Chapter 228: Chapter 306 Seeking a Way
On the other side, the sudden turmoil in Italy shocked the British leadership. First, there was the inexplicable stabbing incident involving the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III, followed by news of the German army marching into Italy under the pretext of supporting a new queen.
Initially, the British leadership was pleased, thinking that Germany and Italy would erupt into a major war, buying considerable time for Britain. However, their joy was short-lived. A few hours later, their previously dispatched envoy confessed to conspiring with the British Empire to assassinate Victor Emmanuel III!
This huge blame cast a bewildering shadow over the British people. Before they could recover from the shock, General Rodolfo Graziani of Italy arrested the Blackshirt militia leader Italo Balbo and announced that the Italian military would support the new queen.
Enraged Italian citizens stormed the British Embassy in Rome and consulates across the country. The British ambassador was beaten to death, and countless British staff in the embassies suffered injuries or worse.
Churchill urgently delivered a radio address, repeatedly emphasizing that the incident had nothing to do with the British Empire and was solely a sinister German plot.
It's crucial to note that despite a certain gap in power compared to top-tier powers like Britain, France, the United States, and Germany, Italy fully qualified as one of the major powers. At this time, Italy ranked as the world's seventh-largest industrial nation, contributing around 3% of the global industrial output. Italy had the capability to manufacture airplanes, tanks, and warships. As an old colonial empire, Italy's colonial territory exceeded three million square kilometers, ranking fourth globally and possessing substantial international influence.
Most importantly, Italy had a comprehensive and modern military force capable of multifaceted, three-dimensional modern warfare. In terms of the army, Italy had over a million well-equipped soldiers; regarding the air force, Italy possessed world-class fighter planes and top-notch pilots, with a considerable air force. In naval terms, Italy boasted one of the world's most powerful naval forces.
Attempting to align with such a country was already a challenging task for Britain. If a conflict or war were to break out, Britain would be in dire straits.
Unfortunately, regardless of Churchill's assurances and pledges, the previous "Operation Crossbow" had already tarnished the reputation of the British Empire. Most people believed that if the British could attack and plunder their allies, what insane actions wouldn't they be capable of?!
While the German army was advancing recklessly on Italian soil, a German envoy was sent to Spain.
"Hello, respected Chief of State Arias."
In the Spanish Civil War, General Franco, unfortunately assassinated, and his trusted confidant Arias naturally succeeded him. Upon the war's conclusion, Arias banned all other political parties, becoming the lifelong Head of State.
"Welcome, friends from Germany."
After exchanging pleasantries, the German envoy revealed the purpose of his visit. "I am here on behalf of His Highness Wilhelm, seeking to borrow something from your country."
"His Highness Wilhelm is indeed very courteous. There's no need to speak of borrowing; your country is Spain's most sincere friend. Feel free to ask for anything." After the Spanish Civil War, Germany began substantial reconstruction efforts in Spain. Initially, they assisted Spain in improving its military facilities without charge, followed by colossal arms orders. Profiting from arms exports and income generated by various mineral resources, Spain's economy rapidly developed, and the wounds of the civil war gradually healed. The Spanish government spared no effort in promoting the noble friendship between Germany and Spain.
However, contrary to everyone's expectations, when Germany initiated the war, Spain declared neutrality and did not participate in the conflict.
Without expressing any discontent, Germany maintained its relations with Spain as before. After thanking President Arias for his generosity, the German envoy spoke, "We need to borrow a road—a route leading to Gibraltar."
This brief statement added a sense of gravity to the atmosphere in the room.
After a few minutes of silence, President Arias smiled and said, "Your Excellency, you must be tired from the journey. Rest for now, and we can discuss this further tomorrow."
Once the German envoy left, President Arias looked at those present and asked, "It seems we can't remain indifferent. What do you all think about Germany's request?"
Gibraltar is the last British colony on the European continent, located on a narrow peninsula along the Mediterranean coast at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula.
Gibraltar is approximately 4.6 kilometers long from north to south and about 1.2 kilometers wide from east to west, with an area of around 5.8 square kilometers. It is a triangular rocky region with a population of about 30,000, including approximately 20,000 locals.
Gibraltar, though small in size, is undeniably a strategically crucial location.
Geographically, Gibraltar serves as a bastion on the northern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, effectively controlling maritime routes. It is only a short distance from the southern shore's port of Huelva, making it easy to block the Strait.
After the opening of the Suez Canal in the 19th century, the Strait of Gibraltar, along with the Suez Canal, played a role in reducing shipping distances between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Pacific.
Over the more than two centuries since occupying Gibraltar in 1704, Britain continuously strengthened its military infrastructure, turning it into a massive fortress integrating land, sea, and air forces.
In the original timeline, Germany always aspired to capture Gibraltar but never succeeded. After all, while Germany's navy could dabble with submarines, amphibious operations were beyond their reach. With the Atlantic and Mediterranean under British naval control, Germany's main fleet couldn't reach Gibraltar. Attempting a distant coastal landing would require transporting troops across the ocean using transport ships, making them vulnerable to British attacks at sea.
Airborne operations theoretically had feasibility. However, given the disastrous fate of German airborne forces in Crete, this option was also rejected.
Ultimately, a land route was not feasible either. At that time, Franco had already considered Spain's post-war situation, actively maintaining contacts with the UK and the US during wartime, hoping to benefit from both sides. Thus, Franco rejected Hitler's threats and enticements, resolutely refusing to open a land route for Germany to attack Gibraltar.
An interesting anecdote is that Spain hesitated to join the war. Hitler, a bit irritated, said to Franco, "How about you give us a road to the Strait of Gibraltar?" Franco replied, "Spanish people consider the entry of any foreign troops as an invasion. If you enter our country, you might face spontaneous guerrilla attacks, which I can't control. Also, you should know that the term 'guerrilla warfare' was invented by us Spaniards." This reveals his difference from many dictators; he loved his country more than himself and prioritized Spain's interests. His dictatorship aimed to personally restore Spain to its traditional state. For this cause, becoming an executioner and a dictator meant little to him; he willingly stained his hands with blood to entrust a reborn Spain to the king.
Unfortunately, this patriotic dictator is no longer in this world, and now most of Spain's top officials support lending the road to the Germans.
At this moment, a discordant voice emerged. "Your Excellency, I object. If we lend the road to the Germans, aren't we openly declaring war on Britain?" The speaker was Vice President Salazar.
This guy seemed to have an innate conflict with President Arias, always offering opposing opinions. No one knew why President Arias appointed this discordant character as vice president. Some suggested the president should kick this troublesome guy out of politics; after all, the vice president was almost a figurehead with no real power, and his presence wouldn't have much influence, whether he stayed or left.
Yet, President Arias seemed to be imitating the story of U.S. President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton, always treating Salazar with kindness, never showing any anger.
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