The not luxurious conference room was now filled with politicians and military officials from Spain and the Third German Empire. They sat on long conference tables on both sides, and everyone was listening attentively to the German head of state who held the leadership of the Axis powers.

In previous conversations, Xu Yang did not review much history, and the most talked about Spain's obligation to the Axis powers, that is, sending troops to participate in the war.

Compared with other European countries, Spain is a country with a large population, and its geographical location is an important strategic location. There is no need to describe the importance of the local area. Spain also has colonies in the Atlantic Ocean and Africa, which can be used as a springboard to play a good role in war.

Compared with the African colonies of Portugal in South Africa, Spain's colonies are very good. At least Portugal's small colonies have been annexed by most of the remaining troops that were still resisting in Africa. Spain's colonies in North Africa and West Africa are currently providing services to the Rommel Army far away on the battlefield in Africa, which is appreciated and valued by the Third Reich of Germany.

"Our army has successfully landed in England. They have completely captured Portsmouth, mastered important ports, and are constantly accepting follow-up troops and related materials. The news I just got today is that Baggioro, Southampton, and Brighton are also occupied by our army. The situation has been opened and the battle is very smooth. In the next month or even shorter time, our occupation of England is a destined result. Given the reports sent back from the front line, the British government still has no intention of surrendering under this status quo, so the number of troops we invest must be increased."

Although the casualties in the landing Japanese battle are more serious than any previous battle, this is an acceptable result. After all, the Axis powers had conducted many deductions before the landing, and knew early on that this battle would not be simple.

The Axis powers originally thought that they would lose 5 to 7 divisions during landing operations, and the relevant naval ships would sink several ships. However, after landing in England, the Axis powers lost troops were still within an acceptable range.

The Third German Empire lost 3 soldiers forever, 3 destroyers, 2 frigates, 5 logistics ships, 254 related landing crafts and amphibious combat tools, and 58 fighter jets of various types.

Hungary suffered 1,450 soldiers and 4 interceptors.

Romania suffered 247 soldiers in the war.

Italy suffered 5,900 soldiers, 17 bombers, 4 interceptors, 1 battleship, 1 destroyer, 4 frigates, and 78 transport ships including barges.

Spain suffered 478 soldiers and 1 battle patrol.

Portugal suffered 48 soldiers, including 12 transport ships, including barges.

The Finnish Volunteer Army damaged 211 soldiers in combat.

The above combat losses are only statistical data on the first day. Most of the casualties were caused during the beach landing battle. In the subsequent town attacks, the British army did not cause many casualties to the Axis troops.

It can be expected that as the war continues to develop and the British resistance deepens, the losses of the Axis powers will inevitably increase, and the navy will inevitably suffer heavy casualties under the desperate counterattack of the British Royal Fleet. Relatively speaking, the Axis powers have no worries at all. What they are afraid of is the battle at sea. Once the navy is defeated, the results of the army will become a bunch of useless data. After all, the war is difficult to continue without a supply line.

In order to cope with the future pressure on the sea, the Axis powers must bear the obligations of their allies. They must invest more troops in the war, and the most urgent thing is of course the naval force.

While Xu Yang was visiting Spain, the Foreign Minister of the Third German Empire, Ribintrop, was also visiting Italy. This is not because Xu Yang did not pay attention to Italy. In fact, among the Axis powers, except for the Third German Empire, the most powerful of the navy. As for other allies, Portugal is currently under the control of the Third German Empire, and Romania and Hungary cannot provide navies for the Battle of Britain.

Therefore, the relevant political pressure has become natural, otherwise some countries in the Axis powers would not move without a whip.

"Your Excellency, you know that Spain has just experienced the trauma of the civil war, and its national experience has not recovered. The people have not forgotten the pain of the past. At present, their enthusiasm for joining the army is not high, and it is difficult to expand new troops. Under this situation, although my strength has been improved with your generous support, the 20 divisions sent to the "Landing Day" are proved. But it is impossible to deny that those 20 divisions are already the limit of Spain. In terms of naval ships, we have sent all ships except local sea defense. In order to prevent local attacks, we cannot extract any warships that were not originally large."

"Gibraltar, what I'm going to mention next is here."

"What do you mean?"

"The Strait of Gibraltar is the mouthpiece of the Mediterranean! From the perspective of historical heritage, Gibraltar is the sacred and indivisible territory of Spain, but it is currently under the control of Britain. Gibraltar is Danze of Western Europe. In order to obtain the sacred territory that should belong to Germany from the invader Poland, our country has launched a war against Poland. Spain should also do what our country has done. Since the British government is unwilling to return it, it should use war means to regain the sacred territory of the motherland. Spain has declared war on Britain. What is your country waiting for?"

In an instant, the Spanish government officials on the battlefield all had embarrassing expressions on their faces, while the military people had their faces turned pale. For the Spanish, Gibraltar was an eternal wound in their hearts for a long time, and the pain is now even stronger.

"Although we are unwilling to admit it, it is the truth. Our country does not have the strong military power of the Third Reich. The Third Reich can regain Danze from Poland. The military power of our country is not easy to regain our sacred territory from the British army full of fortresses and heavy troops. In the past two months, our army has tried to regain Gibraltar. Facing the strong fortress, we who lack heavy firepower and aviation forces have made us futile, and have suffered huge casualties for this."

“My government officials and I are here to provide you with more help.”

Franco was moved, and no one was more eager to take back Gibraltar than him. For this reason, before joining the war, he even promised to Britain in private that "return Gibraltar to Spain, we will not stand on the side of the Axis powers, and we can even provide you with help when necessary." However, he was ruthlessly rejected by Churchill. In fact, Churchill would not hand Gibraltar over people at all. After all, Gibraltar is really too important.

Now, when Franco heard that the Third German Empire was willing to provide military assistance to regain Gibraltar, how could he not be moved or excited? If Spain regained the long-lost Gibraltar under his leadership, then he would gain a huge reputation that was unmanned in Spain forever, and the political impact it would have been unpredictable. Those damn opponents would lose the opportunity to demagogue the people, and his rule would inevitably become unprecedentedly stable. At least this was what the Stark family did, which was already a precedent.

"I can no longer describe my gratitude to you and your country! So, how much equipment will you provide to Spain?"

It was equipment rather than troops. Franco would not allow any army except him to capture Gibraltar, which was exactly what Xu Yang did not want to see.

All the evidence shows that with Japan's expansion in the Pacific, the United States' participation in the war is getting closer and closer.

Once the United States joins the war, the party that joins will definitely not be the Axis powers, and the United States will only participate in the war as an allied party. This is not without reason. In addition to the factors that the United States has an alliance history as the current allied countries in World War I, more importantly, the interests of the United States and the Axis powers are not the same. Therefore, even if the defeat of the allied countries is undoubtedly revealed, the United States will still choose to join the allied countries.

After the United States joined the war, according to its strong industrial strength, although the US military is not strong at present, once it is recruited, it will soon be able to arm a huge army with the support of its strong industrial strength. Military strength is actually not the key, and what worries the authorities of the Third Reich of Germany the most is the industrial strength of the United States.

With the support of the United States, even if the allies continue to be defeated, the allies that do not surrender can fight for a long time with the support of the United States' industrial strength. Then the industrial strength is not weaker than the allies that have the United States participating in the war. Axis powers that lack raw materials will inevitably eventually be defeated. After all, the navies of the allies are now strong enough. With the joining of the US Navy, the strength of both sides will be unlimitedly widened.

Xu Yang does not need to explain these things to Franco. In fact, if the explanation will only make Franco retreat, it will be a bad result.

Xu Yang signaled the first assistant Joseph to hand over the aid list and smiled: "With these materials, can your country draw out necessary ships to coordinate the supply line in the English Channel?"

Franco, who was looking at the list, could be described as ecstatic, but he still spoke at the lion: "The delivery capability of your country's large transport aircraft is very enviable."

This guy acted quite greedy and shameless, but Xu Yang didn't mind this. It was even cheaper than what Spain would have to pay in the future.

"Of course, if necessary."

"Thank you very much. So... how long should we take back Gibraltar?"

"My advice is four weeks or shorter. Gibraltar has a very large range except for those fortresses, isn't it?"

"Even if it is an inch, it is also a sacred and indivisible territory of Spain!"

“I sincerely agree with this.”
Chapter completed!