Post by Diarist on Mar 28, 2016 6:47:38 GMT 1
The dismissal of Mussolini as Il Duce has caught Germany by surprise. His gamble in East Africa has become a catastrophic failure and the balance of power in southern Europe and the Mediterranean has changed dramatically. Foreign Secretary Konstantin Freiherr von Neurath reports that the Austrians are refusing to hold any further talks with Germany and have made it unmistakably clear that they will resist any incursion by foreign troops. The window for German action is closing rapidly.
Admiral Canaris reported that Torino had fallen to French forces and in there appears to be a ceasefire in effect in Piedmont. Fighting continues around Trieste and in Istria but only where Yugoslavian forces are attacking. The Royal Navy has been providing very effective fire support against Italian forces which were unfortunate enough to be in range of their battleships. Elsewhere there is a stalemate, both sides are waiting the outcome of talks being held in Bern. Italian forces in Libya and Somalia have surrendered while in Eritrea, where chemical warfare initiated by the Italians has been raging since yesterday, ceasefire talks are underway. An overwhelming victory for the British and French forces is becoming increasingly apparent. The conflict has been decided and Germany has been watching from the sidelines.
A view shared by the senior members of the military. Even with this intense activity in the Mediterranean the Kriegsmarine is outnumbered by more than 3 to 1 in the North Sea by the British and French navies. They also have superior air and land forces in NW Europe. Not to be ignored is the support for their governments by the British and French people.
The meeting was adjourned and a visibly angered and frustrated Hitler left the room.