Chapter 19 The Great Leap Forward (3)

Antonio knew very well that the so-called people arriving tomorrow and the day after tomorrow were the German delegation. On the surface, they were mainly for business, but in fact Sickert would come in person.

Contini had a tacit understanding with Sickert last year, promising that Germany could not only develop military equipment in Italy, but also train non-commissioned officers in Italy. Judging from the one-year operation, Sickert is still very satisfied: German engineers used Italian funds, Italian artillery and tank training to help the United Group transform 12 majestic train guns, and accumulated rich experience.

After it was built, the Italian Army acquired half of them, and the United Group kept two. The other three were exported to Turkey and Bulgaria respectively. The third was originally intended to be treated as scrap steel for the Army and given to Marshal Zhang. As a result, Yang Yuting and others did not know the goods. , thought it was too expensive and too powerful. With the money, it was better to buy a few more 105mm howitzers, so it was finally included in the volunteer army. However, the volunteer army with more than 3,000 people actually had 3 train guns and 2 305mm naval guns. The base guards the gate, and there are more than 20 76mm rapid-fire cannons. The organization is abnormal no matter how you look at it, but this is not a problem for Contini. He can use the Roma Club to recruit training personnel.

So Germany sent the first batch of artillery non-commissioned officers, leaving the domestic Krupps unlearned, and all came to Italy to toss naval guns.

In addition, Germany has also opened a submarine manufacturing base at the United Shipyard and is preparing to study a new generation of submarines. This news was not hidden from the Italian Navy. They were also very interested, and the two sides hit it off. So United Power has a new goal, to produce and imitate the diesel engines of Man Company, and prepare to fully activate the diesel engine technology tree.

According to Contini, diesel engines are valuable: they are easy to use on trucks, submarines and other surface ships, and tanks, and they are highly efficient energy sources. The reason why Germany used gasoline-powered tanks during World War II was because the supply of diesel could not keep up with coal-fired oil, which could be turned into gasoline, but could not produce diesel. Germany’s limited diesel could only be used by its submarine force, and could no longer be supplied to the army’s armored forces. But what if there was Union Oil? The path will change and offer rich possibilities. At least the entry point for United Automotive, which is jointly established with General Motors, is trucks and buses, which are exactly the areas where diesel engines are effectively used.

He explained to Antonio: "Going to fight against bandits in North Africa can, on the one hand, maintain public security, and on the other hand, you can also accumulate experience in actual combat and new weapon verification. I think Libya and Algeria are good, and they are good training bases. I want to put them aside for a while." It shouldn't be a problem to support a team of 1,000 German officers and 5,000 Italian officers and soldiers. The name is very unpleasant and can only be called the African Oil Guard, but it has a complete range of troops, including the army's rapid force, the air force, paratroopers, and the navy."

Army and Air Force Antonio can understand that tracking the tribal armed forces that come and go without a trace requires the cooperation of the Army and Air Force, but what is the use of the Navy?

"Who knows whether the British will hire Somali pirates to deal with us? You can be careful..." Contini shrugged, "Transporting supplies, landing, and escort all require the Navy! The Coast Guard! The other floating sea It’s also available at the airport.”

Well, the overbearing president is ready to release the Afrika Korps 15 years ahead of schedule.

After hearing this, Antonio suddenly thought of the unrecognizable Roma, which had been transformed into a "bath boat", and snickered.

"One more thing. The Navy told me that they plan to hand over the Dante to us next year. Then they are going to start building a second Caracciolo class ship in 1927. At that time, there will be a sum of money left for the Navy. How about the money to buy the ship, and then the money to renovate the Dante to dismantle its main armament and turn it into a fast anti-smuggling boat? "

"A 20,000-ton fast anti-smuggling boat?" Antonio breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that the Dante was not going to be converted into a bathtub ship, but the word "anti-smuggling boat" made him frown again. What is this?

"Let's see then, it's just an idea..." Contini didn't explain much: a 20,000-ton anti-smuggling boat can be hollowed out and transformed into an armored troop transport ship. This thing has a standard term amphibious assault ship, President Your Excellency is no longer satisfied with playing naval aviation, and is ready to reach out to the Marine Corps again.

"I think there is no problem in bringing in German mercenaries on the whole. The key lies in the leader." Antonio whispered, "Now we have more than 3,000 volunteers, more than 1,000 Roman guards, and then we are preparing to launch 6,000 African oil guards. The total strength is very high. It will soon exceed 10,000 people...if..."

"I've basically settled the situation with the leader." Contini made a gesture of counting money with his hand. "United Petroleum's valuation is now 500 million, right? The leader's shares have tripled! He has 60 million lire United Oil's original stock! When I came back from the Soviet Union that day, I reported what I saw and heard to him. Finally, he asked me eagerly if the stock had doubled and I wanted to sell it. I said it would double again...he started Some were doubtful, but they no longer have doubts today... He is now prepared to raise his shares to 300 million lire before taking action! Whether his shares can be raised to 300 million, the oil guard has made a great contribution, why should he oppose it? What's more, with Germany? Military cooperation is also the unanimous opinion of the top officials of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Navy. He is not the one who makes the decision, so don’t worry!”

This is what Antonio admires about Contini: although the young master is often not serious, he has a big picture, a big heart and courage, and is willing to spend a lot of money. Last year's 42 million order secured Hitler's life. Although it seemed like a lot of money was spent, it strengthened and narrowed the relationship with the German military. Otherwise, how could mercenaries be so convenient? Before his trip this year, he shocked Mussolini with 60 million lire of original shares, but now he is in the same boat. He is now constantly introducing the power of foreign consortiums and diluting United Group's shares in United Petroleum. He also hopes to have more power to check and balance the French government. It may not be difficult for the French to deal with a United Group, but it has to deal with the world's three most famous companies at the same time. -Four oil companies, banking giants from 2-3 countries, and the French government must also consider the consequences of their actions.

In fact, Sickert's visit was originally just to take a secret look at the development of armaments. He did not expect to transport personnel at all. But when Contini mentioned the idea of ​​"oil guard", he immediately became excited. With more than 1,000 officers, that is a big number. There was a gap, and now he was facing the problem of difficulty in arranging personnel.

Last year, the Allied Powers showed mercy and allowed the German Wehrmacht to expand its establishment to 125,000, a full increase of 25,000 troops. The Army could obtain a supplement of 20,000 troops. In addition, the troops lost in Munich needed to be replaced, and the Army could absorb an additional 21,000 troops. , originally he thought this was a unique and great thing, but soon new problems arose. He heard that the Army was re-recruiting, and hundreds of thousands of former retired officers and soldiers re-reported. After many screenings and repeated weighings, the number was finally reduced to 30,000. However, the last 3,000 people cannot be cut down no matter what. Cutting down any one of them would be a crime. In order to properly accommodate these 3,000 people without breaking the rigid regulations of the Allied Powers, Sickert racked his brains. Suddenly someone told him that he could absorb 1,000 people and hinted that it could be more. His mind immediately became active.

"Can you arrange for 1,500 people? Just pay for 1,000 people."

"Don't say 1,500, 3,000 is fine... but it won't work for the first time. You have to take your time." Contini said, "I also have countless eyes staring at me. Only by making the higher-ups realize that the situation in North Africa is serious can we further expand our troops." It works, after all, I'm not the Secretary of War."

"It sounds like you want Libya to become more chaotic."

Contini shrugged: "I can't control whether there will be chaos...According to reliable intelligence, the British are already inciting tribal armed forces, and we will soon face a storm."

Inciting armed forces, providing armaments, encouraging independence, annexation or inclusion in a protectorate is a consistent pattern of Great Britain. It has been this way for hundreds of years. Contini is not afraid that the British will use these methods to cause trouble for him. What he is worried about is that the British will go ahead and attack him regardless of the consequences. Now it’s good , the intelligence has made it clear that he will not end up personally, so he will be more careful to deal with it.

"My logic is that you bring all 1,500 people here, I will throw 1,000 people to Africa, and 500 will continue training in Italy. They can go to the Club of Rome to be instructors. I will cover all the expenses..."

"What other conditions are there?"

"My friend has been in prison for almost two years. Do you think we should let him breathe the air of freedom? For example, arrange parole or early release around Christmas this year?"

Sickert glanced at Contini angrily: "Now you know how to protect him? Why didn't you think so much when you provided help to him? The reason why he suffered so much is largely because of you. !”

Contini spread his hands: "I've emphasized it many times... I'm just a knife seller. I didn't expect it to be such a big deal."

"Place 2,000 people before they are released from prison!" Sickert held out two fingers.

"Deal!" Contini agreed readily. Money was a trivial matter. When he thought of 2,000 elite German officers, he almost laughed from ear to ear. In this kind of actual combat situation, if you can still lead troops, Sickert will definitely send out the best officers. The Germans still have this ethics.

"What projects will we visit tomorrow? I won't go see the submarines and train guns."

"Three: a semi-automatic rifle and a manual rifle; a light machine gun and a heavy machine gun; and a fighter jet equipped with a 9-cylinder air-cooled engine that can take off on the deck!"

Sickert became interested as soon as he heard this: "Very good, I will give it a try tomorrow to see if your ability in selecting armaments is as outstanding as your ability in business."

After Sickert was settled, Contini frowned and called for Goering and Goebbels. They were very happy to hear that Hitler would be released in a few months, and Goering was even more happy.

"I have given you an important task." Contini said in a serious tone, "We must do everything possible to cooperate with the Youth League to arm the army with the important thought of the Three Flags. We must cultivate activists and the branch must be established at the company level!"