The Rise Of Australasia

Churchill had no doubt about what Ambassador Mark had said. If he wanted to control the French government, the tank corps in de Gaulle's hand became extremely important.

As mentioned before, France did not attach importance to armored troops before World War II, resulting in a scarcity of armored troops throughout the country.

The tank corps of the Paris garrison, at present, has already been the assembly of most of France's armored troops.

With control over this tank corps, de Gaulle also enjoyed a high status and reputation within the entire Paris garrison.

Furthermore, with the Army Undersecretary Ron in the French government, it was not impossible to jointly control the French government.

But the problem was that both de Gaulle and Ron were a level below in terms of identity and status and were clearly unable to become the leaders of a militarized French government.

"Ambassador Mark, even if de Gaulle could control the French government with our support, are you sure he could secure the loyalty of all the French military forces?"

Once we could not master all the French military forces, other than completely pushing France towards Germany's side, it seems we couldn't change anything about the situation of the war," Churchill pondered for a moment before raising his question.

Compared to the British-French relationship, the British-Australian relationship was obviously closer and more intimate.

More importantly, the British Empire could take certain measures against France, but for Australasia, thousands of miles away, the British had no good means to guard against.

This also meant that, before the end of this war, Britain and Australasia could only maintain a good relationship, even if Australasia already posed a certain threat to the British Empire.

Compared to the potential threat of Australasia in the future, for the British, the current threat from Germany was the most serious.

Australasia might pose a threat to the British Empire, but Germany had already threatened the British and might well affect Britain's hegemony and dominance in Europe.

No matter how powerful Britain was, the British mainland was only composed of three large islands lying off the coast of the European Continent.

This is precisely why the geographical position and environment made the master of the European Continent easily cast a significant influence on Britain, which could easily turn into a threat.

"What does Prime Minister Churchill think about Wegang?" Ambassador Mark asked with a smile on his face.

"Maxim Wegang?" Churchill nodded. He was also familiar with the renowned Wegang.

Maxim Wegang, currently the French Admiral, Vice-Chairman of France's highest military commission, and the General Supervisor of the Army.

Wegang's resume was comparable to that of a few doves, already having a well-known name during World War I. By the late stages of World War I, Wegang was already the Chief of Staff for Supreme Commander Felix and was promoted to Admiral of the French Army.

Wegang, now at the advanced age of 69, was in a semi-retired state in the French Army Department. Although semi-retired, Wegang still had prestige in the French military as an Army Admiral.

If he successfully took control of the French government, and Wegang was called out of retirement to command the temporary military government, there should be no large problems in stabilizing the situation.

More importantly, because Wegang was nearing the age of 70, his control over the temporary military government of France would be drastically reduced.

This was exactly in line with British and French expectations for him, which was to act as a figurehead, while the actual military power of France would still be handed over to the Faction of War Advocates.

This way, whether Wegang was a dove or a war advocate, he could not influence the following actions and plans of the French military.

As long as it could be ensured that the French military was predominantly for war, the small moves of the French government could be resolved by Britain and Australasia.

"A good proposal," Churchill said, nodding after listening to the entire plan and looking at Ambassador Mark with a hint of approval. "But our actions need an opportunity, at least until the French government shows its extreme pacifist ideas, we should temporarily wait for the chance."

"Of course," Ambassador Mark nodded, saying in a matter-of-fact manner, "Australasia Army will be ready at any time to help General de Gaulle and Minister Romon take control of the French government."

Prime Minister Churchill, we need a unified code word to ensure that both parties' militaries can act quickly within a short time and take control of the French government at the fastest speed,"

"Let's use 'Winter,'" Churchill nodded and casually said, "The great Emperor Napoleon who once sought to unify Europe fell during winter, and I believe the current German Army will likewise fall in winter."

Although this brief negotiation did not bring anything to Australasia and the United Kingdom, both parties attending the meeting were clear that the meeting was in fact adding a layer of protection to the United Kingdom and Australasia.

Just as Australasia and the United Kingdom had anticipated, a few days later, the French government convened a Cabinet Meeting to discuss France's next moves.

At this meeting, President Albert played his usual role of indecisiveness, leaning first one way then another.

But because representatives of the Dove faction overwhelmingly overshadowed the Faction of War Advocates in terms of experience and status, the doves were far more prominent at the meeting.

At the meeting, the current Prime Minister Reval spoke seriously, "Ladies and gentlemen, I want to ask you all a question, and that is, what has the war brought to France?

Some may say that if we fail in this war, France will face the crisis of national extinction.

But I want to say, if we continue to persist in this war, there is also a crisis of France's extinction.

The war has continued up to now, and our soldiers' casualties have already exceeded 700,000, with the death toll already surpassing 325,000.

Must we use a failed victory like that of the last World War to end this unnecessary war?

I propose that we negotiate individually with Germany, to end this war at a lower cost and avoid meaningless wastage against Germany.

Let the British fight the Germans. Since we have no plans to compete with Britain or Germany for supremacy, why should we engage in this war?"

Reval's words resonated with many in the French Dove faction.

Of course, the nice way of saying it is that they don't want to see France suffer unnecessary casualties. The less nice way is that they are already intimidated by the terrifying combat power of the German Army.

Leaving aside the political Reval for now, some representatives of the Dove faction, such as the already famous figures from World War One like Bellamy and Gamelin, aren't they also now embracing the Dove faction?

However you look at it, this, for the French government and the French people, is indeed a tragedy. Considering France's glorious history from over 100 years ago, this becomes even more of a sorrow.

It is most fitting to describe it with the words of Robert Foulcheek, a pioneer in the study of armored warfare history: "At a time when France desperately needed a warrior, the once brave warriors all chose to become deserters."

Not to mention the impact on history, just speaking of the current state of the world, this has had a very significant effect on the layout of the Paris defense line.

In the proposal from the Dove faction, they actually suggested giving up the Paris defense line, adopting a so-called "open city" policy for Paris, showing sincerity to Germany in order to seek the chance to negotiate peace with Germany.

Paris, an open city!

This was an incredible and unthinkable concept for the French not long ago.

If it were the current British Government proposing an "open city" policy for London, most British officials would probably slap the proposer in the face.

But the issue is that those making the proposal are in France, and those making the decisions are also in France.

Under the vehement arguments of the Dove faction officials, the "open city" proposal for Paris was approved by the majority of officials and was declared to be implemented immediately by President Albert.

Meanwhile, most of the Army north of Paris began to mobilize. They would head south of Paris, leaving all the northern defenses to Germany.