But throughout the Second World War, the biggest headache for the Germans was not to fight for Italy. **

Mussolini's entry into the war and France's rapid surrender exacerbated the difficult situation of Britain's war of resistance. The spearhead of the German and Italian fascist armies was now mainly directed at Great Britain and its colonies. On September 13, the main forces of the Italian army began the long-awaited operation, crossing the Egyptian border and moving forward. Their army consisted of 6 infantry divisions and 8 tank battalions. The covering force of the British side consisted of 3 battalions of infantry, 1 battalion of tanks, 3 artillery squadrons, 2 armored convoys. They were ordered to retreat while fighting, and because of the qualities of the other men and the advantages of adapting to the desert, they were suitable for this method of warfare.

The Italian army began its attack by bombarding the British positions near the border market of Sulum. When the smoke and dust cleared, the British saw that the formation of the fascist army was unusually neat. In front of the position, motorcycle units were neatly lined up in front of the front, left and right; Behind it were light tanks and several rows of motorcycles. In the words of a British colonel, the scene was like "a birthday celebration at the Canggu in Aldershot" as the 3rd Coldstrim Guard slowly retreated, while the British artillery bombarded the countless targets so magnanimously in front of them.

Farther south, Mussolini ordered two columns to move toward the vast desert south of the mountain range, which ran parallel to the coast and could only be crossed at the Halvaa, the "crater of hell," which had played a role in the British army's subsequent battles.

Each Italian column had hundreds of vehicles, as well as tanks and anti-tank guns. In front were artillerymen, and infantry in trucks were in the center. The British called this formation, which the Italian army had repeatedly used, "Thorn Wei".

In front of this huge force, the British retreated, taking every opportunity to attack this group of strange, indecisive fascist enemies. Graziani later explained that he had decided at the last minute to change his plans and not to carry out an encirclement campaign in the desert, but to "gather my whole army on the left flank in order to reach Sidi Barani along the coast as quickly as possible". Thus the large Italian contingent slowly marched along the shore road along two parallel routes. They attacked in groups of 50 infantry in trucks.

Over the course of four days, the Coldstrim Guard skillfully retreated from Sulum to interconnected positions, inflicting heavy losses on the Italians as they retreated.

On September 17, the Italian army arrived at Sidi Barani. In this battle, the British suffered 40 casualties, while the Italians suffered 10 times as many casualties, and 150 vehicles were destroyed. Here, the Italian line of communication was extended by 60 miles; They paused, intending to stay here for three months. They were constantly attacked by small mobile units of the British side and encountered serious difficulties in replenishment. Ciano said Mussolini was "ecstatic" at first. He had taken full responsibility for the attack, and was proud to say that he had done the right thing", but after a few months, his excitement faded.

However, Churchill did not take the situation lightly, and he estimated that within two or three months, Mussolini would launch a larger offensive in an attempt to occupy the Egyptian Delta.

In addition, the German army may appear on the African battlefield at any time!

Just as Mussolini was preparing to launch a larger offensive, there was a degree of détente on the Western Front, and Hitler's "Sea Lion Plan" to attack Britain was essentially bankrupt. The détente on the Western Front created the conditions for the British army to take tougher action in the Middle East. Churchill was ready to concentrate more on dealing with Mussolini. Powerful reinforcements and a large supply of military supplies were constantly being transported from the Mediterranean to General Wavell's headquarters. Two tank regiments have reached the desert. Commanding Maitland, now known as the "Army of the Nile". General Wilson, who spoke highly of the power of the Matilda tank. …,

By this time, the British defensive position at Port Matru had been greatly consolidated, and the staff officers and planners of the Middle East Command had begun to hatch some new plans. Obviously, their next important task is to draw troops from Britain and India to strengthen British forces in the Middle East, especially in the deserts of West Africa.

At this time, War Secretary Eden came to North Africa to inspect and arrived in Cairo on 15 October. He worked with General Wavell and Maitland, who commanded the Desert Corps. General Wilson made a thorough discussion. They were confident of repelling Mussolini's attack.

General Wilson estimated that the maximum force that Italy could use to attack Port Matru would not exceed three divisions, and that the limiting factors were provisions, especially water and communications. For the Italian offensive, he had the 7th Panzer Division with the newly transferred tank regiment, the 4th Indian Division, the Matroux Harbor garrison consisting of 5 infantry battalions, 1 machine gun battalion and ** artillery team, and the 16th British Brigade and the New Zealand Brigade had arrived from Palestine. An Australian brigade was stationed west of Alexandria; Another Australian brigade is also moving there!

In addition, there is a Polish brigade. //**//

Aiden's report to Prime Minister Churchill stated that General Wilson believed that the build-up of these armies would be sufficient to meet the Italian threat and defeat the enemy if the air force assured full support.

Aiden also said that his previously proposed plan to create a flooded zone to deter enemy attacks had been implemented and that anti-tank barriers had been erected.

If Italy does not move, they intend to strike first and take the initiative. Churchill was encouraged by Chancellor Eden's report, and now the British prime minister's mind was eager to go on the offensive in the deserts of West Africa.

Just as Mussolini was about to make a big show about his attack on Egypt, the news that Hitler was going to march into Romania suddenly came from Berlin, which could not help but make this "leader" angry.

This little friend of Hitler, although he was powerless, his ambitions for the Balkans were as crazy as Hitler's. For a long time, the Italian dictator coveted Romania and Yugoslavia. Now I don't get angry when I hear that Hitler marched into Romania without any prior greetings. He shouted: "Hitler, the ghost fox, always forced others to accept the fait accompli. This time I'm going to give him a little color, and soon he will be able to read in the newspapers the headline of my occupation of Greece. ”

Greece is located at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula and in the eastern Mediterranean. It is bordered by Albania to the northwest, Yugoslavia to the north, Bulgaria and Turkey to the northeast, and the sea to the east, south and west. The coastline is long and winding, and there are many peninsulas and islands, so the strategic position is very important. The occupation of Greece, which to some extent could to offset the "glorious victory" of his partners, was of special importance not only in the possession of the Mediterranean, in the struggle for hegemony in Africa. The more he thought about it, the more proud he became, and he was determined not to do anything.

On the morning of October 15, 1940, Mussolini secretly convened an Italian military summit at the Palazzo Venezia. He pointed to a large military map and spoke of the importance of Greece's position and its usefulness to fascist Italy.

"The purpose of this meeting is to state my course of action of intent to attack Greece," he said. First of all, this operation has both maritime and territorial purposes in nature. The purpose of the Territory is to occupy all the coast of southern Albania ̈ and the Ionian Islands, including Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Corfu, as well as to occupy Thessaloniki. When we achieve these goals, it will change the situation in our confrontation with Britain in the Mediterranean. Secondly, to occupy Greece completely and incapacitate it, and to ensure that in any case it will be within our political and economic sphere. ”…,

After Mussolini clarified the purpose and intention of the campaign, he made further arrangements for the date and requirements for the war.

"Decided to act on the 26th of this month!" He said in a categorical manner: "My opinion cannot be delayed for an hour. Long before we entered the war, before the conflict began, I have now matured this action after months of deliberation. ”

Subsequently, Mussolini further analyzed and explained the favorable conditions for the war and the situation in the surrounding neighboring countries. "I don't expect anything to happen in the north." "Yugoslavia will remain silent because of all the stakes, and there will be no trouble on the Turkish side, especially since Germany has gained a foothold in Romania and Bulgaria has grown in power," he said. Bulgaria has a role to play in our contest, and I will take the necessary steps to take advantage of this unique opportunity to make its attempt to covet Macedonia and gain access to the sea a reality."

On 22 October, Mussolini redecided to carry out a raid on Greece on 28 October, writing to Hitler on the same day, but deliberately alluding to the action he intended to take on 19 October, but was vague about the exact nature and date of the action. Ziano wrote in his diary on that day that Mussolini feared that the "Führer" might order him to stop. When Hitler and Ribbentrop returned home by special car after returning from their talks in France, they heard of Mussolini's plan to attack Greece, and the Nazi foreign minister, on the orders of the "Führer," stopped at the first station after entering Germany to call Ziano in Rome, advocating that a conference of the leaders of the Axis powers be convened immediately. Mussolini proposed a meeting in Florence on October 28, and when his German guests stepped off the train that morning, Mussolini cheerfully welcomed him: "Führer, we are marching!" The victorious Italian army has crossed the Greek-Albanian border at dawn today! ”

Mussolini wanted to kill two birds with one stone. That is, one day, he entered the city of Athens in the form of a victor; Soon after, he entered Cairo in triumph, knowing that Egypt and Iraq were the most important suppliers of crude oil to Britain, and that the occupation of Egypt was more significant than the occupation of London. At the same time, the Greek occupation did not mean that the Egyptian occupation had been abandoned. For the new Roman Empire, attacking Greece seemed like a no-brainer. Mussolini believed that Greece was isolated at that time, because Turkey declared itself a "non-belligerent", and although Britain was allied with Greece, it was too busy with defensive operations in Africa and Britain to provide Greece with more assistance. At the same time, Mussolini also received intelligence that the Greek resistance was referring to

The sun can be destroyed. Therefore, this dictator is even more fluttering.

Before dawn on 28 October, the Italian minister in Athens delivered an ultimatum to the Greek Prime Minister, General Metaxas. Mussolini demanded the opening of all of Greece to the Italian army. At the same time, Italian troops stationed in Albania also invaded Greece from several places. The Greek army was by no means unprepared on the border, so the Greek government rejected the Italian ultimatum. From then on, a brutal war of aggression broke out on Greek soil.

In the port of Nabbaccdos, Greek destroyers and submarines, from time to time bombed by the Italian Air Force; In the Mediterranean, Greek ships were also repeatedly plotted by Italian submarines; A Greek cruiser anchored in the port of Dinos was also suddenly attacked by Italian torpedoes

Fortunately, most of the personnel went to the church on the shore to attend the Assumption of the Virgin, otherwise I don't know how many people would have died!

In fact, before the invasion, Mussolini had received a stern warning that the Italian army's attack on Greece would be met with resolute resistance; However, Mussolini ignored this, believing that the Greek resistance would not be too fierce and would not drag on too long. At that time, the commander of the Italian army stationed in Albania, Visconti. General Plaska, Lieutenant Governor Francisgro. General Jacomoni and Foreign Minister Ziano were both active in pushing Mussolini to enter Greece as soon as possible in order to give Hitler a disadvantage. …,

There were rumors in Rome that Ziano and Jacomoni were strongly advocating an attack on Greece, not so much to stop German power in the Balkans as to expand the power of fascist Italy in the Balkans.

At that time, the chiefs of staff of the Italian army, navy, and air force took a different attitude. They all advised Mussolini in fear that the current season was over and that it would be difficult to carry out mountain warfare. Mussolini, however, continued to go his own way. Even for the trusted spy department, Mussolini repeatedly criticized the Italian army's excessive pessimism because they constantly numerically showed the expected resistance of the Greek army and advocated that the Italian army advance slowly and step by step. The Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Marshal Badoglio, repeatedly told Ziano to discourage Mussolini from invading Greece.

He once said:

"It is not enough for the troops now stationed in Albania alone, and at the same time Bribesa is a shoal, and the navy cannot land. In the unlikely event that our offensive is not won for a while, the war is bound to be prolonged, and the resources that Italy already feels depleted will be lost.

If my advice is still that Maltese and Italy do not give up attacking Greece, I have no choice but to resign. ”

The timidity of Marshal Graziani in Egypt had made Mussolini sleepless. Now Badoglio is threatening him with resignation, which makes him smoke", and he was furious. Mussolini said in a fierce voice: "I will come to Greece to see the shameful face of our army, which fears the Greeks!" ”

At that time, if Badoglio had offered his resignation, Mussolini would have approved it without any consideration. In fact, Badoglio not only did not offer his resignation, but also stopped speaking out of Mussolini at all, causing him to think twice about the invasion of Greece.

In response, Mussolini, as he had done in the past, ignored all opposition and was supported by a group of minions to rashly start this criminal and humiliating war.

And when Hitler heard that Mussolini had "marched victoriously on Greece," he was furious. In his opinion, this is not a good time, and such a rash action against a stubborn enemy will disrupt his plans in the Balkans!

As he wrote to Mussolini later: "I rushed to Florence in the hope of preventing this action, but I came too late. ”

The Nazi leader managed to restrain his anger. Hitler returned home that afternoon with great indignation. In the past week, he has lost three times: once in Handaí, once in Montua and this time in Florence.

These long journeys were a recurring theme when he angrily scolded unreliable friends, Axis partners, and "deceitful Frenchmen."

As the front lengthened, so did the scale of the war. Hitler really felt overwhelmed and overstretched. Therefore, when he was looking for cannon fodder, the first thing that came to his mind was Franco, the partner he and Mussolini had helped.

But this treacherous fox sees the wind and rudder, and refuses to go into the water easily.

Throughout the war, his policy was completely "selfish and callous." He never thought about how to repay Hitler and Mussolini for their assistance to him.

This vicious-hearted tyrant only thinks about how to free his blood-drenched state apparatus from another war. The long civil war cost the lives of a million Spaniards; Poverty, high prices, and hard times have rendered this desolate peninsula lifeless.

"Spain can no longer easily get involved in war without complete certainty." It was with this attitude that this dictator understood and dealt with the great upheavals that shook the whole world at that time...,

The sudden fall of France and the possible collapse or destruction of England surprised Franco. In June, he said he was ready to join the victors of fascism and share the spoils. Partly because of his insatiable appetites, and partly because of his cunning, he made it clear that Spain was demanding. However, at this time Hitler felt that there was no need to win over allies.

Like Franco, he estimated that in a few weeks or even a few days, the major hostilities would be over, and Britain was about to sue for peace.

Therefore, he was not very interested in Madrid's positive attitude.

By August, the situation had changed. Britain will hold out on to fighting, and this war is likely to be long-term.

As Britain contemptuously rejected Hitler's July 19 peace proposal, Hitler began to seek allies; Who else could he turn to but the dictator he had aided in the past and who had recently pledged to stand with him?

However, Franco also raised the asking price for the same reason.

On 8 August, the German ambassador in Madrid told Berlin that Franco had demanded that Gibraltar, French Morocco and part of Algeria, including Oran, be guaranteed to Spain first, and that certain territories of the Spanish African colonies would be expanded.

In addition, adequate military and economic assistance was needed, as Spain had only enough food to feed for eight months. Finally, Franco believed that Spain could not enter the war until after the Germans had landed in England, "lest it enter the war too early, make it intolerable to Spain, and in some cases become a source of danger to the present regime", and at the same time Franco wrote to Mussolini reiterating his demands and asking for his support.

Mussolini replied on August 25 advising the commander-in-chief "not to stay out of European history."

Hitler, who was too demanding, was troubled and put aside for the time being.

In September, it seemed that Great Britain was able to withstand the German air offensive.

The transfer of 50 American destroyers made a very deep impression in the European countries, and Spain felt that the United States was gradually moving towards war. As a result, Franco and Spain adopted a policy of demanding everything, making it clear that their demands must be acceded to in advance.

The two leaders of Germany and Italy consulted on this, and they agreed that the main goal at that time was to defeat the British. The only question is: how to beat it? When to beat?

Mussolini said: "Either the war ends before the spring, or it will drag on until next year." He thought the latter was more likely, so he had to make the most of the Spanish card.

Ribbentrop believed that Spain would declare war, which would be a new and heavy blow to Britain

As the Spanish became more and more cold and insatiable, Hitler's desire to enlist their support became stronger.

On October 4, Hitler and Mussolini met to persuade Spain to enter the war. They thought Franco was too demanding and slow. Aceding Spain's demands could have two immediate consequences: British occupation of Spanish bases in the Canary Islands; French colonies in North Africa joined de Gaulle's movement. This would have forced the Axis powers to greatly expand the scope of their operations. In order to convince Franco, the Führer decided to go out himself.

On 23 October, Hitler traveled to Handaí, on the border between France and Spain, to meet with the Spanish dictator.

Far from being proud of Hitler's condescension, Franco said, according to Mussolini, made "demands that were grossly disproportionate to his strength."

Spain demanded the revision of the borders of the Pyrenees, the cession of French Catalonia, the cession of Algeria from Oran to Cape Blanco, and almost all of Morocco. The meeting took place through an interpreter and lasted nine hours.

The two sides reached only a vague protocol to make arrangements for military negotiations. Later, in Florence, Hitler said angrily to Mussolini:

"I'd rather have three or four teeth pulled out than negotiate like this again!"