapons."

Model paused for a moment, and said with fiery eyes: "But the SS at that time defeated the elite French army, and defeated the army known as the number one in Europe! The SS at that time was not the most orderly army, nor was it trained. The unit with the best subjects. However, the SS at that time was the ace army of the whole of Germany!"

"Believe in the Führer, and believe that victory will come to Germany. The combat power of the SS comes from our will." Speaking of this, Model smiled slyly: "It is not only Steve who dares to deal with the French in the SS. The 3 divisions of Admiral Husband. The 5th division under my Model is not made of trash. If the French dare to fight back, we will not be soft!"

..........

"Cough, cough, cough cough... You shouldn't have told me now." Sickert, who has been getting worse recently, is sitting on the new full leather chair in his office, flipping through the Following the report handed over by Reinhardt.

"Teacher, I have told you many times. You just disagree with my idea and think it is too risky." Although Reinhardt and Sickert have disagreed on many recent bold moves, but He still respectfully apologized to his first military mentor after crossing: "I'm sorry, teacher. I'm sure the French won't fight back, but I can't convince everyone."

"So you bypassed the Wehrmacht and privately mobilized the SS to occupy the Rhineland." Sickert shook his head and said with a serious heart: "Your ability to predict is very strong, which you have demonstrated countless times Advantages. But you shouldn’t rely too much on this kind of prediction........ I have told you many times that an excellent military strategist, or an excellent politician, should make any decision Be well-founded. I know that the future of Germany belongs to you. So you should make everyone around you trust you and believe in every decision you make."

"Teacher..." Reinhard, who realized that he was sorry for the mentor, wanted to explain something with guilt.

Sickert waved his hand, interrupted Reinhardt's defense and said: "You don't need to explain anything to me, I actually believe in your predictions. The reason why I always oppose you recently is just to see how you can make the surrounding It is impossible for your future road to be smooth sailing, you must learn to let the people around you trust your every decision in the face of adversity."

For an instant, a thought recurred in Reinhardt's mind.He couldn't help shivering, could it be...

"I don't have much time. I have to teach you some things. I consider myself a pure military strategist, and German generals have a tradition of never getting involved in politics. But..." Sickert's tone sank: "That doesn't mean I understand politics!"

"Don't look at the smooth sailing you're doing now, step by step. However, this is just the reason why the domestic Luke consortium chose to stay dormant. Once you encounter an unexpected failure in the future, many people will jump out to oppose you. Even assassinate you." Sickert's eyes showed a rare tenderness: "You are the most gifted student I have ever seen. Over the years, I have been witnessing your growth. What you need to learn most now is to fight Those wrongdoers who oppose you, cough, cough, cough..."

Reinhard lowered his head. He didn't realize that the teacher who always contradicted him recently would love him so much.When his eyes were still on the surface, Sickert, as his mentor, had already thought of a deeper and more future place for himself.

At this time, Reinhardt finally understood why Sickert, who had always stood with him, suddenly opposed his own judgments one after another during this period of time.Time is running out for this respectable military strategist.He's using his last chance to teach his only student how to be a leader.

"I have ordered the 5th Cavalry Division of the Wehrmacht led by Rommel to march towards Stuttgart. Once the French launch a counterattack, he can quickly launch a counterattack from Stuttgart." After taking a sip of black tea, Sickert said lightly: "In addition, the Wehrmacht's Three infantry divisions have already been transferred to the German-French border area. In order to avoid the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, these troops have twice the strength of the regular divisions, as you know."

After listening to Sickert's short words, Reinhard raised his head in surprise.

Sickert in front of him regained the confidence and vigor he had when he explained military battles to Reinhardt, and said with firm eyes: "If the French army dares to counterattack into Germany, I will let them know that the current German Wehrmacht How powerful. In 4 directions, the troops of the Wehrmacht can launch an assault. At that time, your SS army only needs to stay to stabilize the defense line."

"Thank you, teacher." Reinhardt bowed deeply.

Text Chapter 85 Race to the Rhineland

"God!" A middle-aged man who had just finished his work and was about to go home, his eyes widened in disbelief, looking at the SS soldiers marching in the brigade, said, "Black uniforms, Iron Crusade flags, Mauser rifles... ...God, our army... is back!"