Battle of the Third Reich

"War is not a goal, but a means. Now we should consider how to end this war." Weierle put a stack of reports on the desk, took off his glasses and rubbed his brows.

"How the head of state planned, our investment has greatly exceeded the original plan." Kirsten put a cup of coffee on Weierle's table.

"Don't guess, the head of state seems to have a new idea." Weiler took a sip of his coffee and turned his attention to the wall clock on the wall.

"It's three o'clock?" Weiler hurriedly put down the cup and stood up.

"Prepare my car, there is a meeting at 3:30, which is about Italy. What about my paper bag? I want to take these things away, Miss Jessica, find out for me from Zurich yesterday That report is the one with the yellow label. Sorry Kirsten, I will leave it to you next. If there is news, I will immediately call the Prime Minister’s Office to find me. I will stay there until dinner."

Weiler took the report from Miss Secretary and stuffed it with a few documents on the table into a black leather briefcase.

"Extension number 14, I know." Kirsten smiled and said goodbye to the teacher with a smile.

The internal structure of the new German Chancellery is not very reasonable. As an ornamental building, it really shows the power of the Third Reich everywhere. The problem is that as the core department of an empire, it is necessary to consider practicality and functionality. Obviously as a government agency, the new prime minister’s office is not very qualified.

Xu Jun is still considering this issue before entering the conference room. These tall and long corridors have no other purpose except to bring mental pressure to people. The actual utilization rate of this building is less than 40%, and the remaining space is used to render a solemn atmosphere. This has to admire Speer. He is indeed an unparalleled genius.

The meeting was held in the small conference hall. It was a small room of more than 20 square meters. There was a round table in the middle. The wall was framed with a reddish red background with a bronzing grass pattern. On the wall directly opposite the main seat A large scarlet velvet curtain hung.

"Hi! Reinhardt!" The participants were already here, and when they saw the head of state, they quickly stood upright. Both officers and officials raised their right arms to salute Xu Jun.

"Please sit down, gentlemen." Xu Jun walked to the throne left for him and raised his right wrist to salute everyone present.

He found himself becoming more and more accustomed to this fascist etiquette, and his earlier dislikes had slowly dissipated with this habit. This hand-raising ceremony has become a part of German life, representing the interests of Germany and its people above all else, and is also a symbol of the dictatorship of the head of state. Just like Hitler, this is now seen by the German people as a way of expressing loyalty to Xu Jun. Xu Jun can't find a reason to ban it. He can only tell himself that this is just a retro Roman military salute, which does not have What is the special significance? Besides, it does seem to have momentum. As long as the people do not oppose it, why not go out and have a branch.

In a few months, Xu Jun has been integrated into his current identity. He believes and must believe that his actions are all just, because because of his current status and his responsibilities, he simply cannot allow him to play. Self-denying game.

"Mussolini has begun to lose influence in the government, which is what I expected." After a few casual comments, the head of state began to discuss today's topic.

"The conditions put forward by Badoglio are in the documents before you. I believe you have known this before. General Weiler and Marshal Brauchic are direct operators. If you don’t understand, you can ask them in private. . This is a supplementary text. There was an initial agreement before. I agreed at the time. The initial agreement is the last part of the document." Xu Jun supported his elbow on the armrest of the chair, watching the secretary take a copy The documents were distributed to the participants.

"Now, Mussolini's control of the Italian government has reached a historical low, and his order has lost its binding on areas outside Rome. Weiler, please tell us about the specific situation." The head of empire My finger tapped on the desktop to remind everyone's attention.

"Mussolini has lost control of that country, not only because of the defeat on the battlefield, but of course also in this respect. His political enemies never succumbed, but just camouflaged to hide. Now this situation is that These opposition forces united in the counterattack. The royal family of the Savoy and the top military have formed an alliance. They want to use Mussolini as a scapegoat, try to use his resignation to trade with Germany, and are willing to surrender some of the benefits. Come to calm our anger." Weiller reported.

"I agreed to Badoglio’s request that he was prepared to initiate a coup in Rome. The German Wehrmacht would cooperate with his actions and would not interfere. Afterwards, he would request a truce negotiation with Germany on behalf of the royal family, using a kind of End the war in a decent way." Xu Jun took the crystal bottle in front of him and poured himself a glass of French natural mineral water.

"My head, Italy does not want to surrender unconditionally?" Marshal Rondestad asked.

"It seems that they have put forward a lot of conditions. In fact, we can ignore them. From the current progress, the National Defense Forces can occupy the entire territory of Italy within three months." The Field Marshal was confident in achieving this goal.

"It is true that as you think, Marshal, we have enough strength to completely defeat Italy. However, we may have to pay a great price for this. They have a very capable fleet and a large number of troops remain overseas. Colony. Considering that if we want to completely eliminate these troops, we need to pay for the materials and possible losses, this plan is obviously the most convenient.

We don't need to use as much troops as we can to achieve the desired goal. Let the Italians solve these problems for us, and many times the power to push down the fence does not come from outside. Xu Jun narrowed his eyes, with a sly smile on the corner of his mouth.

"I think I understand what you mean. I believe your judgment is correct. It's just that I feel that these Italians are not credible. They can betray their leaders. If they find opportunities in the future, they will betray us again." Long Dested said loudly that the result was nodded by a circle of generals.

"Of course they will betray us again. I have no doubt that as long as they are given the opportunity, Badogrio will overthrow our agreement. He is a classical soldier who regards honor as life and is extremely loyal to their king. He is not Those who can easily endure shame.

He is using us to achieve the goal of overthrowing the Mussolini government. The leader has too much power. Internal affairs, military affairs, industrial production, civic education, religion, and any policy formulation and implementation cannot bypass this man. .

He has already threatened the royal family, but his partisans are everywhere, and no one in Italy can shake this man's rule. The threat can only come from the outside world, and we happen to be the objects they need. Xu Jun opened the cigar box in front of him and took a cigar from inside. The generals and marshals saw it, and they took out their pipes and cigarettes from their pockets.

"But he forgot, since he can use us, why can't we use him in reverse? Badoglio thought I was a fool who was easily fooled by the immediate benefits, just like Mussolini. I Of course, we have to cooperate with him, so we paid only a small price and won Sicily, the whole of Northern Italy and most of Albania, then we have to win Upper Sicily and Tuscany, and wait until he finishes us To deliver his mission, we still have to win the whole Rome." Xu Jun lit the cigar and sneered out a cigarette.

"Anzio has landed? I've seen this plan. Is this something you have already arranged?" Marshal von Kluger had just returned to Berlin from the health resort, waiting for the command to assign him a new position. There are currently troops on the Italian battlefield that he once commanded on the French front.

Xu Jun does not have many negative views on Klug. Loyalty cannot be regarded as a crime. This is an excellent tactician. He has commanded the army of the group army before, but compared with several other senior marshals, there is no command. Group army group-level combat experience. But Xu Jun is very fond of his incomparable loyalty to his superiors. The 58-year-old marshal will be given a heavy responsibility.

"No, no, this is the plan that Yoder came up with. I just approved it. Originally, I just wanted to break through the Apennines from the center. Yodel’s landing plan is a magical stroke. If played well, it can save us a lot. Strength.

The hardest thing now is General Küchler, whose African army has just landed in Sicily, and now is about to launch a second landing battle, which is really worrying. "Xu Jun dusted the dust.

"We all know Admiral Küchler and believe that he will be able to overcome all difficulties." Bock said happily.

"The Italian Navy will not bother him. The air forces on Sardinia and Corsica will provide him with air support. We have absolute air superiority in that area. The Italians did not lay defenses there. The largest armed force within five kilometers is the fifteen policemen of the Anzio Police Station.

This landing was like an exercise for us. The biggest difficulty now facing General Küchler was how to secure his 47,000 soldiers and 70 tanks in 24 hours. Send ashore. "Weirler looked very serious and teased the commander of the African Army.

"I look forward to receiving the report of the successful landing. Now let's take a look at the direction of the Apennines. Let's take a look at the map first." Xu Jun raised his hand, and a staff member opened the curtain on the wall, revealing a whole of Italy. map.

"According to the plan, when Anzio's landing took place, the coup in Rome was almost over. No matter who was the last victor of this farce, it would be our army that ultimately controlled the city.

At the same time, our troops in the Apennines will take advantage of the situation to break through this fragile line of defense and destroy the Mobile Corps secretly retained by Badogrio in one fell swoop.

At that time General Kühler should have completed his occupation of Rome. He would follow my orders and arrest all government officials and senior officers in that city. Xu Jun sat there and talked happily, the baton in the hands of the staff followed the head's words and continued to walk on the map.

"My heads of state, they are likely to run away in advance, I mean the royal family and those high-ranking generals." Longde Steid reminded.

"I judge not, Badoglio will be lucky, because he and I signed this "Agreement." Xu Jun waved his hand to let the Marshal relax.

"In order to prevent Mussolini from escaping, Badoglio helped us annihilate the only transport force in Rome. If they wanted to escape, they would have to retreat by land. After the Apennines were broken, They actually have nowhere to go."

"Then they can only choose to surrender unconditionally to Germany, and you have another great victory, my head of state." Bock nodded admiringly to Xu Jun.

ps: delivered on time, thank you for your understanding. (To be continued.)

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