Chapter 792: Secret Talks Between Germany and Italy

While other countries were reacting to the agreement between Germany and Italy, Germany and Italy were peaceful at this time.

After the signing of the agreement between Germany and Italy, Hitler did not rush back to Germany, but followed Mussolini's invitation and held a high-level meeting between the two heads of state in Venice.

In fact, this should be the second formal private meeting between the heads of state of Germany and Italy.

Even when the two countries signed the agreement before, it was only the foreign ministers of each country who came forward, and the heads of state of both sides did not come in person.

Hitler's personal visit to Italy upon invitation actually proved that he had given up his previous prejudices against Italy and Mussolini.

Yes, even though Mussolini was Hitler's predecessor in the struggle for power and dictatorship, after the first meeting with Mussolini, Hitler actually had a big prejudice against Mussolini.

The reason was that when Hitler was invited to visit Italy for the first time, he was very much looking forward to meeting Mussolini at the beginning.

Hitler even called his meeting with Mussolini a "great meeting" in a private conversation with his subordinates.

But when they met, Hitler was surprised by Mussolini's exaggerated scene. In order to show his pomp, Mussolini mobilized a large number of honor guards and people to welcome Hitler.

You know, when the two met, the economic crisis was the most serious. Not to mention Italy, even countries with relatively less serious economic crises would never allow people to spontaneously gather together to welcome someone.

But Mussolini did it. Regardless of how he did it, he maintained a rather exaggerated pomp and scene during the few days of his meeting with Hitler, which surprised Hitler, who had already taken control of the German regime.

But despite being surprised, Hitler would not indulge in such a grand scene. Instead, he despised Mussolini, who loved grand scenes and was vain.

On the other hand, when Mussolini and Hitler held a private meeting, the excited and anxious Hitler could not wait to express his ideas to his close "comrade-in-arms".

Relying on his good eloquence and excellent speaking skills, Hitler showed Mussolini his grand plan.

But the problem came, because when Hitler was eloquent, he did not take Mussolini's ideas into consideration.

Mussolini, who could not get a word in, was very dissatisfied with the actions of his junior Hitler, and naturally would not listen to Hitler's plan in his heart.

The two heads of state who had such a huge gap in their actions naturally parted unhappily when they met for the first time.

This is also the reason why Hitler was prejudiced against Mussolini. If Germany was not currently suffering from huge restrictions, it would probably take a long time for Hitler and Mussolini to shake hands and make peace.

Venice, the second meeting between Mussolini and Hitler.

With the lessons learned from the first time, the two were obviously much more sincere the second time. Hitler also took care of Mussolini's emotions when speaking. At least this meeting became a real bilateral meeting, rather than Hitler's unilateral speech.

However, Mussolini was still shocked by Hitler's bold idea.

Not to mention Germany, whose total army is only 150,000 people, even Italy, which has experienced many military expansions, dare not have such a crazy idea at this time.

Because according to Hitler's bold idea, Germany and Italy will divide the Austrian Empire, Hungary and Poland, and become the two most powerful countries in Central Europe.

After completely dominating the entire Central Europe, Germany and Italy will move westward and eliminate France, the most powerful enemy on the European continent, and almost realize the European hegemony of Germany and Italy.

Later, it is the crazy idea of ​​​​crossing the ocean to eliminate Britain and divide the whole of Europe with Italy.

Such a crazy idea directly shocked Mussolini, and he exclaimed that Hitler was a crazy lunatic.

Facing Mussolini's somewhat rude exclamation, Hitler was not angry. After all, he also understood how crazy his plan was. It almost meant that Germany and Italy would become enemies with the whole world.

"Mr. Hitler, don't you think your idea is a little too crazy?" After adjusting his mentality a little, Mussolini asked in disbelief: "Annexing Austria and Poland looks wonderful, but it means that we will be enemies with Britain and France.

Excuse me, judging from the current military strength of our two countries, it is obvious that we can't be the opponent of Britain.

What's more, Australasia is also paying close attention to the situation in Europe. Once Europe enters the battlefield, Australasia will become the country that will benefit in the end as a huge supplier of goods.

I don't think we can win the war with the joint efforts of Britain, France and Australia, unless you can find a new and powerful ally for us."

Hearing what Mussolini said, Hitler was not anxious, but said proudly: "I have considered all the problems you are worried about. If a war really breaks out in Europe, there will be countries to hold Australasia for us.

Even if its preliminary preparation plan is successful, Australasia will not join in the entire war."

Hitler's answer was full of confidence, and he was not worried about Australasia, the troublemaker.

"Are you talking about the island country?" Mussolini was not stupid, and he quickly understood the country Hitler was referring to.

In fact, now apart from Britain and France, the only country that has the strength to threaten the mainland of Australasia is indeed the island country.

The comprehensive strength of the island country may not be the top powers, but it is seriously biased in military affairs, and it does have the military strength of the top powers.

From this perspective, the island country is indeed the only country around the Pacific Ocean that threatens Australasia and can even achieve a balance.

As for the preliminary plan of the island country mentioned by Hitler, it is actually the war that the island country is currently carrying out.

If its war can be won, the comprehensive strength of the island country can indeed usher in a big step forward.

By that time, the island country is indeed a powerful opponent, and there is no problem in holding Australasia back and not interfering in the war in Europe.

With Australasia being held back and the United States having perished, even if a war breaks out between Britain and France, it is just a war within Europe.

In this case, Mussolini was relieved a little. If it was just a war in Europe, it would not be impossible for Germany and Italy to win.

After all, there are not many powers in Europe, and there are only three real powerful opponents: Britain, France and Austria.

Even if the Soviet Union wins the war, it will take a long time to recover. What's more, the combat effectiveness of the Russian army has always been poor, and Mussolini did not take the Russian army seriously.

In addition, Britain, France and Austria actually have their own shortcomings. The British are only strong in the navy. If they can gain an advantage on the European continent, the British will have no other choice but to blockade Europe.

Although the French army is strong, it can be seen from the various behaviors of France before that the French are obviously afraid of war.

Being timid before fighting means losing half the battle on the military level. What's more, if France did not have so many allies in the First World War in history, Germany would have defeated France and marched to the gates of Paris.

This time, without the interference of the United States and Australasia, Hitler was very confident even if Germany and Italy challenged Britain, France and Austria.

Moreover, Germany at this time is definitely not the Germany of World War I. In the middle of World War I, the power of William II had been largely hollowed out, and the army and government were almost all controlled by the Junker nobles.

Now, Hitler, with the SS, which is far more than the army, firmly controls the political and military power of Germany, which is something that William II could not do before.

A completely cohesive Germany can definitely have a much greater fighting potential than during World War I.

In addition, Italy, whose military strength has improved a lot compared to World War I (at least Mussolini thinks so), it is not impossible to complete Hitler's plan to rule the whole of Europe.

"Mr. Hitler, once the news of our agreement is announced, it may arouse suspicion from Britain and France.

If possible, your country needs to prepare for war as soon as possible and expand the number of troops as much as possible." The talks between the two sides were very satisfactory, which made Mussolini speak more.

Obviously, Mussolini was more worried about whether the number of German troops would affect the implementation of the German and Italian plans.

Even though the German army was once known as the world's first army, the current number of troops is only 150,000.

Even if it expands to 1 million after the outbreak of the war, it will definitely be composed of new recruits, and its combat effectiveness is difficult to guarantee.

Only by expanding the army to a normal size before the war and giving it strict training can it be guaranteed that the army can exert excellent combat effectiveness after the outbreak of the war and quickly achieve the strategic goals agreed by the two.

"We still need Italy's support on this point." Hitler said: "We want to expand the size of the army, and Britain and France will never agree.

But judging from the attitude of Britain and France, they are absolutely unwilling to start a war with us. Therefore, we must be determined to expand the army, even if we don't hesitate to fight Britain and France for this.

I believe that Britain and France will retreat after learning of our attitude, and our army can also be expanded to a reasonable number."

The reason why the size of Germany's army has not expanded is still because of the restrictions imposed by Britain and France on Germany.

However, from Italy's expansion of the Abyssinian Empire, it can be seen that Britain and France will most likely compromise in this regard.

Britain and France do not want to see a war, so they have to agree to Germany's military expansion.

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