Italy, it's a beautiful country.

The Italian army, this is an army that is ridiculous. Their "glorious war history" on the battlefield is enough to write a thick book.

Of course, the Italian officers didn't want to see that.

Jokes, the Italians are actually not annoying at all on the battlefield, they will only become the enemy's pastime after tea and dinner

In 1923, Mussolini set the steps of expansion, making large and weak Ethiopia the primary goal of expansion, clamoring for the conquest of Ethiopia in order to build a veritable colonial empire. However, it was not until 1935 that Mussolini, who was hesitant in doing things, decided to fight. On October 2, Mussolini announced a general mobilization for war at the Palazzo Venezia, arrogantly declaring: "We have endured it for 13 years, and we can't bear it any longer!" ”

The well-equipped Italian army invested more than 200,000 troops, hundreds of tanks and a large number of aircraft on the northern and southern fronts, preparing to take Egypt in one fell swoop. At that time, the Egyptian army was armed only with rifles, thousands of machine guns and hundreds of old light artillery pieces, and there were no tanks or capable aircraft at all. There is a huge disparity in strength between the two countries. However, things turned out to be more than Mussolini had expected. After the Italian army quickly captured several cities, it was repeatedly blocked by the Egyptian army, so that the Minister of Surprise at that time, Ziano, said pessimistically, "It is impossible to win this war." ”

In May 1936, the frenzied Italian fascists used gas bombs, mustard gas bombs and other chemical weapons to pour poison into the rivers, lakes and fields of Egypt, and it took great effort to occupy Addis Ababa, the capital of Egypt. The short-lived "East African Empire" was established.

In June 1940, more than 200,000 British expeditionary forces lost their armor at Dunkirk and retreated to the British Isles. At this time, Mussolini believed that the time had come to snatch the British African colonies. Then. The main force of the British army was in Europe, with only about 100,000 British troops stationed in Africa and the Middle East, while Italy stationed nearly 600,000 troops in Africa.

Mussolini, however, completely overestimated himself. In less than half a year, tens of thousands of British troops stationed in North Africa captured more than 300,000 Italian troops in several beautiful battles, including more than 100 generals.

Even more ridiculous, June 30, 1940. The plane of the Italian governor in Libya, Marshal Barbo, was shot down by Italy's own anti-aircraft artillery over the northeastern port of Tubrug, and the marshal was killed on the spot. In order to cover up this serious incident, the Italian army announced that the marshal had been killed in an air battle with the British.

May 1940. German troops quickly stormed France and closed in on Paris. On 10 June, Mussolini decided that the time had come and ordered Prince Umberto, commander of Army Group West, to command 325,000 troops to be stationed on the Italian-French border. On the 17th, the newly formed French government of Pétain demanded an armistice. Hitler invited Mussolini to Munich for a meeting. Mussolini was able to get the French Ministry to divide the land.

Interestingly. Mussolini felt that such a victory was undignified, and suddenly decided to launch a blitzkrieg against the French army on the 21st and 22nd, before the armistice was formally signed. As a result, in the Alps, instead of taking the six French divisions back, the Italian lightning attack was met head-on by the French, suffering heavy losses and 631 killed. Prince Umberto was forced to declare an armistice.

In order to change his position in the supporting role of the fascist Axis powers, October 28, 1940. Mussolini launched an all-out attack on Greece with 87,000 troops, 163 tanks, 686 artillery pieces and 380 aircraft.

But. The Italian army failed to live up to Mussolini's expectations. On 4 November, the Greek government assembled only 15 divisions and took a week to drive the Italian army out of the border. On the 21st, Mussolini temporarily changed his command and sent 14 additional divisions to launch a new round of general offensive. The Greek army skillfully used the terrain and resisted stubbornly, and the Italian army never reversed the defeat. Mussolini was so anxious that he blamed the General Staff for the fiasco and replaced the Chief of the General Staff, and on the other hand, he demanded an armistice in Greece through Hitler. But it was too late, the Greek army had launched an attack on all fronts, the Italian army suffered heavy casualties, all the ace divisions were annihilated, 5 generals were captured, and 1 general was killed.

The Italians were all blinded, and they didn't know what was going on. Mussolini eagerly ran to Germany, sat in front of Hitler like a schoolboy who had made a mistake, and begged for help. Hitler agreed to send troops and spent two hours teaching Mussolini strategy and tactics.

But Hitler's efforts were of no use to the Italians

However, Mussolini felt that this time he had "raised his eyebrows", and the Italian army finally achieved a "beautiful" victory in Africa.

In Mussolini's view, the victory in Africa was definitely the Italian army singing the leading role, and since this is the case, they should naturally distribute more benefits.

In the barracks, he met General Motta, who had just been released by the Germans.

General Motta has a stomach full of grievances to tell his leader. How unreasonable the Germans were, how the Germans sent the Italians to death, etc

But Mussolini, who was in a good mood, comforted his general: "Hey, my brave general, why should you be upset about Lu? Now we're victorious after all, right? What did the arrogance of the Germans give them? North Africa is now entirely ours. You will be compensated most generously by me for the grievances you have received compared to what we have received. ”

General Motta was in a better mood.

Mussolini had great ambitions. In the war, Italy's national strength, especially its military strength, was relatively weak, and the country that was often defeated in the war occurred in the Italian troops, whether it was a war against France or the Soviet Union, and even the guerrilla units against Yugoslavia were completely annihilated, mainly because of the low morale of the troops and improper command.

But along with the lack of national strength at the same time, the Italian dictator Mussolini has great ambitions, his first step is to establish the African Empire, when France established the Vichy government, it is clearly neutral, in fact, it is a puppet of Germany, Mussolini's colonies in North Africa include Algeria, Tunisia and many other places, but at this time Italy could not and did not dare to invade the North African colonies of Vichy France.

So Mussolini ordered the Italian army in Africa to launch an attack on British Somalia, Kenya, Sudan and Egypt in an attempt to establish a Mediterranean empire, only to be crushed again, Eritrea and Ethiopia were captured by the British, Libya was still a little left, and it was almost driven back to Italy, until Germany sent the famous general Rommel to command the Italian and German armies to salvage some reputation.

And now, the dream of creating a so-called Mediterranean empire seems to be coming true again

And at such a time, he would not offend Germany. So even if his subordinates were imprisoned by the Germans, Mussolini could only be regarded as ignorant.

As long as he established a huge African empire, he had the strength to compete with Germany.

Of course, Mussolini's main concern now is the welcome ceremony that will come tomorrow, which is a big question about the face of the leader of a "great power".

"It was said that the Germans were preparing, but they didn't let us intervene." Mussolini's envoy to the German army, Biano, replied to his leader.

Mussolini nodded with satisfaction: "Ernst is still very sensible, I heard that he is a victorious general, and he has never been defeated, I can't wait to meet him." What about Ernst? Will he be in the welcoming queue tomorrow too? ”

Biano and General Mota looked at each other, completely unsure of how to answer.

The leader actually wanted Ernst, the god of war of the German Empire. Brahm joins the welcoming procession? If the German generals heard this, within an hour the mighty Afrika Korps would have completely surrounded the area and demanded an immediate apology from Mussolini.

But how can this be said to a conceited leader?

"What's the matter, didn't you hear my question?" Mussolini was somewhat unhappy: "I ask you, will Ernst be in the welcoming crowd tomorrow?" ”

"I'm afraid it's unlikely." "He is the marshal of the German army and has a lot of power, and I don't think he will come to welcome you personally." ”

Mussolini was even more dissatisfied: "I am the leader of Italy, and he is only a German field marshal, is this the German hospitality?" It's so rude! ”

In fact, Mussolini had his own little abacus.

If a god of war who terrifies the Allies can welcome him, then he will undoubtedly greatly increase his prestige and give himself more bragging rights.

But now it seems that this wish will not be realized.

"Leader, I think we need Ernst's help." Biano felt that he had to persuade the leader to dispel such unrealistic ideas anyway: "The Germans should still be given some face." ”

He said it very tactfully

Mussolini thought for a moment: "Well, I can grudgingly accept the unreasonableness of the Germans, but Rommel must show up at the ceremony to welcome me." ”

"I'm afraid he's not likely to show up," Biano laughed a little: "Leader, I must tell you that the Germans are very well prepared for the welcoming ceremony, but most of their generals will not show up, you know, they are very tired, and there are many things waiting for them in Cairo"

Mussolini felt that he should find an opportunity to have a good conversation with Hitler, these German generals were too impolite.

However, in the future, when distributing the benefits, I can seize this opportunity to give a small share to the Germans. (To be continued......)