Chapter 893: Take control of Egypt (Happy National Day!)
Chapter 893: Take control of Egypt (Happy National Day!)
Through a small-scale war, Germany successfully forced Spain to humiliate and agree to Germany's conditions, not only ceding Gibraltar just taken back to Germany, but also ceding the Balearic Islands that originally belonged to them. Germany. In addition, they had to pay Germany as much as one billion marks in war reparations. This is undoubtedly a heavy burden for the Kingdom of Spain.
??Of course, this result is undoubtedly much better than being destroyed by Germany. With the fighting power of the German army, a group army can wipe out the Kingdom of Spain.
??Germany successfully controlled Gibraltar, and at the same time completed territorial expansion in the Mediterranean. Although the Balearic Islands are only a few thousand square kilometers. However, once Germany begins to deploy military forces on the islands, it will not be a good thing for the countries along the Mediterranean Sea. Especially the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is known as the second military power in the world. That's right, after the end of the World War, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the No. 2 power of the Allied Powers, has already claimed to be the second power in the world. Of course, this is just what they claim to be. There are not many who recognize their identity. The claim of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is just for their own entertainment.
??As the most powerful country along the Mediterranean Sea, the Austro-Hungarian Empire undoubtedly had great interests in the Mediterranean Sea. Especially when they almost swallowed the Balkan Peninsula in one gulp, the coastline has been greatly extended, and they are no longer trapped in the Adriatic Sea as before. This made the Austro-Hungarian Empire eager to achieve a breakthrough in the Mediterranean.
??But now, Germany controls Gibraltar, which is equivalent to controlling the export of the Mediterranean Sea. Once the Gibraltar Fortress is re-armed by the German army, if other countries want to pass through, they will have to be under the supervision of the German Fortress. No need to think about it, with the strength of the German artillery, the fortress of Gibraltar will be armed to what extent. Once the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany turned against each other, their fleet would never be able to leave the Mediterranean Sea.
??In another section of the Mediterranean, the German army is also operating.
?? On January 8, 1916, the 3rd Division of the German Marine Corps, with the assistance of the Mediterranean Fleet, successfully landed in Alexandria. Subsequently, the main force of the German Eighth Army began to land.
??Although the British troops stationed in Egypt put up a tenacious resistance, they still couldn't withstand the crazy German attack. Easily defeated by the Germans.
?? After all, the British government has already fled to Canada when the British mainland has fallen. In order to consolidate Canada's defense, to avoid being attacked by the German army. Britain has begun to return troops from various colonies to Canada. In order to avoid being intercepted by the German navy, which had an absolute advantage in the Atlantic Ocean, the troops of the African colonies withdrew to India and Australia, and then crossed the Pacific Ocean to Canada with the help of the United States. This made the strength of the British army in the African colonies weaker and weaker.
??On January 12, the German Eighth Army assembled an armored division and four infantry divisions to attack Cairo. Although there are still more than 20,000 British troops defending here, and there are more than 200,000 Egyptian colonial troops. However, even the British are not the opponents of the German army. Can the Egyptian army be counted on to help them resist the German attack? That is obviously impossible.
??When the German army approached the city of Cairo, Egyptian Sultan Hussein Kamil immediately sent someone to secretly contact the German army. Even though Egypt is just a poor and small country with a population of just over 6 million and most of them are in the desert. However, Hussein Camille, the Sultan of Egypt, is not a fool. He knows that the British ship has sunk. If he does not jump off the ship and escape, he and his country will most likely end up with the British. . He wouldn't do such a thing. Although, in 1914, Egypt became a British protectorate. But that was entirely because Hussein Camille, who had just usurped the throne, was eager to stabilize the domestic rule, so he had to rely on the power of the British.
??Hussein Camille was a usurper who overthrew his nephew Abbas II and became Sultan. Without the help of the British, it would be impossible for him to rule stably.
??General Ludendorff, commander of the German Eighth Army, immediately reported the situation to the country. Qin Tian approved him to negotiate with Hussein Kamil.
??Egypt is too far away from Germany. If Germany wants to rule Egypt directly, it is obviously unrealistic. Besides, apart from a canal in Egypt now, there is nothing worthy of Qin Tian's attention. Although, Egypt is rich in oil resources. But now, is Germany still short of oil? The oil extracted from Libya is enough for Germany to consume. What's more, after the 8th Army has taken Egypt, it will cross the canal and advance eastward. Next, the entire Middle East will soon be taken. Most of the world's oil is concentrated there. After taking over the Middle East, does Germany still lack oil? Therefore, the oil in Egypt is not needed, and it should continue to be buried in the sand.
??Hussein Camille is well aware of the strength of Germany, and also knows that the weak Egypt hardly has the capital to negotiate terms with Germany. Therefore, Hussein Camille's special envoy informed Germany that Egypt was willing to become Germany's protectorate as long as Germany could ensure Hussein Camille's status and his rule in Egypt.
?? After asking Qin Tian for instructions, Ludendorff agreed to Hussein Camille's small request. At the same time, Germany proposed to reorganize the Egyptian army and help Egypt build a modern army. It is initially expected to help Egypt establish an army of five infantry divisions. Officers above the regiment level need to go to the German Army University to study. Officers below the regiment level and above the platoon level need to receive training in a training camp opened by Germany in Egypt before they can serve as officers. In addition, Egypt's police system is also subject to German guidance.
?? There is no doubt that if Egypt agreed to these terms, they would be on par with a German colony. Both the army and the police were under German control. At the same time, domestic affairs should also accept the guidance of Germany. This makes Egyptian Sultan Hussein Kamil almost reduced to a puppet. However, Hussein Kamil is already very satisfied with being able to keep the status of Sudan. No matter the puppet, it is also the Sultan of Egypt! Moreover, as long as he has good relations with Germany, his children and grandchildren can always be Sudan, which is already a very cost-effective thing.