Chapter 956 D-Day (17)

After Moreau left, Ciano was still uneasy. After going to bed, he tossed and turned and sighed. Even Ada, who was usually not interested in politics, couldn't stand it anymore and asked him what was wrong with him.

Ciano didn't dare to say "coup". He only said that the leader wanted the British colony and Italy's Brazil. The tasks were all placed on him, and the German side did not agree. It was very difficult to be caught in the middle.

Ada was stunned for a long time, and finally said with a smile: "I thought it was some big deal, but it turned out to be just like this, very simple..."

"Simple?" Ciano smiled bitterly, "How did you tell?"

"I'll teach you a way."

"Okay." Ciano thought for a while and then said, "But it won't work if you ask the leader for mercy."

"Begging for mercy?" Ada curled her lips and said disdainfully, "Who is going to beg him? He is just an ignorant playboy... well, he cannot be called a playboy. He is a pitiful playboy who feels sorry for himself. Old man. He thinks those girls really like him because he is charming?"

Ciano smiled, Ada seemed to have a lot of complaints about this father.

"I'll teach you how to do it. If it works, how can you thank me?"

"Thank you?" Ciano laughed, "As long as it can solve the problem, I can give you anything you want. Villa? Yacht? Diamonds?"

"I don't want these things. These things will be gone as soon as they are spent." Ada's eyes sparkled, "I want something that can keep making money."

"Is there such a good thing? Give me a dozen."

"Yes! The German oil fund!" Ada said seriously, "I'm not greedy, just give me 1 million marks. If you abandon me in the future, I can still survive on this!"

"Why do you think so?" Ciano joked, "We have oil deposits in Libya, and we are still exploring others. Do you want to get you some shares in the oil company?"

I thought Ada would be very happy, but she shook her head: "It's impossible to rely on those bureaucrats. If the Agnelli family comes forward, the reliability will be higher, but the Agnelli family's shares are so easy to get." What will it cost you?"

Ciano was rendered speechless by her rebuttal.

"Then why are you interested in Germany's oil fund?"

"I heard that this oil fund is distributed to senior officers and officers and soldiers who have made meritorious services in proportion to their shares. Annual dividends are used as a guarantee for them to live peacefully after retirement. They will have no worries for a lifetime. If they cannot make money continuously, how can they protect their future lives? ? If there is no war in the future, the factories that make tanks and airplanes can be used to make cars. Cars burn oil every day, and the demand for oil is increasing..." Ada laughed, "Besides, the Germans have a strong fist. In the future, How about Europe, it’s not the head of state who has the final say? How can the head of state watch the trust of meritorious soldiers go to waste? Which politician or capitalist would dare to let this money go to waste? Thousands of elite troops! Are the Jews rich enough? Why don’t you just go to Africa to dig rocks?”

A word that wakes up the dreamer! Ciano sincerely felt that Ada had surpassed him in understanding and feeling about power.

He smiled and nodded: "I will get this 1 million for you and write your name on it, but you must tell me the method first."

"No cheating."

"certainly."

"Procrastinate..." Ada smiled, "I think you are confused. Do you remember that before the war started, the head of state wanted us to join the war, but the leader Lion made a lot of demands. How was it resolved in the end? "

Ciano immediately recalled: Before the Polish campaign, the head of state had invited Italy to join the war. Mussolini was not prepared at all. At the same time, he had no confidence in Germany, but he did not dare to say it publicly, so he made a big statement. There were so many demands that the head of state was so angry that he ignored the Italians for half a year. When the French campaign was almost over, Mussolini ignored any demands and brought his own dry food to fight against the French army. As a result, he was beaten all over his head.

He smiled and said: "This is a good idea, let me try it. Regardless of whether it works or not, I will get you 1 million."

Ada was extremely happy, and Ciano's irritable mood improved a lot, and he handed over the public food neatly.

But early the next morning, Ciano's newly improved mood was ruined. The housekeeper reminded him that someone had called from the summer palace.

He thought it was Pollato again, and was impatient, but he didn't dare not answer. As soon as he answered the question, he heard a hurried tone coming from the receiver: "I am Bertassi, are you a count?"

"I am." Ciano was extremely surprised, but still said calmly, "Good morning, how can I help you?"

"Your Excellency, the leader is still sleeping, and I sneaked out to make a call. Listen to me, the leader is very dissatisfied with you getting too close to the Germans. He thinks that he has been ignored by the head of state, and even half-jokingly said that he wanted to abolish you. The position of heir." Bettaxi lowered his voice, "Although he said it was a joke, it can be heard that he is very unhappy. It is important for you to find a way to make up for it as soon as possible."

Ciano was startled and said quickly: "I understand, thank you for your advice."

"As long as you know, I'll hang up first."

Ciano immediately said: "Wait a minute, all your purchases in Milan or Rome next month will be recorded in my account."

"Thank you for your generosity!" Bettaxi smiled slightly and hung up the phone. She knew that the count would not be stingy. Summer is here, and clothes, jewelry, and bags should all be replaced with new ones...

If Mussolini was dissatisfied with him only because of diplomatic negotiations, Ciano felt that there was no need to make a big fuss, and it might be over if he dragged it out. However, the phone call from Petacci today reminded him that the position of successor was far from being set in stone. Although the leader himself said it was a joke, since he could say it, it meant that the other party had thought about it, which made him unbearable. Thinking of what Aida said yesterday, "whoever has the bigger fist has the right to speak", he finally made up his mind.

At the same time that Ciano made up his mind, Truman and the Joint Chiefs of Staff also made up their minds to use the Atlantic Fleet to fight the Germans in Brazil.

According to the results of the Army Aviation reconnaissance, Nimitz formulated a package plan: to use strategic air transport to dispatch troops to Salvador and Recife, pile up 3-4 divisions at a time, and transport heavy equipment that could not be transported by air by fleet, and the main force of the Atlantic Fleet provided cover, and used the transport fleet as bait to lure the German fleet to attack.

There are important logical judgments here:

If the German fleet does not attack, then as soon as the fleet arrives in El Salvador, 3-4 main divisions will be deployed immediately, which is conducive to the deployment of troops and offensive operations in the next stage;

If the German fleet takes the initiative to attack, the Atlantic Fleet will take the opportunity to fight a battle and strive to annihilate (or at least defeat) the main force of the enemy in one fell swoop. As for those transport ships and supplies, they are not the focus of the navy's consideration - there are plenty in the country.

This bold plan was applauded by Turner, and he submitted it with a slight modification. Admiral King and Marshall also expressed their approval. Regardless of success or failure, at least the war situation will not be delayed.

Truman considered that the two British aircraft carriers could not be obtained. If the last window period is not seized, the situation of Atlantic sea power and Brazil will be in a comprehensive deterioration, so he nodded and approved this action plan.

Another good news is that Edward VIII has not returned to his country to take office, and the speed of Britain's transfer of aircraft carriers to Germany cannot be so fast. Even if the German side gets it, it will have to conduct targeted adaptation and exercises, and there is relatively ample time. Turner adjusted the action plan to before July 15. This would give enough time to mobilize air transport forces and fleets, and also give the Atlantic Fleet an extra two weeks of precious running-in time. Nimitz approved this change.

Codenamed "Hurricane", Nimitz mobilized all three Essex-class aircraft carriers, three Iowa-class battleships, and 12 Casablanca-class escort carriers. Six of the escort carriers mainly served as bait with the fleet, and the aviation on them was Lv.3 or below. The other six escort carriers fought with the main fleet, and the pilots were all Lv.4. As for the few level 5 pilots, they were all gathered on the three main carriers.

During this period, Nimitz carefully studied Spruance's deployment in the Indian Ocean and believed that his tactic of letting escort carriers carry fighters and main carriers use attack aircraft was good, which could partially solve the current problem of insufficient number of aircraft carriers.

According to intelligence, the Germans had a total of 3 fleet carriers, 2 escort carriers (Rhine class), and 3 battleships. Nimitz believed that he had a slight advantage and could even tie even if the German land-based aircraft intervened. Now the main US aircraft carriers have all been replaced with F4U and BTD (escort carriers are equipped with F6F), which have better performance than before, and have Seahawk reconnaissance aircraft, which have been upgraded in all aspects and effectively narrowed the gap with the Germans.

Nimitz has always been brooding over the last naval battle. He believes that if it were not for the abnormal land-based reinforcements of the Germans, they would never lose so badly, Cunningham would not die, and even Iceland might not be lost. Therefore, this time he was determined to take revenge.

Crank didn't know that Nimitz was coming at him with murderous intent. According to the original arrangement, he would cover the 7th Armored Division under Manteuffel to reinforce the Rio area. After this batch of troops landed, the German army in São Paulo and Rio would reach 2 armored divisions and 3 marine brigades with a total of more than 60,000 people.

The country is still considering the next phase of combat deployment:

One voice is to continue to send enough troops to South America;

Another voice is to withdraw troops to carry out the South African campaign.

Hoffman personally decided to increase troops to South America first, at least to increase the troops in the South Atlantic theater to more than 200,000, but this takes time - before getting two British aircraft carriers, Marshall's main fleet cannot leave the North Atlantic.

According to the arrangement of the Supreme Command, if the two Enemy-class ships are obtained as expected by the end of June, the third large-scale reinforcement of troops in South America will begin in August.

This time schedule is already very tight, but the Americans do not intend to give the German army time to mobilize troops leisurely...