While Zhang Chi and the expeditionary force were busy training, they received a call from Eisenhower. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

"Major General!" Eisenhower's voice sounded delightful: "I think we'll know the outcome of the game in advance!" ”

"What do you mean...... German and Italian troops are already building a line of defense? ”

"Yes!" Eisenhower replied: "The Germans, to be exact, they have already made a move!" ”

As Zhang Chi thought, the Germans were not fools, they would not let Italy collapse and fall into the hands of the Allies and become a base for the Allies to encircle and attack Germany, so Hitler immediately organized troops to cross the border into Italy...... This was done in order to stabilize the situation in Italy and, if necessary, to block the advance of the Allies.

Hitler sent none other than Rommel, an old rival known as the Desert Fox.

Rommel returned home to recuperate for a period of time after his defeat in Africa, and instead of punishing Rommel for his failures in Africa and his repeated disobedience, Hitler awarded him the Medal of Oak Leaf and Diamond...... You must know that this is the highest honor of the German army, tens of millions of German troops participated in the war in World War II, and only 27 people can receive the Oak Leaf Diamond Medal, which is difficult and rigorous.

Rommel was naturally in good spirits when he received this medal, and since he had been cured of the disease that plagued him in Africa, he gladly took over the post of commander of Army Group B in northern Italy.

As Rommel said to his subordinates: "Guys, let's go and teach the Italians how to fight, they are about to give away their country to others and be proud of it, and we ...... We want them to show what a real soldier is, we want to make them feel ashamed, let them be ashamed, and finally take up arms and fight with us to drive out those invaders! ”

Rommel had always been so arrogant in his speech.

In fact, it was inappropriate for him to say these words at this time, because Italy had not yet surrendered, although everyone knew that the Italian government and people had a tendency to do so...... As a matter of fact, the Italian government had already sent people to contact Britain and the United States to express its willingness, but it was not disclosed as a military secret because it was afraid that the Germans would take the opportunity to attack Italy.

Therefore, this was an extremely sensitive time, and Rommel's words would undoubtedly irritate the Italians and make them wary of the Germans.

But Rommel didn't care so much, and the next day he commanded his troops to cross the border and occupy the main roads along the way.

Italy protested against this...... Italy was still an ally of Germany at this time, and as an ally, Germany had no right to send troops or take any military action without informing Italy.

The new Prime Minister Badogglio personally called Rommel: "Marshal, I think your actions are ill-conceived, we should unite against the enemy, and not have problems within ourselves, and I don't think you want that either, do you?" ”

Badoglio's words are somewhat level, and he still presents himself as an ally of Germany on the one hand, and hints at Rommel on the other...... If the Germans continued to act in this way, it was likely that Italy would be forced to sever relations with Germany and turn to the side of the Allies.

Rommel was a battle-hardened man, and how could he be fooled by a politician like Badoglio, to which he replied: "I completely agree, honorable Prime Minister." Maybe I should have informed you, I'm sorry about that. But you must know that I did this precisely for the sake of the unity of Germany and Italy in repelling the enemy. ”

After a pause, Rommel continued: "You see, the Allies have occupied Sicily and are ready to land in Italy at any time, I think you must not have enough troops to deal with the British and Americans in the south, we will enter the north of Italy to defend the north for you, so that you can rest assured that you can transfer your forces to the south to defend your country!" ”

Badoglio was speechless.

This was strategically justified, and the Germans in the north could even serve as a strong backing for the Italian army...... It's hard for Badoglio to refuse.

For the rejection of a reasonable strategy requires a good reason, otherwise it would be tantamount to showing that Italy has dissenting intentions and does not want to win the battle at all, but wants to surrender.

So Badoglio could only let it go, allowing the German army to enter Italy and not daring to make any move.

The Germans were characterized by their rapid movements, and in just ten days, 8 divisions of German troops had entered the Alps and began to build defensive lines...... This constituted a support or potential reinforcement and cover capability for the six divisions of Army Group A in southern Italy, commanded by Kesselring.

The British actually got this information earlier, but they kept their ...... Because it means that everything that Zhang Chi said has become true, and Italy will not be a tempting peach as they say, but a quagmire, a quagmire into which the Allied forces will be trapped.

But it won't help if the British don't say anything, the United States also has its own intelligence network, and the Germans can't hide such a big move from anyone.

That's why Eisenhower made this phone call to Zhang Chi.

"Now......" said Eisenhower, "I'd like to see what the Englishmen do, they even have plans for attack!" Now they're afraid they're going to throw this plan in the furnace! ”

"Don't be overly optimistic, General!" Zhang Chi said: "We all know that the real purpose of the British is not to defeat the Germans as soon as possible, but to delay and profit from it. In other words, what they said before was nothing more than an excuse they were looking for. And there will always be excuses! ”

"You mean...... What other excuses will they make? Eisenhower didn't think of this, he thought about it, and replied uncertainly: "No, no, I don't think they can find any excuse for the current situation!" ”

Eisenhower wasn't sure, so he hurriedly said a few words and hung up.

Zhang Chi knew that Eisenhower must have gone to Alexander or Montgomery.

After that, there was no response for several hours, so Zhang Chi knew that things should be as he thought...... The British found a new excuse.

Otherwise, Eisenhower should have called again to tell Zhang Chi the good news.

Now Eisenhower has no voice because he is arguing with the "cunning" Englishmen, and the argument must be so heated that Eisenhower has never had time to reply.