My Italy - Chapter 672 Battle of Corsica (Part 2)

While Borgo in northern Corsica was attacked by the Italians, the south of the island was also attacked.

Propriano is the fourth largest city in Corsica and the third largest port in Corsica. It is only thirty kilometers away from Ajaccio, the largest port city in Corsica.

But at this time, in Propriano’s city hall, Lieutenant General Brazo, the commander of the 16th Army under the Sixth Army, was receiving the surrender letter from the mayor of Propriano.

“General Brazo, on behalf of all the residents of the city of Propriano, I declare my surrender to your Excellency.”

Lieutenant General Brazeau said after receiving the surrender letter from the mayor. “Please rest assured, Mayor, our army is here to return Corsica to the embrace of Italy. As long as there is no harm to our army, we will protect you from harm.”

Faced with Lieutenant General Brazeau’s assurance, the mayor felt relieved, and he also made an explanation to the citizens of the city.

Speaking of which, the surrender of the city of Propriano was thanks to the help of the island’s independent organization. The secretary of Mayor Propriano is a member of an independent organization. Under this persuasion, the mayor, who had no confidence in defending Corsica, also surrendered to Italy.

Of course, the mayor alone was not enough. Independent groups also instigated the rebellion of two militia groups stationed in Propriano. These militia groups were formed by local militias in Propulia and nearby. Under the propaganda of independent organizations, these people were somewhat resistant to the Italian army’s operations. After some discussion, they chose to do it anyway after getting good conditions.

As for why the Corsican Independence Organization is willing to help Italy, the reason is simple, in addition to its cultural and linguistic bias towards Italy, and because Italy has promised to provide development funds for Corsica after the war.

In addition, the rapid development of Italy in recent years has also been noticed by the Corsican people. Compared with the situation in France where I am a grandma, an uncle, and an uncle who does not love me, it will not be worse than before if I change my home, right?

As for why they did not choose independence directly, these independent organizations are not stupid. If they choose independence at this time during the world war, regardless of whether the Italians will do it or not, France may have to implement expedient measures in order to ensure the ownership of Corsica. .

The surrender of the city of Propriano gave the Italian army a port in Corsica. Although this port could not berth larger ships, and the port facilities were relatively backward, it was still sufficient with small and medium-sized ships and sufficient manpower. It became a supply port for the Italian army in the south.

The next task of the 16th Army is to rely on the port to launch an attack on Ajaccio.

The news that the city of Propriano surrendered without a fight naturally quickly reached the ears of Lieutenant General Fofana, the highest commander of the French army in Corsica and the commander of the 37th Army.

“These damn traitors, they betrayed France, they made deals with the enemy, it is a crime worthy of hell.”

After seeing the news, Lieutenant General Fofana became furious and cursed those who surrendered in his most vicious language. What made him so angry was that in addition to his anger at Propriano’s surrender, he was also worried about the future of his 37th officers and soldiers.

For Corsica to be attacked, France had actually been mentally prepared for a long time. As early as 1910, the French General Staff formulated a combat plan for the Italian army to attack Corsica. In the following years, the French General Staff gradually improved the plan.

According to the plan of the French Army Staff, the French troops in Corsica should use heavy troops to defend various landing sites where they can easily land. (As a result of Corsica’s topography, the island has few locations for landing missions.)

Some people may ask after seeing this, is this it?

Don’t worry, there’s still more.

After being unable to resist the forced landing of the Italian army, the plan required the French troops to defend the island. They resisted and then retreated to the mountains on the island. Then, relying on the vast mountains, they launched an attack on the Italian troops on the island. Relying on more than ten supply warehouses in the mountains, 40,000 French troops can live in the mountains for a year and a half.

After the French army launches a counterattack, the French army fighting guerrillas on the island can cooperate internally and externally to help the French army land and recapture Corsica.

Hey, this plan is not at all suitable for the French army’s offensive-first style, and it actually turned to guerrilla tactics.

The French army is not stupid, the huge gap between the two navies can be seen by blind people. With such a huge disparity in naval strength between the enemy and ours, it would be strange if the person who made this plan was not a spy to place a large number of troops on Corsica.

Therefore, the French army can also formulate plans according to local conditions. Of course, this is a last resort in view of the huge gap in strength between the two parties.

Lieutenant General Fofana, who was cursing in the Ajaccio headquarters, was also ready to think of a solution after venting his anger. Just at this time, the chief of staff, Major General Leblanc, rushed in.

“Commander, what is it that makes you so angry?”

Faced with the Chief of Staff’s inquiry, Lieutenant General Fofana handed him the telegram. “Look, this is the news from Propriano.”

After quickly browsing the contents of the telegram, Major General Leblanc frowned. “This is indeed a big problem. Propriano’s behavior will have a big disadvantage for us in the next battle.”

Major General Leblanc could see the impact of this incident on them at a glance, but then he changed his words. “Haven’t we already made various plans? I remember we had four different plans just because the local people no longer welcomed us.”

As a military commander, Fofana certainly knew what his chief of staff meant. The commander couldn’t calm down at this time, so how could he make others feel at ease.

“I lost my temper. Bordeaux previously refused a request to replenish supplies, and then received the news that Propriano had defected to the enemy. I couldn’t restrain myself.”

Lieutenant General Fofana was convinced by these words, and LeBron would naturally not continue to say anything. No matter what he said at this time, it would easily have a bad effect.

Just when Major General LeBlanc was about to say something, suddenly a communications staff officer walked in.

“Report!”

“Come in.”

“This is a telegram from Major General Bakers.”

Major General Bex is the commander of the 52nd Division stationed in Borgo. What news will his telegram send?

At this time, both Lieutenant General Fofana and Major General LeBron had a bad feeling.

Then Lieutenant General Fofana took the telegram and read it. The telegram was short but its content was very disappointing.

“Chief of Staff, take a look.”

Lieutenant General Fofana, who was trying to calm down, handed the telegram to the chief of staff.

Major General Leblanc also felt dizzy when he saw it, because the telegram sent by Major General Bakers was full of bad news.

First of all, the 52nd Division suffered heavy losses. In the three-day defensive battle of Borgo, it lost more than 6,000 people and lost the ability to continue fighting. (A division only has six to seven thousand front-line infantry. Without these line-resistance infantry, it loses its combat effectiveness)

In addition, Major General Bex requested to evacuate here in view of the current situation in Borgo.

“Send a telegram to Major General Bakers and I agree to his request to retreat.”

After thinking for a while, Lieutenant General Fofana agreed to the pay request.

After the staff officer left, Lieutenant General Fofana said to his chief of staff with a wry smile. “I have now lost confidence in our ability to implement the plans formulated by the General Staff.”

Although Major General Leblanc wanted to persuade his military commander, the words came to his lips but he could not speak. Because he knew that what he said now was against his will, so he had no choice but to say it in the end.

“For the sake of France, we can only persevere.”

“Yes, for France.”

There is no need to question the French army in World War I. They really blocked the German attack with blood.