The navy's bombardment of Durrës was just the first shot of the Italian-Turkish War (let's call it the Italian-Turkish War. In Italian terms, I thought it was fighting Austria-Hungary).
However, there is no need to guess the outcome of this bombardment. With the outdated artillery of Durres, they can be the opponent of the Italian battleship formation.
Of course, since the Italian military prioritized sending a battleship formation to bombard Durres, it must have its own purpose.
In seaport cities such as Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto in Italy, things have become quite different during this period. Because the military camps outside the cities are full of soldiers, and even the military camps cannot accommodate them, and they have been arranged to temporary
The barracks are under construction.
Of course, these energetic soldiers stationed in these cities will naturally provide city-specific consumption, catering and entertainment venues, and officers and soldiers wearing gray-green military uniforms can be seen everywhere. However, while they are increasing income for the city, they are doing nothing to help the city.
There are a lot of things. But fortunately, considering the domestic influence and the fear of the military police, it is basically jealousy, fights and other things.
But even so, the occurrence of twenty or thirty incidents a day still caused a lot of headaches for the local government. However, considering that these officers and soldiers were about to go to the battlefield, the local government did not make trouble with the garrison.
As for Lieutenant General Simeone, who commanded these armies, for the same reason, he did not manage these bad things very much. After all, the military discipline of European armies was just like that. It would be difficult for him to be as disciplined as the Chinese army in later generations.
.
This time Lieutenant General Simeone was able to get the role of commander of the first wave of landing troops. In addition to his record, there was also the goodwill of the old military leaders.
And this time he is no longer facing African natives. Not only does he have a lot of things to do, but he is also under a lot of pressure. So as long as the officers and soldiers don't go too far, then he will not prohibit the officers and soldiers from traveling. After all, when going to the battlefield, people must relax.
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In the temporary headquarters outside Bari, Lieutenant General Simeone was also conducting the last inspection before the war.
"Are you prepared with enough ammunition?"
"We have already loaded the ammunition on the ship in advance according to the configuration of two bases for soldiers, four bases for artillery, and two bases for machine guns. We are just waiting for the signal from the navy, and we can transport it directly with the soldiers."
The person who answered Simone was Colonel Harper, the logistics officer, who was responsible for allocating and counting the various supplies and ammunition that needed to be carried.
After hearing the words of the logistics chief, Lieutenant General Simeone nodded secretly, expressing his recognition. The importance of logistics to the army cannot be overemphasized, let alone the modern army that relies most on logistics.
"What about shovels, raincoats, tents and other supplies?"
After asking about weapons and ammunition? Simeone became concerned about other supplies.
"Currently we have prepared 13,000 shovels? There are still 5,000 shovels that can be delivered within two days. There are now 43,000 raincoats and 4,500 tents? In addition, we have prepared more than 4,000 shovels.
Steel drills and matching hammers? In addition, fifty tons of explosives, 30,000 meters of telephone wires, and fifteen sets of field telephone systems are also prepared..."
In Colonel Harper's detailed report, Simeone understood more intuitively how much supplies he needed. Are these supplies necessary for him to command the army? Fortunately, the weather in Albania where he is about to fight is not bad, otherwise he would need to carry more things.
many.
But the report was not only good news, Colonel Harper also talked about some not-so-good news.
"In addition, we inspected the military boots that were delivered and found that 3,000 pairs had quality problems. Many boots cracked before they were worn? And we also found that 2,000 pairs of gloves had quality problems."
After listening to Colonel Harper's words, Simeone's face became unsightly, but then he calmed down and said casually. "Report these situations to the Army Logistics Department. As for the items with quality problems, just keep them. We will find out later.
Supplies with quality issues should be handled in this way. In addition, ask your people to check more and don't let these inferior products get into the hands of soldiers. If you do this well, then the credit this time will be indispensable to you."
Simone used credit as a reward for his hard work. Colonel Harper didn't know how to answer. "Please rest assured? I will carefully check every delivered material."
Faced with Colonel Harper's words, Simone patted his shoulder as encouragement.
As for why there are so many inferior products in the supplies? Simone doesn't want to get angry and ask? Because if this thing is investigated seriously? It will involve a large number of people. But he can't do this at the moment, especially because he still needs the support of those old generals.
time.
In addition, this matter is not a secret in the military. As a senior officer, Simeone does not have the ability or qualifications to solve these problems. However, the common practice is to throw these inferior products in the warehouse and finally store them as he did.
After a long time, it loses moisture and is scrapped.
So after discovering these inferior products, Simone continued to check the materials in the warehouse, and then brought people to prepare to go back.
But at this time, he almost ran into a messenger, and the messenger brought him a message.
"Lieutenant General, the Chief of Staff asked you to go back quickly. There is news coming from Durrës."
Upon hearing the words of the messenger, Simeone immediately rushed back to the headquarters. This was also the most important thing related to the landing of his troops.
"How's it going, Chief of Staff?"
Simeone, who rushed all the way back to the headquarters, burst into the door and asked Major General Bartlett who was waiting for him.
Yes, they are paired up again this time, mainly because they worked well together in East Africa and the first wave of landing operations was very important, so they were paired together.
For Simeone and Bartlett, this is better. They are all acquaintances who have worked together before, which saves the running-in period and they can each do what they want to do as soon as they get started.
"Half an hour ago, the naval liaison ship arrived in Bari. They brought the news that the navy had removed the obstacles in the port of Durrës."
"How fast?"
Simone was a little surprised when he heard the news. He knew that according to the plan, the naval fleet should have arrived in the sea off Durrës yesterday. It only took a day and a night to level the Ottoman coastal defenses there. This is true.
Somewhat fast.
"This is the battle report brought."
The chief of staff handed him the battle report, and Simeone read it at a glance. After reading it, he praised it. "I didn't expect that the navy made a great effort this time and pulled the battleship to Durrës."
"yes."
Since the Navy has smoothed the path for itself, there is nothing more to say.
Simeone immediately spoke. "Issue an order that all officers and soldiers must return to camp before dark. We will set off tomorrow."
"Okay, no problem."
After answering Simeone's order, Bartlett continued to ask, "Then which force will be allowed to board the ship first tomorrow?"
Bartlet's question was very level, and its meaning was basically the same as who should play forward.
After thinking about it for a while, Simeone said, "Let the 8th Division go up first, just to see if Pascal is lying."
In this case, Simeone still gave priority to reliable troops. After all, the 8th Division was a unit he had led before, and he knew its capabilities well.
