Reborn South Africa as a police officer

Chapter 2225 Crafts

When Southern Africa participated in the war, the Ministry of National Defense divided several theaters in a serious manner, appointed theater commanders, and formed several group armies, looking like a big fight.

Then there was nothing, except for the second army that killed the Quartet when it attacked Italian East Africa, the other armies were useless at all.

No, the Fifth Army participated in the Battle of Crete, but the results were not satisfactory, at least on the surface.

The Third Army under Patton's direct control only played a role in the occupation of French North Africa. During the whole process, there was not even a decent battle broke out. Since then, it has been fishing in Algiers. Button can be crazy.

The Spaniards also do not have the ability to recover the Gibraltar Peninsula. The 33nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Armored Division add up to more than 4 troops, plus the total strength of the British Army exceeds [-]. Although the Spanish government can continue to increase troops, it is subject to the Gibraltar Peninsula. The terrain is limited and it is impossible to deploy too many troops at one time. The refueling tactics have no pressure on the southern African army.

Of course Alvaro Garcia didn't think so.

It should be said that the success of the Germans gave Alvaro Garcia great confidence.

France, known as the "World's No. 38 Army", only lasted [-] days in the face of the German attack.

So what about the empire on which the sun never sets, it is still suppressed on the British Isles, and no sail can cross the sea.

In Alvaro Garcia's view, Southern Africa was not much better. It had great strength, but it didn't even dare to launch an attack on Italian North Africa. Alvaro Garcia thought that his ability was not much worse than Rommel's.

Even stronger than Rommel.

Now Gibraltar has become a military city. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed on 6.5 square kilometers of land, plus the total population of civilians and port staff exceeds [-]. After the split of the Mediterranean Fleet, Vice Admiral James Somerville The H fleet is also stationed here.

The peninsula itself is already crowded, and on the small peninsula there is also a "Mountain of Tarek", which is actually a huge rock, and it is because of this mountain that the British army was able to defeat the Spanish army many times attack.

The 33rd Armored Division is stationed next to the airport at the foot of the mountain. This airport was built after the Second Airborne Division landed on the Gibraltar Peninsula, and it can take off and land large transport aircraft.

To the north of the airport is the border between Britain and Spain, about four kilometers in length.

Due to long-term territorial disputes, Britain and Spain have built many permanent fortifications on both sides of the border. The density of the fortifications has increased significantly in the past two years. The addition of tanks has greatly enhanced the defense of the fortress group. Spain also deployed This fully proves that Alvaro Garcia's confidence is not so strong.

The minefields laid out by the Spanish army are all on Spanish soil. If you focus on offense, then obviously you don’t need minefields to strengthen your defense. Probably Alvaro Garcia also knows that the No. [-] tank can’t defeat the "Tiger" and "Leopard" types , So two more anti-tank trenches were dug behind the minefield, and the Spanish army's line of defense was behind the anti-tank trenches.

"The peninsula of Gibraltar is too small and has no depth at all. The Spanish shells can easily cover the whole island, which is a huge threat to us." Vice Admiral James Somerville did not want to go to war with the Spaniards. A hundred years ago, the artillery range of a hundred years ago was only a few hundred meters, but now it can reach tens of hundreds of kilometers, which is terrible.

The Spaniards have not given up their pursuit of the Gibraltar Peninsula for a long time, so James Somerville has reason to believe that the Spanish artillery has already prepared a range table for the Gibraltar Peninsula. Prepare.

Of course, Spain will also be retaliated by the Allied forces in the future. This is the fundamental reason why both sides are wary.

"If war breaks out, we can break through the Spanish positions in the shortest possible time. The Second Airborne Division is ready for airborne and can drop to the back of the Spanish positions at any time." Patton had already prepared, and the Second Airborne Division had Retreat to Almina across the strait, ready to parachute at any time.

Almina is a small town located on the south side of the Strait of Gibraltar and is part of Monaco.

In 1912, Monaco became a protectorate of France. In the same year, France and Spain signed an agreement to designate the northern area of ​​Monaco and southern Ifni as Spanish protectorates.

Strictly speaking, Almina is also Spanish territory, but the French are not so kind. Tangier, the largest city in the north of Monaco, became an international condominium in 1923 and became an "international free city". Eight European countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and later representatives of the United States formed a joint management committee to govern for a long time, and Spain lost control of northern Morocco.

"The German airborne troops suffered huge losses in Crete, and the airborne troops should be more careful in combat." Somerville is not optimistic about airborne operations. After the Greek campaign ended, the Allied forces resumed the Greek campaign. It has just emerged for a few years The paratroopers fell silent again.

Not long ago, in order to counterattack the European continent, the United Kingdom also added the establishment of paratroopers.

Now the British paratroopers have not even completed their parachute training, and the paratroopers are disbanded.

The British were frightened by the tragedy of the 6000th Paratrooper Division of the German Army. More than 4000 of the [-] airborne troops were killed, and most of the rest surrendered, fully proving how risky the paratrooper combat is.

"Our paratroopers are different from those of the Germans." Patton was not worried about this problem. The Germans always encountered ghosts when they walked too much at night, and there were no adventures in southern Africa.

In the use of paratroopers, the southern African military began research many years ago and has accumulated rich experience.

Limited by its national power, Germany did not equip its paratroopers with heavy weapons.

In southern Africa, even tanks can be air-dropped. In order to study this technology, I don’t know how many tanks have been smashed into iron lumps. The Germans have no time and ability to conduct research in this area.

The key is to not give up.

When Southern Africa began to study air-dropped tanks, not long after the end of World War I, there were plenty of tanks that could be used by paratroopers in Southern Africa.

Compared with southern Africa, Germany's steel output is much lower. Every tank is very precious. After the outbreak of the European War, the opponents of the German paratroopers did not need the help of tanks to defeat them. This gave the German paratroopers the illusion that they could complete all tasks. .

The key point is that southern Africa also has the assistance of the air force and navy. If parachuting is implemented behind the Spanish army's defense line, the air and sea control must be controlled by southern Africa, so that the southern African paratroopers have already gained an invincible position.

"If you insist, I will give you the necessary cooperation." Somerville is not willing to be alone. If Patton insists on provoking a war with Spain, Somerville does not mind helping him.

The reason came quickly.

After Southern Africa seized the Spanish merchant ship, the Spanish government failed to negotiate. Franco was really angry, so he took out his anger on Southern African companies.

Unfortunately for the South African company.

After the outbreak of the World War, the South African company's business grew rapidly and spread all over the world.

The main business of the South African company is food. Even if there is a war, there will always be food, and Spain is the same.

Although the Spanish Civil War has been over for several years, the Spanish economy has not yet recovered.

Years of civil war have wreaked havoc on the Spanish economy. Factories are shutting down, farmland is barren, the economy is in recession, and people are starving to death in remote areas. It is hard to believe that this will happen in Spain.

Spain is also an old-fashioned colonial country. Although the Spanish Empire, which once had vast colonies all over the world, has been destroyed, it still has its heritage. When the Armada traveled across the world, more than half of the world's gold flowed into Spain. There are countless antiques and cultural relics. South Africa This is where the company has a problem.

Because of someone's love of antiques, southern Africans collect all kinds of artifacts all over the world, and South African companies do the same.

Antiques in prosperous times and gold in chaotic times, every war is a good opportunity to buy low prices. Countless precious cultural relics from all over the world flow into southern Africa in various ways. Nyasaland State Museum has become one of the largest museums in the world.

The South African company also has a branch in Spain. At the beginning of August, when the Spanish branch's "crafts" were about to be loaded in the port of Santa Maria, it was seized by the local government of the port of Santa Maria on the grounds of smuggling.

The South African company contacted the Port of Santa Maria and asked the Port of Santa Maria to immediately release the seized "handicrafts", but the Port of Santa Maria refused.

"This car is full of valuable and precious cultural relics. Are you so ashamed to say that it is a handicraft? Do you think we are all blind?" Arokas, the head of customs at the Port of Santa Maria, was very angry. On the customs declaration form of the South African company, this car The value of the goods was only 11 pesetas. After verification by the customs staff, the value of this cart of "crafts" was more than 1500 million pesetas.

The current peseta to rand exchange rate is 1:15.
During the Spanish Civil War, southern African businessmen used various methods to smuggle cultural relics from Spain. This situation has long attracted the attention of the Spanish government.

In 1492, Columbus sailed around the world from Spain.

Since the 16th century, Spain has started the colonial era, and has plundered countless cultural relics from all over the world for hundreds of years. In this regard, Spain may be the richest country in the world.

After the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the price of cultural relics plummeted. Countless cultural relic dealers fled in Spain, and countless cultural relics were lost. Every Spaniard is distressed by it.

"These are all handicrafts. We have paid taxes according to the actual price. If you don't let them go, then the noble Lord Rhodesia will be very angry." Sergio, the legal counsel of the Spanish branch, was very angry. Ao is a Portuguese, wishing that the Spaniards would be unlucky.

"Hasn't southern Africa been separated from the British Empire? Your master has not recognized his title, why do you, a Portuguese, still remember it?" Arokas's ridicule was merciless, what Portugal did during the Spanish Civil War Well, the Spaniards never forgot.

During the Spanish Civil War, Portugal played a huge role. When the Falange was at a disadvantage, Portugal would help the Popular Front. Once the Popular Front had a huge advantage, Portugal would tend to the Falange again.

In short, it is to help the weak side, which seems to sympathize with the weak, but actually brings greater harm to Spain.

Two countries with adjacent territories will always have historical entanglements of one kind or another, especially Spain and Portugal. When fighting for colonies, wars often broke out, and Portugal was once annexed by Spain.

"Mr. Customs Chief, I have to remind you that your actions may trigger a war between Southern Africa and Spain." Sergio's expression was grim, and he threatened Arrokas with war.

"If you insist on thinking like this, then let the war come. Are there still few wars breaking out now!" Arokas didn't think it would be so serious.

This is normal, big figures like Rock and Winston may misjudge, not to mention Arokas.

Sergio left angrily, and three days later Madrid received a poorly worded diplomatic letter from Pretoria.

Franco did not know that the relationship between southern Africa and Spain had become so tense.

After the outbreak of the European War, Franco had both sides, and did not want to join either side until the situation became clear.

After the start of the Barbarossa plan, the German army went smoothly and Russia suffered heavy losses. Franco finally couldn't bear to place a bet, but at this time Franco was not yet ready to turn his face against the Allies.

Otherwise, the Spanish army would not put on the German uniforms to participate in the war.

Franco knew very well that without the help of the German army, Spain was powerless to counter the attack in southern Africa.

"I don't care what the facts are, tell the customs chief of the port of Santa Maria to return the goods to the southern Africans, and don't drag Spain into the war at an inappropriate time because of some worthless gadgets." Franco Very angry, this kind of thing should never have happened.

Franco was also in a dilemma. From his standpoint, Spain did not want to join any party, but just wanted to escape this disaster in a safe place.

It's a pity that whether it is the southern Africans or the Germans, they are pressing Spain step by step.

Compared with southern Africa, Germany has a better attitude, so Franco tends to Germany.

However, the threat of southern Africa cannot be ignored. Before the war in the north is over, Franco does not want to cause trouble.

"Southern Africa seized our cargo ship, and it has not been released yet. If we release the goods in southern Africa, then we will not be able to explain to the public." Franco's personal secretary Gomez is very worried. Spaniards also have self-esteem and cannot Let Southern Africa trample.

"So we will retaliate against the southern Africans equally? What if the confrontation continues to escalate? Do you think the strength of the Spanish army can withstand the joint attack of the southern African army and the Royal Navy?" Franco can go to this step today , certainly not a fool.

It's a pity that there are not many people in Spain as sober as Franco.

(End of this chapter)