The importance of the fortress of Gibraltar cannot be overstated. It holds the passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, and has always been a battleground for soldiers. If Germany were to take the fortress of Gibraltar, it would be a nail in the coffin in the passage between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Even, if Germany could deploy the most advanced large-caliber fortress guns in the fortress of Gibraltar, it would be able to block the entire strait.

After all, the distance from the fortress of Gibraltar to Africa across the strait is only a dozen kilometers in a straight line. The most advanced fortress cannon can easily hit the cannonball on the opposite bank.

Add to this the Suez Canal, which will soon be controlled by Germany, and the entire Mediterranean will be in German hands.

"The fortress of Gibraltar was very important to the Empire's strategy in the Mediterranean. The Empire must go all out and take it! Qin Tian set the tone.

Since the fortress of Gibraltar was of great importance to Germany, the Reich could not afford to let it go.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Reinhart? Marshal Scheer nodded.

Although the British left garrisons in the fortress, there were not many. Taking the garrison is more like an outcast. It didn't take much effort for the German Navy to take it there.

"Your Majesty, we have taken Gibraltar, I am afraid that it will cause displeasure among the Spaniards. All along, the Spaniards had claimed sovereignty over Gibraltar. Foreign Minister Vahit reminded.

Qin Tian couldn't help frowning, indeed, Gibraltar has always been a thorn in the hearts of the Spaniards. Successive kings of Spain wanted to recover Gibraltar. However, because the British were too strong, the Spaniards were not able to do it. But they had always claimed sovereignty over Gibraltar. If Germany were to snatch Gibraltar from the British, it would inevitably lead to a sharp deterioration in relations between Spain and Germany.

Gibraltar was recovered by the Spanish in 1410 and officially incorporated into Spanish territory in 1501. After Spain became a powerful state, Spain adopted a policy of expulsion or forced conversion of the Moors in Gibraltar who believed in the I*S*Ran* religion, and many of them were forced to move to Morocco in North Africa even after they were converted.

King Carlos II of Spain had no heir, and ordered the Bourbon family of France to inherit the throne of the West. After the death of Carlos II in 1700, Philippe, grandson of King Louis XIV of France, was proclaimed King of the West. However, Carlos II's nephew, Archduke Charles of Austria, also claimed to inherit the throne by blood of the Habsburg family. This led to the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701. Britain and the Netherlands supported Archduke Charles, and his coalition forces captured Gibraltar in 1704 and established a military fortress. In 1713, the warring parties signed the Peace of Utrecht, recognizing Philippe's position as King of Spain, but Gibraltar was ceded to Britain on exchange terms.

After the British occupation of Gibraltar, the original Spanish residents were expelled, and a large number of immigrants from other places began, many Italians and British began to move in, and some Moroccans also returned to enrich the local population.

In 1830, Gibraltar officially became a British colony and major naval base. Since then, all military and political affairs in Gibraltar have been under the authority of the Governor-General appointed by the British Crown.

In 1909, Britain built a military base and an airfield and fenced the neutral zone between Gibraltar and the western mainland.

In this world war, Britain was defeated and even its own country fell. It stands to reason that this should be a good opportunity for Spain to regain Gibraltar. However, King Alfonso XIII of Spain was worried that he would offend Germany. After all, Germany had announced that it had taken over all of Britain's overseas colonies. Gibraltar was also an overseas colony of the British. If Gibraltar were to be forcibly taken back, it would be a matter of tearing its face with Germany. Alfonso XIII was very hesitant.

But, in his heart, Alfonso XIII was very much looking forward to recovering Gibraltar. This was the wish of successive Spanish kings. If he succeeds in recovering Gibraltar, then his prestige in the country will be boosted by a few words. This will be very helpful in consolidating his rule.

Now Alfonso XIII is in a complete dilemma.

Of course, Germany did not know about this. Even if he knew, it was estimated that Qin Tian would not care. Spain has been in decline for hundreds of years, except in the Age of Discovery, when it became the superpower of the time. Especially after being crushed by the Americans in the Spanish-American War, they lost their overseas colonies, leaving only the mainland to survive.

The declining Kingdom of Spain posed no threat to the German Empire. Therefore, Qin Tian naturally didn't care about how the Spaniards would feel after Germany took the Gibraltar Fortress.

"The Spaniards can ignore it. Although they had always claimed sovereignty over Gibraltar. However, they never recovered Gibraltar. Even in this world war, the British lost their homeland to which we had fought. It was a good chance for them to retake Gibraltar, but they had not done anything so far. So, even if the empire takes Gibraltar, they will have to endure it! Qin Tian said.

There is no diplomacy in a weak country, and it is the truth in any era and in any place. Germany was strong, so it could completely ignore the interests of the Kingdom of Spain.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Vahit nodded, and said no more.

"Marshal Scheer, does the Navy have a plan to take Gibraltar?" Qin Tian asked.

"Your Majesty, we have already made a plan for you. The Mediterranean Fleet was to send warships to carry out artillery shelling of Gibraltar to cover the landing of a regiment of marines. With the strength of one regiment, it was enough to capture the whole of Gibraltar. According to the analysis of the staff officers, this attack on Gibraltar will be very easy. "Reinhardt? Marshal Scheer said.

"Taking Gibraltar will be simple, of course. But what if the Spaniards meddle? Qin Tian asked.

"Your Majesty, the Spaniards wouldn't have the guts, would they?" Reinhart? Marshal Scheer was stunned.

"Who knows! If someone else provokes, something might happen. So, it's best to prepare in advance! Qin Tian reminded.

Qin Tian knew that the British would never give up the fortress of Gibraltar so easily. The British would definitely be happy to be able to make trouble for the German Empire.

Reinhart? Marshal Scheer nodded, he was also a smart person, so he naturally knew what Qin Tian was worried about. 10