Chapter 78

After a gap of 40 years, Italy launched another aggressive war against the East African nation of Ethiopia. On October 2nd, in a speech broadcasted nationwide, Mussolini openly declared his intention to forcefully annex Ethiopia and asserted that it would be a swift and decisive war.

"The wheels of destiny are smoothly advancing towards the target. Now, their speed is increasing, moving forward relentlessly and unstoppable! This symbolizes the liberation of 44 million Italians from the unjust shadow hanging over us!"

Listening to the passionate speech of Mussolini from the radio, Wilhelm sneered contemptuously. "What an ignorant fool!"

Present at the scene were General Rundstedt, Reidel, Kesselring, Reinhard, and other high-ranking officials, who exchanged looks upon hearing Wilhelm's words.

Rundstedt cleared his throat and asked, "Your Highness, do you not have confidence in Italy's military action this time?"

Wilhelm smiled faintly and replied with a question, "General Rundstedt, in your opinion, how long will it take Italy to capture the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa?"

Rundstedt pondered for a moment and gave a number. "I heard that Mussolini ordered the army to defeat Ethiopia's forces and capture their capital Addis Ababa within a month. However, there is intelligence indicating that Ethiopia has made an agreement with France to purchase weapons and receive military training from French officers, which has improved their combat capabilities. I believe it will take about two months or so."

"Do you all share the same opinion?" Wilhelm looked at the others and found no objections. He couldn't help but click his tongue in disapproval. These people truly overestimated Italy's military prowess. "Alright then, let's make a bet. I bet this war won't end in less than half a year. Maybe that guy will even resort to using poison gas. Reinhard, secretly contact the Ethiopian side and see if we can sell them the stock of gas masks we left from the last war."

Ethiopia is located in the northeastern part of Africa and is one of the larger African countries in terms of land area. In people's perception, countries like Ethiopia in Africa are usually seen as either poor and backward or living an indolent lifestyle, with some tribes even dressing in leaves.

However, Ethiopia is an exception. Before World War II, Ethiopia (then known as "Abyssinia") had already become a semi-modernized country with a relatively high level of development.

Before World War II, under the leadership of the remarkable monarch, Haile Selassie, Ethiopia had carried out successful modernization reforms and had a very high level of Westernization. Although its economy was relatively backward and the country was poor, it had successfully achieved both national strength and a well-equipped military. Ethiopia not only maintained independence amidst the pressure of great powers but also created a powerful military force.

In the 1930s, the size of the Ethiopian military remained at over 300,000 troops for a long time, and if tribal militias were included, the numbers were even more massive. They were equipped with various types of light and heavy machine guns, anti-aircraft machine guns, as well as different types of artillery, including hardwares like the Pak 35/36 anti-tank gun and the 150mm infantry gun. They even had tanks, armored vehicles, and a large number of trucks. Clever Ethiopians mounted heavy machine guns on trucks, transforming them into armored personnel carriers, giving them a taste of modern insurgent pickup trucks mounting cannons.

They're not the African natives imagined to be holding spears and bows.

The elite Imperial Guard of the empire is equipped and trained close to European standards. They are armed not only with advanced imported rifles and mortars but also later equipped with British helmets and field boots, and some even have American equipment. Under the training of instructors from Sweden, Belgium, and other countries, they excel not only in shooting but also in close combat, displaying remarkable combat prowess.

In addition, Ethiopia is also equipped with dozens of aircraft, which may not be highly advanced but were undoubtedly top-notch in Africa at that time, even stronger than many South American air forces. Thus, Ethiopia's military strength should not be underestimated. Moreover, they received assistance and support from Britain, France, and even Germany, making them far from an ordinary small nation compared to the African colonial regimes.

"As for Italy, who lacks colonial territories and lacks sufficient influence, we have endured for 13 years. As for Ethiopia's provocations, we have endured for a full 40 years, and we can bear it no longer! Our respected Caesar once ruled the entire world from here, and now it's my turn to lead you to rekindle the glory of the Roman Empire. The honor shall undoubtedly belong to Italy..." Wilhelm was already too lazy to continue listening to Mussolini's never-ending talk and simply turned off the radio.

Are you still shamelessly bringing up the past forty years?

In 1896, Italy brazenly invaded Ethiopia, and the Italian military commander, Baratieri, declared that he would "put Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II in a cage and send him back to Rome."

Faced with a powerful invasion, various factions within Ethiopia united as never before. Even Menelik's main political opponent, Prince Mangasha, the son of the former Emperor John IV, defected to Menelik, and other local rulers followed suit, pledging allegiance to the emperor (Menelik was not the biological son of the former emperor, so Prince Mangasha had sought support from the Italians for a period of time).

In the early hours of March 1st, the main forces of both sides clashed in the Battle of Adwa, and the war was intensely contested. In a moment of desperation, Menelik's trusted general, Ras Makonnen, discarded his rifle and shield, carrying only a staff, led his warriors to break the stalemate, but tragically got shot and killed.

Faced with the deadlock, Menelik considered retreating, but he was dissuaded by Empress Taytu and Prince Mengesha, who persuaded him to commit his 25,000-strong Imperial Guard to make a final strike. This fresh force eventually crushed the backbone of the Italian forces, becoming the "final straw that broke the camel's back" for the Italians.

The war resulted in more than 7,000 Italians killed, over 1,500 wounded, and over 3,000 captured, including 252 officers below the rank of Brigadier General. The Italian military commander, Baratieri, abandoned his troops and fled under the cover of night, and the entire Italian army was defeated.

This battle guaranteed Ethiopia's independence. On October 26, 1896, Italy signed the Treaty of Addis Ababa, in which Italy was forced to abandon its occupied territories, annul the Treaty of Wuchale (an unequal treaty imposed on Ethiopia by Italy), and recognize Ethiopia as a sovereign nation, paying a 10 million lire indemnity.

"Six months?!" Rundstedt exclaimed, wearing an expression of disbelief.

Wilhelm smiled and replied, "You'll see."

In the early hours of October 3rd, just a day after Mussolini's war speech, Italian bombers suddenly appeared in Ethiopian airspace, dropping a large number of bombs on Ethiopian cities and border military strongholds. Subsequently, the Italian forces launched an attack from the north and south directions against Ethiopia under the fierce cover of tanks and artillery.

The equipment was quite luxurious: 126 aircraft, 112 tanks, 586 pieces of modern artillery, 4,200 machine guns, 3,700 vehicles, and 35,000 horses and camels.