Battle of the Third Reich Chapter 457: The fall of Rome (2)

"The generals of the High Command launched a coup, and they killed Mussolini." A senior Italian police officer yelled to his men.

"They want to surrender to the Germans. Our marshals and generals have betrayed the Kingdom of Italy."

"Kill those traitors, and avenge Mussolini!" A national police ensign shouted, standing beside the lieutenant colonel, and raised his Beretta submachine gun.

"Some veterans who are loyal to the country are fighting with the running dogs of the traitors. We are going to support them now. If anyone is unwilling to go, I hope to stand up now." The police lieutenant colonel pulled out of the holster. Pistol, glanced sharply at the subordinates gathered in the yard.

"Very well, I saw a group of loyal fighters. I am proud of your choice. Now follow their respective teams and get in the car. Let's go and show that group of traitors a little bit more."

The battle in Rome has become fierce, and the citizens are hiding in their homes tremblingly. After the Rome radio station issued a vague emergency announcement, there was no more sound on the radio.

In the central Venice square, fierce gunfire broke out. Mussolini’s guards clashed with the gendarmerie who came to receive the Venice Palace. The prime minister’s guard, equipped with a large number of automatic weapons, separated from the army gendarmerie in Venice. The square fired at each other, and the guards occupied the dual advantage of terrain and firepower. In the half-hour exchange of fire, more than 20 military policemen were killed. The streets and squares were scattered with soldiers wearing gray uniforms and black Napoleon double-horned hats. remains.

Similar battles took place near almost every key unit in Rome. So far, the coup party has not controlled any government department. Badoglio was greatly disappointed by the performance of the military police. Sure enough, the military police are still police, not the opponents of the regular troops.

The Field Marshal has lost control of the situation. The nearest army unit to Rome is still 100 kilometers away, and at this time he can't guarantee that the other party will continue to obey his orders, because he now stands up with the military police. Most of those fighting are veterans who are active in the Army.

He didn't even know that there were so many army soldiers who had escaped in Rome. What worries the marshal even more was that he didn't know who was in charge of these people. The news of Mussolini’s disappearance from the palace dungeon made him wonder whether there is a mutual connection between the two things, and what role the royal family plays in them. He doesn’t believe that the other party can be in the situation without internal response. Convene and equip such a large number of soldiers in such a short time.

"We caught several rebels. They said they received a notice from the Fascist National Party at 8 o'clock in the morning. After gathering at the designated location, someone sent them weapons in a truck." A colonel stepped forward. Report to.

"Eight o'clock in the morning? At that time Mussolini was still in the Prime Minister's Mansion. Did he already know our plan at that time?" Badoglio quickly turned his head from the window.

"No, it must be because of other things, otherwise he won't go to the palace with me so honestly. Damn it, let this guy escape, otherwise I can question him face to face." Dogglio patted the windowsill hard.

"Mussolini probably hasn't returned to his people. The rebels think we killed him."

"Perhaps this is what Mussolini wants to see. He is an expert at playing with people's hearts."

"Now what is the use of this, we need more manpower. I have bad news and good news. The bad news is that half of the national police in Rome has rebelled. The good news is that the remaining half indicate that Stay neutral."

"What kind of good news is this? The promises of these guys at both ends are simply unreliable."

"We must use that battle battalion."

"Before they are dispatched, it is the general reserve team. We must first ensure the safety of the royal family and the command." Several staff members discussed enthusiastically.

"Quiet everyone! All quiet!" Suddenly a staff officer yelled, so everyone closed their mouths and looked at the colonel.

"This is a call from the Air Defense Command. They spotted a German convoy at an observation post on the outskirts of the city." The colonel held the microphone tightly and his face was white. Obviously he understood that if the news was true, it would be for Rome What will it mean.

"This is impossible. The Germans are still facing our troops in the Apennines."

"Is the observation post wrong?"

"They shouldn't make jokes about this kind of thing."

"Give me the phone." Badoglio strode to the colonel and snatched the receiver from the other's hand.

"I’m Badoglio, yes, the chief of the general staff of the command. Who are you?...Listen to Captain Ettore, I want to know more details? Ten minutes ago? Why now Just report to me?! Is repeating the confirmation? I understand, continue to say...Six trucks with 4D flags...They are heading towards the city along Columbus Avenue. Okay, Captain, let you People continue to monitor and report to me immediately if there is a new situation." Badoglio returned the receiver to the colonel.

"It may be a German paratrooper." The colonel hung up.

"With six trucks, the number of people should be small, probably like two rows."

"This is not the key, why did they appear here, we didn't even receive any news."

Badoglio stood at the map table and frowned. Regardless of how the Germans appeared outside the city of Rome, this person could not pose any threat to the city. The key lies in the meaning behind the actions of the Germans, so Badoglio had to think carefully. Fan.

"The report, General Luciano of the Fourth Army sent a telegram. The Germans launched a sudden attack against his line of defense. The line of defense has now been breached by the enemy. He and his headquarters are retreating towards Florence. ."

"Your Excellency, General Anthony of the 216th Coastal Infantry Division sent an urgent call. The Villareggio line of defense has collapsed and the enemy is approaching Pisa." The two staff officers rushed into the command room with a panic look and shouted. Reported to the Field Marshal.

"It's impossible." Bardoglio received two telegrams.

"The Germans tore up the agreement they signed with me. These shameless and unfaithful bastards." Badoglio felt a pain in his heart. He stepped back and sat down at the map table. His face turned blue, and a piece of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He is not a naive boy. Of course, he knows that the agreement between countries is one of the most fragile things in the world. He also expected that the blond boy in Germany would be an accident. He never thought about this The apostle of God in people's mouth turned out to be a political rogue like Hitler.

But he was helpless at this time. He suspected that the Germans had figured out their hole cards, otherwise they would never launch such a decisive battle at this point in time. The two subsequent telegrams in hand have clearly conveyed a message to Bagdoglio that the Germans have fully grasped his follow-up plan, and the Italian army has no secrets in front of the Germans.

The Kingdom of Italy has been completely defeated. The Germans did not give Bagdoglio the opportunity to play with political means. The heavy army gathered in Florence is the last trump card held by the field marshal. The problem is these troops. There is still a lack of equipment and training, and it is obvious that the Germans will not leave them this time.

Badoglio can foresee that the Lower Sicilian defense line to the south will not have the slightest chance. At this moment, the German army may have landed on the Italian coast. Thinking of this, Bagdoglio stood up abruptly, he held the map table with his hands and looked down at the map.

"The Germans must have landed near Rome. I should have thought that they would have this trick. Now they must be their vanguard troops appearing outside the city." Badoglio said, tapping the map.

"If it is true, then Rome..." a staff member exclaimed.

"Rome is bound to fall, and our forces will never be able to defend the city." His colleague nodded affirmatively.

"I don't know how many German troops are behind." Someone asked.

"It is estimated that there will be no less than one division, otherwise this small unit will not be so confident." Someone opened his brain.

"The citizens can be organized to fight street battles with them." Obviously this is a warrior, but unfortunately there is no brain~IndoMTL.com~ Now there is no weapon or ammunition to send them. "Finally, I still have a clear head.

"Aren't there some veterans and policemen? They should be willing to fight the Germans for Italy." The wise man appeared.

"They may fight for Italy, but they will never fight for you and me, Marshal, I suggest immediately taking the royal family and government personnel to evacuate from Rome." This is smarter.

"The Germans have broken through the Apennines, where can we retreat." Pessimistic argument.

"Then what do you say, stay here and wait to be a prisoner?"

"Why can't you die bravely on the front line, you coward." Another brave man appeared.

"Yu Qi died in vain, Italy needs us elites to live more." Someone immediately stood up and said that the overall situation should be the priority.

The staff members began to quarrel fiercely again around the painful field marshal. (To be continued.)