Chapter 780： French surrender

While Edel was digging pits for the next Soviet-Finnish war, on the North African battlefield, the unusually long-lost victory made everyone smile.

It's true that this victory is indeed long-lost. To be precise, it is the first victory that Italy has won in Africa since the war began. It's really pitiful, and the record of Italy, one of the most powerful countries, after participating in the war is too ugly. This time it finally got a face-saving battle.

Both Antonescu and Messer in Bengaldin also received the news. For this news, the two had already expected it, because the three French divisions in front of them were getting weaker and weaker. Even today there is no attack at all, which does not meet the requirements of rescue.

So when the telegram that the besieged French army planned to surrender was placed in front of them, the two were not surprised at all, but the content of the telegram surprised them a bit. In fact, there is nothing. The French commander General Catroux who was besieged this time indicated that his guns and sabers need to be handed over to the general who broke through his position.

So in the face of this situation, it is of course impossible to say that the two are unwilling. Who can not be moved by the adversary's attention.

Only in the past to accept the surrender, the two must keep one, because they still have enemies in front of them, and they cannot both leave.

"Well, you go to accept the surrender and I will stay and watch the troops."

Messer was the first to speak out the solution. In fact, he believes that Antonescu's role is crucial for the French army to be forced to surrender this time. He not only put forward the whole plan, but also commanded the battle and executed the plan. It can be said that if the French army was able to encircle and surrender, he and the Romanian army under his leadership occupies half of the role, so it is absolutely true to let him suffer the surrender.

But in the face of Messer's kindness, Antonescu refused without hesitation. "Messer, you should accept the surrender this time. I am in charge of the remaining troops."

Antonescu's words made Messer feel a little unbelievable, but he didn't want to just accept it. "This should be done by you. Everyone knows that this battle plan is basically implemented by you. If you don't go, I will make my conscience uneasy."

"Messer, listen to me."

Antonescu admired Messer's sincere attitude, but this time he was not polite.

"Listen to Messer. I'm not polite this time. I really need you to go this time. Remember what I said before, regarding Tunisia's combat vision."

Needless to say, Messer clearly understood Antonescu's intentions, and saw him speaking with surprise on his face. "Do you want to start the battle against Tunisia next?"

"Yes it is."

Antonescu said unceremoniously. "This time we wiped out nearly 100,000 French troops, and although the number of French troops in North Africa is nearly 300,000, their quality is no longer guaranteed. Didn't the previous rapes show that the current French troops in North Africa It is mainly based on the locally recruited troops. Against these troops, can't you solve them?"

Antonescu's words made Messer's vision much wider. Everyone knows the difference between a colonial army and a local army. If the local French army is 300,000, there is nothing to say, so prepare for a defensive battle. But if they were replaced by an army composed of North Africans, then they would have the mind to use force against them.

It's just that the current strength is not enough for the Italian-Romanian coalition forces to start a battle against Tunisia. At present, the most need to replenish the army is the Loi Army. It is impossible for the North African Army of Romania to complete this task. It must rely on the help of Italy. Whoever makes Romania's North African Army less than 100,000 people can't do anything without the Italians.

There is no better way to express Italy's results than Messer's surrender. At this time, Antonescu couldn’t help but think of the scene of his meeting with Mussolini in Rome. Although he didn’t feel good to the Italian prime minister (long chirp), the ambition of the Italian prime minister was his But I felt it.

If you want this prime minister to support the Tunisian campaign, you need to show him the results, and the Tripoli operation this time is a good start. It would be even better if an Italian general could accept the surrender of the French commander. .

In fact, Antonescu thinks too much, Tunisia has a fatal temptation for Italy. The first stop of Italian colonization was Tunisia, but France succeeded first. For this reason, Italy joined the League of Three Emperors in a rage.

And look at the location of Tunisia, it is only more than 200 kilometers from Sicily in Italy. As long as Italy has control of Tunisia, it will completely rule the central Mediterranean, and Tunisia has a lot of arable land, which can effectively release its domestic population pressure. Therefore, Italy is absolutely willing to capture Tunisia.

When Messer heard what Antonescu said, he stopped talking. In fact, he was also very willing to take Tunisia.

The next day Messer and a group of Italian generals came to a small town called Varuje on the front line, where the French army was surrendered.

Messer came around by boat, because the sea is currently under the control of the navy.

Catrou looked at Messer and said. "You are General Messer who broke through from my position. Why didn't you see General Antonescu."

It seems that the French commander had studied them before.

"General Antonescu needs to be busy with new plans, so let me come."

Messer is not an idiot either, just let him guess slowly about Katlu's backhand.

Seeing his own words caused Messer's misunderstanding, Catrou just shook his head. "Sorry, I don't want to inquire about your military plan, just out of curiosity."

Catrou, who felt that his words might be misunderstood, no longer entangled in this topic, only saw him unload the pistol and command knife from himself and handed it in front of Messer.

"I surrendered to you on behalf of the 21st Army of the French Army to which I belonged. We demand the treatment that should be given in the Geneva Treaty."

And Messer answered with his command knife and pistol. "Please rest assured, General Catroux. We will abide by the Geneva agreement to give you the treatment you deserve, and of course you must also abide by its corresponding obligations."

"We know this and we will definitely abide by it."

The actions of the two represented the official surrender of the encircled French army. Therefore, the Italian side naturally did not intend to let go of this important moment. Several journalists who were allowed to hold the camera took it into the lens. Then they will return home non-stop, and their photos will appear in the headlines of the newspaper early the next morning.

The result was not surprising, the major newspapers published the news on the headlines the next day. Although Italy still has some doubts about joining the war, the good news can make people happy, and there will be more people who sincerely support joining the war. This is very important to the Italian government.

Because Italy has the lowest number of people supporting the war in the three countries. Had it not been for the promotion of the Communist Party headed by Mussolini, perhaps Italy would not have joined the war.

In addition to the reason of national power, that is, the final result of the last war hurt the hearts of the Italian people too much. No one wants to experience it again, but fortunately now Italy is no longer on the side of Britain and France.