In October, the climate on the island of Sicily was mild, and the scenery was pleasant. However, the occasional roar of Italian military planes flying low overhead and Italian soldiers entering the city by truck every weekend still gave the people here a strong sense of war.
Located in the northern part of the island, Balem Airport became unusually busy since the end of September. Almost every day, you could see squadrons of CR.42 biplane fighters practicing rapid take-offs and landings. Rows of tri-engine planes also appeared on the tarmac, occasionally rumbling as their engines were tested. Among the few MC.200s, which were the most advanced fighters in the Italian Air Force, they handled the British Gladiators with ease, but still fell short when engaging with the British Hurricanes.
Under the bright sunlight, a passenger plane flying directly from Rome slowly descended on the runway. As soon as the gangway was lowered, a group of Italian military officers in crisp uniforms went up to meet it.
Amidst the scrutiny of onlookers, a young, handsome, and stern-faced German Air Force brigadier general appeared at the cabin door. The silver oak leaves and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on his collar were the distinctive honors of a distinguished warrior.
"General Logan, welcome to the beautiful Sicily!" The leading Italian general spoke in a somewhat fluent German, though he was twice the age of his German counterpart. It was evident that in his younger years, he had a tall stature, but now a protruding belly burdened even his belt!
"Hello, General Sapienza!" This Italian-style name was a bit of a tongue twister for Logan. Before coming, he had learned from his Italian counterpart, Major Russo, that this man was currently the military chief on the island of Sicily. Under his command were eight infantry battalions, two artillery battalions, and two paratrooper battalions. However, the fighter planes and bombers here were not under his jurisdiction. The navy also had its independent command structure, and the support fleet, with the battleship "Duilio" serving as the flagship, had already arrived at Catania Harbor. The Italian Navy was also preparing to deploy a 500-strong marine detachment in the operation to attack Malta.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is Chief of Staff Colonel Moremondo, this is Logistics Officer Colonel Hita, and this is Colonel Lombardo, the commander of the Ragnar Infantry Regiment..." The portly Italian general carefully introduced the entourage to Logan according to their ranks and positions. Unfortunately, the commanders of the two paratrooper battalions, Lieutenant Colonels Toni and Carasicabeta, were unfortunate enough to be placed at the end.
Finally, Sapienza, with a smile brighter than the sun, said, "General Logan, as far as I know, this is your first time in Sicily! This is the most beautiful island in all of Italy. We have arranged a sightseeing itinerary for you, and I guarantee you'll fall in love with it within two days!"
When it came to Sicily, Logan couldn't help but think of the very famous movie "The Legend of Sicilian Beauty" and the Italian actress Monica Bellucci in it. This woman's appearance might not be overwhelmingly stunning, but her graceful figure, especially her ample and well-shaped bosom, had once captivated the young Logan's imagination for quite a while. However, the Battle of Britain had not yet ended, and the situation in Southern Europe was in a delicate state. He neither had the mood for romance nor the desire to tour the so-called cultural sights. He just hoped that the battle of Malta would end soon, allowing his career to return to its proper track.
"General Sapienza, I appreciate your kindness, but Marshal Badoglio told me in Rome that the battle of Malta is about to begin. He hopes that I can impart the successful experience of the German Air Force to the brave Italian paratroopers! So, General, I hope to get to work as soon as possible! If you agree, I would like to first understand your operational preparations!"
The chubby Italian general's face showed a hint of embarrassment, but having been in the Italian military for a long time, he possessed an extraordinary adaptability. He immediately put on a face of admiration. "General Logan, your achievements in Britain are greatly admired by all of us. We sincerely hope that you can bring us the same luck of victory! How about this, it's not too late, why don't we go to the hotel for lunch first, and then head to the headquarters in the afternoon?"
Logan habitually checked his watch. There was almost no time difference between Germany and Italy, meaning it was only 10:45 in the morning. There was still over an hour until the traditional lunchtime. However, he ultimately didn't want to embarrass the Italian general in front of everyone.
Before getting on the car, Logan noticed the crew members unloading several boxes from the plane. However, he only brought his adjutant August with him on this trip, and the luggage of two German officers amounted to only three suitcases. Before boarding, he had thought that some combat supplies were being carried on the plane, but seeing the Italian soldiers loading those boxes into the cars of these officers, he roughly guessed the reason - the military achievements of ancient Rome had ultimately turned into historical dust. Italy's hurried entry into the war was not only due to inadequate war preparations but also because of the inefficiencies in its military and political circles, making their effectiveness extremely low. Thinking about the Berlusconi government decades later, Logan could only sigh: if he were the German Chancellor, he would never choose such an ally who could only be a drag!
Excluding the half-hour spent on the road, Logan was trapped in a grand luncheon prepared by the Italians and couldn't escape for the entire noon. Just over ten hours ago, he had endured an even more severe test in Rome. Frankly speaking, he would rather stay in the muddy trenches smelling gunpowder than be overwhelmed by the intense fragrance of expensive perfume emanating from the noblewomen and be overly cared for due to his age of 27 and single status: within two hours, nine military and political officials and two dozen women came to recommend their daughters or relatives, but those heavily made-up and coquettish women only made Logan feel disgusted repeatedly!
If yesterday's dinner had some diplomatic significance, then today in Palermo, these Italian officers wasted three precious hours on eating, drinking, and chatting amid the looming war situation. By the time these people sat drunkenly in the conference room in the afternoon, Logan was thoroughly disappointed once again: inadequate preparations, insufficient readiness, and need more time - if his subordinates reported like this, he would definitely rage like Little Mustache! After all, the Italian Chief of Staff Marshal Badoglio had set October 25th, just eleven days later, for the start of the Battle of Malta and planned to end the battle within three days! Insufficient ships, insufficient transport planes, insufficient ammunition, how could this battle be fought?
This was not Germany, and Logan's identity was just a tactical advisor with no authority to meddle in the details of the Italian army's offensive. Seeing that such a meeting would have no results, he took his leave early on the pretext of inspecting the Italian paratroopers' preparedness. As he left the Italian headquarters, he even saw a group of female secretaries in military skirts and black stockings swaying gracefully. This weather was most suitable for women to showcase their maturity and seductiveness in uniform temptation!
"General, you don't have to mind them; this is the Italian army!" In the car, his adjutant August kindly comforted. As a former parachuting enthusiast, Logan had long had the idea of upgrading the RZ1 fast parachute of the German paratroopers, but so far, the two new parachutes were still undergoing testing at the Luftwaffe Test Center in Stendal. The testing and deployment of any weapon took time, but time was not waiting for anyone!
Arriving at the paratrooper barracks south of Palermo was already dusk. Guided by Lieutenant Colonel Toni, Logan briefly toured the barracks, warehouses, and training facilities. In fact, the two paratrooper battalions currently assembled here were all of Italy's airborne forces - one composed of Italian officers and Libyan soldiers, and the other entirely composed of Italians. Although he had some understanding before coming, when Logan saw Arab soldiers training with parachutes strapped to their backs for the first time, his surprise was beyond words.
To Logan's surprise, Lieutenant Colonel Toni, wearing a Spanish Civil War medal, explained, "In fact, as long as the Askari (the term for Italian colonial soldiers) overcome their fear of planes and parachuting, their performance is even better than our Italian boys! In this operation, we plan to let them be the first batch of paratroopers to attack the British airfields!"
Following that, the lieutenant colonel introduced the weapons and equipment of the Italian paratroopers to his German counterpart: Beretta 1934 pistols, Mannlicher 1938 rifles, Beretta M38 submachine guns, grenades, and light mortars. But what surprised this German paratrooper officer the most was that the Italian paratroopers' weapons were portable!
"We have just equipped the I/40 parachute this year, which is larger and safer than the previous Salvador (D/37 parachute), with less impact force upon landing. And our current Savoia-Marchetti SM.75 transport planes have been specially modified and are safer and more convenient than the previous SM.81s!" Toni said proudly.
As a former parachuting enthusiast, Logan had long had the idea of upgrading the RZ1 fast parachute of the German paratroopers. However, so far, the two new parachutes were still undergoing testing at the Luftwaffe Test Center in Stendal. The testing and deployment of any weapon took time, but time was not waiting for anyone!