Chapter 9. A new world order?
Mussolini threw himself depth in his chair.
He was just announced the success of Operazione Olimpo. Greece was now part of the Impero and Vittorio Emanuele could now call himself Imperatore d'Italia.
Mussolini watched Cavallero, sit in front of him with a few schemes in his hands.
Despite being already after midnight, he accepted to listen to the Chief of Staff concerns.
Cavallero started: "Duce, we need to decide what to do now. The war between Germany and the Allies in Northen Europe seems to be down to a stalemate.
It's clear that Germany can not land on British soil like Hitler keeps announcing with his propaganda."
Cavallero put one map on the table of the Duce.
"As you can see, Hitler is simply trying to defend what he gets. We found, however, some interesting placement of troops from Germany and Hungary.
It appears that they are planning some sort of assault of Yugoslavia. We still didn't hear nothing about it, but I'm confident they will contact us.
In the meanwhile, we should consider the opportunity of deploying our troops to take into account such an event. I suggest using mobile troops to take land in front of the Germans, so that they'll attack from our territory and we'll avoid unpleasant events like with Vichy France.".
Il Duce nodded silently and then asked: "What about Ethiopia and Libya Ugo? Do we have enough spare troops to hold these while figthing in Yugoslavia?"
Cavallero resumed: "That's the problem. As you can see in this map, Ethiopia is still holding. Thanks to agent Hannibal Barca2 plan our troops are supplied but the Allied troops are now dangerously close to our positions. It could be the right time to start with routing attacks to ease pressure on our positions."
"Speaking of Lybia, we have British troops advancing towards Homs. There are at least 15 Allied division marching, and we got only 12 divisions there. We could try to hold the line, but those Matilda tanks are though nuts to crack for our leg infantry.
Another option could be to ship them away. Pariani suggests we leave Libya in British hands and use those troops to take Suez. The image hit we would take from the fall of Libya would be balanced by the great prestige we would earn from grabbing Suez from Churchill hands."
"I also had some time to prepare a report on the state of the Axis forces. I must confess I'm not 100% sure on the accuracy of these data, but if they are it's clear why Hitler cannot attempt any Sealion. His navy has been slaughtered, units we sold him in 1936-37 included."
"Finally, I completed a short report on our commanders performance, should you want to promote any to an higher rank. Some performed really well in battle in these 7 months of war."
Il Duce begun to read carefully the reports and looking at the maps..
"Ugo, here's my orders. Lay out a plan for conquering as much as possible land in Yugoslavia. We need those extra resources, expecially with German trades being so fluctuating recently."
"Begin immediately routing attacks in Ethiopia, we cannot afford to lose Africa Orientale Italiana!
As for Libya, give me one more day to think about it. I don't want to lose it, but the idea of using those troops to take Suez in a surprise action is one of those my old
friend Gabriele D'Annunzio would love."
"I also believe Hitler is planning something in regards to the Soviet Union. Try to identify a few units we can spare and send to that front in case a war opens."
Ugo Cavallero didn't want to believe the last few words. A war with the Commie juggernaut when he was barely able to hold one front?
Let's hope it's just a
boutade..
With a most classic "Sissignore", Cavallero left the room.
9.1. Suez is ours!
9.2. Another front opens
9.3. Africa and Vicino Oriente wars.
[URL=http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8134071&postcount=184]9.4. The fall of the Land of South Slavs
9.5. Operazione Respiro.
9.6. Securing Palestine.
9.7. Sea lanes are open!
9.8. And the Rock crumbles to the ground. [/URL]