The Third Reich in Desperation

"De Gaulle," Major General de Gaulle on the side did not show any embarrassment, but said solemnly with a deadpan face: "My name is De Gaulle, respected Mr. Prime Minister."

De Gaulle's reaction was not bad, and he didn't show any discouragement because the other party didn't value him.This made Churchill suddenly have a good impression of him, or a little recognition.

After all, Churchill is also a positive and stubborn character who is not easily discouraged.

"Oh, yes, Major General de Gaulle." Churchill nodded, looking at the calm French major general in front of him with interest: "Tell me that you want to re-establish a new French government. But, you just You are just a small major general, how can you convince me that you have this ability."

Churchill's worries were not unreasonable. Although he had a personal preference for de Gaulle's tenacious character and ambition, he did not think that with de Gaulle's reputation, he could shoulder the heavy responsibility of establishing a new French government.

To put it bluntly, Churchill was worried that the French would not buy into de Gaulle.

In fact, there were, in Churchill's mind, many better candidates than de Gaulle to head an anti-Allied French government.

For example, Marshal Petain, who led France to victory in the First World War and was trusted and respected by the vast majority of French people.

Unfortunately, Petain chose to form a pro-German government and lead France into the German camp.

This also cut off the possibility of Churchill wooing Petain, after all, others have made a clear choice.

And another candidate in Churchill's mind is the new generation of famous French general Pei, who has shined recently. When he was defeated, he led the French army to win more with less, defeated 5 Italian divisions with 32 divisions, and became famous in the first battle. rand.

It is also a pity that the Marshal Petain who surrendered to Germany also saw Berente's great prestige, and sent Berente to Algeria as the colonial governor with lightning speed, leading France to be able to Control the last force.

Nominally, Berente's colonial army is loyal to the Vichy French government formed by Petain, which is equivalent to surrendering to Germany.

But in fact, Belante's troops are not under the control of Germany at all, and are in a state of autonomy. Its governor, Belaante, has actual independent command.

In other words, this is Pétain's backup team for the revival of France, and it is an important bargaining chip that France can use on the international negotiating table in the future.

Because it is not opposed to Germany in name, and Germany has just defeated the French native army, eager to digest the industrial power of the French occupied area, and has no time to look south for a while, so Berente's army can sit in Africa, calmly wait and see the situation in Europe, and Waiting for favorable opportunities in the future.

To win over such a force that has formed a certain strength and has no urgent need to join the British camp to oppose Germany, Churchill knew with his ass that it would never be too easy.

As if seeing through Churchill's psychological activities, de Gaulle was unhurried at this time, but said very forcefully: "Dear Mr. Prime Minister, in fact, you don't need to trust my ability. The point is, you have no other choice , so you can only trust me!"

It seems that de Gaulle is not an idiot with empty ambitions. At least, he has enough brains and insights to explain Churchill's current predicament in one word.

Yes, Churchill has no choice at all now!

A better choice, either was selected by Reinhardt in advance, or was secretly saved by the French themselves.The only spokesman for the anti-German government that was sent to him was de Gaulle.

"Oh? You can see clearly." In just a few words, Churchill not only felt De Gaulle's ability, but also felt the man's rebellious temperament.

Now, Churchill understands that de Gaulle may really have some ability, and may be worthy of the important task of forming an anti-German French government.

But he also understood that this person was not easy to be controlled by the British Empire. Between the government he formed and the British Empire, there would be absolutely no obedience like the Pétain government did to Germany.

Well, it's nothing more than mutual use.Churchill is confident that his political methods are much better than de Gaulle, a half-baked politician who was born as a soldier.

Knowing this, Churchill did not suggest a cooperation with Charles de Gaulle.

"Since you and I both understand the needs of both sides, then I won't be lenient." Churchill raised the corner of his mouth and smiled slightly: "I will prepare venues, manpower, and limited financial support for you, and you can also Make some reasonable demands."

"It's just..." Churchill paused.

"It's just that the new French government I've established must take a firm stand against Germany and continue to maintain a deep alliance with Britain." De Gaulle followed the half of Churchill's words and continued in one breath.

After listening, Churchill nodded in satisfaction.It is comfortable to communicate with smart people!

"By the way!" After reaching a consensus, Churchill immediately asked de Gaulle with a casual expression, deliberately showing a very casual expression: "Can you help me contact Admiral Darlan in Algeria, Africa? I want to give him Send a telegram begging him to lead the navy to remain neutral."

"After all, the English Channel maintains the security of our British and French governments. The navy left behind by France must not join forces with the German army." Churchill said inductively.

Hearing that the other party had already referred to his future government as the French government, de Gaulle, who was secretly relieved, relaxed his inner defenses for a moment: "No problem, I will be in charge of helping to contact you."

If de Gaulle is observing carefully at this moment, it is not difficult to find that there is a little guilt in Churchill's eyes.After all, Churchill's telegram can be said to be completely malicious, even extremely vicious.

Text Chapter 426 A Letter

"Commander, we have received an unencrypted telegram!" In the port of Algeria, he had just led the fleet from the mainland to settle here. Before he had time to discuss the future plan in detail with the Algerian Governor Berente, Darlan received a telegram. Telegram in the name of de Gaulle.

In fact, before today, Darlan didn't even know whose name de Gaulle belonged to.

At the beginning, when Darlan was appointed as the chief of staff of the French Navy and became the leader of the French Navy, de Gaulle was just a little-known head of the army at that time.It is very easy for de Gaulle to know Darlan's reputation, but it is unrealistic for Darlan to hear about de Gaulle.

Just like some star chasers in later generations, he may know famous stars, and even through various channels, learn about the life preferences, personality styles, and even height and weight of idol stars.

However, other big stars don't know every fan who chases stars.

The reason is simple, because most fans and stars are not on the same level.What they know can only be colleagues who are equally famous, or people who are similarly famous.

Therefore, a person of de Gaulle's level has actually never been able to get into Darlan's eyes.

However, when Darlan received the telegram, he took it very seriously.Because at this moment, he already knew the identity of De Gaulle.

It's not because Darlan and de Gaulle have an intersection, or that they have been in contact.

Because this morning, as a practical man, General de Gaulle, with the support of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, published the "Letter to the French People" on the British Radio on the second day after he fled France.

In the "Letter to the French People", de Gaulle solemnly announced to the world that he would use the power of Britain to re-form a new anti-German government.At the same time, he also asked that all French officers and soldiers who wished to resist Germany contact him and join his new government.

Although de Gaulle's new government did not have many supporters, and even few countries were willing to admit its rationality, de Gaulle still used this declaration to successfully ascend to the forefront of history, earning enough popularity, and even people as far away as Africa Darlan recognized the name de Gaulle.

"Let me see first what Mr. de Gaulle wants to talk to me about." Darlan waved to the staff officer, motioning for the other party to hand over the telegram.

Unexpectedly, this telegram sent in the name of de Gaulle did not actually record what de Gaulle wanted to say to Darlan.

Spreading out the telegram, Darlan quickly understood the purpose and content of the telegram:

"Dear Commander Darlan, please allow me to introduce myself first.

I, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill.

At this sad time when the Vichy government in your country gave up its resistance and surrendered to Germany.I am very sympathetic to the experience of the French people, and express my sincere understanding and tolerance for Marshal Pétain's choice.

After all, Mr. Petain, as the Marshal of France, should still be headed by the interests of the French after all. "

Darlan couldn't help but nodded after reading this.It seems that Churchill, the British Prime Minister, is quite reasonable.

Although the surrender of France has caused huge national defense pressure on Britain.However, other British Prime Minister Churchill expressed his understanding and support very generously, and included Petain's selfish decision for France to use.

Yes, it was a selfish decision.Although it is really helpless, after all, this was a decision made unilaterally by France without consulting with its British allies.From the perspective of allies, France has not fulfilled its obligations as an ally.

Feeling emotional for a while, Darlan then read the telegram:

"From an intellectual point of view, the surrender of France has dealt a huge blow to our country.

In order to help France get rid of the Germans, we dispatched a full 20 best troops, and also boarded the main battleship of the Royal Navy's home fleet.