The Third Reich in Desperation

Third Reich Episode 321

Waving his right hand, Alphonse waved his hand and said, "No, coffee and I have never been used to adding sugar."

It has to be said that Berente at this time is more like a governor in charge than when he first came to Africa.While retaining his military temperament, he gradually adapted to the new status of governor.

Without keeping Alphonse waiting for too long, Berente went on to say: "I think Marshal Petain's purpose for taking in the Italians is just to show the goodwill of the Allies and strive for a better status in the future. As for the Italians Regarding the arrangement of the soldiers, I don’t think Marshal Pétain wants us to waste this generous gift left to the Allies as cannon fodder. What’s more, we don’t lack these ineffective troops.”

Glancing at Alphonse, who had already been persuaded, Berente paused and continued: "In terms of military strength, we still have a lot more troops than the Commonwealth of Africa. Besides, the man who defeated Italy with 10 troops Admiral Wavell, who has an army of 50, is not as majestic as the British boasted in my eyes."

If someone else said this, perhaps it would be unavoidable to be suspected of bragging.But for Berente, who used 5 people to defeat the main force of 32 Italians, it is not too much.

Leaving aside the proportion of troops in the battle of Berente, the situation faced by Wavell was more severe.Just take the Italian army he defeated as an example, all of them were the main force of the local Italian army, unlike the 50 Italian army defeated by Wavell, which was mixed with a lot of water and filled with a huge number of African local colonial troops.

"However, the British army in Africa can continuously replenish its troops and equipment from their colonies, from their allies, and from Commonwealth countries around the world. But if we want to replenish anything, except for self-sufficiency, we can only find The local economy is already in danger. It is easier for us to replenish our combat power. I believe you should be able to tell at a glance."

"What does the British army lack? Compared with us, they lack almost everything! Whether it is the source of troops, weapons and equipment, economic strength, or domestic political situation and morale, they are far better than France today!"

Alphonse listened quietly, with a trace of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Although it is 3 full years longer than the world where Berente was the governor, his vision is still too small, and he is designated at the point of North Africa.He has also considered what Berente said, but it is definitely not as thorough as Berente thought.

This is not something that can be learned by sitting in an office!

Berente's vision stems from the tempering he experienced in Verdun, on the Polish battlefield, on the Weygand Line, and in the Alps.A large number of battles allowed this famous French general to gain actual combat experience that was not available in the military academy, and to control the overall situation.

After drinking the coffee in his cup, Berente stood up slowly, walked to the wall of his headquarters, pointed Alphonse to the Libya area on the map of North Africa by the wall with the telescopic pole and said: "Second A question. The British army has occupied and controlled 90.00% of Libya, and has the upper hand in the confrontation with us. Have you ever thought about why they continue to mobilize troops and concentrate their forces in Libya without any concealment?"

"It's nothing more than wanting to attack our African colonies." Alphonse still saw this very clearly, and he said with certainty: "British methods should launch a surprise attack soon, targeting our oil fields. Push forward. Half of the oil fields we develop in Algeria are located not far from the border with Libya, which is really very dangerous."

Berente nodded and said: "That's right, so we can't retreat from the beginning, because there is not much buffer area left for us. Even if the British army did not defeat our main force, they only need to destroy our oil fields. This battle, We also lost."

Berente looked at Alphonse who was frowning tightly, and said with a smile: "This is also the reason why I don't send Italians to garrison the border area. Even if the loss is destined to be huge, the first battle on the border must be sent to our people. Defensive. The British will probably not use their British forces as a first attack force, but their Commonwealth allied forces to test our depths. As it happens, we also use our own colonial troops to deal with the British allies Army. When the British general named Wavell mobilizes the British army to make a breakthrough, I will immediately lead the French army to confront him!"

Although Alphonse does not have as much combat experience as Berente, he is not an inexperienced young general after all. After hearing this, he suddenly realized: "So why don't you put the assembled Italian army at the end? Put the colonial army and your own French army on the first and second lines, so that a decisive battle can start at the beginning! However, in this way, our combat effectiveness is still inferior to the British army, and you may suffer a loss?"

Berente sighed, Alphonse is not stupid, it's just that his long-term status has created a fatal flaw in him.

Although the official position of the governor of Morocco is on the same level as that of the governor of Algeria, Berente, the power in his hands is relatively weak after all.

Alphonse has been operating in Morocco for more than 3 years. Only then did the initial French infantry regiment garrison expand to an additional 3 African local soldiers recruited from Morocco and its surrounding areas.This is already a very good result!

It's a pity that this power is still too weak in the turbulent Africa.Therefore, Alphonse has developed the habit of being cautious and careful everywhere.

As a commander, caution is a must, but if excessive caution leads to fear, it will be counterproductive and miss many good opportunities.

Berente said earnestly: "It is certain that we will suffer losses. After all, we are the disadvantaged side. But just as the British army only needs to destroy our oil fields, we also only need to defeat their British forces as the core force to achieve our strategic goals immediately. In this battle, we don't need to wipe out the opponent's entire army, so it is actually unnecessary to compare the entire combat power of the two sides. As long as we can fight for losses, even if they are huge losses, and take advantage of our military strength, It would be worthwhile to replace the British core force by two to one or even three to one to wipe out their offensive capabilities!"

"Besides..." Berente said with a sly smile: "I also really want to fight against Wavell, the most famous general in Britain. Let's see if their British general is good or me. This French general is better."

Text Chapter 495 What I want

The victory on the East African battlefield allowed Churchill to see another round of dawn that God gave him.

One after another, the British army defeated more with less, and defeated the Italian army with superior numbers, proving to the world that the British army is powerful.

Of course, just when Admiral Wavell thought his troops could finally rest, a new round of combat missions came.

Churchill ordered them to start from occupied Libya and attack Algeria westward, trying to occupy or destroy the French oil fields there, so as to prevent Germany from importing oil from the French Algerian oil fields and use it against Britain in the future.

After seeing Churchill's telegram, Wavell did not reply immediately, but gathered most of the senior generals of the African British Army to discuss this matter together.

The views of the generals on this matter are not quite the same.

"In my opinion, our army should not attack Algeria rashly. The troops have just experienced continuous battles with the Italian army, and they are exhausted. How can they have the energy to fight Algeria again?" said an old general.

The old general, who has always been known for his conservatism, did not seem to agree with Churchill's plan to order the British army to attack Algeria.

"The old general is right. I also think that our army should not rashly attack Algeria where the French army is located. The French army is no better than the Italian army. At least they will not surrender as easily as the Italians." Another general continued, He had a good relationship with the old general on weekdays, so this time he naturally helped the old general speak.

"The two generals are right. Moreover, our army has just stopped contact with the Italian army. Although the main force of the Italian army has been defeated by us, the remnants of the Italian army are still organized, and there is a possibility of a comeback at any time. If we go to mess with France now People, if Italy and France join forces in the future, we will fall into a very passive situation. Not to mention...there is a Germany." A major general wearing glasses said.

This major general has always been the main combatant of the army, even if there is even a little hope in the attack plan, he will not be afraid to execute it.But this time, even he is not optimistic about the British army's attack on Algeria, which is enough to show how risky this operation is for the British army in Africa.

In fact, Churchill probably felt that this operation was difficult.

After he sent a combat telegram to Wavell, he also made a phone call with Wavell himself. Churchill on the phone said helplessly: "General Wavell, this is not because I am embarrassing you, but that the British Empire really needs you urgently." Attack Algeria. I know you need to rest, but the enemy will not let us rest! You must understand that while you are resting, Algeria's oil is being transported by transport ship after ship to the French mainland, and then to Germany. And soon , they will be transported to the front by the Germans to become fuel for the tanks, warships, and planes that attack us. So, I repeat, this is not a negotiation, this is an order, and I order you to attack Algeria immediately to prevent them from going further Germany exports oil!"

Churchill's words infected General Wavell, and he understood the entanglement and helplessness in the British Prime Minister's heart.

In fact, General Wavell also made up his mind at this moment and decided to rent Churchill to kill Algeria Berente, a thorn in the side of the British Empire.

Now, what Wavell needs to do is to find a way to convince the soldiers to fight this uncertain fatigue battle.

"Is there any point?" General Wavell knocked on the table with his hand, and looked at his chief of staff meaningfully.

The chief of staff looked at Wavell, but then quickly switched his eyes to the other side, as if he was deliberately avoiding something.He knew what Wavell wanted to do, but he really didn't want to do it himself!

In fact, long before the meeting, Wavell thought of the situation that almost everyone opposed the war.

And if the generals are all opposed to this battle, they will definitely not fight with all their strength. At that time, the British army under Ding will definitely suffer greater losses.

So Wavell had to try to discuss with the chief of staff, and let him complete the persuasion to everyone.

But who would have thought that the chief of staff didn't dare to speak for a while after seeing everyone's strong opposition to this battle!

The chief of staff's approach really put Wavell in a trap.

Shaking his head helplessly, Wavell continued: "I'll ask again, does anyone have any other opinions?"

Seeing that there was still no answer, he directly named the Chief of Staff and said, "Chief of Staff, tell me."

The chief of staff was taken aback for a moment, but he didn't expect General Wavell to point him out directly.

No way, the chief of staff had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "I personally still prefer to attack Algeria..."

Wavell smiled calmly, the chief of staff is quite knowledgeable.

But it didn't take long for Wavell to be proud, and the chief of staff continued: "But after listening to everyone's ideas, I think what everyone said is very reasonable, and I don't know which point of view is more secure. "

After all, the chief of staff buried his head and stopped talking.

General Wavell was very annoyed by the chief of staff's answer, he simply didn't follow the routine he gave!

Just when Wavell was feeling desperate, the new major general commander of the [-]th Armored Division unexpectedly said: "Commander, I think we should attack Algeria immediately!"

When Wavell heard that someone held the same opinion, he immediately raised his head happily as if he had picked up a life-saving straw, ignoring the other generals' dislike towards this major general, and said excitedly: "Come on, why do you think we should immediately Invasion of Algeria?"

The major general said unhurriedly: "The first point, as the prime minister said in the telegram, Algeria has the largest oil field in Africa, and Germany is continuously buying oil from it. And once we occupy Algeria , It is like breaking off an arm of the German mechanized forces, air forces and naval forces.

Second, the northern ports of Algeria play a considerable role in controlling the Mediterranean Sea. After we occupy Algeria, we can cut off the Mediterranean supply lines of Germany and Italy.