In February of the same month, the German army also suffered a brutal defeat in the North African battlefield. The ace division known as the Desert Fox was blocked by the United States and Britain and fought fiercely at Kesselring for six days.

However, the US military did not gain much advantage in the battle, and ultimately suffered a battle loss of 8:1.

Although the German army suffered successive defeats, their combat effectiveness is still the strongest in the world.

Unfortunately, there were many problems within the German command system, which led to the situation of the German army in North Africa getting worse and worse. The famous German general Rommel had to order a retreat for repairs.

Russell, who was far away in Sicily, also issued a retreat order to Angkes.

No matter what, Italy and Germany are allies at this time. Under the offensive of the United States, Britain and France, it is only a matter of time before the Tunisia Campaign starts.

The chambers of commerce established by Onkos in Tunis and Tripoli quickly recovered funds, urgently gathered supplies, and used twelve ships to transport back more than 2,000 people, as well as large amounts of cash, gold, and supplies.

In mid-March, when the last wave of chamber of commerce members were retreating, they were bombed by fighter planes. Fortunately, they escaped without incident, but three people panicked and fell into the sea during the bombing.

The US military bombed Tunisia's docks and ports continuously for several days, blowing up the originally bustling docks with holes and sinking hundreds of ships. The Germans were unable to escape even if they wanted to...

When Russell learned the news, he was very angry.

"They are just a bunch of white pigs with shit in their heads!"

Why are you scolding? Because they blew up Russell's business. Even if the war ends, it will take a while to rebuild the pier, and how much money will be lost!

Angkos said in a low voice: "Godfather, the Americans are asking for trouble by doing this. The German army has no ships to retreat, so it will definitely burn the cauldron and perish with them."

Russell knocked on the table and said: "The Allies' intentions are already obvious. Once they take Tunisia, their next target will be Sicily. We must prepare early."

"godfather…"

"Before June, let the brothers along the Sicilian coast withdraw. If there is a war on the coast, save your lives first."

These suffering brothers followed him for the purpose of having enough food, clothing, and warmth to live a good life. They should not be abandoned just because of such small benefits.

Besides, if they die, they will not be able to find anyone if they want to go back to the coast to do business again.

Is a godfather who is not trusted still a godfather?

"Yes! Godfather, do you want the passenger transportation and oil business to and from Greece and Turkey to be suspended?"

Russell shook his head: "No need, Vitini will send warships to escort at critical moments. That is also the conservative business. Without our oil as financial support, can they rise in a short time?"

"OK."

Vitini wants to preserve the oil route from Catania to Turkey and Greece more than anyone else. This is the basis for the survival of conservatives.

Without the financial support of oil, could Vitini find so many allies? Can he sit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the House of Representatives?

When the news reached his ears, Vitini immediately notified the navy and asked them to send warships to escort him.

At the same time, he also understood that Sicily must not fall into the hands of outsiders, let alone a large-scale war. Otherwise, not only would the oil road not be saved, but he would also lose his life!

After Russell's reminder, Vitini was plotting something big with his allies.

But Vitini's movements were too slow.

He only realized this after the Tunisian campaign ended, which was already mid-May.

In the Battle of Tunisia, more than 230,000 German and Italian soldiers became prisoners of war. Although most of them were German African troops, the losses of the Italian army were not small.

There were already many voices in Italy, and Vitini was too cautious, so that the Allies began to attack Sicily. Only then did he prepare to meet the king with the senators of the Parliament.

After talking with the king for half a day, they quickly went back to make plans and finally found a way.

On the 17th, Mustache visited Italy and met with Mussolini at the Villa Vernier. Under his pressure, Mussolini said he would fight to the end.

However, on the morning of the 25th, when Italy held an internal meeting, Mussolini proposed the decision to carry out the war to the end, but was booed by many congressmen.

Vitini bluntly cursed at the meeting: "It is because of your autocratic dictatorship that the powerful Italy has become what it is today!"

Then, under the instruction of the king and in accordance with Italian constitutional procedures, the senators of the Parliament voted to remove him.

Among them, 19 voted in favor, 8 voted against, and 1 abstained.

On the day Mussolini stepped down, the supreme command of the Sicilian Army, which was fighting the Allies, received an order from Mustache to agree to withdraw.

After receiving the telegram, Hubei, the supreme commander of Sicily, was very excited, but he was a soldier and had to be calm-headed.

You must know that they are currently exchanging fire with the Allied forces along the coast. If they retreat and leave, what will happen if the Allied forces press up?

Therefore, Hubei deployed three stages and five lines of defense!

Retreating takes time, and of course requires transportation.

Now, the German army can only evacuate by ship, but cannot leave by air, because the airspace is already in the hands of Britain, the United States and France. Sicily is an isolated island. The final result of the German army on this island is to be annihilated. They cannot wait for support at all.

.

"We need to retreat. According to these three stages, the five lines of defense will slow down the Allied offensive rhythm and buy us some time to retreat."

"Now, our trouble is that we don't have enough ships. Most of the fighter jets have already taken off and have either been shot down or returned to the mainland."

"Without air support, our transport planes cannot fly away at all. We have two options. One is to destroy them and cannot leave them to the US military. The other is to sell them in exchange for more ships!"

Everyone in the General Staff Headquarters looked at each other, but no one spoke.

Hubei called his name and said: "Nate, you should have something to do, right?"

Knight was startled: "I...I can try, but I'm afraid they don't have many ships."

Someone next to me asked: "They provided us with ships. If the Allies find out, they may not end well."

Hubei said solemnly: "Don't think that I don't know your little thoughts. We are retreating, not defeating! Italy is our ally, and they should support it. Besides, those people are civilians, and the Allies will not attack civilians.

.”

Knight nodded: "Yes, there are nearly 130,000 civilians on the entire island of Sicily, and the Allies will not take action against them."

Hubei returned to the topic and said: "One transport plane and two ships. If we don't have ships, we will buy them with gold. Our goal is to retreat, and the gold can be used to replenish the national treasury and be used to provide subsidies to the soldiers."

"OK."

Knight took the order and drove overnight to find Russell.

At this moment, Russell had been waiting for a long time. He had been waiting for the German army to retreat after the Tunisian campaign.

Vitini also knew his purpose. He once said: Aren't you afraid that the Germans will jump over the wall and take away all your ships?

Russell said: If they dare to seize the ship, they are waving goodbye to Italy, and the warships at sea will not escort them away.

That's why he felt confident.

Knight and Russell meet at Carta.

After the two met, Knight did not exchange pleasantries, but told each other directly.

"We are going to evacuate. There are more than a dozen airports in Sicily, with a total of nine transport planes docked. We want to trade the transport planes for big ships, or gold!"

"Only transport planes? Your truck quilts also need to be transported back? That will take up a lot of space."

Knight said: "Whatever you want, you can just say it."
Chapter completed!