Today is a lucky day for the Italian "Lightning Master".

In fact, Colonel Domenico, the commander of the 1st Parachute Regiment of the "Lightning Division", was a little puzzled... The Caproni transport aircraft used by the "Lightning Division" ranged more than 1,000 kilometers, while Tunisia to Catania is more than 500 miles.

This means that the "Lightning Master" must take the shortest route to parachute to Catania, otherwise the Caproni transport plane may not be able to return.

If you take the shortest route, you must pass over the southern coast of Sicily, which is defended by the US fleet.

Colonel Domenico was worried that their fleet would be discovered and intercepted by the US fleet, but it really hit him... Several pilots saw dozens of warships parked on the sea with the vague starlight.

Colonel Domenico was scared and sweated in a cold sweat on the spot.

This is not to say that he was timid. The "Lightning Division" is the few troops in the Italian army that can fight. Although most of its members are Libyan indigenous Berbers, Italian officers and soldiers are also well-trained... In fact, under the simple parachute conditions during World War II, parachuting itself was in great danger, and the timid Italians did not even have the courage to join this force.

Colonel Domenico would be nervous because the "Caproni" transport aircraft used by the Italian Paratrooper Division was only more than 200 kilometers at a speed.

If such a slow transport aircraft is intercepted by the US fleet, then it will be a problem not to mention the completed mission.

However, what made Colonel Domenico puzzled was that the US fleet did not respond...even the light column of the searchlight was not even allowed to fly over the sky with great swagger.

"What's the situation?" Colonel Domenico couldn't help but ask.

"I don't know, colonel!" The staff officer looked at the dark warships below, and looked confused: "Maybe, today is our lucky day!"

Colonel Domenico originally did not believe in "Lucky Day". He believed that war relies on training and quality. "Lucky Day" is only suitable for the weak to comfort themselves.

But after the battle that night, he completely believed in "Lucky Day".

Because, when the Italian paratroopers flew near Catania, Domenico thought that the anti-aircraft guns would sound soon, and then there would be a bloody storm in the air... The paratroopers must have at least one-fifth of their troops lost during the airborne process (this is determined by the performance of the Caproni transport aircraft after weakening).

But nothing happened, and then Catania was below, quietly waiting for the Italian army to parachute.

"Did we get the wrong course?" Colonel Domenico asked in disbelief: "Is this really Catania?"

"It's true, Colonel!" replied the staff officer: "I was born here, and I recognize everything here!"

"Then why..." Colonel Domenico spread his hands in confusion.

"Just as I said!" the counselor replied: "Today is our lucky day, Colonel!"

As he said that, the staff officer shouted: "Catania, I'm here!"

Then he turned around and jumped out of the cabin...

Colonel Domenico did not hesitate and jumped down.

Things were so weird that no one "payed" them until the moment the "Lightning Master" landed.

The gunfire was not until a group of stupid British car soldiers drove the car to the front.

Some of the Italian soldiers in the 1st Parachute Regiment of the "Lightning Division" were Catanians, who were very familiar with the terrain here. Not only that, they could easily ask about information from local people.

The staff officer knocked on the door of a family with a bang, and shouted: "Fruchi, Fruchi..."

"Who is there?"

"I'm Filiberto, your deskmate, have you forgotten?"

"Filibeto? Didn't you go to war?!"

"Yes!"

When the door opened, Frucio saw the deskmate who had been playing together before standing in front of him in full arms.

"Oh, God!" Frucho rolled his eyes: "I forgot that this is the battlefield. It seems... you are fighting back to your own home!"

"Yes!" said the staff officer: "Fruchio, tell me where the British command is? You must know!"

So, when most British soldiers were still building defenses in the defense lines built outside the city, fierce gunfire sounded in the city.

Moreover, since the British command was taken down by the First Infantry Regiment of the "Lightning Division" within ten minutes, the British army on a brigade of defense line outside the city had no idea what to do next.

It was not until the tank lights of the 39th Mechanized Infantry Division of the German Army lit up in front and there were Italian soldiers shouting behind them that they realized they were surrounded.

The battle in Catania was so smooth that it was unimaginable. In just over twenty minutes, a British infantry brigade surrendered in an established manner, including the brigade commander Colonel Will, and more than ten battlefield journalists from various countries who were preparing to grab the news in Catania.

It was not until this time that the transport plane of the real British airborne sent by Montgomery "rumbled" in the sky.

Because these airborne troops had no idea that Catania had been lost and that the German mechanized infantry division had arrived, it can be imagined that when they were airborne, another tragedy was inevitable.

It was not until the British Airborne Division was beaten to death and wounded in the dark that Montgomery received a report from Colonel Auston, the commander of the British 2nd Airborne Regiment.

"General! There are enemies everywhere, we are surrounded!" Colonel Auston's panic voice came from the microphone: "We need reinforcements. The enemy has tanks and armored vehicles, and we cannot resist their attack!"

"You can retreat to the city!" said Montgomery: "Return to Catania, and Colonel Will's troops will pick you up!"

Because Catania was lost too quickly, Montgomery had not received any information about its loss.

"General, Catania has no one in ours!" Colonel Auston replied:

"We met Italians, and I believe Catania has been lost!"

"What?" Montgomery even started to tremble when he spoke: "This is impossible. I was on the phone with Colonel Will not long ago!"

"This is true, General! Colonel Auston replied: "We even had a unit who thought they were friendly forces, and just walked up that way and was captured by them!"
Chapter completed!