Iron Cross

Chapter 155 Casablanca (Part 2)

Clark frowned. Murphy had contacted the French alternative leader before coming, but the answer he received was very vague: Darlan said that if a considerable amount of US military aid arrived in North Africa, he would be willing to abandon the policy of cooperation with Germany. And led the French army to the side of the Allies. But in Clark's opinion, this answer was very unreliable, and the definition of the so-called considerable scale was not clear-if this requirement refers to the British and American landing forces completely controlling the situation in North Africa, then it does not matter whether there is Darlan's assistance or not. In addition, due to the stupid policies of the British in the past few years, Darlan has strong anti-British sentiments. Judging from his past actions, his opposition to Germany is not serious. All in all he is a dangerous man.

"General Darlan's current attitude is still unclear. We will try to do his job. In addition, what if it is General de Gaulle?" Clark tentatively proposed a name, but this was deliberately mentioned to test the French people's emotions. ——Because President Roosevelt did not trust de Gaulle's judgment and did not like his arrogant attitude, Americans would not accept de Gaulle.

"This is impossible! If he comes, I can guarantee that most people will resist to the end." Major General Master's face changed drastically. "He has always opposed Marshal Pétain, and later worked for the old dog Churchill, and even "Leading the puppet army to attack Dakar, Syria and Madagascar, all honest French officers, including those who are most eager to get rid of the shackles of Germany, will not be willing to accept his leadership."

Hearing that the other party described the "Free France" as a puppet army, Clark understood the attitude of Master and the North African Army. He nodded to express his understanding of this feeling and continued to ask: "Or do you have any good suggestions? "

"How about General Giraud?" (Note: This is the one-armed French general who was mentioned by Hoffman when he uncovered the treasonous group and was let go by Canaris)

Giraud served as commander-in-chief of the French Army in May 1940. After being captured, he managed to escape back to France in April this year. Although he is physically disabled and currently has no position, his attitude towards the Pétain regime is positive. , and because of his previous positions and prestige, he was in contact with many French generals in France and North Africa. These people had the same idea as him: hoping to rely on American aid to organize an uprising against German rule. Giraud gave him A supporter, General Odik, expressed his views in a letter: "We don't want the Americans to liberate us. I want them to help us liberate ourselves. The two are not exactly the same." This idea was received by the North African military general. their heartfelt approval.

In fact, Murphy had contacted Giraud through secret channels. The condition he proposed was that he should serve as the commander-in-chief of the Allied Forces in all French territories where French troops are fighting. This means that British and American troops entering French territory to fight will be subject to The French take command. In the eyes of the Americans, this condition is a bit too high. Even the British have voluntarily given up leadership. A French general who has made no actual contributions and has surrendered still wants to command the Allied forces? It’s just a dream! However, the polite Clark did not mention this, or even question it. Instead, he said pleasantly: "I understand this wish, and I will report it to the President and General Eisenhower as soon as possible."

"Thank you very much. If Mr. Murphy wants to meet with General Giraud at that time, I can make arrangements for him."

Clark didn't want to expose the fact that he had secretly contacted Giro. He looked up at the night outside the window and said: "Thank you very much for your candid confession. Maybe we should leave as soon as possible."

"I wish you all the best."

Clark left with a heart full of joy. He didn't know that the situation had changed drastically at this moment.

With a "bang", the door to Roosevelt's office was suddenly pushed open. He frowned and stared at the extremely rude intruder. When he saw that it was his personal adviser and close friend Harry Lloyd Hopkins Then he sighed and said helplessly: "Harry, the sky isn't falling, is it?"

"No, but it's coming soon..." Hopkins stepped forward and said in a very frustrated tone, "We just received the news that the Germans have taken action..."

"Do it? Where?"

"Two places. First, Guderian of Tobruk launched a fierce attack on Montgomery's Eighth Army."

"It's nothing. It's completely within my expectation. The Germans have been retreating to Tobruk for nearly a month to rest and resupply. After so many days, they haven't taken any action. What breakthrough has the master of blitzkrieg achieved? progress?"

"Quite a few." Hopkins said expressionlessly. "The Germans used an offensive spearhead composed of two armored divisions to easily penetrate the defense line Montgomery had worked so hard to deploy, and then continued to expand in depth. Although the British It was secretive, but our observers noticed the whole truth of the matter - two colonial infantry divisions were finished, and one armored division was greatly weakened. This was just a result achieved in one day. What is ridiculous is that the British built an encirclement for a whole It took a month.”

"I guess the British will have to stretch out their hands for us to get tanks again - this hand is stretched out more diligently than a beggar." Roosevelt sarcastically said, "Aren't the British going to flee back to El Alamein again?"

"That's not the case. General Montgomery is said to be deploying troops to plug the gap. Maybe he can succeed." Hopkins obviously had no intention of continuing to dwell on this matter. He said, "The second bad news is from northwest Africa and mainland France. The Germans seized the remaining French fleet on the mainland and reached a compromise with the Pétain regime. The German armed forces could freely enter and exit French territory and the colonies under its control..."

"What?" Roosevelt was so shocked that he almost stood up from his wheelchair, "How dare Pétain do this?"

"The Germans gave him a benefit that was hard to refuse." Hopkins spoke of the secret supplementary agreement in a few words, and then handed the document to Roosevelt. "This is a relatively comprehensive secret treaty obtained by diplomats afterwards. , I even suspect that it was released by the French authorities for us to see.”

"So the French have made a lot of money?" Roosevelt's face was cloudy after reading the document. "Pétain was a speculator. It's not surprising that he would have such thoughts and actions. What's strange to me is that Why didn’t Admiral Darlan, the actual controller of the French navy, resist? What’s even more surprising is why Hitler changed his temper. This great dictator was not so easy to talk to before. Is he trying to trick the poor French people again?”

"No, the Germans are fulfilling their obligations, handing over territory and prisoners, even faster than the French can accept. It gives people the illusion that they are dumping a hot potato. The intelligence officer told me that if it weren't for the French, I begged the Germans to stay a little longer. With the rapid retreat of the German security forces, Paris was about to become a vacuum - the French were not mentally prepared at all." Hopkins said with a bitter smile, "Although. I don’t understand why Hitler suddenly made such a big concession, but one thing is certain, Operation Torch is in trouble..."

"Where is the fleet now?"

"We've just walked halfway, right on the Atlantic route." Hopkins said nervously, "What should I do? Call them back?"

"All those bastard intelligence agents in the UK are eating ****..." Roosevelt swore unceremoniously, and Hopkins frowned. It seemed that the president was really angry - he had never heard that He cursed so harshly.

Roosevelt said angrily: "Not long ago, the Germans succeeded in raiding Bletchley Manor, which resulted in the loss of super secrets that had been accumulated with great difficulty, and the cryptologists who had been carefully selected and trained with great difficulty were all killed or injured. This time it’s even better. They have reached such an important agreement and watched such a huge fleet slip to the side of the Germans right under their noses. Isn’t that enough chaos for them?”

"Will the landing operations in North Africa continue?"

"Can we continue? Do you want me to send the boys to be massacred by the Germans?" Roosevelt asked rhetorically, "Under the premise that the Germans have already prepared and deployed combat forces, what else can we do? Of course, we must withdraw. ”

"The Germans haven't had time to enter North Africa yet. If they move fast enough, they still can." Hopkins suggested. "Currently the Germans don't know our combat plan. They just have this intention, but they haven't actually penetrated it yet." To French Morocco and Algeria, even the administrative authorities in North Africa and the French troops did not receive such instructions, and there was enough time difference. "

While they were talking, the secretary sent a new telegram. After reading it, Hopkins said: "Prime Minister Churchill sent a telegram saying that he was aware of everything that happened in France. He felt deeply disturbed and remorseful for this. However, He believed that the Germans’ actions would not cause much trouble. If they hurry up and there is still time, they can successfully land before the Germans.”

Roosevelt was noncommittal after hearing this.

"He also made a suggestion. If retreating like this would be detrimental to the morale and morale of the troops, could we consider changing the execution location of the plan? According to him, it could be moved to Egypt for landing - just in time to support the Eighth Army."

"He wants us to wipe his ass again... Maybe this is a conspiracy he had arranged a long time ago. He never went to North Africa in the first place." Roosevelt cursed a few words but felt bored, "The British themselves what to do?"

"If you don't agree with the change of landing location, then they will insist on continuing the original operation unchanged."

"Let me think about what else to do." Roosevelt said distressedly, "This is really a big trouble. Let's hold a meeting to discuss it urgently."

The results of the discussion were mixed, but one thing is certain - the troops cannot just come back in despair, it would be too damaging to morale.

Roosevelt made the final decision: "The fleet will speed up until there is a new combat order!"

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