Chapter 382

After Ciano and Marshal Badoglio left, Hess immediately summoned the generals of the army, navy and air force to discuss sending troops to North Africa.

"Your Excellency, the military strength of the Kingdom of Caesar is rubbish. If they hadn't distrusted the empire and refused to allow the empire to send troops to Libya, this situation would not have happened. Now that they were beaten to pieces by the Empire on which the Sun Never Sets, they wanted to seek help from the Empire. said Marshal William Keitel.

"Indeed, the actions of Caesar's Kingdom make people very dissatisfied. But it is precisely because of this reason that we were able to obtain an additional 20% of the shares in Libia Petroleum Development Company. From now on, we have occupied 85% of the shares of the oil development company. Only fifteen percent of Caesar's kingdom remains. This also means that most of the oil in Libya belongs to the empire. Hess laughed.

All the generals also laughed.

The Third Reich knew very well how much oil Libya had. During the initial exploration, the Third Reich deliberately concealed some data. Even though It is the Kingdom of Caesar, and I only know a rough idea.

The empire now has 20% more shares, which will be a huge wealth!

"Next, the Caesar Kingdom will do its best to resist the attack of the 8th Army of the Imperial Army where the sun never sets. However, we must also move faster. Otherwise, the Caesar Kingdom's army will not last long." Hess said

"Your Excellency, if we want to send troops to North Africa, we need to first gain control of the sea and the air. Air supremacy may not be a big problem. We still have hundreds of combat aircraft in the Libyan Sirt Basin. At the same time, a group of planes can also be dispatched to Caesar's Kingdom. The air power deployed by the Empire in North Africa cannot compete with the Imperial Air Force. However, as for the navy, it may not be easy to defeat the Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet."Marshal Bromberg said

"The Imperial Navy has only two Dunkirk-class battlecruisers in the Mediterranean that can be engaged in battle. Additionally, there are some submarines available."Marshal Redl said.

The Third Reich obtained two Dunkirk-class battlecruisers from the Gauls. In addition, there are four Richelieu-class battleships. However, these Richelieu-class battleships are under construction , has not yet been completed.

The sailors of the Third Reich Navy have received these two Dunkirk-class battlecruisers, and have basically completed the running-in, formed combat effectiveness, and can be put into battle.

"What about the navy of the Kingdom of Caesar?"Hess asked.

Before the Third Reich Navy defeats the Imperial Navy of Japan, the navy of the Kingdom of Caesar will still have to be the main force in the Mediterranean.

"Your Excellency, in the last naval battle, the Kingdom of Caesar lost its battleship, and the remaining two battleships were also severely damaged. Now, the repair should be completed. The four Tuo-class battleships under construction in the Kingdom of Caesar have also accelerated their construction pace. According to the information we have obtained, its first ship Venet and its second ship Littorio have completed construction and are undergoing sea trials. It is expected that it will be able to form combat effectiveness in a while. Its No. 3 and No. 4 ships have also accelerated their construction progress and are expected to be put into service in the middle of next year," said Marshal Redl.

"In this case, with the strength of the Caesar Kingdom's navy and our two Dunkirk-class battlecruisers, it should be entirely possible to defeat the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet." Hess said

"Yes, Your Excellency. However, this will take time until the Caesar Kingdom's navy becomes combat effective."Marshal Redl said

"So, before that, can the Imperial Air Force cover the transport fleet heading to Libya?"Hess asked.

When the Navy cannot gain control of the sea, it can only place the entire burden on the shoulders of the Air Force.

"Your Excellency, although the Imperial Air Force is increasing its bombing of the mainland of the Empire on which the sun never sets. However, there is no big problem in mobilizing several wings to compete for air supremacy in the Mediterranean and cover the transport fleet heading to Libya!"Admiral Milch said

"Very good, then the Air Force is immediately preparing to dispatch a group of fighter planes to the Kingdom of Caesar, preparing to seize air supremacy over the Mediterranean and cover the transport fleet to Libya! The navy also dispatched some carrier-based aircraft units to cover the transport fleet." Hess ordered

"Yes, Your Majesty the Governor!"Marshal Milch and Marshal Redl both replied.

The navy's carrier-based aircraft force is stronger in attacking the sea. Once the Imperial Royal Navy dares to dispatch warships to intercept the transport fleet, the carrier-based aircraft of the Third Reich Navy will The troops can make it pay the price.

Currently, the Third Reich Navy already has four Qibelin-class aircraft carriers in service, and in the shipyard, four new Qibelin-class aircraft carriers are already under construction.

However, the Navy’s carrier-based aircraft force , but a full 12 wings have been trained, enough to equip 12 Qi Bolin-class aircraft carriers. In addition to the four carrier-based air wings that have been put on board the ship, the other eight can currently only be deployed on land.

"Well, now we need to mobilize a group of troops from the army to form the North African Army and fight on the North African battlefield. I plan to allocate two armored divisions, ten infantry divisions, a heavy artillery brigade, a baggage brigade and an engineering brigade to form the North African Army. Do you have any opinions on this?"Hess asked.

The generals of the Third Reich naturally had no objection to this.

After the Third Reich swept across Western Europe, the Army had no major battles for the time being and was in the process of rest and recuperation. A group of troops were mobilized to form the North African Army. For now, For the powerful Third Reich Army, this was simply a small problem.

"Very good, then the North African Army will start to be formed immediately. and, by rail, to the southern part of Caesar's kingdom. The Kingdom of Caesar provided transport ships and transported them to the Libyan battlefield for combat." Hess ordered

"Yes, Your Majesty the Governor!"The generals replied one after another

"Your Excellency, who will be the commander of the North African Army?"Marshal Bromberg asked.

Regarding the candidate for the commander of the North African Army, Hess has naturally already had his mind set. Among the many generals of the Third Reich, there is someone more suitable than General Rommel, the Desert Fox. Is it?

_Feilu reminds you: three things about reading - collection, recommendation,