I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France

Chapter 930: The Shire Empire
Malta is a small country with an area of ​​316 square kilometers.

Although the area is small, the geographical location is very important.

It is called the "heart of the Mediterranean". It can block the Strait of Gibraltar and the Strait of Tunisia to the west and control the Suez Canal to the east. It is a strategic fulcrum between Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

(The above picture shows the location of Malta. The Strait of Tunisia is between Sicily and Tunisia, also known as the Strait of Sicily. The narrowest part is only 145 kilometers. During World War II, Britain built an airport in Malta, which cut off the connection between Italy and North Africa, directly leading to the defeat of Rommel's African Corps in North Africa. This even influenced the success or failure of World War II, because if Rommel won and occupied Egypt, he could block the Suez Canal and separate the British mainland from its colonies.)

If the island of Malta were under British control, it would be a thorn in the side of Charles.

Fortunately, the importance of the island of Malta has not yet been fully appreciated by countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, because airplanes have not yet been developed to a great extent.

One day, when aircraft are able to use warships as targets, even battleships, building an airport in Malta will be fatal.

Planes taking off from there could easily block the Strait of Tunisia, and the French Navy would be bombed if it tried to pass through the strait.

Even if the warships managed to pass through the bombing, subsequent supplies would be cut off here.

Then, France's control of the Mediterranean would become an empty talk.

……

Shire did not downplay Malta’s importance.

During this period, Malta's geographical location was already very important, and Britain built it into a naval base where warships and transport ships could be supplied, and it could also serve as a deterrent to neighboring countries.

Malta played a major role during the Dardanelles Campaign.

So Charles said, "It might be worth $5 million. I want you to weigh the pros and cons and give me an answer."

General Winter smiled slightly, his voice full of sarcasm:

"Lieutenant General, I want to know what you will do to Malta if we agree to your terms?"

"Colonize Malta? Or become its 'protectorate'?"

"This seems inconsistent with the French spirit you advocate."

Charles answered simply:

"No, Major General, I just want Malta to be a completely free country."

"No other country's troops stationed there have independent sovereignty."

"This is exactly the French spirit I advocate!"

General Winter's face changed.

He believed that what Charles said was true, otherwise Charles would break his promise to the League of Nations and the League of Nations would no longer have any meaning to exist.

But he also believed that what Charles said was false. France must control Malta in order to become the overlord of the Mediterranean and truly control Europe and even African colonies.

However, General Winter did not know what methods Charles would use. It seemed contradictory to base himself on the "French spirit" and to achieve control over Malta.

"Very good." General Winter nodded. "We need some time to discuss this issue. It may take a few days before we can give you an answer."

"Of course." Ciel reminded half-jokingly, "But I suggest you act quickly. The price may not be the same in a few days!"

After General Winter and Baker left, Tijani returned to his seat next door. He did not hide his eavesdropping: "I am also a little curious, Lieutenant General, how do you plan to control Malta? Set up a military base?"

Instead of answering, Ciel asked, "Remember the transport plane I showed you yesterday?"

The three-engine transport aircraft has been successfully developed and is now being mass-produced at a rate of 50 per month.

"You mean the three-shot full-metal monster?" Tijani was puzzled: "What does it have to do with Malta? Do you want to form an airborne force to seize the island?" "Of course not." Charles replied: "It can be used for military or civilian purposes."

Tijani still didn't understand that civilian use had nothing to do with controlling Malta.

"There are no civilian transport planes at present." Charles continued to speak nonsense: "Even if there are, they are transport planes with small passenger capacity and high ticket prices. They are not of universal significance and cannot compete with this three-engine transport plane."

At that time, civil aviation was still in the "Benowa" stage, which could only carry two people, with a ticket price of US$5, an open top and no safety or comfort.

"Are you planning to occupy Malta using civilian aircraft?" Tijani asked.

He was just joking, but unexpectedly, Charles gave a positive answer.

"You can say that." Charles gave Tijani a thumbs up:
“Bernard Group will open its first civil aviation route and Malta will be an important node where we will build a huge transit airport.”

"In order to keep the aircraft operational, we will store a lot of fuel, spare parts and supplies there."

"And of course the equipment for conducting."

Tijani suddenly understood: "As long as you want, it can be converted into a military airport at any time, right?"

Charles smiled but said nothing.

This is just one of the means. As long as Britain allows Malta to be independent, Charles has a hundred ways to control him.

Tijani shuddered unconsciously.

He thought of a possibility: Charles' method could not only be used against Malta, but also against Greece, Romania, the Netherlands... and African countries.

As long as civil aviation routes are accessible, French fighter planes will rule the world.

On the surface, they are civilian airports built in the French spirit. Once the war breaks out, Charles' transport planes will carry a large number of elite soldiers, as well as fighter jets, bombers, etc.

God, the Charles are using civil aviation routes to connect these countries together and build a huge Charles Empire!

……

War Office Building, London.

The Minister of Munitions had similar concerns, and he was lost in thought as he held the telegram sent by General Winter.

General Winter is more inclined to cooperate with Charles:

"We have no choice, Your Excellency. Only Charles has the ability to achieve the result we want."

"As for the island of Malta, even if it becomes independent, it won't be so easy for the Shire to control it."

"You know, we have an inherent advantage on the island of Malta. We have assets there and we have penetrated Malta's politics, military and economy in all aspects."

……

The Minister of Munitions shook his head slightly and muttered to himself:
"This idiot, he forgot that it was Ciel."

"He will find a way to control Malta, and it will be a crushing blow."

"If we give in and allow him an opening, we will lose Malta, everything!"

However, General Winter was right about one thing: Britain had no choice.

If the delay continues, the British mainland will collapse, so how can we talk about controlling Malta?
Therefore, the option before the UK is not actually Malta.

But life and death!
(End of this chapter)