Chapter 1091: The Germans' Plan
"Although we deliberately connived at the failure of the Italian Blackshirts last time, we have to admit that we underestimated the political strength of the Italian navy and the ability and determination of General Tycho. According to our timetable, we always thought that the navy needed to reach an agreement or some kind of tacit agreement with other political forces in the country before acting, and the Italian internal political forces were in a wait-and-see attitude at that time, so it would take a long time to reach a certain tacit agreement, and this could at least provide valuable time for the early advance of the Blackshirts, and even if the Italian navy took action, I am afraid it would pay a considerable price. But what the result is, I think everyone here should be very clear that not only the Black Shirts, but also paid a certain price. This is our failure, the defeat caused by the other side at the trough. Ribbentrop wrote in the report.
"I believe that the failure of this operation was mainly due to the following subjective reasons: firstly, the strength of the Italian blackshirts was too weak, and the Italian army and other political forces would never be inclined to either side until the situation became clear, and the result would be to confront the rabble against the well-trained and well-equipped Italian navy. There is no chance of winning such a battle at all. The second is that the penetration into southern Italy is not enough, the Italian navy has a consolidated rear, they don't have to worry about the security of the ports in the south, so their fleet and personnel can strike in full force, if we can cause a certain amount of chaos in the south first, then at least we can delay the progress of the other side's actions. The third point is that the preparation is not sufficient, especially for some middlemen and vacillating bribes. Mussolini lacked a solid political alliance, and he thought he was Caesar who could act autocraticly. In fact, he is a clown. Ribbentrop thought for a moment and continued to write.
But when he got to this, he stopped writing, because he was considering whether it was necessary to write the rest of the text on this article. For a medium-sized country, it is feasible to support the domestic opposition to overthrow the current regime, because their state apparatus is too fragile, and a little bit from the powerful can do it, but this time. What they need to deal with is a middle power, but also a sea power, and more importantly. The country's fifth-largest navy in the world is controlled by a strong man. Mere political and ordinary means of subversion are not worth mentioning in the face of absolute power. Even if Mussolini did the above? Under the cover of the Italian Navy, Italian marines could land at any point in the north and launch a deadly attack.
"We underestimated Italy, thinking that we could win at a very small price and act next time. will be our only chance. Taking advantage of the inability of the Entente to intervene, we must be prepared for war with Italy. Large-scale involvement of the army and navy is inevitable, and only then will we have a chance of victory. Not long ago, Ribbentrop proposed this proposal to the Kaiser at a meeting, but unfortunately, the other high-level German officials were not interested in it.
"Italy is still our nominal ally, at least for now, and we are going to do it to our allies, and the international repercussions of this kind of thing are very bad." Chancellor Weimar said worriedly. Ribbentrop was dismissive of this. Ally? It's more appropriate to call it an enemy now, right?
"Within the next three years, the German High Seas Fleet will be gradually deployed to the Mediterranean. And Austria-Hungary refused to face the Italian Navy alone, I think this decision was correct, Marshal Schell is not in good health and it is impossible to fight again, I need to preside over the overall situation, then who is left to deal with Tycho and his navy? The navy is not an army, and if an army or a group army is annihilated, we can raise an army in half a year, but the construction period of a cruiser in the navy must be more than one and a half years. I never doubted General Tycho's determination to fight to the end. We will win in the end, but we will go back at least 3 years in the construction of our navy. Hipper said. As Scheer's successor, he must consider the size of the fleet in the event of another war with the Allies.
"What do we need from Italy, you should know very well that if we don't get the Italian navy and its national strength, but instead consume our own national strength, and at the same time Italy is in a pile of ruins, we have to be responsible for feeding the Italians displaced by the war, so why don't we let Italy neutral? If you have to use the army to solve it, then what's the use of suing me, asking you people?! In front of the Kaiser, Hipper said mercilessly!
Since Marshal Scheer's poor health, Hipper has taken over almost the entire job, but as a fierce general, it is more suitable to deal with the enemy than with the budget, politicians and shipyards! Of course, the most important and troublesome issue is the formulation of the future naval strategy, and a shadow has been hovering over his head. He attended the Rome Conference, during which Lin Yongsheng's unofficial ultimatum on behalf of Huaxia was like a sword of Damocles hanging over his head. He believes that Huaxia can say it and do it! It's just a matter of time before you go to war! He also didn't want to fight with the Huaxia and Entente fleets, which had absolute superiority! However, this ultimatum, Hipper, believed, but the Kaiser did not believe it! Or believe, but don't care! It was for this reason that he opposed a war with Italy before the war with the Entente!
"Our Air Force can take on the task of delivering supplies to the Blackshirts, and if the Army is willing to fight, we can also secure the flight lanes over the Adriatic Sea. Even we could sink all the battleships of the Italian Navy that appeared in the Adriatic. "At a time when the meeting was at an impasse, the Red Baron Richthofen's statement was subversive, he expressed his willingness to support Ribbentrop's opinion on behalf of the Air Force, and more importantly, he was the Kaiser's spokesman, and his attitude must have been explained in the course of the Kaiser's attitude!
Shock, confusion and then calm. Hippert quickly adjusted his mentality, is this a conspiracy? It seems that the Kaiser has become very full of us old fellows, as he did with Chancellor Bismarck decades ago. Put it on a high position and hold it high, and then fall down hard. The Kaiser needs some more "enterprising" young people. Let's go, if you are not in his position, you will not seek politics, for this life, Hipper has nothing to regret.
"The Air Force can transport guns, it can transport infantry, but what about artillery and tanks? The need for an airfield to unload large equipment is guaranteed to occupy an airfield that can be used for the turnover of large transport aircraft? What are the consequences of elite paratroopers in the face of highly mobile and high-firepower lightly armored units, I think everyone knows. General Stud (newly promoted) did his best, but still couldn't stop the attack. And the Air Force can only guarantee air supremacy in the Adriatic Sea at best, so what about the west coast of Italy? The Italian Navy could still cover the Marines' offensive to the north. At this moment, Lieutenant General Bock of the Army suddenly spoke, making this incident turn around again! As a lieutenant general, he originally had no right to interject, but since he dared to speak, it meant that he had received the instructions of the army's top brass. The navy and army, which were originally half enemies, actually joined forces! And it's a joint effort without any consultation! This came as a surprise to the Navy, the Air Force and the Kaiser!
The navy is against it because it is worried about the loss of strength, and the army is also worried, look at the map, don't think about it in the northern mountains, tanks and heavy equipment are difficult to pass, and the only way to transport them on a large scale is by sea. But the question is, no matter how strong the air force is, can you guarantee that the Italian air force will never interfere? This kind of behavior is already an act of war, and some wall-riding factions may stand idly by in the domestic struggle, but if there is an invasion by a foreign enemy, it will mean something else, the air force flies on it, the navy can't pass, let the army swim over by itself?! Well, even if the Air Force bleeds a little blood and gains air supremacy, what about submarines and offshore torpedo boats and mine arrays under the surface of the sea? More importantly, the German Army had an opinion about the German High Seas Fleet and was distrustful of the Austro-Hungarian Fleet! If you get caught, who's to blame?!
Of course, there is also a reason why Student has a rather high opinion of the Italian marines. "At least the force that is fighting with us is definitely not inferior to Germany, enough to compete with our most elite troops, and theoretically the heavy armored troops can crush the opponent, but only if they can land on Italian soil!" Student said. So this added to the concerns of the German Army. As for the third reason, it was that the German Army was very dissatisfied with the Kaiser's wanton meddling in military affairs, so it decided to find a small nail for them to touch! What can the Kaiser do with a plan that the navy and army are not optimistic about? Is it??
The end result was that the matter broke up unhappily, and the Kaiser was very angry, but there was nothing he could do! "Sooner or later, I'm going to sweep these old guys into the garbage!" After cursing in his heart, the Kaiser left in a huff. Ribbentrop was not so easy, but he was resisted by the navy and army, and if he did something in the future, I am afraid it would be even more difficult. So when it came time to write the report, he decided to stay out of the limelight for the time being. At least not until the attitude of Austria-Hungary changed.
On the one hand, Austria-Hungary was unwilling to fight to the death with the Italian Navy, which might cause an accident, and on the other hand, it felt that the bargaining chips given by Germany were a little low! If Germany agrees to return the territories ceded to Italy by Austria-Hungary before World War 1 after Mussolini comes to power, then Austria-Hungary can reluctantly fight the Italian navy!
Thanks to the book friends zhouyu1976 and hukaikaka for their tips~~~, as well as the monthly ticket support of book friends f663026, He Miao Miao, the constellations soaring in the universe, and the sleeping animals ~~~. New year, new beginning, today the author adds a more chapter in the afternoon~~~, I hope you will support ~~~, give the author a good start ~~~. Thank you. (To be continued......)