Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the sea surface of Saint-Nazaire Naval Port, located in the middle of the Bay of Biscay, was dyed colorfully. Steel warships were moored on the anchorage, casting long shadows in the sunset.
Since the U.S. 8th Air Defense Corps entered England, industrial and military targets in Germany have been subject to more and more frequent aerial bombings from the U.S. and British coalition forces. The German air force, which was gradually declining during the war, was unable to stop the opponent's strategic bombers from attacking the German mainland.
This made Hitler realize that Germany would not be able to resume military production without the help of the Republican Army.
At the "request" of Germany, the Republic finally agreed to send the Republican Army to southern France to "coordinate" with the German army to strengthen the defense of the western front of Europe. According to the agreement reached by the two parties, the Republican Army will be responsible for the French occupied area south of Lower Normandy.
Defense, while Germany was able to concentrate all its forces on strengthening the defenses of Upper Normandy and the coasts of Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Republican Army has only three armies with 250,000 troops in southern France, but its naval and air forces are relatively strong. A total of more than 1,800 fighters from the 15th Air Command of the Army Air Force are stationed in the Lower Normandy area, while the 12th Naval Air Force has
More than 1,500 fighter planes of the Air Force are stationed in Brittany and the area from Angers to Nantes.
The Atlantic Fleet (Sixth Fleet) of the Republican Navy, which was reorganized in accordance with the Sino-German Mutual Defense Treaty, includes the two most powerful battleships of the Republican Army, including a total of four aviation battleships, six battleships, and 12 cruisers.
Fourteen warships, in addition to the 9th Submarine Command with 116 submarines. Spiritual Domain
In addition to the Sixth Fleet stationed in the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean Fleet of the Republican Navy and the main fleet of the Italian Navy, whose main force is stationed in Gibraltar, can also enter the Atlantic Ocean at any time for support operations.
"The Chinese have no intention of attacking the United Kingdom. With their strength, it is not too difficult to cross the Strait of Dover. Moreover, unless the British take the initiative to attack their defensive area, they will encounter some retaliatory attacks.
Apart from bombing, the Chinese were not interested in the German plan to bomb Britain on a large scale. It can be seen that the Chinese were not very happy to see Britain wiped out, thus losing one
An important force to contain Hitler." On the railway line not far from Saint-Nazaire, a special train that had just left the station was running through the fields. A Vichy government military delegation headed by Admiral Darlan had just left.
He visited the Republican Navy fleet in Saint-Nazaire and reached some cooperation agreement frameworks. The supportive attitude of Republican China towards the Vichy government gave Darlan hope to revive France.
"Yes. Our opportunity has come. If we cooperate with the Chinese, we will be able to rebuild industry and armaments. This is the only way for us to return to the ranks of great powers." Admiral Jean Sur, commander of the French Navy Fleet, said very
Agreeing with Admiral Darlan's views, the Chinese promised that if the Vichy government maintained cooperation with Republican China, they would do their best to safeguard France's territorial integrity after the war, and from now on support the Vichy government in rebuilding industry and armaments.
"The Chinese do not want to see Germany's military expansion. For them, supporting France is the best way to contain Germany. The Chinese promise to share a common market with us and guarantee resource sharing in the future common market.
, investment is not restricted, which does not cause us any loss, but is an opportunity for growth." Darlan said that the plan to establish a common market proposed by China is a good opportunity for France.
"How long will this war continue?" Jean-Sur suddenly raised a puzzling question. In fact, the Chinese have not conducted any major military operations in North Africa and the Atlantic since the spring of 1943, and the war situation seems extremely strange.
.
"Maybe they think it's enough, but it will take a long time to reach a peace agreement. In fact, neither side of the war has the ability to completely defeat their opponent. The final result will still be the signing of an armistice agreement. From now on,
The direction of war will change from all-out war to the struggle for some local interests.
No one will be the final winner. It is the most advantageous choice for us to maintain the current neutrality. We should not completely offend the other party for the benefit of one party like Laval and others." Admiral Darlan advocated that France maintain strict neutrality.
Do not clearly lean towards the war side, which is inconsistent with the views of pro-German Prime Minister Laval.
France is now just an insignificant settlement strategically, but strong national sentiments have made the pretentious Gauls always seem out of tune with Britain and Germany in European affairs. France's alliance with Britain is only to deal with the Germans, but in
After the Battle of Mirskbil, the French hated the British no less than the Germans.
Supporting France from now on will make all French people feel grateful to Republican China. In the overall post-war framework, France has always been an important link. Support for France will make most Latin-speaking countries think of Republican China.
It is a country worth relying on and trusting.
After the Chinese took over control of Lower Normandy, Buyatani, Loire and Poitou-Charentes from the Germans, they began to actively cooperate with the Vichy government and help the French with equipment.
Police and gendarmerie forces. The Chinese have no plans to stay in France for a long time. Once the war is over, they are likely to withdraw their troops from France and strengthen the control of the Vichy government. This is particularly important for long-term cooperation in the future.
Italy is the country that has benefited the most from cooperation with Republican China. The Chinese even handed over Egypt to the Italians. Now from Somalia to Libya, almost the entire North Africa has fallen into the hands of the Italians. Mussolini because of his
The "visionary" was supported by the military, and his dominance became stronger than before the war.
According to the agreement, the Chinese support the Germans' demands for the Belgian Congo and the former German West African colonies in principle, but they have to fight for it on their own. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have landed in West Africa and will not leave easily. Hitler is preparing to send
An army expedition to Africa to realize his colonial dream.
Hitler organized another major campaign on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1943, but it achieved little results. Under pressure from the Chinese, the head of the Third Reich finally gave up his dream of the Eastern Front and turned to deal with the British with all his strength.
In order to end the war as soon as possible.
The problem is that the British, who have lost most of their colonial empire, will not easily agree to an armistice unless it is really unsustainable. This is a dilemma.