Chapter 25 Oil Guard

After securing the Breda Company and several rifle companies, the joint defense structure began to be established. Although it will take some time to fully understand the technology and actually produce finished products, Contini is not in a hurry. Oil guards are currently being recruited, and Germany The military will start sending out officers in November. Only after these troops have been trained in Italy for 4-5 months can they be sent to North Africa for use. Moreover, they will have to undergo another 1-2 months of adaptive training in North Africa before they can be deployed. usefulness.

In view of this situation, Contini tentatively proposed whether he could omit hand-to-hand combat training. At first, Sickert cast a look of disdain on him, thinking how could he be worthy of courage and discipline without hand-to-hand combat? But considering that fighting with tribal armed forces, the sword was really not a necessity, so in the end it was removed with a stroke of a pen.

On November 9, the first batch of German officers reported that a German officer wearing the rank of major saluted Contini, who was much younger than him. Although the latter was only 23 years old, he had the rank of reserve colonel on his shoulders, and even more What’s special is that Contini’s military rank has three sets, which were specially approved by Mussolini. In recognition of the United Group’s contribution to Italy’s defense, Contini has three reserve colonel ranks in the army, navy and air force.

Of course, Mussolini also reminded him that he had reached the top of the colonel and would not give him the title of general in a few years, otherwise it would be a joke. But Contini is satisfied with this. Isn't Gaddafi also a colonel? Enough.

Just as the German officer opposite was about to introduce himself, Contini laughed: "I know you, your name is Albert Kesselring, you speak Italian, you are in the Army General Staff... Oh, no... Now Germany is not allowed to have a General Staff. You should work in that bureaucracy called the Forces Bureau, and there is also a nickname called Smiling Albert... It is an honor to get your help. General Sickert picked the right person. "

Kesselring, who had just turned 40, immediately laughed and replied in fluent Italian: "Yes, it's me. It's incredible that Your Excellency the President knows our army and me so thoroughly."

Contini smiled: "I am very interested in Germany. I am a well-known pro-Germany faction in Italy. I highly approve of your country's military equipment, industrial technology, tactical thinking and even educational technology. I think many places are better than Italy, but only I can’t help but think that your political system is really bad!”

Kesselring immediately thought of the Munich incident. Did the president really support Hitler because he thought the German political system was rotten? How should he answer this sentence? So I had to smile awkwardly: "I am a soldier and not interested in politics. However, Marshal Hindenburg is currently the president. He has great military exploits and high moral standing. In addition, the Ruhr issue has been resolved and the economic crisis is gradually easing. I believe Germany will be better tomorrow."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to this scene... When will Colonel Blomberg and other members arrive?"

"It may take 2-3 weeks. We are still selecting candidates for various aspects. You know, after the personnel are transferred, they will have to arrange their replacements, so it will be a little troublesome... Although it only involves 2,000 people, there are more than 2,000 people to adjust. ”

Blomberg's full name is Werner von Blomberg. He is now the director of the 4th Division (Military Training Division) of the German Army Bureau. He was just promoted to the rank of colonel six months ago. Because of Major General Georg Wetzel His failure in leading the troops to attack Munich resulted in the loss of troops, which worsened Sickert's impression of him. He thought he was not good enough and planned to replace him with generals. His original choice was Blomberg, but the latter lacked qualifications, and the colonel was also just a recent colonel. After being promoted, it seemed too fast to immediately be promoted to major general again and serve as the director of the military bureau, so a compromise was adopted and he was sent to Italy to serve as the head of the instructor corps.

The reason is high-sounding. Italy asked Germany to help train oil guards, so it would be best for the director of the training department to assume this position.

"Okay, your accommodation and our liaison have been arranged. Let's rest for a few days and get used to the situation in Italy before starting training... Of course, the training outline must be prepared in advance."

"Your Excellency, before we came here we had initially drafted a training outline for desert warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare and large-scale mobile warfare..."

"It is not enough. The following content needs to be added: armored warfare and anti-armored warfare, air-ground coordination tactics, special infiltration operations, airborne and enemy rear operations, beach landing and anti-landing operations, maritime pursuit and anti-smuggling operations..." Contini reported in one breath 7 or 8 requests were made.

Kesselring was stunned, and after a while he stammered: "Pretending...armored warfare? Do the tribes have tanks or armored vehicles?"

"You have to assume that they have it. We must pay great attention to our enemies. You must know that some countries in the world are very shameless. It is impossible to guarantee that decommissioned and scrapped armored vehicles and tanks will be sold as scrap steel...No, Arab Have you ever heard of Lawrence?"

When Contini teased the British, he also scolded himself. He had just sold a large batch of tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery to Marshal Zhang in the name of Army scrap steel, but Kesselring did not know about this. , just nodded with sudden realization, but then felt worried again: "These are all new topics and tasks you mentioned. It can't be completed in a year, let alone 6-8 months."

"If one year is not enough, then 2 years, if 2 years is not enough, then 3 years... You must be mentally prepared for the tenacity of the tribal armed forces. I myself plan to spend 5 years!" Contini emphasized, "5 years can I consider it a victory to eliminate the tribal armed forces in North Africa!”

"You don't seem very optimistic."

"It's really not optimistic. I have also prepared a large pension, which I plan to pay to the oil guards after they die or are injured, including you." Contini teased, "How about it, are you afraid?"

Kesselin was speechless and could only shake his head and smile bitterly. This president was really interesting. The rumors from the outside were not exaggerated at all.

"Then I understand. I will report to the country and ask them to adjust some personnel lists according to your subject requirements."

"No, this is the appointment plan I have drawn up based on the list you submitted... If there are no problems, I hope to start work next week."

Kesselring quickly browsed:

Colonel Werner von Blomberg: Chief of Staff of the Petroleum Guard Corps (Brigade Level) and Head of the German Advisory Group

Captain Friedrich Paulus: Chief of the Operations Section of the General Staff

Colonel Bock: Commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment;

Lieutenant Colonel William Lister: Chief of Staff, 1st Infantry Regiment

Captain Fritz Erich von Manstein: Commander of the Mechanized Infantry Battalion

Captain Heinz Wilhelm Guderian: Commander of the Mechanized Transport Company

Captain Erwin Rommel: Commander of the Motorized Rapid Reconnaissance Company

Lieutenant Ferdinand Schörner: Commander of the Mountain Infantry Company (knows Italian)

Major William Keitel: Artillery Battalion Commander

…

After reading this list, Kesselring made only one opinion: "This Mr. Alfred Jodl is not in the army now. He has retired and left the army to work as a doctor. Would you reconsider his appointment as combat staff officer?" ?”

Contini slapped his head: "I forgot... this person is considered a representative of Italy and an employee of the United Group."

Kesselring laughed: "I immediately sent the list to Berlin, and I was personally optimistic that there would be no objections."

According to Contini's vision, the oil guard was set up at the brigade level with 6,000 people, including 2 infantry regiments, 1 artillery battalion and brigade headquarters. The first infantry regiment was headed by a German and an Italian officer served as deputy; The Second Infantry Regiment was headed by an Italian and a German officer served as his deputy. This is much better than the situation that the German side thought at the time, where all Germany acted as deputy. The commander-in-chief of the Guard Corps is naturally Contini, but it is impossible for him to go to North Africa by himself, so the actual power will be in the hands of the deputy commander-in-chief and the chief of staff at the same level, which is very important to Germany.

As soon as Kesselring's telegram was sent, Sickert nodded with satisfaction. However, Blomberg, who actually led the team, put forward other opinions: "I am very curious. This little Ciano is really only 23 years old." How did he come up with this training requirement and list, not to mention he didn’t graduate from college, and he never even attended a military academy?”

"The rumors are all correct. Despite his young age, he is scheming and cruel. He came from the same path as Mussolini. You should be more careful. As for the military..." Sickert thought for a moment, "I think He has some talent, he has read a lot of books, and his vision is broad. Some of his ideas are indeed advanced and advanced. Didn’t Douhet, the Italian air force authority, tout him as a young air force theorist?”

"Do these supplementary subjects require training and drills?"

"What do you think? Will it be useful in future wars or not?"

"It's definitely useful, but using these subjects to fight tribal armed forces in North Africa is really..." Blomberg shook his head and said, "Isn't this using a cannon to kill mosquitoes?"

"Never mind him, there is a scapegoat who will pay for it anyway. Just practice freely and don't be afraid of spending money. This guy has plenty of money." Sickert said with a smile, "According to the agreement, all the salaries of our personnel going to North Africa will be borne by the United Group. What’s wrong with doubling the desert and field service allowance and making two years’ worth of work for one year?”

"Sir, you have changed..."

Sickert nodded: "Maybe. I have been in contact with this guy a few times, and I was led astray by him unknowingly. He always wants money... But this guy is really rich. The military expenses of the United Group next year will be more than our entire defense force." In the past two days, I heard that more than 50 million US dollars have been spent to acquire a bunch of military-industrial companies, and it is clear that they are going to do something big."

"Why is he so rich?"

"This guy is lucky. He discovered two oil fields in a row, and one of them is a huge oil field. Of course he is brave enough. If he has one mark, he dares to borrow 10 marks and then spend it all!" Sickert said angrily, "We Germans are like It's a bit conservative, but some people accuse me of being deviant. But you have to understand me. The defense force is really short of money and staff. Who would be willing to release you as mercenaries? Humph! Became a company bodyguard and mercenary!"