In the dark night, the moon and stars all hide in the clouds.

From afar, the highway is dotted with stars, as if a group of fireflies are hurrying; Listen quietly as the noise of engines and the cacophony of metal grinding fills the dirt road.

One after another, tanks and armored vehicles painted with the Iron Cross logo moved forward despite the bumps, and their hideous faces were mostly hidden in the night.

In an armored car with many antennas erected in the middle of the ranks, the young faces looked both serious and excited, except for Major Rommel, who wore three Iron Crosses, with a calm face. In the not-so-bright lights of the car, his pencil slid across the map.

"How far are our vanguard from Nasterpo?" The Major's gaze remained on the map as he spoke.

"Report, the tank battalion, the company has just sent a telegram that they have entered Nasterpo and have not yet met resistance from the Spaniards!" It was a lieutenant liaison officer who replied.

"Hmm......" Rommel paused for a few seconds, "ordered the 2nd Company of the Tank Battalion and the Armored Combat Battalion to pass directly through there, to occupy and take over the task to the infantry behind...... By the way, did Major Dolman's infantry regiment arrive in Marbellia? ”

"This ...... Report to the Major, I'll send a telegram to ask! The lieutenant said as he returned to his transmitter.

Rommel said no more, and regardless of the progress of the to-night, he should have rejoiced at the present communication conditions of his troops, considering that only two years ago, in any German corps, the communication between troops and troops was basically dependent on equestrian communication corps and telephone lines, which were very inefficient for mobile warfare, especially raid warfare. Now that the transmitter has spread to the grass-roots troops, the coordination and coordination between the troops has undoubtedly been greatly enhanced, although the possibility of the enemy intercepting one's telegrams has increased considerably.

Soon, Rommel's command vehicles and the main force of the armored forces quickly passed through the small seaside town called Nasport, and the whistling sea breeze did not blow away the sound of the chariots. Most of the citizens were woken up by these sounds. They opened the windows and saw the pair of moving headlights on the road.

The German tanks and their soldiers ignored the curiosity of the Spaniards, and in only a quarter of an hour their main force - 35 tanks, 72 armoured vehicles and more than 100 trucks - passed through the city and left the dust. On both flanks of this armored column, more than 500 German cavalry also advanced rapidly through the paths and wilderness, and everything was like a race. When the police in Nasport received reports from citizens who had taken to the streets, they saw nothing but a few car marks. Subsequently. A nearby naval fort also sent two patrols, and the Spanish police and soldiers wandered the streets in vain, until an hour later, thousands of German infantry, who raised their hands unhurriedly.

For the Spanish naval forts along the way, the German ** team almost did nothing, all they did was send a few companies with heavy machine guns and a small number of cavalry to deploy and occupy the main roads of those fortresses to the outside world outside the range of the cannons. Throughout the night, most of the Spanish garrison appeared to be quite cooperative, with only a few reluctant men trying to leave, but they were quickly overwhelmed by the heavy bullets.

In a matter of hours, 19 Spanish towns along the route from Malaga to La Linea fell under German control. More than 1,000 Spanish police and military personnel were disarmed. When the shocking news from the southern coast reached the Royal Palace of Spain. The church bell has struck 3 times.

The Spaniards then sent a panicked note to the German ambassador, asking why the Germans were "using force against their allies."

On behalf of the German Government, the German Ambassador Sir von Coot answered:

"From the moment our army was attacked by the British north of Gibraltar, the alliance between our two countries was dissolved! Since your country does not have the capacity to control this area. In order to prevent our army from being attacked again, it is necessary and obligatory for our country to guarantee the security of that region! ”

The Spanish king, prime minister, and ministers were all dumbfounded, knowing that Germany had not officially declared war on Spain at this time, but that did not mean that they would not. A war with Germany would mean a war with a strong Allied system led by Germany, and perhaps Austria-Hungary would stay out of it for its own territorial interests, but they would never openly oppose Germany at this time.

"In view of the strong and loyal friendship between Spain and Germany, I earnestly ask the honorable Kaiser to reconsider this!" As he spoke, Alfonso XIII's face was full of sorrow.

"I'll convey it to Your Majesty!" Let's talk about it. Sir Coot turned and left the splendid palace of the Spaniards.

Despair began to creep in the ornate palace.

It was still dark, and the Spanish military camp north of the city of Lalinea suddenly became lively. The bugle sounded, "More than 10,000 Spanish soldiers who remained in the field hurried out of their barracks, and they soon learned from the officers that the Germans had invaded Spanish territory in a manner that was close to undeclared war.

"Quiet! Be quiet! The generals on the stage tried to calm the soldiers, but to little avail. The previous mutiny in the army was not accidental, nor was it something that the British could single-handedly instigate, which was inseparable from the sense of honor and patriotism of the soldiers of the Spanish Army.

Offstage "Shameless! Vile! "The sound is endless.

With the help of leather whips, the soldiers were temporarily quiet.

"There is no order from the king. You are not allowed to shoot under any circumstances! The regiments immediately pulled out and advanced towards Fort Gasoules! ”

After the general gave the order, he began to walk down the stage. At this time, someone in the audience suddenly shouted:

"The generals who are greedy for life and fear death want us to retreat, and they want us to give up our land to the invaders, and we can't agree to this!"

The soldiers were stunned, and after a while a voice rang out that was not consistent but very indignant:

"Can't say yes!"

"Can't retreat!"

"Drive away the invaders!"

"Take back Gibraltar!"

The whip didn't work this time, and even the general's adjutant was knocked down by the excited soldiers. Led by some young officers, the soldiers imprisoned the general and his guards. The cold air was filled with resentment and warlike spirit at this time, and the emotions of the Spanish soldiers were ignited. The young officers then led the soldiers to occupy the ammunition depot in the barracks, and after distributing the ammunition, the soldiers drove out of the barracks towards the fortress of Gibraltar.

At the same time, on the outskirts of the city of Lalinea, Rommel's armored forces stopped, after a long run. Their tanks need to be refueled. The soldiers were busy, pipes protruding from the fuel trucks, tanks and armored vehicles receiving fuel in turn, and tankers and maintenance soldiers seized the precious time to overhaul their vehicles.

Despite the planned stop, there was a hint of anxiety on Rommel's face, and in this operation he had to rush to Lalinea and occupy the headquarters of the Spanish army, and then join up with the German forces in the fortress of Gibraltar. Continue along the coastline and occupy Algesis, the last city on the northern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, before dawn. After daybreak, the German government will propose to the Spanish government that the two sides suspend all military operations and then enter into formal negotiations.

Looking at his watch, and then at the dim sky, Rommel's grim face had no expression. The salty, cold sea breeze greeted him, and he suddenly felt sober.

"Time is running out!"

It wasn't just Rommel who was looking at his watch, but Admiral Sheppel in the port of Gibraltar and Lieutenant General Oli in Malaga were also nervous about time. The darkness of the night was a cover for their movements, but it also blinded their vision. Naturally, the reconnaissance plane could not take off, and the most uncertain factor in this plan was the movement of hundreds of thousands of Spanish troops in southern Spain. North of the port of Malaga. Two Spanish infantry divisions could counterattack at any moment. Lieutenant General Ollie had less than 7,000 soldiers and 3 artillery regiments at his disposal; To the north of the fortress of Gibraltar, the 13,000 Spanish soldiers of La Linea had spontaneously taken action.

"Majors, tank battalions, companies and armored battalions, companies have run out of fuel. But they have three tanks and an armored car that need more time to repair! The adjutant hurried from not far away.

"Give me the order to march the vanguard at once to the city of Lalinea! If the Spaniards resist, wipe them out on the spot! With the emperor's personal order, Rommel seemed very confident.

This night is destined to belong to the great Gibraltar Legion!

Two minutes later, the front of the armored queue was restarted. All the vehicles had their headlights on, and more than two dozen tanks and armored vehicles leading the way advanced in a vigilant formation. The first tank's millimeter guns were aimed at the front, while the next tanks were staring left and right on both sides of the queue. On those "broadsword" armored combat vehicles, the soldiers are also ready for battle, and light and heavy machine guns are ready to fire at any time.

When one fighting force meets another. The result will be a wonderful and fierce fight.

The battle, which began with the breakthrough of Rommel's vanguard into the city of Lalinea.

Battles were fought between the barracks in the city and north of the city.

The fighting side was Spanish infantry, armed with rifles and a small number of machine guns and artillery, who were furious and vowed to drive the invaders out of Spain.

On the other side of the battle were tanks, armored vehicles and well-trained German armored units, tank guns and machine guns were brutal, and any roadblocks would be ruthlessly removed.

When Rommel's main forces entered the city, almost savage battles were raging in the streets. It's not an urban battle at all, because both sides are attacking.

Twenty-six-year-old Arnim was a tanker under Rommel, and his tank battalion 2nd Company went into battle at about 4 a.m. In battle. Arnim operated the No. 2 machine gun of his tank. "I barely had to aim, I just had to strafe in front of me and then constantly change the belt, I don't know how many Spanish soldiers died under my guns, but the number must have been very shocking! But I had to do it, and if we stopped shooting, the Spaniards would immediately rush up and fight us with their grenades, bombs, and even bayonets! ”

"They are shooting at us from all sides!" An ordinary soldier serving in the 3rd Company of the Armored Battalion recalled after the battle, "There were Spanish soldiers in almost every house, behind the bushes, wherever they could hide!" Looking out from the shooting hole, we can only see the flash of the shot and the bullets that keep flying! They had rifles, machine guns and grenades, and they were the regular army of Spain. Although they did not have a single tank, their fighting spirit was respectable! ”

In this way, Rommel's troops made slow progress in the city. Due to the lack of coordinated cover from the infantry, his armored forces could not even completely clear a street of Spanish soldiers, and tanks and armored vehicles could only advance along the main street all the time. Although the Spanish suffered heavy casualties, they fought unflinchingly, which prevented Rommel's troops from crossing the city as before. Although German reinforcements from the fortress of Gibraltar joined the battle shortly after, they were too few in number to change the tide of the battle. It wasn't until a large number of infantry from the Oli Legion arrived that the battle situation gradually became clear. The Spanish army, which had consumed a lot of ammunition and men, could not withstand the combined attack of the German armored forces and infantry and began to retreat, and the streets gradually fell under the control of the German army.

At 6 a.m., Lalinea fell.

As the sky grew brighter, the gunfire finally died down. Despite a statistically commendable victory for his own troops, Rommel had displeasure written all over his face. In what he considered a "crazy and abominable battle", the Spanish troops, who had been preparing to recapture the fortress of Gibraltar, were all "piled up" in front of his armored forces. In the battle, which lasted nearly two hours, his troops consumed 80 percent of their ammunition, three tanks and seven armored vehicles were destroyed, 33 soldiers were killed and 57 wounded. More importantly, the battle delayed his plans considerably.

At dawn, the diplomatic activities of the two governments proceeded quickly and effectively. At 6:15 a.m., the German Foreign Minister met with the Spanish ambassador and demanded that the Spanish army immediately cease all military operations in the south, and in exchange, the German troops would stay where they were and ensure the safety of the lives and property of the local Spanish residents. The Spanish Ambassador then conveyed the proposal to the country by telegram.

At 6:30 a.m., the Austro-Hungarian Prime Minister, who was visiting Berlin, met with the German Prime Minister, expressing that Austria-Hungary was seriously concerned about the military operations of Germany and Spain in southern Spain, and at the same time hoped that the two countries would exercise restraint for peace in Europe.

At 6:40 a.m., the King of Spain made a decision at an emergency meeting in front of the Emperor to agree to the German proposal and to immediately negotiate between the two sides, which reached Berlin five minutes later.

At 7 o'clock in the morning, the agreement on the suspension of all hostile military operations between the two sides came into effect, and the German government agreed to send representatives to Madrid for negotiations.

At 7:05 a.m., Rommel's unit received an order to halt its advance. At this time, his tank was less than 15 kilometers from the city of Algeciras.

In the morning, the Second Fleet of the Austro-Hungarian Navy appeared 40 nautical miles west of the Strait of Gibraltar.