afterglow

Chapter 144 Red Eagle, Attack!
In the past few months, the situation in Spain has been changing, and the fierce fighting between the two sides indicates that this civil war cannot end in the short term.

"Paper, sir, this is today's paper."

In the morning, after knocking on the door, Xiao Li came in and put the three newspapers he bought on the table.

Zhou Changfeng, who had just finished eating the noodles, couldn't wait to take it, and then quickly browsed it.

Later, at the daily officers' morning meeting, he spoke about it to the officers present.

On the large square table in the middle was a tourist map of Madrid—the middle and lower-level units naturally wouldn't prepare a military map of a third-rate country thousands of miles away.

"... On November 5000th, the rebel army arrived in Madrid. Two divisions arrived in the suburbs of Madrid. The total strength is about [-] people, equipped with hundreds of chariots." Yao Liangchuan pushed his glasses and continued to introduce Dao: "The Franco government rejected the people's request and insisted on evacuating Madrid, and has now moved to Valencia in the southeast."

Zhao Hanfeng said in a deep voice: "It seems that the situation is not good, and it is said that the defenders lack anti-aircraft artillery? It is difficult to deal with tanks like this."

"Troublesome is tricky, but it can still be parried. When chariots enter the city, they are bound by their own hands and feet, and their flexibility is greatly reduced. If the infantry and chariots are out of touch, as long as the defenders are not stupid, they will definitely organize people to approach and blast." Xue Can Said indifferently.

Xie Wancheng let out a "hehe", "That also depends on the morale of the defending army. If the morale of the army is slackened and they see that iron can rumbling towards him, they may be defeated before the battle."

"The fact is that the militias in Madrid are seriously lacking in training, and the government has run away on its own. It's really..." Zhou Changfeng spread his hands and changed the topic, "But I believe they can still hold on in the short term."

Aren't you contradicting yourself?How did you come to this conclusion?

Zhu Lishuo, who was very surprised, asked: "Why did you say that? The time and place are favorable, and the capital of Spain is not occupied now. How can it be defended?"

"No, on the contrary, they have favorable geographical location and harmonious people." Zhou Changfeng replied firmly.

From September onwards, the battle turned more and more on the side of the National Army.With the fall of de la Reina, just over 100 kilometers away from Madrid, Madrid's door opened wide.

The overwhelming national army declared that they would be able to march on the streets of Madrid by mid-October at the latest, which is the traditional Spanish festival "Running of the Bulls". Grab a drink at one of the cafes on La Lanvia Avenue.

Two regiments of the Italian Air Force joined the fighting entirely on a voluntary basis, dropping leaflets threatening that "if the citizens do not riot to harass the defenders, Nationalist planes will wipe Madrid off the face of the earth" .

Due to the small number of aircraft of the Republican Air Force and the old models, the air supremacy was seized by the enemy, and the sky almost became a paradise for the enemy's aircraft to fly freely.

However, on November 29, the situation suddenly changed—a fighter squadron belonging to the Red Eagle Corps took to the air for the first time to participate in the battle. Seven Bf-7B fighter jets were put into the interception mission. Dive down to attack the incoming enemy.

In this way, the Italians, who had been free and unrestrained for dozens of days, were suddenly attacked over Madrid.

Escorting the bomber are six CR-6 fighter jets, which can be described as the pinnacle of biplanes, with good horizontal maneuvering performance and dogfighting capabilities, but it is still useless against high-speed monoplanes.

Just like cavalry archers playing with swords and shields, Bf-109s, who have the advantage of speed and height, repeatedly conduct dive attacks-pull up and climb tactics, but CR-32s cannot cope.This cycle continued until the Italians scattered in panic and fled, and they began to disperse and hunt down.

13架BR-20型轰炸机被击落6架、击伤4架，6架CR-32型战斗机无一幸存。

【BR-20】

【CR-32】

This was the first time that people saw the fighter jets of the foreign volunteers who came to defend the sky of Madrid. The citizens ignored the air defense sirens and left the air raid shelters and basements one after another, gathering crowds in the streets to watch the air battle.

More than a dozen Italian pilots who were shot down landed in the urban area after parachuting. Some of them were tied to a wooden frame by angry citizens and burned to death, while others were beaten to death. The defenders captured only four of them in the end. .

After the establishment of the Madrid Defense Council, Major General Miguel was appointed as the commander of the garrison. However, because the garrison was poor in terms of weaponry and training, it was rumored that he was actually just an unlucky ghost who was picked out to organize the surrender ceremony.

Although many citizens are determined to defend their homes, there has never been a time when the world is completely united, so thousands of citizens still flee the capital through the only two remaining roads in the east of Madrid.

The British military observation group sent a report back to London stating that "...there is a lack of necessary weapons and ammunition, little anti-aircraft fire, food supplies for only a week, and a civilian militia with no formal training or even knowledge. To repair the malfunctioning machine gun..."

The attitude of the United States is more pessimistic and straightforward. The military attache of the embassy clearly stated in the report: "...the escape of those cowardly guys ruined Spain...the power gap between the two sides is too great, Madrid will fall within 72 hours ...We need to consider recognizing the National Army regime after assessing the situation..."

On the first day of December, Daming’s legation in Spain was evacuated together with the last batch of dozens of Chinese citizens stranded in Madrid. They said in a telegram: “…the rebels are now approaching the university city in the northwest of the city. The sound of cannons was very dense, almost like the sound of firecrackers on New Year's Eve... The defenders suffered countless losses, wounded soldiers were scattered everywhere, and ammunition seemed to be exhausted. The capital may fall in the near future..."

Although reports from all parties are generally pessimistic, it does not mean that everyone thinks so.

"It's wrong to think so. They and you both ignore two variables."

In the Wenhua Palace, Lin Xi put down his pen and met the eyes of several other cabinet ministers.

"Don't be a fool, did you guys learn about some changes?" Li Guangyuan urged, as if he was getting bored with Lin Xi, who was always half-spoken.

The latter coughed twice, and said, "The international troops of the two brigades are about to arrive and will go into battle soon. In addition, if the situation is critical, the German Volunteer Corps will also join the battle."

Yu Shenhua hesitated for a moment, then murmured: "What is the military's forecast for this? Will this battle last for a long time, or will it soon turn to one side?"

He is in charge of foreign affairs, so he is naturally very sensitive to this aspect, because it involves the issue of approval or denial of the future Spanish regime.

Lin Xi shook his head with a helpless face, and replied: "The staff office of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion is also divided into several factions, each sticking to their own opinions. The current situation is still undecided. Let's wait a little longer and wait and see."

"It's best to fight for a long time, it's indistinguishable, and it's best to delay for three to five years." Li Guangyuan took a sip of hot tea, feeling a little hot, and then blew, "Just two batches of arms and supplies transactions, a few dozen small Tons of gold will be obtained, and the days will be longer, and we will strive to earn 150 tons."

(End of this chapter)