While Eder was digging a pit for the next Soviet-Finnish war, on the battlefield of North Africa, the unusually long-lost victory filled everyone's faces.

Yes, this is a long-lost victory, the first victory in Africa since the start of the war for Italy. It's really pitiful, Italy's record after entering the war is too ugly, and this time it finally got a face-saving battle.

Antonescu and Messer, both in Bengaldan, also received the news. For this news, the two of them had long expected it, because the three divisions of the French army in front of them were becoming more and more weak. Even today there is no offensive at all, which at all does not meet the requirements of the rescue.

So when the telegram that the besieged French army was going to surrender was placed in front of them, the two were not surprised at all, but the content of the telegram surprised them a little. In fact, there is nothing, the French commander who was besieged this time, General Catroux, pointed out that his guns and sabers needed to be handed over to the generals who broke through his position, isn't this the two men.

So in the face of this situation, it is of course impossible to say that the two are unwilling. Who can't be impressed by being so valued by their opponents.

It's just that when they go to surrender, they must leave one of them behind, because they still have enemies in front of them, and they can't both leave.

"In this case, you go and surrender and I will stay and watch the troops."

Messer was the first to offer a solution. In fact, he believed that Antonescu's role was crucial to be able to force the French army to surrender this time. Not only did he come up with the whole plan, but he also commanded the battle and carried out the plan. It can be said that he and the Romanian army led by him occupy half of the role of being able to encircle and force the French army to surrender, so it is absolutely deserved to let him surrender.

However, in the face of Messe's kindness, Antonescu refused without hesitation. "Mese, you should be the one to surrender this time, and I will be in charge of the troops left behind."

Antonescu's words made Messer feel a little incredible, but he was not willing to accept it like that. "It's up to you to do this, everyone knows that this battle plan is basically implemented by you, if you don't go, I will make my conscience uneasy."

"Messer, listen to me."

Antonescu admired Messer's sincerity, but this time he was not polite.

"Listen to me, I'm not being kind this time, I really need you to go this time. Remember what I said earlier, about the idea of fighting in Tunisia. ”

Needless to say, Messer clearly understood Antonescu's intentions, and saw him say with surprise on his face. "Do you want to start a war against Tunisia next?"

"Yes."

Antonescu said unceremoniously. "This time we have wiped out nearly 100,000 French troops, and although the French army in North Africa still has nearly 300,000 troops, its quality is no longer guaranteed. Didn't the rape show before, and the French army in North Africa is mainly local conscripts. Can't you deal with these armies? ”

Antonescu's words made Messer's vision much wider. Everyone knows that the colonial army is different from the native army. If there are 300,000 French troops on the ground, then there is nothing to say, prepare for a defensive battle. However, if it were an army composed of North Africans, then they would have the intention of using force against it.

It's just that the current strength is not enough for the Italo-Romanian coalition to launch a campaign against Tunisia. At present, the most needed reinforcement is the Loelie Corps, which cannot be accomplished by the Romanian North African Corps alone, and must rely on the help of Italy. Whoever made the Romanian North African Legion less than 100,000 people could not do it without the Italians.

And there is no better way to express Italy than the defeat of Messe. And at this time, Antonescu could not help but think of the scene of his meeting with Mussolini in Rome, although he did not feel good about the Italian prime minister (he was crooked at length), but he felt the ambition of the Italian prime minister.

In order for the prime minister to support the Tunisian campaign, he needs to see the results, and this battle in Tripoli is a good start, and it would be better if an Italian general could accept the surrender of the French commander.

In fact, Antonescu thought too much, Tunisia has a fatal temptation for Italy. The first stop of Italian colonization was Tunisia, but it was first won by France, for which Italy joined the Three Emperors Alliance in a fit of rage.

And look at the location of Tunisia, which is just over 200 kilometers from the Italian island of Sicily. As long as Italy controls Tunisia, it will completely dominate the central Mediterranean, and Tunisia has a lot of arable land, which can effectively release the population pressure in its country. So for the capture of Tunisia, Italy is definitely very willing.

And Messer stopped talking after hearing Antonescu's words, in fact, he was also very willing to seize Tunisia.

The next day, Messer and a group of Italian generals went to a small town called Varye on the front line, where the French army had surrendered.

Messer came around by boat, as the area was currently under the control of the Italian navy.

Katru looked at Messer and spoke. "You are General Messer who broke through from my position, why didn't you see that General Antonescu."

It seems that this French commander studied them before.

"General Antonescu needs to be busy with new plans, so he let me come."

Messer is not a stupid person either, and he will let him guess slowly when it comes to Catrous's clichés.

Seeing that his words caused Messe's misunderstanding, Catroux just shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not trying to get into your military plans, just out of curiosity."

Catrou, who felt that his words might have been misunderstood, no longer dwelled on the topic, only to see him remove his pistol and command knife from himself and hand them to Maese.

"I surrender to you on behalf of the 21st French Army, to which I belong, and we demand the treatment due to the Geneva Treaty."

Messer replied taking his command knife and pistol. "Rest assured, General Catroux. We will abide by the Geneva Conventions and treat you as you deserve, and of course you must comply with their obligations. ”

"We know this, and we will abide by it."

The actions of the two represented the formal surrender of the besieged French army, so the Italian side naturally did not intend to let go of this momentous moment, and several reporters with permission to hold cameras to capture it. They then rushed back to China, and their photos appeared on the front pages of the newspaper early the next morning.

Unsurprisingly, the news was headlined the next day. Although there are still doubts about joining the war in Italy, the arrival of good news is somewhat gratifying, and the number of people who genuinely support joining the war will increase, which is very important for the Italian government.

Because Italy's support for the war was the lowest in the three countries. If it weren't for the promotion of the *** party led by Mussolini, maybe Italy would not necessarily join the war.

In addition to the reason of national strength, that is, the final result of the last war was too damaging to the Italian people. No one wanted to do it again, but fortunately Italy was no longer on the side of Britain and France.