Chapter 152: Petain's Choice (300 Monthly Tickets Plus More)

Marshal Henri-Philippe Pétain, hero of World War I, head of state of France and the soul of the Vichy government, is completely old. Everyone who is close to and knows the 86-year-old still serving as the supreme ruler of France thinks so.

His hair has turned completely white, his skin has become flabby, and his steps have become staggering. He cannot walk without relying on crutches or the support of others. His energy and memory have declined significantly. His old eyes hang down weakly, and his mouth oozes involuntarily from time to time. Drooling, he may even doze off at any time during high-level meetings. In his usual administrative work, he entrusted all daily affairs and specific work to Prime Minister and Head of Government Laval. He simply said yes or no, and then performed the necessary procedures. But even so, no one dares to underestimate this famous man, because when discussing important matters and making important decisions, his cloudy eyes will always shine with a shocking light, and his prestige is still enough to command. Overall, without his decision, the Vichy government would not be able to make any important decisions - at this time, he was the king of France, and even Laval did not dare to disobey him.

Today he is meeting with François Darlan, the French admiral and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who has just returned from North Africa. Marshal Pétain's attendants knew that the old marshal had been thinking about this summons for five days before finally making up his mind. In order to prepare for this meeting, the 86-year-old man took a nap for three hours in the afternoon. To maintain high energy during the meeting.

"Dear Head of State, I am extremely happy to see that you are in good health and looking good." Darlan is only 61 years old now, which is the golden age of a politician. When he saw that Pétain seemed to want to stand up to greet him, he hurriedly said He stepped forward to support the old man and expressed his greetings, while indicating that he did not need to get up.

"Seeing you full of energy, I feel that there is still hope for France." Pétain asked, "How is the situation in North Africa recently?"

"Americans and Germans both had representatives who came to conduct secret activities and win over them, but I didn't pay much attention to them and just dealt with them in a general way." Darlan said, "The situation is under my control, and all officers and soldiers have always been loyal. To France and to you, the Führer.”

“Where are those Gaullists?”

"There are some activities that are quite serious, but I caught them. On the whole, it does not harm the overall situation. I still need to ask for your opinion on how to deal with them."

"Detain them secretly for a period of time to see if they have resilience. If they still do not change their original intention after a few months, they can be secretly released to London - since they want to find De Gaulle so much." Pétain explained, "I think He doesn’t like elements that are easily rebellious, right? As for those vacillating elements who are prone to rebellion, they are still a scourge and should be dealt with as necessary.”

"Yes, Your Excellency." Darlan did not expect that Petain would say this. He looked strange, but he agreed readily.

"Have you any objection to my opinion?"

"This... is a little strange." Darlan said, "I still remember your original request for de Gaulle to be tried in absentia for treason and sentenced to death."

"Haha." Pétain suddenly showed a smile like a naughty boy, "That was for the Germans to see. Otherwise, how would we get through? Why didn't I send an assassin if I really wanted him dead? The British side has many of our people."

"It's a pity that he can't understand your magnanimity and painstaking efforts. He attacks us unscrupulously and is willing to take chestnuts from Churchill's fire."

"De Gaulle is a character. He just disagrees with our political views, but I understand his thoughts for France. Acting too hastily and using unscrupulous means is also a common problem among young people. I just hope he doesn't fall into Churchill's trap. Besides, isn't the political world so weird? Did the French hero who resisted to the end in 1916 become a traitor who surrendered to the enemy in 1940..."

Darlan knew that Pétain was talking about himself. As early as 1939, someone suggested that Pétain run for president. He refused with a smile and said: "The president is a position filled by the marshal after the defeat." Unexpectedly, he later Words become prophecies. Darlan sincerely comforted Pétain and said: "Don't think so. It's unfair to you. It was you who pulled France back from the edge of the cliff. No conscientious Frenchman or historian will forget that you did not hesitate to do so." The merit of saving France through fame will not disappear because of the slander of the Gaullists. Sometimes it is more difficult to endure humiliation than to die generously. "

"Forget it, let's not talk about this now."

After the greetings were completed, Darlan asked strangely: "Why are you so anxious to call me back to the country this time?"

"There is indeed an important decision." Pétain waved his hand, and the attendants retreated tactfully. "Have you heard about the secret negotiations between the Germans and us?"

"One thing, but I don't know the details." Darlan showed an indignant look and said, "You know, Prime Minister Laval controls everything, and he has a prejudice against me."

"You can't blame him completely. I ordered it to be kept secret - because this matter is too big." Pétain handed Darlan a document, "But I can tell you now that the document was sent by the Germans a month ago. The note lists some cooperation matters. After in-depth discussions between the cabinet and the government, we have basically agreed to accept it except for modifications to some individual clauses. Tomorrow is the day for the final reply from the Germans to us, but I want to hear your opinion before that. "

Darlan slowly read it one by one, and his initial puzzled expression gradually turned into seriousness and uneasiness:

1. Germany will return 500,000 French prisoners of war within 2 months, and promises to release all French prisoners of war in the next 3 years at the standard of 500,000 per year (Note: The Germans have attached economic conditions and require us to repay them with relevant materials or products in the future. );

2. Germany will return part of the French territory temporarily occupied by Germany according to the "German-French Armistice Agreement", including Paris, and promises to return all occupied French territory after the war. In exchange, the German army will enjoy the rights to operate in France during the war. The right of free passage through the territory (including the colonies) (with a new boundary map, the free zone is expanded to 60% of the French territory, and notes: excluding Alsace and Lorraine);

3. The French government moved to Paris and declared that it would participate in the European Union on the basis of "freedom, equality and justice" after the war;

4. The German government agrees with the French authorities to use the released prisoners to form 5-10 defense divisions. France's total military strength can be expanded to 300,000, including 2-3 armored divisions;

5. All French naval warships currently in domestic ports will be handed over to Germany intact;

6. The French military industry will be revived on the premise of transparent notification, and Germany will purchase at fair prices;

7.……

"This is a conspiracy." Darlan, who had not read all the terms, exclaimed, "This is a deeper conspiracy by the Germans to seize our fleet and drag France into the water..."

"Tell me what you think."

"Judging from these conditions alone, the Germans seem to be very lenient to us. Not only have they relaxed restrictions in various aspects such as territory, military, national defense, military industry, and administration, but they also do not require us to pay much, except for those who are under German supervision. There seems to be no extra effort outside the fleet that cannot be used at all, but..." Darlan flicked the file with his finger, "The Germans will definitely reveal this news, and they will use this fleet to exert psychological pressure on Britain and the United States. , and at the same time made Britain and the United States mistakenly believe that we have fully moved towards Germany.”

"Isn't it good to put pressure on Britain and the United States? Are we allowed to put pressure on us, or threaten to destroy them at every turn?" Pétain said unhappily, "In this war, it was not the Germans who destroyed the most of our warships. It’s our former allies, the British.”

In the ballistae and intimidation operations in the previous two years, the British Navy sank and damaged many French warships, including the battleships Bretagne, Richelieu, Jean-Bart, etc., which triggered a tense relationship between Britain and France. The break also firmly established the French Navy's most hated target as the Royal Navy.

Darlan nodded. As long as he is an upright French naval officer, he will admit that Germany, an enemy country, treats France better than Britain, an ally - at least that's what they know.

"Faced with the conditions listed by the Germans, my initial views were close to yours, but the Germans' subsequent threats made me unable to remain indifferent." Pétain showed a heartbroken look, "The Germans threatened that if we did not accept Under this clause, they will imprison all the 2 million captured soldiers in concentration camps in the east, or use them as coolies in newly developed mines.”

"What? Concentration camp?" Darlan shivered for no reason. He knew some inside information about Germany. He was shocked and angry. "How dare the Germans do this? They can't do this! This is a violation of the Geneva Convention. ”

"What do you think the German representative said? Yes, of course I know that it violated the convention, but in your eyes, Germany has violated many international treaties. If Germany defeats us, it will end up on the gallows. Those who violate the convention will What does it matter if there is one more thing or one less thing? - You can’t hang someone twice!”

Darlan thought to himself: This answer is cruel enough! There was no room to even fight back. He hesitated and asked with an uncertain look: "Isn't this true?"

"They are very likely to do this. If Hitler is pushed into a hurry, he can do anything, not to mention that he still has the madman Himmler - otherwise, where do you think the final destination of the Jews handed over by us is? ?”

"But..." Darlan said sheepishly, "I made a promise to Britain and the United States that we would not hand over the French fleet to the Germans."