Chapter 135 Chapter 22 Even the winner is destroyed by victory (Dryden) (5)

In October, Hitler was busy with diplomacy. On October 4, he met Mussolini at the Brenner Pass. "The war has been won! The rest is just a matter of time," he said.While acknowledging that the Luftwaffe had not yet achieved hegemony, Hitler also claimed that British planes were being shot down by German planes at a ratio of three to one.For some reason, however, Britain persisted despite the utter hopelessness of the military situation.The British people are being treated inhumanely.Why should Britain resist?He was complaining, and answered the question himself: he hoped to get aid from the United States or the Soviet Union.

That, he said, was fantasy.The Triple Pact had had a "discouraging effect" on the cowardly American leadership, while the deployment of 40 German divisions on the Eastern Front frightened the Russians from intervening.So the time was ripe to deal the coup de grace to the British Empire: the capture of Gibraltar.Having said that, Hitler changed the subject and cursed at the Spaniards—the price for their participation in the war was 400,000 tons of food and a considerable amount of kerosene.Also, when the question of repayment came up in the conversation, Hitler complained that Franco had the nerve to reply, "This is a question that confuses ideals with material things." Said to be a "little Jew, bargaining for the most sacred things of mankind!"

After the two dictators parted in warmth and trust, the Führer went to Berchtesgaden to "quietly contemplate this new political strategy." Take a long walk on the slopes of Würzburg.Sometimes, he will also talk about his ideas, or at the dinner table, or in meetings.These scraps culminated in a decision to sound the French on his way to a meeting with Franco.Then, and only then, he talked to the Russians. His special train (with a strange name, "America") left Germany on the 12th and arrived at Montvale in central and western France that night.Here, Laval, the deputy prime minister of the Vichy regime, had a brief meeting with the head of state on the train, the main content of which was to make arrangements for a meeting with Marshal Pétain two days later.By this time, the Führer had made up his mind to reduce France to domestic slavery.To this end, he expects the automatic and self-conscious help of the victim, but is also ready to use force and brutal revenge if necessary.As with other conquered countries, Hitler sought to turn France into what Goering called a plundering economy (including the looting of everything of value, from raw materials and labor to the country's artistic treasures), hoping that the Vichy regime would become an active Allies against Britain.Judging from Laval's attitude, Hitler believed that this could be done.So when he took the train overnight to continue to have a crucial meeting with Franco, he was full of confidence.

The place where they met was a small border town in France.This small town is called Hendaye, located in the sanatorium area of ​​southwestern France, below Biarritz, with sandy beaches and palm trees worthy of tourism promotion.Therefore, it is more suitable as a health resort than a conference of world significance.The meeting place was set at the intersection of the French narrow-gauge railway and the Spanish broad-gauge railway outside the city.The Führer's train arrived on time, in time for the meeting to be held at 2 p.m.But there was no Spaniard train on the adjacent platform.It was October at this time, the weather was clear and bright, and the temperature was pleasant, so that the Germans who arrived on time did not get angry.After all, what else can you expect from those Spanish slobs who procrastinate all the time!

Hitler believed that once he had met Franco, he would be able to convince him, just as he had persuaded Chamberlain, Laval, and others.Where would you be, self-proclaimed Generalissimo, without German help?That's not what you Spaniards believe, that he won the civil war by the intervention of the Virgin.In fact, it was up to the Luftwaffe "to rain bombs from the sky to decide the outcome." While waiting, Hitler and Ribbin chatted on the platform. "At the moment, we cannot," Schmidt heard Hitler say, "give the Spaniards any written promises to hand over territory from the French colonies. If these slickers are allowed to The Latins catch anything in writing, and sooner or later the French will hear about it." Tomorrow he would induce Petain to start active hostilities against England, so he could not give up French territory today. "Besides," he went on, "if word of this agreement with the Spaniards goes away, French overseas colonies may fall into de Gaulle's hands."

An hour later, the Spaniard's train finally appeared on the International Bridge across the Bidasoa River.The Spaniard's late arrival was intentional, not by the rest. "This is the most important meeting of my life," Franco told an officer. "I had to try to play tricks—that was one of them. If I made Hitler wait for me, he was psychologically at a disadvantage from the start." The leader was stocky, with piercing black eyes.In a land of celebrities, he seemed like a nonentity, brought to power by luck and grit.His success has not come easily.A native of Galicia (Galicia is known for producing level-headed pragmatists), he brought with him a harsh view of reality and a canny character.

Although still a peasant at heart, Franco was not even a member of the people.He is too close to religion and anarchists.Although he also served the Falange (a fascist party), he was not a member of it.True pikemen, such as the newly promoted brother-in-law of foreign minister, are more German-friendly.Despite his recent cold reception in Berlin, Serrano Sunier believed that Germany was invincible and that Spain should go to the winning side, while Franco had doubts. "I tell you, England will never back down," he told the generals. "They will fight, and they will fight: if they are driven out of the British Isles, they will continue to fight in Canada. They will ask the Americans to help them fight. Germany did not win the war." Meanwhile, he Not willing to let Hitler lose his patience and subject Spain to the fate of Czechoslovakia, nor to take the successful route taken by the small countries that stood in Hitler's way.

As the train pulled up beside Hitler's car, Franco knew that the fate of his country depended on his ability to keep it out of European conflict.Civil war has shattered Spain's economy, and last year's crop failures have left his people starving.However, would Hitler allow him to remain neutral?If he rejected the Führer outright, how could he resist a German invasion?There is only one solution: on the one hand, create the impression of joining the Axis powers, and on the other hand, find a point that needs further clarification.His Galician heritage was his armor—he stepped out of the train, onto the platform, and walked toward Hitler to the music of military music.

Franco delivered a prepared speech full of flattery and verbal assurances to the Führer.Spain has always been "unreservedly and faithfully united in spirit with the German people" and, in fact, "felt at every moment united with the Axis Powers." Historically, only the With the power of unity.In the present war, "Spain will gladly be on the side of Germany." Difficulties, he added, the Führer was well aware of: particularly difficult were the food shortages, and also, the anti-Axis elements in the United States and Europe He is also creating difficulties for his poor little country. "So Spain has to stay where she is, and has to look at things she disapproves of often calmly." He said this with regret in his tone, but soon he said that even with these problems, Spain— She is very much mindful of the Axis alliance—is adopting the same attitude towards the war that Italy had adopted last fall. "Franco's ingenious dodge got a promise from Hitler. In return for Spain's cooperation in the war, the Fuehrer said that Germany would let Franco occupy Gibraltar—occupy it on January 10—and some colonies in Africa.

Franco sat curled up in a chair with no expression on his face.At last he spoke, but very slowly and carefully.While looking for excuses, he insisted on getting more concessions.He said his country needed hundreds of thousands of tons of wheat, and it needed no delay.Franco asked Hitler "with a sly look" if Germany was ready to ship.Also, what about Spain's need for a lot of artillery—not to mention anti-aircraft machine guns—to defend against the Royal Navy's attacks on the coast?He changed the subject from one subject to another, and as if at random; from compensation for certain losses in the Canary Islands to why a gift from a foreign soldier could not be accepted—Gibraltar.This fortress must be taken by the Spaniards themselves.Suddenly he had a realistic estimate of Hitler's chances of driving the British out of Africa: only to the edge, not far. "I'm a veteran of Africa, and I know that." Likewise, he expressed doubts about Hitler's ability to conquer Britain.Britain would have fallen at best; Churchill would have fled to Canada and fought on with American aid.

Franco's speech was monotonous, and Schmidt couldn't help but think of churches that urge faithful men and women to pray.His speech made Hitler more and more disappointed.The Führer finally stood up abruptly, and blurted out that it would be useless to speak any further.After speaking, he immediately sat down again.Seeming to regret his impulsiveness, he again persuaded Franco to sign the treaty.certainly!said Franco.What could be more logical than that?As long as Germany supplies food and arms, the treaty will be signed; just give Spain the right to decide when it is most appropriate to enter the war.After the circle was over, the meeting was adjourned. Hitler was full of displeasure, and ran to his compartment.The two foreign ministers walked off the platform to Ribbentrop's carriage for further talks.After some debate, Ribbentrop revealed that the purpose of the head of state to come to Hendaye "is to find out whether Spain's demands are in line with France's wishes." It goes without saying that Chairman Franco understood what the head of state said In this difficult situation, he is also willing to sign a secret protocol with the head of state-Italy will sign it at a later date.After speaking, Ribbentrop handed over the draft agreement in Spanish to the other party.The agreement stated that Spain would receive territory from French colonies, and how much, "in accordance with the colonial compensation France can obtain from England." Serrano Sunier expressed surprise and exclaimed that, on the African question, this was clearly a new policy.And Germany's attitude towards France has obviously changed!Compensation for Spain's participation in the war was thus ambiguous.With a faint smile, he said that Franco needed to tell his people "more precisely what spoils are to be had." Ribbentrop was not good at such rhetoric and had to suppress his anger.At this point, the Spanish foreign minister made a dramatic and formal farewell. That night, the Germans hosted a state banquet in the Führer's dining car to entertain the Spaniards.Franco was warm and friendly, and his brother-in-law was charming, and they were sycophants throughout the dinner.Perhaps it was because of their performance that Hitler dared to pull Franco aside when everyone got up and left their seats.The two talked in secret for two hours.With Franco on top of every important issue, and his inability to manipulate Franco, Hitler became increasingly restless.Franco believed, for example, that the Suez Canal, the eastern gateway to the Mediterranean, should be closed before Gibraltar, its western gateway;Because he was so determined, it was just Hitler who insisted on such and such. At this moment, he suddenly lost his temper.Franco remained unmoved, insisting that history (by which he meant the uprising against Napoleon) would repeat itself if he did not get a billion kilos of wheat.The Führer left the dining car in a rage. "Franco is a little major!" he said to Puttkammer.Speaking of him to Ringe, Hitler downgraded him again: "In Germany, that guy can be a sergeant at best!" rank.Hitler was even more annoyed by his foreign minister's cunning tactics. "Sunel has Franco in his hands!" he said to Keitel.Hitler also threatened to break down the talks here and now. Meanwhile, Ribbentrop was in his compartment, trying to come to an agreement with Suner.But the Spaniard's polite but firm objection was equally disappointing.When his patience was exhausted, he expelled Serrano Sunier and his lieutenants as schoolchildren, and ordered them to hand in the completed text at 8 o'clock the next morning. On the 24th, Serrano Sunier himself did not come.He passed the text on to his subordinate, the former ambassador to Berlin, who spoke German with a Vietnamese accent.In response, Ribbentrop was furious and cursed loudly, the voice was so loud that it could be heard outside the car. "Unsatisfactory!" After reading the document drafted by Serrano Suner, Ribbentrop seemed to call himself a teacher and shouted repeatedly. (Spain requested that the French-occupied area of ​​Morocco should belong to Spain in the future) He asked Spain to submit a new draft.He then rushed with Schmidt to the nearest airport in time to get to Montval for the Hitler-Pétain talks.Along the way, Ribbentrop, still angry, called Suner a "conspirator" and Franco an "ungrateful coward."Interpreter Schmidt was secretly delighted by the strategy used by the Spaniards.For the first time, Hitler lost to his opponents before playing his own tricks. Hitler had arrived at Montval and was waiting for Field Marshal Pétain in his car.In order to separate from the old republican government, Pétain not long ago raised his position from prime minister to head of state.Had the Führer known that Franco had warned Pétain not to take up the burden of leading France out of chaos, he would have been even more displeased with Franco. "Use your age as an excuse," Franco once said, "let the defeated make peace... You are the hero of Verdun. Don't let your name be confused with those of the defeated."" I know, General," Petain replied, "but my country is calling to me, and I belong to her... This may be the last time I will serve her." Marshal Petain, who was old and tall, came in a beautiful uniform and was greeted by Keitel at the entrance of the station.Petain returned the salute, straightened his back, stared ahead with both eyes, and reviewed the German guard of honor.Ribbentrop and Laval followed him.They walked silently along the platform towards the Führer's train.When Field Marshal Pétain came out of the ticket office, Hitler held out a hand and stepped forward.The crowd led the old marshal into the secret compartment.He sat upright, watching Hitler, listening intently to Schmidt’s Zeven—whose voice was loud and “calmly spoken” so that the old man could hear him.He seemed confident, not servile.Laval sitting next to him is a vivid contrast.He desperately wanted to smoke, but he knew that for both Hitler and Pétain, cigarettes were forbidden.Laval looked searchingly from Hitler to Ribbentrop.Hitler said that he knew very well that Marshal Petain did not belong to the faction that advocated declaring war on Germany. "If that wasn't the case," he said, "this meeting would not have been possible." After enumerating the crimes of France in a gentle tone, the Fuehrer repeated what Franco had said. "We have won the war. England has been defeated; sooner or later she has to admit it." And, he added meaningfully, someone has to pay for the war being lost, "either France or England. If This price is borne by Britain, then France can seek a position in Europe and maintain its full status as a colonial power." For this reason, France must of course protect its overseas colonies from being invaded; in addition, France needs to reconquer The colonies of Central Africa, as they have surrendered to de Gaulle.At this point, he gently suggested that France be involved in the war against the British - he asked Petain what France would do if the British continued to attack her warships, as they had done at Messelkeber and, a few weeks later, at Dakar ? Pétain acknowledged that most of the French were offended by the two attacks, but his country was powerless to wage another war.Instead, he asked for a final peace treaty "so that France would know her fate with certainty and the two million French prisoners of war would return to their families as soon as possible." Another hint—French involvement in the war against the British—was also unresponsive.Both sides had their own ulterior motives; although Pétain expressed admiration for the Führer and seemed to agree with many of the Führer's opinions, he spoke so succinctly that Schmidt felt that he was publicly rejecting them. "Hitler's big bet," recalled the interpreter, "was lost because of the prudence of Pétain and Laval." In his view, the performance of these two representatives of France at Montval Did not disgrace France. A few days later, in a radio address, Petain told his countrymen that he had accepted cooperation with Germany in the light of day to preserve French unity.It would also ease the suffering of France and make the lot of French prisoners of war better. “Cooperation must be sincere,” he warned. “The idea of ​​aggression must be rejected. It must be practiced, both patient and confident.” France had many obligations to its victors.Didn't Hitler allow France to maintain its sovereignty?Before that, Pétain continued, "I have always spoken to you like a father. Today, I address you as a leader. Follow me. Trust in Eternal France." The atmosphere on the Führer train was gloomy.At both Hendaye and Montval, Hitler did not get what he expected.The letter written by Mussolini six days earlier arrived before "America" ​​crossed the French frontier—the third disappointment to the Führer.In the letter, he viciously attacked the French.Deep down, he wrote, they hated the Axis powers, and despite the sweet lips of the Vichy government, "one cannot but think of their cooperation." The plan to drag the Vichy regime into the crusade against the democracies hastily caused Ribbentrop to bring forward the scheduled meeting with Mussolini in Florence to October 28.A few minutes later, Ribbentrop hung up on Ciano.This caused a small panic in Rome. "I rushed to Italy just after the meeting with Pétain," Ciano wrote in his diary. "This move by the head of state is really disappointing. I hope he will not let us drink a glass of poison because we have declared against France. This A poisonous pill for the Italian people to swallow, worse than the deception of Versailles." Instead of returning to Berlin as originally planned, Hitler ordered the train to Munich to rest and prepare for a hastily early trip to Italy. On the afternoon of October 27, just as he was about to take the train south, the military attache of the German embassy in Rome reported that it was now "almost certain" that Mussolini would attack Greece early the next morning.According to Schmidt, the Führer "was furious" at the news.At dinner that night, Ribbentrop mirrored his master's anger. "It rains heavily in autumn and snows heavily in winter, and the Italians go to attack Greece at this time, hum, don't think about moving forward!" he said. "In addition, the consequences of fighting in the Balkans are unpredictable. The head of state wants to support this crazy plan of the Italian Prime Minister at all costs, so he must go to Italy immediately so that he can talk to Mussolini in person." Ribbentrop's remarks could not really be aimed at this matter.This meeting was arranged by himself two days ago.Moreover, he knew that the Fuehrer had just refused to sign a telegram sent to Rome, which had been drafted by his staff, criticizing the attack in straightforward terms. "Ribbentrop," said Weitzsacker, the telegraph's writer, "approved the telegram. Hitler said he did not want to annoy Mussolini. Hitler's silence was an indirect sign that Italy was continuing its quest. A progressive, decisive and dangerous step in the Balkans." At 10 o'clock the next morning, just as "America" ​​was galloping through Bologna, Hitler learned that Italian troops had entered Greece.According to Engel's recollection, after hearing the news, Hitler cursed, but he did not scold Mussolini, but scolded the German liaison officer and military officer, saying that they "broke his good business many times." Change your mouth and scold the Italian population for duplicity. "It's revenge for Norway and France!" he shouted.Then, he complained, "One of the two Italians is either a traitor or a spy." After venting, Hitler analyzed the situation with a little sobriety.He guessed that the purpose of the Italian prime minister's attack on Greece was to counterbalance the growing influence of the German economy on the Balkans. "I'm very concerned," he said.He feared that an Italian invasion would have "serious consequences and give Britain a good opportunity to establish air bases in the Balkans." An hour later, the train slowly pulled into the beamingly decorated Florence train station.Mussolini, beaming with joy, strode forward to embrace his ally. "Führer!" he shouted, "we are marching!" Hitler reined in himself.Things are broken, and it's no use complaining.His greeting was haughty and very different from the enthusiasm usually accorded Mussolini.However, this indifference was fleeting.Moments later, when the two dictators and politicians heard the crowd outside Pitti Palace shouting "Führer! Long live the Führer! Leader! Leader!", both of them were in high spirits again. (The talks will take place inside the Palazzo Pitti.) The two dictators had to step out onto the balcony several times to silence the crowd. "The Romans only cheered like this for their Caesar," Hitler told his servants later. "However, they didn't fool me. They wanted to soften me, because they messed up my plans." (*Mussolini was prime minister in the government and was called "the leader" in the fascist party ——Annotation) Schmidt was amazed that Hitler held himself so well during the talks that there was "no sign of gnashing of teeth in thought".Mussolini was very happy.If Mussolini felt guilty for doing what Hitler reluctantly agreed to do, this guilt was also dispelled by his own regret: at the Brenner Pass, the two had pledged to maintain peace in the Balkans, but In less than a few days, Hitler sent troops to invade Romania. "Hitler often comes to me after the fact has been done," he complained to Ciano. "This time, I'm going to fight back. He'll read in the papers that I've taken Greece. Then the balance will be re-established." Apparently he had succeeded because Hitler never complained about Greece.Instead, he spent most of his time on the very thing that had driven him to Florence.He told Mussolini about his meeting with Pétain and Laval, saying that he was impressed by Pétain's dignity - but not deceived by Laval's servility .He described the meeting with Franco as torture, saying he "would have had three or four teeth pulled out" if he were to meet again.Franco, he complained, was "very ambiguous" about entering the war; he must have become leader of Spain by accident. At the end of this long meeting, the two were like brother again.Hitler reiterated the pledge made at the Brenner Pass that he would "under no circumstances conclude a peace treaty with France if Italy's demands were not met." Mussolini said that Germany and Italy, as always, have completely agreed.Once on "America," however, Hitler lashed out at Mussolini's new "adventure," saying it could only end in military disaster.Why didn't Mussolini attack Malta or Crete, he exclaimed?In doing so, it made sense in their war with Britain in the Mediterranean.Especially when the Italian army was in trouble in North Africa and had just asked Germany to send an armored division to the rescue! The return journey through the snow-capped Alps was a somber journey for the Führer.In a little over half a year, he had conquered more land than the most optimistic German could have imagined.Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland and France all became his.He surpassed Alexander and Napoleon.Yet nothing defeats so much as success; and this incredible succession was followed by defeats at Hendaye, Montval and Florence.The mediocre leader of a second-rate nation and the chief of a defeated nation is evasive enough to join a crusade against England, while his reliable ally, out of need for personal glory on the battlefield, is endangering the Axis powers position in the Mediterranean.As if that wasn't enough, the air battle that was supposed to bring Britain to the Green Table has now become an acknowledged failure - at the expense of a horrific number of aircraft. During the long and tedious journey back to his homeland, Hitler could not hide his annoyance, lashing out at "deceitful" collaborators and their treacherous and unreliable friends.What conqueror would suffer such superfluous defeats!Many of his performances are certainly dramatic.To be sure, Hitler was not as worried about Pétain's noncommittal as he pretended to be.He must have known that if he was willing to put pressure on Mussolini, he could prevent his invasion of Greece.However, he really hated Franco for his refusal to promise.Franco must be forced to submit, because he is the key to entering Gibraltar, and after occupying this fortress, Hitler can "check" the British to death and clear the way for the Eastern Expedition.