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Volume 2: My Country Chapter 597. Mussolini is coming

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    Italy, this is a beautiful country.

    The Italian army is a ridiculous army.  Their "glorious history" on the battlefield is enough to fill a thick book.

    Of course, the Italian officers did not want to see this.

    The joke is that the Italians are not annoying at all on the battlefield. They will only become a joke for the enemy to entertain themselves after dinner.

    In 1923, Mussolini determined the expansion steps, taking the large but weak Ethiopia as the primary target of expansion, and clamored that Ethiopia must be conquered in order to build a veritable colonial empire.  However, it was not until 1935 that Mussolini, who was hesitant about doing things, decided to fight.  On October 2, Mussolini announced the general mobilization of war at the Palazzo Venezia, declaring arrogantly: "We have endured it for 13 years and can no longer endure it!"

    The well-equipped Italian army has invested more than 200,000 troops, hundreds of tanks and a large number of aircraft on the northern and southern fronts, preparing to take down Egypt in one fell swoop.  At that time, the Egyptian army only had rifles, thousands of machine guns, and hundreds of old-fashioned light artillery. There were no tanks or combat aircraft at all.  There is a huge gap in strength between the two countries.  However, things went beyond Mussolini's expectations.  After the Italian army quickly captured several cities, it was repeatedly blocked by the Egyptian army. At that time, the Italian Foreign Minister Ciano said pessimistically, "It is impossible to win this war."

    In May 1936, the crazy Italian fascists used gas bombs, mustard gas bombs and other chemical weapons to pour poison into the Egyptian rivers, lakes and fields, and it took a lot of effort to occupy the Egyptian capital Addis Ababa.  , established the short-lived "East African Empire".

    In June 1940, more than 200,000 British expeditionary forces lost their armor at Dunkirk and retreated to the British Isles.  At this time, Mussolini believed that the time had come to seize Britain's African colonies.  At that time, the main force of the British army was in Europe. There were only more than 100,000 British troops stationed in Africa and the Middle East, while Italy had nearly 600,000 troops stationed in Africa.

    However, Mussolini completely overestimated himself.  In less than half a year, tens of thousands of British troops stationed in North Africa captured more than 300,000 Italian troops, including more than a hundred generals, through several beautiful battles.

    What¡¯s even more ridiculous is that on June 30, 1940, the plane of Marshal Balbo, the Italian Governor in Libya, was shot down by Italy¡¯s own anti-aircraft artillery over the northeastern port of Tobruk, and the marshal was killed on the spot.  In order to cover up this serious incident, the Italian army announced that the marshal was killed in an air battle with the British.

    In May 1940, the German army quickly invaded France and approached Paris.  On June 10, Mussolini believed that the time had come and ordered Prince Umberto, commander of the Western Army Group, to command 325,000 troops to be stationed on the Italian-French border on standby.  On the 17th, the newly formed French P¨¦tain government demanded an armistice, and Hitler invited Mussolini to meet in Munich.  Mussolini successfully obtained some of the ceded lands from France.

    What¡¯s interesting is that Mussolini felt that such a victory was undignified, and suddenly decided to launch a blitzkrieg against the French army on the 21st and 22nd before the armistice agreement was officially signed.  As a result, in the Alps, the Italian army's lightning attack not only failed to make the six weak French divisions take a step back, but was hit head-on by the French army, resulting in heavy losses, and 631 people were killed.  Prince Umberto was forced to declare a truce.

    In order to change his supporting role among the fascist Axis powers, Mussolini launched an all-out attack on Greece on October 28, 1940, using 87,000 troops, 163 tanks, 686 artillery pieces and 380 aircraft.

    However, the Italian army failed to meet Mussolini's expectations.  On November 4, the Greek government only assembled 15 divisions, and it took a week to drive the Italian army from the border.  On the 21st, Mussolini temporarily changed command, dispatched 14 additional divisions, and launched a new round of general offensive.  The Greek army cleverly used the terrain and resisted tenaciously, but the Italian army never reversed the defeat.  Mussolini was so distraught that he blamed the General Staff for the fiasco and then changed the Chief of General Staff. At the same time, he demanded an armistice in Greece through Hitler.  But it was too late. The Greek army had launched an offensive across the board. The Italian army suffered heavy casualties. All the ace divisions were wiped out, five generals were captured, and one general was killed.

    The Italians were all stunned, they didn¡¯t know what was going on.  Mussolini rushed to Germany anxiously, sitting in front of Hitler as anxiously as a schoolboy who had made a mistake, begging for help.  Hitler agreed to send troops and spent two hours teaching strategy and tactics to Mussolini.

    But Hitler¡¯s efforts will have no effect on the Italians at all

    However, Mussolini felt that he was "feeling proud" this time, and the Italian army finally achieved a "beautiful" victory in Africa.

    In Mussolini¡¯s view, the Italian army definitely played the leading role in Africa¡¯s victory. Since this is the case, theyOf course, more benefits should be allocated.

    In the military camp, he met General Motta, who had just been released by the Germans.

    General Mota has a lot of grievances to tell his leader.  How unreasonable the Germans are, how the Germans let the Italians die, etc.

    But Mussolini, who was in a good mood, comforted his general: "Hey, my brave general, why are you depressed? Now we are victorious after all, right? What did the Germans gain from their arrogance?  What? North Africa is now entirely ours, and you will be compensated most generously for what you have suffered."

    General Motta felt better now.

    Mussolini was very ambitious.  During the war, Italy's national power, especially its military power, was relatively weak. The most frequent loser in the war was the Italian army. Regardless of the war against France or the Soviet Union, even the guerrilla forces against Yugoslavia had to be completely wiped out.  Mainly due to low morale of the troops and improper command.

    However, as the country's national strength was declining, Mussolini, the Italian dictator, had huge ambitions. His first step was to establish an African empire. When France established the Vichy government, it was apparently neutral, but in fact it was a puppet of Germany.  , Mussolini¡¯s colonies in North Africa included Algeria, Tunisia and many other places, but at this time Italy could not and did not dare to invade Vichy France¡¯s North African colonies.

    So Mussolini ordered the African Italian army to launch an attack on British Somalia, Kenya, Sudan and Egypt in an attempt to establish a Mediterranean empire. However, he was beaten again. Eritrea and Ethiopia were captured by the British army, and a little bit of Libya remained.  He was almost driven back to Italy, but it was not until Germany sent the famous general Rommel to command the Italian and German forces that they regained some reputation.

    And now, the dream of building a so-called Mediterranean empire seems to be possible again

    And at a time like this, he would not offend Germany.  So even if his men were imprisoned by the Germans, Mussolini could just pretend he didn't know.

    As long as he established a huge African empire, he would have the power to challenge Germany.

    Of course, what Mussolini cares about most now is the welcome ceremony that is coming tomorrow, which is a big issue related to the face of the leader of a "big country".

    "It is said that the Germans are preparing, but they have not allowed us to intervene." Mussolini's special envoy to the German army, Biano, answered his leader.

    Mussolini nodded with satisfaction: "Ernst is still very sensible. I heard that he is a victorious general and has never suffered a defeat. I can't wait to see him. Ernst  What about Te? Will he be in the welcoming team tomorrow?¡±

    ?Biano and General Motta looked at each other, not knowing how to answer at all.

    The leader actually wants Ernst Brahm, the God of War of the German Empire, to join the welcoming team?  If the German generals heard the news, within an hour, the powerful Afrika Korps would completely surround this place and demand an immediate apology from Mussolini.

    But how can you say this to a conceited leader?

    "What's wrong, didn't you hear my question?" Mussolini was a little unhappy: "I ask you, will Ernst be among the welcoming crowd tomorrow?"

    "I'm afraid it's unlikely." Biano said boldly: "He is the marshal of the German army and has great power. I don't think he will come to welcome you in person."

    Mussolini was even more dissatisfied: "I am the leader of Italy, and he is just a German marshal. Is this the way Germans treat guests? It's so rude!"

    In fact, Mussolini had his own little calculation.

    ?????????????????????? If a God of War who makes the Allies frightened can come to welcome him, then there is no doubt that it will greatly enhance his prestige and give him more bragging rights.

    But now it seems that this wish is difficult to realize.

    "Leader, I think we still need Ernst's help." Biano felt that he had to persuade the leader to give up such unrealistic ideas no matter what: "We should still give the Germans some face."

    He said it very tactfully

    Mussolini thought for a long time: "Okay, I can reluctantly accept the Germans' unreasonableness, but Rommel must appear at the ceremony to welcome me."

    "I'm afraid he is unlikely to show up." Biano was a bit dumbfounded: "Leader, I have to tell you that the Germans are very well prepared for the welcome ceremony, but most of their generals will not show up. You know,  They are very tired and there is a lot waiting for them in Cairo."

    Mussolini felt that heFind an opportunity to have a good talk with Hitler. These German generals are so rude.

    ¡°However, when distributing benefits in the future, I can seize this opportunity and give less to the Germans.  (To be continued. Please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!)
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