The Third Reich in Desperation

The Spanish National Army, a divided army of a fallen second-rate country in Europe, broke out in desperation with its tenacious will, and even made the arrogant Italian army terrified!

Gambala is a little worried. Perhaps the self-righteous "Second Roman Empire" in Italy is not as powerful as domestic propaganda.

Spain, the country that used to be Italy's biggest competitor in the Mediterranean, is definitely not an enemy that the Italian army can easily defeat.

Gambala was suddenly a little lucky. Fortunately, there was a powerful German division and its excellent commander in the aid army to Spain this time.Otherwise, the odds of our side's victory are really hard to say now.

In the past ten days or so, Gambala recalled the prediction made by Rommel more than once.His guesses about the Republican reinforcements to Bilbao were spot on!

If I hadn't insisted on marching north, but had joined Rommel's corps in Madrid.Perhaps, at this moment, the Italian Expeditionary Force has already taken photos in the center of Madrid for publicity.

Today, the Italian Expeditionary Force has finally completed its strategic goals.But this is not the result Gambara wants, and it is not a victory achieved by Italy's own army.

If it weren't for Rommel's quick and precise rush into the Madrid defense line, he would have crushed the Republican Army's most assured defense zone at the most critical moment.The northern line may still be at a stalemate.Going south, maybe already defeated!

This is the boldness that a famous person should have!

Turn the tide and help the building!What else can better reflect the talent of a commander than such a record.

In this war, the labor-intensive Italian expeditionary force will not achieve results worthy of boasting as the domestic leaders expected.

In this great battle involving millions of people, the only ones who are really admirable are the German division of 1 people and their high-spirited major general named Rommel.

Text Chapter 100 Italy is unhappy

On October 1936, 10, Rommel's German-Spanish Combined Corps broke through Madrid's third line of defense as expected.

Immediately, the provisional municipal government of Madrid announced its surrender to the German-Spanish Combined Corps. More than 9 People's Guard soldiers were disarmed by the German-Spanish United Corps in despair and began their career as prisoners of war.

In less than 6 days, Rommel completed the goal he set at the beginning.Wipe out the Madrid defenders and occupy the entire city of Madrid.

At the same time, the success of the Northern Italian Expeditionary Force in capturing the capital of the province of Barras paled in comparison.

On the central square in the city of Madrid, row after row of soldiers of the People's Guard of the Republic are lining up to accept the custody assignment of the German Armed Infantry Division of the National Army.

The reporters who had stayed in Madrid to witness a protracted trench warfare turned around and immediately became reporters of a blitzkrieg.

"Blitzkrieg", this is a tactic named by the German head of state Reinhardt himself. More than 1 "Spanish Warrior Medals" were awarded to soldiers of the German-Spanish Combined Corps, living or dead.

Following the first use by German journalists, the term "Blitzkrieg" has also been reported by journalists from Britain, France, the United States, Mexico, Austria, Denmark... and many other countries.

A large number of People's Guard soldiers lined up and were repeatedly photographed and recorded by the "Pro-National Army Newspaper" arranged by Franco in advance.

Under Reinhardt's straightforward promise, the prisoners in the photo escorting the Republican Army were all German armored soldiers of the Spanish National Army. There was not a single German in the photo, which greatly satisfied Franco's face. .

"This group of bastards who pretend to be powerful are really embarrassing to us Spaniards." A Republican lieutenant who was being escorted to the central square for a publicity photo said contemptuously: "If it weren't for the Germans, how could they defeat us so easily."

"Come on, a week ago, you were the one who laughed at the Germans the most. At that time you swore that the Germans were cowards." A Republican captain shook his head.

"Then... at that time, who would have thought that the Germans could fight so well." The lieutenant continued to quibble.

"Quiet!" A second lieutenant wearing the gray-green uniform of the Spanish German armorer interrupted the discussion among the prisoners of war, and shouted loudly: "Hurry up and take pictures, don't make trouble for me. When you get to the square, stand up quickly. Men stand on the right, women on the left, and if you want to die, grab a gun and stand in the middle."

Soon, the queue of prisoners who didn't want to die fell silent.

…………

Chancellery, Berlin, Germany.

Reinhard warmly received the Italian foreign minister, Count Ciano, the son-in-law of Mussolini, who came from afar.

Ciano, who rushed to Germany in a hurry, did not beat around the bush, and clarified his intentions as soon as he saw Reinhardt: "Mr. Prime Minister must have heard about the war in Spain."

Although Ciano spoke standard German, Reinhardt, who hadn't heard others address him as Prime Minister for a long time, didn't react for a while.

In Germany, through the efforts of the Gestapo under Ross's propaganda, coupled with the consensus of high-level officials.Almost everyone is downplaying Reinhard's title of chancellor and referring to him as head of state.

"Mr Prime Minister?" Ciano called again.

"Oh oh oh!" Reinhardt reacted after only a second or two: "I'm listening, you go ahead."

Ciano with a puzzled expression had no choice but to say it again: "Our Italian leader, Mr. Mussolini asked me to come to Germany to communicate with your country on the war that took place in Spain."

As soon as he heard about Spain, Reinhard immediately said proudly: "The war in Spain? Hey, it's nothing. Who made our German army so capable of fighting? Besides, General Franco hasn't come to thank you yet, Musso Don't be too quick to thank us, Mr. Rini."

grateful? !Ciano snorted coldly, and it seemed that the other party still didn't understand his intentions: "As far as I know, Major General Rommel of your country is sitting on his hands and sitting on his hands. He waited until the Italian Expeditionary Army attracted the main force of the Republican Army to go north. Then he sent troops to Madrid to steal The fruit of the victory of the Italian expeditionary force. Shouldn't your country give us an explanation?"

Hearing this, Reinhardt realized that the Italian leader had short-circuited his brain again, and he came to trouble Germany at such a time.

"An explanation?" Reinhardt pretended to be confused: "We have worked so hard to help our Italian friends pick the fruits of victory. What explanation do you want?"

Ciano frowned and said, "I mean, the German army stole the fruits of victory that originally belonged to the Italian expeditionary force. We didn't ask your country's army for help."

"Then? How about I ask that bastard Rommel to return the fruit to you." Reinhardt pretended to be in the same hatred as his Italian friend and said, "To be honest, I have long been dissatisfied with that grandson. Don't worry, there is If I get a chance, I'll beat him up for you."

Ciano was stunned by Reinhardt's ability to change the subject, but he didn't come here to watch Reinhardt pretend to be stupid.

"Mr. Prime Minister!" Ciano said angrily, "Please answer my question seriously! The Italian government believes that the actions of the German Expeditionary Force have caused far-reaching and bad effects, and your government needs to make compensation!"

Finally showing the tail of the fox, Reinhard sneered, it seems that Italy's claim is false, and the real purpose is to "compensate".

"Tell me, what compensation do you want?" Reinhardt said with a smile on his face, "If you have any requests, feel free to ask them boldly, and I won't agree to them all."

"What did you say?!" Ciano asked incredulously.

"I didn't say anything." Reinhardt said in a rascally manner.

Ciano stared angrily into Reinhardt's eyes, and raised his voice, "You just said that you would not agree to any request from Italy."

"That's right." Reinhardt nodded seriously, showing an approving smile, affirming Ciano's completely correct answer: "Didn't you hear everything clearly? Why are you asking me?"

"You...!" Ciano only spoke half of what he was angry with.

"Forget it! Let's not go around in circles. If Italy likes Germany's equipment, just tell me directly. We are all allies, and I will not refuse to give it." Reinhardt put away his smile and looked serious. waved his hand.

It seems that the other party is still a leader who understands righteousness, but he just takes the soft and not the tough.Ciano secretly defined Reinhardt in his heart.

It's a pity that the old man in Ciano's country is not a magnanimous master either.Before departure, Mussolini just stubbornly asked Ciano to at least get more than 100 German tanks as compensation.In addition, Mussolini did not show any interest in paying.

"For nothing!?" Reinhardt was shocked by Ciano's next words: "Why didn't Mussolini ask us to pay him back?"

Ciano also knew that Mussolini's request was a little too much, so he stretched out his hand to shake Reinhard's hand in embarrassment: "Mr. Prime Minister, I will go back and discuss with the leader. Please..."

"Then go back and discuss it." Reinhardt turned around and left, ignoring Ciano's outstretched right hand, swearing in a very unclean manner, and left straight away.

Body 1 Chapter [-] Catalonia Campaign (subscription required)

At the beginning of October 1936, the control area of ​​the Second Spanish Republic was oppressed to the Catalonia region in the northeast corner after just three months.