Asmara is the center of Italian rule in Eritrea. It is connected to Massawa, Italy's most important port in the region, to Abyssinia, and to Khartoum. All of this
These advantages have made Asmara prosperous, and the pleasant climate here has made many people fall in love with Asmara.
However, among these people, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Italian Expeditionary Force, Lieutenant General Pablo Simoni, is definitely not one of them.
"Bang!"
There was a loud push on the door, which startled the officers at the expeditionary force headquarters in the south of the city. But then Lieutenant General Simone, who was dusty and angry, walked in, and these officers immediately turned into birds and beasts.
Lieutenant General Simeone was originally the commander of the 3rd Army. After the establishment of the expeditionary force, among the several commanders selected by the military, Carlo took a look at him and supported him to become the commander of the expeditionary force.
The reason why Carlo took a fancy to him was very simple. Simeone had great military exploits on his resume. He made very good contributions in the second and third wars.
Of course, this was not the reason why Carlo chose him. What attracted Carlo was that the commander of the Third Army did not participate in social gatherings with other officers on weekdays, and he had little interest in politics. He just liked it when he had nothing to do.
Consider the latest European military developments. Moreover, the Third Army led by him has ranked among the best in many exercises.
Such an unsociable and capable senior general seemed to Carlo to have found a treasure, and of course he was willing to help. For this reason, he even had a quarrel with the Minister of War. The Minister of War recommended that in unification
General Raffaele Cadorna, who was famous in the war.
However, he could not overcome the king's insistence, and in the end the choice of commander fell on the young Simeone. The fifty-two-year-old lieutenant general could not be considered young and powerful in the Italian Army.
After Simeone obtained the position of commander of the expeditionary force, he did not leave with the army. He first met with Carlo, listened to his suggestions, and rushed to Asmara as quickly as possible to establish his own command.
Department, it can be said that it is vigorous and resolute.
Therefore, Lieutenant General Simeone began to perform his duties as commander before most of the expeditionary force arrived.
Of course, Simeone is definitely not someone who sits as a commander, listens to reports from his subordinates and then issues orders. In less than half a month after arriving in Asmara, in addition to inspecting various military facilities, he also went on a trip to meet with Al-Asmara.
The front line of Bisignia. This time he had just returned from the front line, and it seemed that the inspection situation was not optimistic.
Lieutenant General Simeone did not have these officers at all. He returned to his office on the second floor with a sullen face and full of anger.
Almost instantly, Major General Bartlett, Chief of Staff of the Expeditionary Force, rushed to his office.
Major General Bartlett, from the Army Staff Department, was able to become the Chief of Staff of the Expeditionary Force this time. In addition to his ability, he was also directly related to his close relationship with the Secretary of War.
One more thing to say here is that the establishment of this expeditionary force was considered by many army generals as a rare opportunity to gain military merit, so a large number of young officers from their descendants were stuffed in. Faced with this situation, let alone the Minister of Army
, even Carlo couldn't refuse directly.
Of course, how to get these meritorious children to get tasks that can not only gain military exploits but also ensure safety will need to test Simeone's political wisdom.
The most Carlo can do is give him a hand, but it is impossible to protect him. After all, Lieutenant General Simeone has been in the army for nearly thirty years, so he should know what to do.
Seeing Simone's angry look on his face, Bartlett asked.
"Why is it so popular?"
Faced with the question from the Chief of Staff, who he didn't get along with very often, Simeone certainly wouldn't give him a look. He said with a helpless expression, "Who else could it be? The previous report of Major General Bart was completely inconsistent with reality.
The situation doesn’t match.”
They are all soldiers. Of course Bartlett knew the consequences of discrepancies between the actual situation and the report, so he asked seriously. "What is going on?"
"Didn't I go to the front line before? I just discovered that the supplies in the report were 30% less, and the number of mules, horses, camels and other livestock prepared was also wrong. I asked the local garrison and they told me that it was because the livestock had died of illness before.
What kind of disease can cause more than 30,000 livestock to die and yet you dare not report it? I think some people are too greedy."
Faced with Simeone's words, Bartlett immediately felt the seriousness of the matter. "The local garrison is definitely involved and their commander must be controlled."
"I have done this a long time ago. Lieutenant Colonel Kesis has been put under control by the military police."
After replying, Simeone said with a mocking look on his face. "Do you believe that just a lieutenant colonel can embezzle so many supplies?"
Bartlett has also been in the military for many years, and of course he knew that a lieutenant colonel could not be so bold. He had heard about the serious corruption in overseas troops before, but he did not expect them to be so greedy. He was blinded.
What?
"We can't touch him now, everything is important to prepare for war."
As for the Chief of Staff, Simeone certainly knows that now is not the time to attack these moths. If he attacks these moths while preparing for war, it will prolong the preparation time. He will not do such uncertain things. Otherwise, both the military and the government will
The boss will definitely want him to look good.
Although they have decided to postpone the eradication of the moths, the supplies of the expeditionary force must not pass through their hands.
"As you go to the front this time, how is the situation in the army?"
Faced with the words of the Chief of Staff, Simeone shook his head and said. "The situation is not ideal. Compared with the domestic troops, both the spirit and the daily training are far behind. In this battle, these colonial troops can only be responsible for logistics."
transportation."
But when it came to transportation, Simeone thought of the road conditions he saw on the front line. "In addition, we need to send a telegram to Rome. We need two regiments of engineers."
"The road is not ideal?"
Faced with the words of the chief of staff, Simeone sighed.
"It's not just unsatisfactory, it's simply terrible. After Mendefera, the road's traffic capacity is so bad that it can't bear heavy carriages at all. And when it reaches Adi Kwara, ordinary carriages can't move forward either. I want to continue.
To advance, we must rely on animal power. Such a transportation route, according to the previously prepared plan, cannot support an army of no more than 20,000."
Simeone's words made Bartlett's face change greatly. "This is not about modifying the plan."
"It is necessary. I intend to inform Rome of the actual situation here. We need more livestock and more road construction tools."
Well, before the war even started, Simone, as the commander, planned to convert his soldiers into road construction workers.
"Can the superiors agree to this?"
"Anyway, after telling them the actual situation, we have no better way."
