The Third Reich: I Became Emperor

The soldiers of the M Army who had experienced the North African Campaign had a deep understanding of the combat effectiveness of the Italian Army. They had never seen a force with such poor combat effectiveness in the world.

Many times, they rushed to the Italian trenches and found that they had already thrown their weapons aside. Their commanders said righteously:"We have thrown away our weapons. We are now prisoners. Please abide by the Geneva Convention and treat us as prisoners."

All the soldiers of the M Army were stunned. They were not taught this way during training. The evil Italian Army had strong combat effectiveness. Don't be merciful when you meet them.

After encountering them many times, they got used to it. The Italian Army was just a bunch of scum. No, they even insulted scum.

Now they heard that the island they were about to land on was defended by the Italian Army, and they didn't care at all.

Some people even said that they sent too many people. It was enough to fight against a few thousand Italian soldiers. This group of cowards, a thousand people could chase them all over the mountains.

"Maybe, as soon as we landed, they surrendered to us in a hurry."

"Yes, yes, this situation often occurs. During the North African campaign, these vulnerable Italian troops often did this. When we first fought them, we were worried that they would be very powerful and tough, and thought they would be as powerful as the D Army. As a result, this group of useless troops surrendered as soon as they launched a charge."

"Yes, otherwise, we wouldn't have won so quickly. It seems that the 200,000 German troops on the island of Tunisia will surrender soon."

"We should still eat and drink, and just fight this useless army casually."

"I think so too. After training, I will go for a walk in the city and relax. Many people looked at each other and continued to talk about other topics.

"Hey, buddy, take me with you." Someone next to him immediately echoed

"I am coming too"

"Count me in, I just got my military pay"

"Hehe, there's me too."

The officers not far away pretended not to hear it. Before the war, they only cared about morale and didn't care about anything else.

Of course, they didn't care about the Italian army. Anyway, the combat effectiveness was there, so they just had to fight casually. If it was the D Army, they might have to pay more attention to it, but the D Army also had strong and weak units. The combat effectiveness of strong troops was naturally very strong, so they must pay special attention to it. If it was a unit with weak combat effectiveness, they didn't have to care too much, because basically they could win.

But the situation in another M Army camp was different, especially the 1st Mechanized Infantry Division, which was undergoing hard training.

The 1st Mechanized Infantry Division of the M Army was once severely damaged and suffered heavy losses in the battle with the D Army in the North African Campaign. After a period of replenishment, it has now returned to its pre-war level.

"Strange, why are we being asked to attack Pantelleria Island, and the island is full of Italian troops?"A soldier from the 1st Mechanized Infantry Division asked curiously.

"Yes, the Italian troops on the island are just a bunch of rabble, vulnerable to attack. We don't need to take them so seriously, right? Don't other troops have fun training? They can even go out and relax. Why should we take them so seriously?"

"Yes, commander, why do we have to train so hard? It is not necessary at all, why not give us some time to relax?"Someone suggested.

In response to his subordinates' complaints, the commander only said one sentence:"There may be D troops on the island. If you don't want to die, train well."

"What? There will be a D army on the island? Is this true?"Someone asked in shock

"I don't know, I just heard it, but now you all have to train well, especially the mortar group, and immediately conduct field training and landing exercises. Everyone should line up in battle formations in company and platoon units and prepare to start training."The division commander shouted loudly.

Suddenly, the entire training ground was silent, and everyone looked at the division commander with fear on their faces.

"If anyone doesn't want to train, leave the First Division immediately, and then do whatever you want. My First Division doesn't need a bunch of disobedient guys."

"Our First Division is the most powerful force in the United States. We will not allow anyone to tarnish our reputation, otherwise I will never let him go."

There are three first divisions in the United States, namely the First Cavalry Division, nicknamed the First Team, the First Mechanized Infantry Division, nicknamed the Big Red First Division, and the First Armored Division, nicknamed the Brave.

These three are absolutely elite, so the commander of the First Mechanized Infantry Division will never allow soldiers to insult the honor of the First Division.

Of course, there is another first division, that is the First Marine Division of the United States, known as the fourth-class elk, which is never taken seriously, and its equipment and supplies are always the worst.

Hearing this, everyone present fell silent, and no one dared to say more.

"What are you still standing there for? Get moving."

After being scolded like this, the soldiers of the First Division immediately picked up their weapons, including Garand semi-automatic rifles, machine guns, bazookas, flamethrowers, etc.

Then they rushed to board the amphibious landing vehicles and began to conduct landing drills.

Seeing this scene, the commander of the First Division nodded with satisfaction.

"Hey, you see the First Division is still training? Are they going to be the strongest unit?"The soldier of the 82nd Airborne Division not far away said disdainfully.

The commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Ridgway, frowned and said nothing more.

"Ha, they want to be the ace? Without us, they would have been wiped out by the D Army long ago, a bunch of rubbish."A second lieutenant of the 82nd Parachute Division scoffed

"Sir, if the guys from the First Division knew what you said, they would be beaten up."A sergeant next to him joked

"Humph, to tell you the truth, if we hadn't rescued them in time, would there still be the First Division? It would have been cancelled long ago." The captain said calmly.

This sentence touched many people's hearts. The 82nd Airborne Division, originally an infantry division, had saved the First Division during the North African campaign and was very disdainful of the First Division's ambitions.

"Okay, stop talking nonsense, hurry up and train. After we take Pantelleria Island, we may be able to parachute into Sicily. This will be our first parachute landing."A major interrupted the conversation.

"Yes!"

On the third day of the Mediterranean air battle, Major General Burgdorf led the 26th Armored Division to Pantelleria Island.

This military adviser to the leader served as the commander of an armored division when Guderian was training the armored division.

Everyone is unfamiliar with this name, but his military attainments are not bad, especially after years of exposure in the Supreme Command, his grasp of strategy is still very accurate.

So when the British and American Allied Forces set their sights on Pantelleria Island, he asked for a battle and wanted to garrison on Pantelleria Island to teach the British and American Allied Forces a lesson there.

As soon as he arrived at Pantelleria Island, Major General Burgdorf immediately inspected the entire island, and then began to assign defensive positions.

"The troops are still not enough. At least one more infantry division must be added to completely defend the island."After inspecting the island, Major General Burgdorf called Rommel.

Rommel pondered for a while and said,"I will give you the 156th Infantry Division. You must defend Pantelleria Island. If you can't defend it, you must hold on for half a month."

Hearing this, Major General Burgdorf assured,"Please rest assured, Marshal, I will definitely hold the position."

At the same time, he was puzzled. Wasn't the 156th Infantry Division transferred to defend Sicily? If it is transferred to him now, then the defense of Sicily will be reduced. Wouldn't it be dangerous to join the M Army to make a feint and attack Sicily directly?

In response to Major General Burgdorf's doubts, Rommel smiled and said,"Don't worry, the Supreme Command has added two more divisions to me. With the Italian army's million-strong army, there is absolutely no problem in defending Sicily."

Hearing about the million Italian troops, Major General Bugdorf's face was full of black lines. It would be better to believe those black uncles than to believe them. At least they would obey orders.

However, since Rommel was so confident, Major General Bugdorf did not say more and hung up the phone.

Next, Major General Bugdorf urged the D Army to start digging fortifications in a hurry, but the Italian troops on the island were very unhappy when they saw this scene.

Although they were also assigned to the command of Major General Bugdorf, they were still dissatisfied and displeased.

After all, Pantelleria Island is also their territory, but as soon as these D troops arrived on the island, not only did they not say hello to them, they didn't even look at them straight in the eye. They immediately dug and deployed defenses on the island, and even tore down and rebuilt all their previous fortifications.

All the officers and soldiers of the Italian army were naturally angry and angry about the D Army's disrespect and lack of attention, so the Italian army decided to get back at them and negotiate with Major General Bugdorf in person.

"Major General Burgdorf, you led so many troops to land on Pantelleria Island suddenly. Did you get the consent and approval of our Prime Minister?"Colonel Gao Lan said expressionlessly.

Facing the provocation of the Italian army, Major General Burgdorf said indifferently:"Your Prime Minister is being held captive by your King. Now I am here to fight a defensive battle with the M Army under the order of the Southern Theater Command. Do you have any dissatisfaction or opinions?"

""Major General, this is our territory. Without the order of our Prime Minister, please leave immediately. We can defend it ourselves." Colonel Gao Lan said dissatisfiedly.

"Are you sure? With your fighting power, are you qualified to say that to us? Even your prime minister wouldn't dare to talk to us like that. You are really brave."

"Or are you going to surrender to the M Army? And then take our heads to ask for credit from the M Army?"

"This is an order from the Southern Theater Command. It has the signature of your Army Commander. Are you planning treason?"

Major General Bugdorf was not polite at all. He threw big hats at him one after another. Colonel Gao Lan's face changed slightly. He took a closer look and saw that the order was indeed signed by the Army Commander. He didn't know what to say for a moment.

"You are talking nonsense, we are not going to surrender!"

Seeing the other party's red face, Major General Bugdorf looked disdainful and said immediately:"Since you have no intention of surrendering, then stand aside and assemble your troops immediately. I will reorganize your troops and assign new tasks."

"If you dare to refuse, do you believe I will shoot you right now? And I won't be held responsible for anything. If you think that the few thousand soldiers you have can defeat our armored division, I can withdraw from Pantelleria Island."

Colonel Gao Lan didn't know what to say after being scolded by Major General Burgdorf. His face turned pale and blue. He didn't dare to say that the telegram was fake, nor did he dare to fight the D Army Armored Division, but he couldn't save face.

""Mr. Major General, this is our territory after all. You treat us so rudely and ignore us. Are we still allies?" Colonel Gao Lan said dissatisfiedly.

"I'll say it one last time. From now on, obey my orders, or I will immediately execute military law and shoot you on the spot."Major General Burgdorf said murderously.

The soldiers next to him had already walked in with MP-40 submachine guns, waiting for the order to fire.

""Major General, we are allies, friends, not enemies. What are you doing?" Colonel Gao Lan said hurriedly, a little flustered.

Seeing that they were so arrogant just now, but now they are as cowardly as pigs, Major General Burgdorf really wanted to shoot them. They are a group of people who are more likely to cause trouble than to do good. I don't know what Marshal Rommel was thinking. He actually assigned these people to him for command. This is simply a pitfall.

"3……2……"

"I promise you that from now on all the Italian troops on the island will obey your command."Seeing that the soldiers at the headquarters were ready to pull the trigger, Colonel Gao Lan said hurriedly

"Very good, in fact, we have no ill will towards you. We are here to help you defend the island. The M army is about to land here. You only have a few thousand people, and you can't defend Pantelleria Island at all. The strategic location of this island is too important. In order to defend this island, I was sent to take over here."Major General Bugdorf calmed down and explained.

"Therefore, in order to ensure that Pantelleria Island is not lost, you must cooperate with me."

"Yes! Please rest assured, General, we will definitely cooperate with you." Colonel Gao Lan said loudly.