The clock went back to a day earlier, the day Mussolini was hospitalized.

Although he did not want the Germans to help, Captain Otto Krezimmer, who was sent by the German submarine forces to participate in the surrender negotiations of the British Navy, still did the Italian Navy a great favor.

If Captain Otto hadn't stopped Forbes and his party in time to carry out the "British version of Operation Rainbow", the Italian Navy would have had to return to the era of no aircraft carriers.

At that time, because of the German submarine force, five U-boats, including the U-99 submarine, were sent to participate in the interception operation of the Italian Navy against the Forbes fleet, and in the end played a key role in determining the victory.

Therefore, it was only natural that the Germans sent the commander of the U-99 submarine, Captain Otto Crezzi, to participate in the British negotiations on the surrender of the German and Italian fleets.

Before that, Otto had already sunk the 1,375-ton British destroyer "Daring" with the U-23 submarine he commanded at that time, creating a classic submarine sinking destroyer in the German Navy.

Then, he was transferred to command the more advanced U-99 newly-built submarine, which carried out surface attacks on the British escort fleet nine times, and sank three 10,000-ton British armored cruisers one after another!

And this time, Otto not only sank a British destroyer in the war, but also captured the ill-intentioned Forbes and his party by the way, avoiding a tragedy for the Italian Navy.

Back at that time, Captain Otto, who had just finished communicating with the commander of the Italian fleet with his subordinates and accepted Admiral Lefel's personal thanks, not only did not show the slightest pride, but took his men to observe the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal and collect data.

"Captain, how do you see that there are 5 Englishmen acting alone over there?" One of Otto's men pointed to Forbes and his party, who had just separated from the Italian major and gained independent action.

Immediately sensing that something was wrong, Otto didn't say much, and immediately commanded: "Stop them." ”

Fools know how dangerous it would be to let the British go back to their flagships and act alone.

What's more, in order to maintain operations, a large number of British captive soldiers were also retained in this Ark Royal to operate the warship.

Otto could see at a glance that the middle-aged and elderly man who was leading in front of the four British servicemen was Sir Forbes, who had surrendered on behalf of the British fleet during the previous negotiations with them.

As a representative of the German side, Otto recognized the British commander, who was clearly on the older side.

And at this time, how can Forbes be allowed to act freely?!

Then, Otto walked up with four German soldiers beside him.

"Take your time, don't rush. I can wait for you a little longer. The voice of the Italian major came from a distance, and Forbes and others stopped one after another, and turned back to reply to the Italian major.

It was during this gap that Otto and his men went around to Forbes and the passage to the interior of the Ark Royal, blocking the path of Forbes and his party.

5 for 5 people!

On one side, there was Sir Forbes, and four high-ranking British officers behind him.

On the other side, it was only the German submarine commander Otto, who was only a captain, plus four German naval soldiers behind him.

It can be said that on the Forbes side, even the last two staff officers have the rank of lieutenant colonel, which is 2 ranks higher than Otto, the leader of the German side.

However, this is the territory of the Italians. On the deck of the Ark Royal, there were Italian officers and soldiers who were allies of Germany.

Although only a captain, Otto was now the highest-ranking German officer to remain here. It was not difficult for him to call in a few Italian soldiers to come and help.

But Sir Forbes, even if he was a general, could not change his captive nature, and could not make him hold his head high in front of Otto.

"Tell your sir, this is not the way out!" Sure enough, Otto didn't mind that the other party's rank was much higher than his own, and he ruthlessly embarrassed Sir Forbes.

And from the staff officer behind him, after understanding Otto's words, Forbes could only say to the staff officer with an embarrassed face: "Translate for me to the German captain, the Italians have agreed to give us 20 minutes of freedom of action, please don't embarrass us." ”

However, the German captain did not buy it, and continued to say to the interpreter in German: "Italians are Italians, Germans are Germans, and although our Führer has agreed to hand over the Ark Royal to the Italian Navy, it will still be under our joint jurisdiction until we Germans have withdrawn!" ”

Otto's tone was very tough, and he did not save face for the British or even the Italians, after all, the Italian ally had already caused them too much trouble, and they did not want to make any trouble on the Ark Royal at this time.

After the translator once again conveyed Captain Otto's meaning to Sir Forbes, the British Sir can be described as extremely anxious, after all, the success or failure of the "British version of Operation Rainbow" is all in one fell swoop!

So Forbes even put down the admiral's shelf, changed his expression, and begged the German captain with some pleading: "Mr. Captain, we are about to leave this aircraft carrier, from the place with which we used to be with us day and night. Today, I just want to take one last look at the ship before leaving. After all, there's a good chance we'll never be able to get to this place again. I beg you to allow us to move freely on the ship for twenty minutes. ”

Captain Otto thought for a moment after hearing the interpreter's statement and said, "Okay, I promise you. ”

Hearing this, the British staff officer was overjoyed, and just as he was about to translate for Forbes, he heard Otto add: "I promised to find someone to make you a picture of the Ark Royal and give it to you." ”

"Now," Otto waved his hand in a somewhat unsympathetic tone, "go back immediately, don't force us to do it." ”

It's too much of a deception! Forbes was about to get angry, but Otto spoke first: "Don't think I don't know what you want to do. Free time? I'm afraid I want to go and join your old subordinates and do bad things! ”

In a word! Forbes and his party, who were exposed to the conspiracy, gave up arguing.

"Find a few Italians and press them back and watch!" Otto said to a German soldier behind him: "Wait until I go to the Italian Commander Leffel to report." ”

Sure enough, that night, Forbes got a different dinner in the detention cell. It is a dish that starts with appetizers, pasta, meat, and finally fruit and wine, and is luxurious to unnatural cuisine.

"Is this the so-called Last Supper......" Forbes, who knew that his crime had been exposed, smiled bitterly and ate the best meal since he was captured.

He is ready for tomorrow morning's judgment. This time, there are ruthless Germans here, and there must be no good fruit to eat.

Unexpectedly, the next morning, an Italian colonel who looked very high appeared in front of Forbes: "We made a small mistake before, and served your Excellency, who is a general, a dinner for ordinary captive soldiers. This was definitely not an intentional mistreatment of the captives. Therefore, we will also choose to forgive you for the violation of sneaking back to the Ark Royal in search of food. ”

"Now we are clear," said the Italian colonel, who looked astonished opposite Forbes, "please help us hide this from the Germans, and don't let them spread the word that we are mistreating the prisoners." ”