From the icy and snowy Scandinavian Peninsula to the warm and spring-like Sicily. Although the Mediterranean Sea in the rainy season is wet and cold, for people from the north, the climate is pleasant and the scenery is like a paradise.
The Sino-Italian coalition forces were preparing to launch a major offensive operation in North Africa. Because they were familiar with the top leaders of the Italian military, Fang Minghao was transferred from the Atlantic Fleet to the North African Front of the Republican Army as deputy chief of staff, responsible for coordinating the operations between the Sino-Italian coalition forces.
From the map, Italy is shaped like a leather boot entering the Mediterranean Sea, while Sicily is the toe of this leather boot, which closely guards the sea connection channel between the east and west parts of the Mediterranean, and it also contacts Europe.
The closest springboard between North Africa. Most of Italy's industries are concentrated in Milan, Genoa, Bologna and other places in the north. The industrialization level in the south is not high. Most of the residents of Sicily are still engaged in agriculture and their economy is relatively backward.
But this does not prevent the Republican Army from taking this place as the starting point of its attack, its favorable geographical location and many natural excellent ports, making it ideal for large-scale transport of troops.
Since the outbreak of the war, the Italians have stepped up the construction of several important military strongholds on Sicily and nearby islands, and built three large military airports in Cata-class, Cisakura and Malsana.
, plus the original Messina and Palermo airports, the island already has five large military airports, and the Fourth Air Command of the Republican Navy is stationed on the island respectively.
Amid the protests of the French government of Vichy, the Sino-Italian coalition and the British and American North African regiments regarded Algeria as the main battlefield of North Africa. However, the Italians' always "amazing" efficiency has been dragging down the Republican army's advancement speed in North Africa. In the Battle of Tunisia, the battle of Tunisia
Later, the North African front army had to stop and wait for the logistics supplies to be transported to the North African battlefield.
Italians have not low technical capabilities. Fiat, Maki, Ansarudo and Regiani are all excellent racing manufacturers before, but the lack of natural resources restricts the country's manufacturing level.
After the army opened the Suez Canal, a steady stream of metal materials, coal, oil and other energy sources were transported to Italy, causing its industrial capacity to grow rapidly.
By 1941, Italy could manufacture 800 combat aircraft, 500 tanks and self-propelled artillery every month, and its manufacturing level had reached about half that of Germany, which made the Italian blindly arrogant leader even more arrogant.
To be honest, in terms of engine technology, Italians have many places that are ahead of Republican China. The romantic Italians are full of creative imagination, which makes them have many commendable inventions and creations in the field of industrial technology. Italians
The MC.40 fighter improved according to the FJZ-107 "Falcon" technology provided by the Republican Army has excellent performance, even surpassing the BF109 of the Germans, and in the "firebirth" with excellent performance with the British, the "firebirth"
The performance was eye-catching in the fight against the fighter.
Fiat manufactures Gasolin v12 cylinder diesel engine with a power of up to 720 horsepower. Andaludo imitates the M38/40 model made by the Republican Army Type 35 tank surface. After equipting this engine, its highway speed reached 56 kilometers.
The mobility was the best, and even the Republican Army introduced the manufacturing technology of this engine from the Italians.
It is a little regrettable that the Italians' organizational and command capabilities are really unsatisfactory. Apart from a few excellent commanders, the Italian army's command system seems inefficient and chaotic. These problems have been plaguing the coalition's operations.
After the four "Veneto-class" battleships were put into service, the overall strength of the Italian Navy was obviously beyond the British Mediterranean fleet. However, when facing the British, the Italian Navy commanders were obviously insufficient in confidence, but it was a hurdle.
The Royal Navy commanded by General Ning'an occasionally carried out some active attacks on the Italians. Of course, under the threat of land-based fighter jets, the Mediterranean fleet still did not dare to risk sailing near Italy.
This forced the Republican Navy to draw part of the already weak power of the Indian Ocean Fleet into the Mediterranean. The Republican Army currently has only some cruisers and destroyers in the entire Indian Ocean waters, and frigates are performing escort missions. Now the East China Sea Fleet is moved to Changi
The military port must take into account both the defenses of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, and the task is quite arduous.
The low clouds over the Mediterranean give people a feeling of depression. The main force of the Fourth Fleet of the Republican Navy led by Wei Zihao slowly sailed into the port in the Bay of Catania. The officers and soldiers of the 7th Division of the Shanghai Marine Corps were boarding the ship.
, it seemed very busy. The Deyang destroyer Wei Zihao was riding slowly docked next to the dock, and the Republic fleet stationed in the Niya Bay of Kamers seemed particularly conspicuous, with the two main airlines "Jiangxi" and "Anhui"
The fleet led by the warships is stationed in the deep-water anchorage in the port with a warning formation. The most eye-catching thing is of course the flagship "Songshan" battleship of the Navy General. In the eyes of ordinary people, the twelve 380mm main guns it equipped is radiated.
A cruel aura that can destroy everything.
Wei Zihao went up from the gangway that was laid down on the destroyer to the dock. Fang Minghao accompanied the Italian Navy Chief of Staff General Cafliani and the commander of the First Cruiser Fleet Major General Catanio on the dock to greet the most battles with the Royal Navy.
The Admiral of the Republic led the arrival of the fleet.
The attack location of the Sino-Italian coalition was chosen in Gibraltar. The Spanish independent C dictatorship showed considerable interest in cooperation with the Republican army. However, out of concern for his own strength, Franco finally chose to remain neutral.
, but promised to provide necessary help when the Sino-Italian coalition forces attacked Gibraltar.
The battle plan was only implemented after the Republican Army tried hard to win. The Italians were worried that they were not strong enough. The Republican Army agreed to deploy 1,800 combat aircraft in the Western Central Region, two aviation commands of the Army and Navy in the Western Central region before the start of the battle.
After the main force of the Indian Ocean Fleet entered the Mediterranean to fight with them, the Italian talents reluctantly agreed to send their main fleet to cooperate with the Republican army to fight.
But Mussolini was unwilling to accept the situation and ordered the navy to send the only land division to participate in the attack on Gibraltar. According to the plan, Major General Catalio will lead four heavy cruisers and four Oriani.
The 1st cruiser fleet composed of class destroyers cooperated with the Republic Navy to carry out the first wave of attack missions. Afterwards, General Kafliani will lead the main fleet to carry out the second wave of attacks on the Gibraltar Fortress.
The landing troops will land in the area of Malville. At that time, Franco will order all guards here to withdraw to Malaga, and Bu will divide Gibraltar into a war zone.
"If we include the four battleships obtained from the French, the Italian Navy currently has 13 main battleships, which is only slightly inferior to the Royal Navy. Italy is preparing to send all four Vineto-class and equipment of fifteen inches.
The two Caraciolo-class battleships with the main gun should not have any major problems in performing firepower missions. The other three Cafur-class and Dunker-class are being modified and can no longer participate in this battle. The Lorraine and France
The USS has been regarded as a training ship. Two Skyhawk-class aviation warships will also participate in this operation!" Back at the base, Fang Minghao reported the situation to General Wei Zihao. During this operation, the Italians sent all their belongings.
"Very good, it seems that the Italians want to get something from it!" General Wei Zihao took off his military cap, "According to the agreement, the Gibraltar Fortress will be returned to the Spanish after the war."
"Mussolini is fighting Tunisia. He promised the Vichy government that he would return it to Algeria, but he did not mention the issue of Tunisia at all." Fang Minghao said.
"Today is Laba. I'll go to the fleet to eat dumplings with everyone!" Wei Zihao said.
"Oh, I almost can't remember such a festival outside. I didn't expect that the Spring Festival will be coming in a blink of an eye!" Fang Minghao looked up at the calendar. It was January 24, 1942.