Iron Cross

The burrower accurately landed on the bunker. The 2-meter-thick, slightly arched top, which had sufficient ricochet effect on ordinary bombs, could not hold up this time. The hard tungsten steel nose cone broke the concrete layer. A deep gap was opened, and then the entire bomb rushed in by relying on extremely huge inertia. When it was almost completely penetrated, the delay fuse came into effect. After a loud "bang", all the more than 1,000 kilograms of special explosives were immediately released. When detonated, the confined space ensures the maximum explosion effect. No matter it is the concrete layer or any other device or personnel, everything is broken into pieces at this moment. Looking from the air, a small mushroom cloud rises in place, and then slowly dissipates. .

After the first Earth-Driller was successful, the second Earth-Driller was thrown again along the gap just opened and exploded. A total of 5 Earth-Drillers were used to completely destroy the bunker covering an area of ​​hundreds of square meters. In addition to this, all other places suspected to be the location of underground fortifications have been greeted by earth burrowers. No matter whether it is rock, soil or reinforced concrete layers, it seems that they cannot stop the effects of earth burrowers, even if some fortifications resist Some of the burrowers were trapped, but the soldiers inside were also severely shaken by the continuous shock waves.

At 14:00 in the afternoon, the main force of the Axis Navy arrived around the port of Malta. Seeing no response from the island, the 10 battleships that served as the main force boldly sailed into the 10 nautical mile waters and formed a semi-arc around the small island with an area of ​​only 246 square kilometers. shooting formation, and then bombarded them with armor-piercing projectiles according to the pre-planned grid shooting method. Under the calibrated firing of seaplanes, their firepower became more and more accurate and intensive.

The entire island of Malta has been plunged into a scene of constant "earthquakes".

"Führer, we have taken Malta."

"So fast?" Hoffman looked at his watch in disbelief. It was only 5 p.m., and it had only been less than 3 hours since the general offensive started.

"The effect of the earth burrowers was so good. We dropped a total of 64 earth burrowers throughout the day. All the Malta shore artillery positions were destroyed. At least 8 underground bunkers of the defenders were destroyed by us. Then the main guns of the 10 battleships were Under the full bombardment, the British finally despaired and just sent a telegram accepting unconditional surrender."

"Okay! Malta belongs to us. Let the landing troops go up and send the battle report to Madrid after confirming it is correct. I think someone is more concerned about this." Hoffman laughed, "Maybe K5 can set off tomorrow."

"The British boasted that they could hold out for three months, but at least they could withstand three weeks, and they surrendered in less than three hours." In the Moncroa Palace, the official residence of the head of state in Madrid, Spanish dictator Francisco- Franco was losing his temper, and he had apparently received a telegram from Malta - news that had been verified by the Italians as completely true. In addition, Mussolini reminded him that the German train guns and bombers were ready to go, and the fleet had also received instructions to move westward starting tomorrow.

He once asked Mussolini on the phone what "westward" meant. The Italian leader spoke after being silent for a long time: The closest place to Gibraltar on the African continent is, for example, the Port of Ceuta.

This made him itch with hatred, but what worried him even more was that whether it was the Moroccan border or the French and Spanish borders, there was news that German troops were mobilizing. The number was not large, and the interesting French people sent their numbers and The number of people was notified to him, but Franco knew that this was basically what Berlin had instructed the French to notify, and the German head of state was demonstrating to himself in this way.

Marshal Pétain, who had a good relationship with him, made a special call to advise him to "act solemnly." The subtext was obvious - no continental country in the world could withstand a vigorous blow from the German army. Although there are currently only a few infantry divisions and 1-2 armored divisions against Spain, the combat effectiveness of these troops is by no means what the Spanish National Army can afford - from their equipment to their combat concepts, they are all Germans from the Civil War. It has been taught that there are close ties with Germany in all aspects. The Germans probably know as much about the combat effectiveness and weaknesses of the National Army as they do. As for the modern weapons that Spain can use, they are all purchased from Germany or Italy, and their performance characteristics, quantity, and deployment locations are basically known by the other side.

He thought about it several times and thought that this battle was impossible to fight.

Although the U.S. ambassador spoke freely and vowed that as long as Spain joins the Allied camp, 300,000 troops and a powerful fleet will immediately come to support him, and he does not need to worry about arms and military expenses, and the Americans will help him pay for it. But Franco himself was a soldier. He was not the kind of staff officer who had never seen the world and could only talk on paper. He led his troops to seize power from the Republicans with one sword and one shot. He was sensitive to the strength and combat effectiveness of the army. And awake consciousness.

He did not doubt that the Allies could send 300,000 troops, but they certainly could not be the British - they themselves had not recovered from their defeat in North Africa. These troops could only be Americans. When he thought of the combat effectiveness of the Americans, His heart froze. In his eyes, the American troops, which had never been tested, were probably not even as good as Spain. With 300,000 American soldiers in Spain, other than harming Spanish girls, he couldn't see much positive effects. significance.

As for the navy, the Royal Navy and the Atlantic Fleet were originally behemoths that could awe people. But after the two naval battles in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, especially after the mighty Japanese Combined Fleet entered the Mediterranean, he felt that the British Already. A few months ago, when Germany and Italy launched their first siege of the island of Malta, the British dared to send troops from Gibraltar to support and fight a head-on "cornerstone" battle with the Italian navy. Now they have long since become a coward. Yes, where can I find a boat to Malta?

He finally thought that the reason why the British did not send reinforcements was that they believed Malta could be defended. The defenders' flat rejection of the ultimatum also gave him the illusion that the British really had the ability to defend to the end, just like their strong fortress in Gibraltar.

Unexpectedly, the reality was so cruel. Malta was over without even being able to withstand it for three hours. Now the target fell on Gibraltar.

"What should we do?"

Serrano Sune, a veteran Falangist who has served as interior and foreign minister and now serves only as negotiator with Germany, said: "Do you want to join the axis?"

"This..." Franco was really hesitant. He couldn't make up his mind. He thought that Britain was no longer a concern. The only trouble was the United States - he knew the potential and energy of this country. If nothing else, once he joined On the Axis Front, bombers taking off from Britain can quickly blow Spain into ruins. Spain does not have a defense system as strong as the Germans.

"If you haven't made up your mind to break up with Britain, the United States or Germany and Italy, I have another way." Sune sighed, "We pretend not to know anything, and the Germans can do whatever they like."

"This is a completely bad idea." Franco said angrily. "If the Germans can do whatever they want, what will happen if the Americans come and let them do whatever they want? Does Spain still have independence?"

"It's okay..." Sunai said helplessly, "If Americans have the strength."

"But..." Franco couldn't continue what he said, because the British refused to give up Gibraltar, and the Germans refused to give up attacking Gibraltar. These two companies had blocked all Spain's room for maneuver.

After a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind: "I can't put the country into such a big risk. No matter how famous Hitler is, until now, he has refused to even make a phone call. This fully shows that our joining the Axis will not have a high impact." His status - I know this person. He only values ​​strength and has a strong desire for control. I am worthy of him by sending the blue division."

Sunei rolled his eyes and thought: They won't call you. As soon as they call you, you will put forward a lot of unsatisfactory conditions. Then should the Germans agree or not?

"Okay, I'll inform Foreign Minister Ribbentrop. Anyway, I don't have a government position now..."