Three Hundred and Eighty-Two Envy

Under the dim light, a middle-aged man and an old man sat face to face, silently speaking to a copy of the "German-French Peace Treaty Draft" in their hands.

The old man's face was full of dimples, which looked distorted under the light. The young man's face was not very good, so he looked even more sick. The two of them sat there for at least ten minutes, but they still didn't say a word.

After a while, the young man finally couldn't help but said: "Marshal Pétain, has the matter reached this point?" He held the old gentleman's hand, his tone full of unwillingness and helplessness.

Yes, this old man is the famous French Marshal Petain. That year, as the German army progressed smoothly in the early stages of the Battle of Verdun, General Dubay demanded a retreat. Pétain's troops, who were resting in the rear, were urgently transferred to the front line of Verdun on February 24, 1916, and took over the fortress of Verdun. responsibilities. Immediately, this Petain officially stepped onto the stage of history, showing his excellent tactical command ability.

When Petain arrived, the situation of the French army was extremely bad. The defense line was torn in many places, and the fortress, which was always considered indestructible, also fell into the hands of the German army. What's more terrible is that Petain got pneumonia the next day after he took office, and had to direct the next battle from the hospital bed. Fortunately, Petain, who had a high fever, immediately grasped the crux of the problem-artillery and logistics, which allowed the brutal battle to continue.

He put forward the famous defensive slogan "they can't pass" which became the field motto of the French army at that time. In addition, in order to prevent the morale of the French army from falling, Petain also persuaded Joffre to adopt a troop rotation system, so almost all the French army experienced this cruel battle and accumulated experience.

Under his stern leadership, Verdun had turned the corner by the time he replaced General Cali as Army Group Center commander on 1 May. And as the boss of General Nivelle, who succeeded him in command of the Second Army, Petain continued to exert influence on the battle of Verdun. Four months later, the French army launched a large-scale offensive on the Somme River, the German army stopped its attack on Verdun, and the Battle of Verdun ended in victory. As the "Victor of Verdun", Pétain became a French national hero and became famous all over the world. Regarded as "the savior of France".

"De Gaulle, we have tried our best, but we still can't save our great France." Marshal Petain had a beautiful mustache, and he moved very nicely when he spoke, but now the old man's face was full of exhaustion, The voice was not loud: "It's time to give France a decent ending."

"If, if we can hold on for two months, then American aid will come, and we will be able to stabilize the line of defense..." De Gaulle said bitterly. He is a staunch main fighter, so he has always fantasized that the aid supplies from the United States will arrive soon, dragging this war into the appearance of World War I.

"Boy,

You are too impulsive. "Pétain smiled, although it was very reluctant, but still very calm: "Now it is different from the last war. "

"Why is it different?" De Gaulle asked, frowning.

"Back then we fought in Belgium and some border areas, so it was natural to consume. Even if those areas were smashed into pieces, we would not have irreparable losses." Petain was very straightforward, without the slightest shyness, said: " We can afford to fight on other people's land, or on already barren land."

He pointed to a small map of France on the side and continued: "But, de Gaulle. If we continue to fight now, where will we be? Paris, Lyon, Chalon, Dijon, Rouen...even this place We have won the First World War for four years, what is left of France?"

"The British and Americans naturally hope that we will continue to fight. Only a fool will use all his family's possessions to help others fight a war that does not know the outcome." Pétain sneered and said: "The French As a fool? Isn't the situation like this happening today caused by the idiots in the UK?"

"British? What do you mean?" De Gaulle asked, frowning.

"Boy! You are too young! Learn!" Pétain laughed and said: "The British have long known that Germany is rising, and part of the external support for the rise is provided by the British! These damn British guys It is a strategy of keeping Germany and France in check, so the British have been helping the Germans cover up the implementation of the "Treaty of Versailles" back then."

"How could it be? Aren't the British also being beaten so hard that they can't hold their heads up? Could it be that they don't even want their own way of life in order to destroy France?" De Gaulle asked again suspiciously.

"This is called self-inflicted consequences! They helped the Germans cover, but they didn't expect the Soviets to also help the Germans cover, but they didn't expect the Germans to hide so many things in secret!" Pétain sighed helplessly. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This Akado is not easy... He has already started preparing for this day in 1923. He has been preparing for 15 years. How could he lose?"

"That can't make Marshal you do such a humble thing!" De Gaulle frowned and said: "Leave here with me, go to our overseas colony, and let that guy Darlan take the blame!"

"Hahaha!" The old marshal laughed, looking a lot happier, but he still waved his hands and said, "No one can replace this matter! If I didn't leave my old bones in France, who would be able to hold back The Germans and the French themselves?"

"What about your reputation, Marshal?" De Gaulle still asked reluctantly.

"Fame? Let's be honest. Compared with the British, I am more optimistic about the Germans." Pétain closed his eyes and continued: "Being a traitor to France is my personal choice. If I make a wrong choice, my life will be ruined." , and if I am right, then I shall be the hero who saves France."

"But a traitor is a traitor... There is nothing to explain." Petain laughed at himself: "I am old and can't fight hard, so I am more used to this conservative method, but the righteous but extremely bumpy road , It depends on you young people to go."

"What is this?" De Gaulle said with a bit of annoyance.

"What is it? The best destination for a defeated France." Petain stood up and walked out with his hands behind his back: "Let's hedge our bets and see who can bring France out of this quagmire."

He walked to the door and looked back at de Gaulle: "You leave immediately, flee to Toulon, and then rush to England, where you put up a banner, set up a free France and continue to resist. As for me, just stay and see Let's see if our head of state is the destined ruler of the European continent."

France was defeated this time, but defeat also has the benefits of defeat. The rapid defeat allowed France to retain its flesh and blood, and also stabilized the situation. It withdrew from this world war in the fastest and easiest way. This is for the French people That doesn't seem like bad news.

Moreover, Marshal Pétain's idea of ​​surrender split the internal forces of France, splitting out a neutral military leader, Navy Commander-in-Chief Darlan and a loose alliance of surrendering Pétain, and a young officer headed by Charles de Gaulle The war faction Free France.

This is the first move France made after its defeat. It depends on how Germany, the victorious country, takes up the move. The bargaining chip is the territory ceded by France. The content of the bargain includes the size of the French army, the ownership of the navy, and how about the overseas colonies...these The problems are the main points of the confrontation between the two sides. How to complete the negotiations that are beneficial to the French is the business of the diplomats.

And in Berlin, the capital of Germany, Accardo was having dinner with Mussolini. He elegantly cut the steak with a smile unique to a winner. Mussolini was talking endlessly over there, seemingly indifferent to steak and various delicacies.

He boasted of the Italian fleet, claiming that his navy had control over half of the Mediterranean Sea; he was full of praise for the German export-type me-109c fighter jets, and hoped to buy more new German weapons; he talked about Italy and Germany The importance of the alliance between them, claiming that he is willing to share weal and woe with the German allies.

"Okay, leader Mussolini. I know that Italy is not ready for war, and I know the actual situation in Italy. I even know these issues better than you!" Akado said while cutting steak. Cut off Mussolini's bragging: "If you sign all 50 contracts, then Marseille is yours. If you feel wrong, then nothing happened. I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow, so you'd better Well give me an answer tonight."

"40 copies! I really can't decide on the treaties concerning the expropriation of factories, airports and ports." Mussolini begged with a wry smile, "I really envy you. You are now enough to influence both Italy and Germany. head of state decision-making."

"I am not the leader of the Italians, on the contrary, Mr. Mussolini, you are! I can only seek the well-being of the German people, and the Third Reich is not a good church. Since we fought for our allies, we must take back We deserve the reward." Akado said solemnly: "The Third Reich is invincible because they trust me and treat me as a god, I have to be worthy of this belief, right?"

Mussolini looked at Accardo, finally sighed, took a stack of thick documents, and began to sign his own name, and the assistant behind him stamped the signature of each document in Italy. country seal.

"I really envy those Germans. They have a great leader." After signing the last name, Mussolini was so tired that he dropped his pen and said with a deep breath.

"I'm even more fortunate that I was born in a great nation." Akado said with a smile.