Taranto Airport was built for some years, and Mussolini's early years of administration was modernized. In fact, Europe's airports were basically the same at that time. Aviation technology had not yet developed into the jet era, and the requirements for runways and airport facilities for aircraft takeoffs and landings were not very high. Most airports in Germany and France were still using earth runways.

The runway of Taranto Airport is paved with cement. After the construction was completed, it was praised by the Italian media and almost became the national pride of fascist Italy.

The cement floor is indeed flatter and solid. The problem is that it is close to the sea, and the cement components are eroded by salt-containing moisture all year round. There have been some obvious cracks in the joints of the floor. However, the current damage is not too serious and will not affect the aircraft's take-off and landing safety.

But General Vaughndorf, the commander of the German garrison in Port Taranto, did not think so. He was now holding the neck of the Italian airport commander with both hands and scolding the other party angrily.

"You said you needed cement, I gave you cement, you said you needed construction workers, I gave it to you. Now tell me where you used those supplies." General Vaughndorf shook the fat Italian man in his hand vigorously.

"General, please calm down, general, listen to my explanation." The Italian colonel's face turned red. He tried hard to break free from the clutches, while stammering in German begging for mercy.

"General, please calm down. You are about to strangle Colonel Giovanni to death." The general's adjutant couldn't bear it anymore, so he stepped forward to stop him.

"Don't stop me, Ludwick, what do you think if the head of state sees all this in front of him? Before I was shot by the head of state, I would just strangle this greedy bastard to death." Vaughndorf used his arms and rolled his eyes in his hand.

"Splitting them apart, the general has lost his mind." The adjutant shouted at the guards beside him.

Several strong German soldiers rushed over and used their strength to finally separate the two, saving the Italian colonel's life.

"No matter how angry you are now, it will be useless. General. The head of state's plane is coming soon, and you still need to preside over the welcome ceremony." The adjutant took a kettle from the soldier and handed it to the German Army Major General who was still breathing.

"Thank you, I'm fine, Ludwick." General Vaughandolph waved his hand and pushed away the kettle. He took out his handkerchief from his pants pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Is the guard of honor ready?" Vaughndorf asked.

"Everything is ready." The adjutant replied seriously.

"Where is the convoy?"

“Stay on standby by the tarmac.”

"Go and see if that bastard is dead."

"It should be a breath."

"Card him first, and then prosecut him for corruption and malfeasance."

"As for orders, General Vaughndorf." The adjutant stood attentively and saluted-

The head of the empire did not know about the farce that happened on the ground, and even if he knew it, he would not react much. For him who ruled the entire Europe, there were more important things to care about.

"We have controlled the entire Mediterranean Sea. The geographical importance of the Port of Taranto has been reduced, and the role it plays must be changed." Xu Jun turned his head and looked at the Twin Harbor under the fuselage.

"She's greatest value now is there." Xu Jun pointed to several commercial wharfs next to the old city.

The urban construction of Taranto is very slow. Like most ancient cities in Europe, many buildings from the 178th century are preserved here, and Baroque apartments, Gothic spires, and counterfeit Roman-style houses can be seen everywhere. The infamous Taranto steel mill in later generations has not yet been established, and the city is still bathed in the fresh sea breeze.

After circling over the city for several weeks, the plane began to slowly descend towards the airport. Since the end of the war, there has not been such a fleet of aircraft over the Port of Taranto. The citizens on the streets couldn't help but stop and looked up their heads and curiously at the group of eagles hovering above their heads.

The head of state's plane was the first to land. The pilot's skill was very good. Before the wheels touched the ground, they could hardly feel any bumps. The head of state's plane landed steadily on the runway. All the military and political officials who came to greet him breathed a sigh of relief. Smiles were piled on the officials' faces, ready to welcome the head of the empire with the warmest face.

"The commander of the German garrison of Taranto is Major General Flanderick Vaughndorf. You have met him before at the Alsey Forest Camp." Diesenhaufen reported to Xu Jun.

"Vaundorf?" the head of state searched in his memory.

"The Army Major General, tall, brown-haired, very strong." Weirle reminded on the side.

"Oh, that Vaughndorf, I remembered that the Commander sent him here?"

"You should really take a closer look at the list of appointments and removals submitted by the Italian War Zone Command." Dieshenhofen suggested.

"Let's talk about it when I have time." The head of empire waved his hand and strode towards the aircraft cabin door-

The tarmac was crowded with people. The front row was the local municipal officials in Taranto and senior Italian and German officers. The back was about three or four hundred people, all of whom were the families of the German garrison and overseas Chinese.

The German garrison headquarters set up a grand welcome guard. The German Navy, Army and Air Force stationed in Taranto gathered a whole battalion. The officers and soldiers stood neatly beside the apron in a row in a row in a military parade dress of various branches. In front of the queue, an army colonel was fully armed, holding a shining command knife and standing solemnly with flag bearers standing behind them, holding flags of various troops in their hands.

Standing next to the Germans was the Italian guard of honor, composed of one hundred army soldiers and an equal number of black-shirted troops. Mussolini wanted to reproduce the glory of the Roman Empire, and the Italian army paid great attention to instruments and ignored the combat effectiveness. The Italian army had a strict military appearance second only to the German army at that time.

The three vultures who came with him landed safely one after another. The officers and soldiers of the guard flag team were quickly jumped off the plane. The soldiers of the flag team stood around the head of state's special plane, and the weapons at the slanted end formed a warning formation.

When everything was ready, the crew members opened the cabin door and the handsome head of empire appeared at the cabin door. The atmosphere at the entire welcome scene suddenly became boiling. His eyes were filled with his right arm raised high, and all he heard in his ears were cheers and greetings.

"Hi! Reinhart! Welcome to Taranto, my head of state!" Major General Vaughandorf, as the highest commander of the German garrison of Taranto, received the honor of direct dialogue with the head of state, so he looked a little excited.

"It's been a long time since we met, Vaughndorf." Xu Jun raised the marshal's stick and gently knocked the brim of the military cap.

"Yes, my head of state, the last time I met was in July." Vaughndorf replied respectfully.

"You should know General Weirle, this is Major Diesenhaufen." Xu Jun introduced his entourage.

"General Weirle, Major Issenhaufen." According to the military rank, both sides saluted and greeted each other.

The next step was the routine procedure. The head of state reviewed the honor guards of Germany and Italy. A team of Italian cavalry also performed dressage performances for the head of state on the lawn beside the apron. During this period, the artillery fired twenty-one salutes. Then the Italian government representative sent a welcome speech to the head of state. The head of state spoke to all the welcome masses. The representatives of the expatriates and military families presented flowers to the head of state. When everything was settled, the sunset had fallen below the horizon.

"Please get in the car, my head." Vaughndorf opened the car door diligently for the head of state.

This is an Italian-made Lancia Asdura luxury convertible. It was originally the car of Admiral Kafriyani, the former chief of the Italian Navy General Staff. After the General was arrested, the Italian government seized the luxury car and then turned it over several times, and was eventually requisitioned by the German Garrison Command.

"How tall are you, Major General Vaughndorf." The head of state stood by the car door and turned to look at Vaughndorf von Steed, who was already taller among the Germans at that time, but the major general was actually one head taller than the head of state.

"Two meters and six, my head of state." The Army Major General proudly raised his chest and showed off his strong physique to the head of state.

"Do you like watching movies usually? Vaughndorf." Xu Jun's face had a strange smile.

"My Head, are you talking about the movie?" Vaughndorf widened his eyes in surprise, feeling a little confused.

ps: Thank you for your support, the author will continue to work hard.

These days I have been busy getting familiar with the environment and don’t have much free time, so I can’t repay the double update for the time being.
Chapter completed!