"Führer, the ultimatum time has passed, and there is no response from the Maltese side."

"The attack is going according to plan and we are waiting for good news from Malta."

Hoffman had just put down the phone when Cole's call came in again: "Führer, General Horikichi wants to see you privately, is it convenient?" ”

"Absolutely."

A few minutes later, Horikichi met with Hoffman in secret, accompanied by Cole, and he was embarrassed to say, "There are some things that are inconvenient to say in public during the day, and I hope you can understand." ”

"You're welcome, we actually know very well that the Italians, the Italian leaders, are sometimes too romantic and casual, and some strange things often happen, so ......" Hoffman teased Mussolini, "I heard that you want to attack the east coast of the United States?" ”

"I do have this idea, but my subordinates and staff officers disagree, thinking it is crazy, and they are looking forward to returning to Japan as soon as possible after completing the tasks of repair, repair and material transfer." Horikichi said mockingly, "It's a pity that although they are the elite of the navy, their vision is really not broad enough, and they only look at the little things in their hands......"

"So it's you, and not someone else, who is the commander-in-chief of the navy, and if I put forward this idea, there will definitely be a bunch of people who oppose it."

"In addition, I have come to apologize, and I hope that you will not be too concerned about the Navy's opposition to the Japan-Germany alliance in the past." Horikichi bowed respectfully, "Please bear with me." ”

Hoffman thought to himself: It is really easier to talk to someone who understands than to communicate with megalomaniacs, and the Japanese side has given enough posture and steps, of course he can't hold on to it, and besides, the war has been fought to this point, and there is no point in dwelling on the details of the past except to increase the troubles.

"You're welcome. I am well aware of the position of you and Admiral Yamamoto, and in fact I am as opposed to war with the United States as you are. "But that's a thing of the past, and we should all look forward." I think that the attack on the east coast of the United States that you have proposed is a good strategy, and if Gibraltar is taken, perhaps your idea is no longer fanciful, and you can fully mobilize the enemy, especially the shipyards and steel mills in the eastern part of the United States, which are very important - they are the fundamental potential to support the United States in continuing the war. ”

"At present, there are too many practical difficulties, the fleet has traveled thousands of miles, and there is no place to resupply on the way, and the slightest mistake will face the danger of annihilation, the United States can quickly rebuild one if it loses its fleet, and Japan can only surrender if it loses it." Horikichi said helplessly, "This is also where I feel powerless. ”

"Even if you don't go to the east coast of the United States, it makes a lot of sense to enter the Atlantic Ocean to break diplomatic relations, and maybe you can add some loot to your country."

Horikiyoshi's eyes lit up, and then dimmed again: "I'm afraid it's too late, after the Zuizuru completes the repair and catapult installation, and the other battleships complete the installation of radar and anti-aircraft guns, we will immediately return to Japan and send the supplies and equipment back as soon as possible." The country has completed the transfer of army units, established corresponding command organs, and is currently carrying out targeted training and drawing up operational plans; the longer it drags on, the later the Indian campaign will be launched, which is not conducive to the global strategy. ”

"When will the Combined Fleet return?"

"Scheduled for mid-March, I can find a way to delay until the end of March, but I have to return in early April anyway."

Hoffman nodded to show that he understood: although he wanted the Combined Fleet to stay longer, the Indian campaign could not be delayed indefinitely.

"Finally, there is another request, although the Indian strategy stipulates that our side should bear it alone, can you please send a division to the east with the fleet first, and I will consider establishing an offensive base in Ceylon first, so as to lay the foundation for the subsequent war." Horiyoshi said sincerely, "If a division can't draw troops for the time being, a brigade of about 6,000-8,000 people can do it, and when the army arrives, your country's troops can return home." ”

After thinking about it, Hoffman said: "I agree with you in principle, this is unusually positive, and I will let Marshal Keitel figure it out." ”

"Thank you very much."

"I hope to see the Combined Fleet march west again this winter, when the Indian campaign will definitely be over, and I look forward to joining forces with your country again in other theaters." Hoffman blinked, "Maybe then I'll have a chance to go around New York." ”

Horikichi certainly understood what it meant to go around New York, and immediately burst out laughing.

At the same time that Hoffman and Horikichi were exchanging strategic advice for the next phase, Mussolini had just finished a phone call with the Spanish head of state, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, and after putting down the microphone, he looked thoughtful.

Ziano on the side asked in a low voice, "What does the Spanish leader think?" ”

He expressed shock and indignation. Mussolini sneered, "But I don't hear any shock in his response, but there is no trace of indignation - he complained to me for ten minutes without chattering." ”

"He was very dissatisfied with Hitler?"

"Actually, he was very dissatisfied with the conditions of the Germans, Ribbentrop was there with him, and the Germans promised a bunch of conditions, which he did not meet and demanded more."

"What does he want?"

"He wants Portugal, and he wants the whole of Morocco."

"How dare he think about it." Ziano said sarcastically, "Even if Portugal is counted, dare to ask Morocco?" He thought that if the French were not good, he would be able to act recklessly? If the Germans had not intervened, France would have been able to beat Spain to the ground with its present strength. ”

"Isn't it?" Mussolini showed a complicated look, "He saw that we got equipment and materials, and also obtained a lot of production lines, he was very angry, and he also wanted the Germans to give some, but he did not agree with Germany commanding his navy and air force." ”

"What naval and air force can he have? We don't even bother to see his wrecked planes and old warships -- we still supply him with the most advanced munitions. ”

"So we can't talk about it." Mussolini smiled, "The Germans only agreed to give him Gibraltar, and by the way, they found him a colony in Africa, and then they also promised him Cuba, and the Philippines is now in the hands of Japan, and Germany said that it could not help; As for the arms and equipment, some can be obtained, and the question of command is negotiable, but at least Germany is free to use the Spanish air bases and ports. ”

Ziano thought about it carefully: "The conditions of the Germans are still sincere, and they are sincere in their intention to talk and not to write empty promises. But I'm curious what to do if we can't talk about it? Will the Germans really carry out a coup d'état? ”

"He dares!" Mussolini's eyes widened, "We can't let Hitler come to him, if the leader of a certain country is a little disagreeing with his heart and wants to get rid of it, then will there be room for us to talk in the future?" Today it's Spain, tomorrow it's Romania, and the day after tomorrow maybe it's me......"

"Now ......"

"Only after that, Franco still has a little time." Mussolini gloated, "Now that Goering and Canaris are finished, I don't know who else can help him." ”

The time in Madrid was six hours ahead of Washington, so Roosevelt received the report before it was dark.

"Our ambassador to Spain sent an urgent telegram that Hitler was forcing Spain to join the Axis Front and to use Spanish territory and facilities to attack Gibraltar." Secretary of State Hull delivered the urgent message.

Roosevelt was taken aback: "Aren't the Germans attacking Malta?" How did it become Gibraltar again in a blink of an eye? ”

"Malta can't hold it." Hull shook his head with a wry smile, "The Axis countries dispatched 10 battleships and 500 aircraft, and there is nothing that can be done with Malta's projectile land, and it is a military miracle to be able to hold out for 3 days, and after the fall of Malta, the next target is obviously Gibraltar." ”

"What do the Spaniards want to do?"

"He wanted us to persuade Churchill to hand over Gibraltar to him, because Hitler's demands on Spain were primarily Gibraltar, and it would not be easy for the Germans to remove this excuse and to pull him into the Axis again."

"It's okay to give it to him, as long as he's willing to be on our side -- not only Gibraltar can give him, but we can also give him a steady stream of equipment, supplies and warship support under the Lend-Lease Act."

"You know it's impossible." Hull smiled bitterly, "He was afraid that the Germans would die of fear, for fear that when he woke up, he would find the German Panzer Corps on his doorstep, unless we could defend him." ”

"Can we do it? As long as 3 months, not 2 months! We can send him 300,000 troops and corresponding air power. ”

"You're not serious, are you?" Hull looked at Roosevelt in surprise, "Is this the result of the latest deliberations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?" ”

"It's not." Roosevelt shook his head, "It's a strategic choice that I've been thinking about lately, we can't always revolve around the baton of the Germans, they fight North Africa, and we will send forces to North Africa; They fight the British, and we will find ways to help the British. We must have a truly independent and effective strategy, and we must strike at the vital points of the Germans. ”

"So you have your eye on Spain?"

"My first choice was France, and once I landed in France, I could attack the heart of Germany, but I was disappointed in the current situation in France......" Roosevelt pondered his words, "Petain went further and further on the road of cooperation with Germany, not only providing all kinds of strategic resources and military products, but also opening territories, territories, and ports for the Germans, and handing over all the few warships that he was almost an Axis power, except that he did not send French armed forces to fight. What disappointed me even more was the attitude of the French people, who told me that the French people, instead of being ashamed of what the Government had done, thought Marshal Petain was a good man, and that made me angry. (To be continued.) )