Rommel's understanding of armored forces far surpassed Graziani's.
The pride of the fat bald man is justified. Although the Italian North African Army suffered heavy losses in the previous stage of the battle, the North African Army still retained a certain strength in Tripoli and Benghazi. When Rommel reorganized the German army, he easily integrated the North African Army.
, so another armored division was obtained.
Rommel's counterattack was based on two armored divisions and one infantry division.
Before the counterattack began, the battle line was maintained along the line from Aguela to Marada, nearly 700 kilometers away from the border between Italian North Africa and Egypt.
Rommel was very bold in his use of troops. He was not as timid as Graziani and was not confused by other factors on the battlefield. He boldly used armored troops to make key breakthroughs in the British positions, forcing the British front to move back as a whole. It would be impossible to retreat in the future.
The British army was divided and surrounded, and the first stage of the North African campaign was reproduced.
This time it was the British troops who were routed thousands of miles away.
Under normal circumstances, collapse is just an adjective.
In North Africa, collapse is a fact.
In the first stage of the North African campaign, the Nile Army advanced 800 kilometers towards Italian North Africa.
When Rommel counterattacked, the German-Italian forces advanced 700 kilometers into Egypt in two weeks.
What prevented the German-Italian Allied Forces from advancing was not the strength of the Nile Army, but the logistical supply problems of the German-Italian Allied Forces, and Rommel had to stop.
As mentioned many times before, the armored force relies more heavily on logistical supplies than any previous army.
No matter how powerful the tank's combat effectiveness is, it will be nothing without fuel, and it will be useless no matter how talented its commander is.
The Indian army is not good at fighting, but it is very good at escaping.
Although Rommel's army advanced rapidly, it did not capture many British soldiers. By the time the war came to an end in early March, only Tobruk was still under British control of the cities captured by the British army in the first stage.
Tubruk is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a natural deep-water port. Even if the port has been bombed, ships can still anchor smoothly in Tobruk without being affected by wind and waves. The British army stationed divisions and brigades in Tobruk.
, with a total strength of nearly 30,000.
As mentioned earlier, Rommel's German troops totaled only 25,000 men.
The British army stationed in Tobruk had strong protection from the Mediterranean Fleet and the Cyprus Squadron, so the British army could persevere.
On March 10th, Cunningham met with Arthur and Patton in Cyprus to discuss the next phase of the battle plan.
When they met, Cunningham was a little embarrassed, and Arthur and Barton were also in heavy hearts. No one expected that the British army in North Africa would be defeated so quickly and miserably.
"Our focus is to keep Tobruk, not only because of the 30,000 troops in Tobruk, but also because Tobruk is one of the most important ports on the southern coast of the Mediterranean. With Tobruk, we have the ability to fight against the German and Italian coalition forces."
It is possible to counterattack quickly, and it can greatly restrain Rommel's armored forces." Cunningham steeled himself, and what he said was very difficult.
In the first stage of the North African campaign, the British government repeatedly refused assistance from the Second and Third Armies in Southern Africa and insisted that the Nile Army complete the combat mission.
It should be said that Wavell's performance was quite good. He fully completed the British army's combat mission in the first stage and retired with great success.
Now the commanders of both the enemy and our side have been replaced.
The German and Italian forces were replaced by Rommel, and the British army was replaced by Auchinleck. Before the war, Winston had great expectations for Auchinleck. Now it seems that Winston's support for Auchinleck is not enough.
Under modern warfare conditions, the importance of commanders has been reduced to an unprecedented level.
In previous wars, the commander's commanding skills were more tested. The commander's role in the army was very important.
Modern warfare is more about the strength of the troops. No matter how powerful the commander is, it is difficult for a millet and a rifle to defeat aircraft and artillery.
There is only one example in the world of Xiaomi adding a rifle to defeat an aircraft and cannon.
Therefore, the command capabilities of the commanders on the Eastern battlefield during the World War were seriously underestimated.
If the Allied troops on the Eastern battlefield had equipment like the US military, would it be Patton and MacArthur's turn to become famous?
Rock actually didn't have much talent in army command. He was able to lead the British Expeditionary Force to victory in the last world war not because of Rock's commanding skills, but because he relied on the profound knowledge of Britain and France to consume Germany alive.
Therefore, Rock has always attached great importance to the weapons and equipment of the army.
Especially new weapons.
There are still people in the Royal Navy who are superstitious about battleships and turn a blind eye to the role of aircraft carriers.
The German "Blitzkrieg" was not very magical in nature. It was only because the opponent was too weak that Guderian and Rommel achieved their illustrious military exploits.
Now it is finally the Indians' turn to taste the taste of "Blitzkrieg", and to be honest, it is a bit bitter.
"The Third Army is ready to join the war at any time. If necessary, we can launch an attack from behind Rommel and go straight to Tripoli." Patton's attitude was clear. Since you, the British, can't do it, let us in southern Africa do it.
"The Second Army is also ready to provide support to Tobruk at any time if necessary." Arthur gave full play to the advantages of the Cyprus Squadron. Tobruk is only 450 kilometers away from the Twelve Islands.
to.
"Lord, General Patton, the war has reached the most critical stage. I hope we can unite as one and win the final victory together." Cunningham tried to fool Arthur and Patton.
Both Arthur and Barton frowned, seemingly thinking about how to deal with the current predicament, and neither responded to Cunningham.
The North African battlefield is still far from the most critical stage.
On the contrary, the relationship between Germany and Russia has reached the most critical stage.
During Pavlov's visit to Germany, Germany formulated the "Barbarossa Plan" to attack Russia, and Russia formulated the "Thunderstorm Plan" to attack Germany.
Both plans have now entered the preparatory stage.
Mustache is mobilizing troops, preparing supplies, and preparing for an attack on Russia.
Big Beard will also hoard heavy troops on the Russian-German border. Once the time is right, Big Beard may send his troops to invade Germany at any time.
So Rommel's strategic vision was really poor.
If Mustache gives Rommel too much support at this time, it will be an opportunity for Russia.
There is another advantage to not reinforcing North Africa.
With the strength of the North African Army, it is no problem to defeat the Nile Army, but it is absolutely impossible to defeat the Southern African Army.
Within the Mediterranean, southern Africa was heavily populated with troops. The Third Army was stationed in French North Africa, the Second Army was stationed in Italian East Africa, Cyprus and Port Elizabeth, and the Fifth Army was directly under Arthur, with a total strength of nearly half a million people.
This does not include the Cypriot fleet and aviation.
Therefore, Mustache knew very well that once Rommel completely defeated the Nile Army, the British government would have to ask the southern African army to enter Egypt to fight in order to ensure the safety of the Suez Canal.
By that time, even if Mustache gives Rommel ten armored divisions, Rommel will not be able to defeat the 500,000-strong Southern African Defense Force.
Oh, ten armored divisions are a dream.
There really was an armored division fighting across the Mediterranean, and the long logistics supply line was enough to completely collapse Italy.
Think about how the Southern African aviation forces carried out indiscriminate bombings on cities along the English Channel during Germany's preparations for "Operation Sea Lion".
If the Cyprus Air Force also goes all out, the Italians probably do not have the strong resilience of the Germans.
This can also explain why Rommel's armored forces could only advance 700 kilometers.
It can't be pushed any further.
If we advance any further, the eagerly awaiting Southern African Expeditionary Force will join the war.
By that time, not to mention the North African Army, Italy itself might be completely collapsed due to the all-out attack in southern Africa.
What's more, the Greek direction still needs the support of the German army.
Throughout the winter, Italy and Greece were preparing for the next phase of the war.
The Italians have received assistance from the Germans, and German troops will definitely participate in the next phase of the battle.
The Greeks received assistance from the United Kingdom. In order to help the Greeks, Winston transferred Australian troops from the Nile Army to Greece. This objectively led to Wavell's failure to completely annihilate the Italian North African Army and gave Rommel a chance to make a comeback.
What is certain is that the fighting in the Greek direction will continue after spring blooms. Whether the Greeks can withstand the German attack by then is now a question that everyone is worried about.
Arthur was worried too.
But since the Greeks chose Britain instead of southern Africa, Arthur was not in a hurry.
Are you anxious to let southern African soldiers shed blood and die to defend Greece?
Arthur is not that great yet.
"Rommel's main force has arrived in Tobruk. Tobruk may be attacked by Rommel at any time. We must protect Tobruk's sea supply line and protect the sky of Tobruk. We need to put some
Tanks were sent to Tobruk to strengthen defense. This task can only be accomplished by the Cyprus Squadron." Cunningham took a fancy to the integrated supply ships and landing ships of the Cyprus Squadron.
To send tanks to Tobruk, only integrated supply ships and landing ships can do it.
The Mediterranean Fleet has no powerful battleships, and no comprehensive supply ships or landing ships.
The Cyprus Squadron has a total of two comprehensive supply ships and three landing ships.
So why wouldn't the British be so worried?
If Southern Africa has no ambitions for the Suez Canal, why does it equip the Cyprus Squadron with so many comprehensive supply ships and landing ships?
Contact the Fifth Army on the island of Cyprus.
The ambition of the wolf is obvious.
Arthur and Patton looked at each other. They wanted the Cyprus Squadron to dispatch comprehensive supply ships and landing ships. The key was what kind of leverage Cunningham could bring.
"You and the Greeks seem to have an agreement about Crete -" Since Cunningham took the initiative to come to Arthur and Barton, he must have some leverage, but it seems that he is generosity to others.
The British isolated southern Africans in the Suez Canal, so don't blame the southern Africans for standing idly by.
There are conditions when you want southern Africa to help. At this time, don't talk about sharing the same enemy and uniting as one. If Cunningham were Arthur, Cunningham would also put forward conditions.
The emperor is not short of hungry soldiers.
"Yes, but the Greeks took the initiative to tear up the agreement because they got London's promise." Arthur was not angry, just waiting to see how unlucky the Greeks would be.
"We are all allies, and the Greeks should be too disrespectful." Cunningham's expression looked a little angry, as if he had drawn a sword to help when there was an injustice.
"So?" Arthur still doesn't know enough about the British bottom line.
"If the Cyprus Squadron can enter Crete, then obviously Greece's security will be more guaranteed." Cunningham said seriously.
Arthur nodded very reservedly, agreeing with Cunningham's words.
"So the Greek government should continue to implement the agreement," Cunningham said with an upright face.
"You are absolutely right!" Arthur and Barton looked at each other and smiled. The Greeks were going to be in trouble.
After returning to Alexandria, Cunningham, in the name of Commander-in-Chief of the British Mediterranean Fleet, asked the Greek government to open Crete for the Allied forces to establish a forward base.
This was a bolt from the blue for the Greeks.
In this case, the Greek government has gone full circle. Not only does it have to surrender Crete, but it also offends southern Africa. No matter how you calculate it, the gain outweighs the loss.
But it’s impossible not to take it out.
It would be terrible to offend southern Africa.
Offending southern Africa and the British Empire at the same time seems more terrible.
Of course, this matter is not that easy. No matter how powerful Cunningham is, he is only the commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Fleet. There is also the British War Department and the British government above him. It is not Cunningham's turn to make the decision on such a big matter as Crete.
What's more, even if Crete is opened to southern Africans, it will not change the fact that the federal government of southern Africa has been offended. Since the Greek army can withstand the attack of the Italian army and push back towards Albania, then with bravery and good fighting skills
Could it be that the Australian troops could not withstand the German attack?
What's more, the Germans are preparing to attack Russia and it is impossible to focus all their energy on Greece.
Therefore, the Greek government did not immediately agree to Cunningham's request, but informed the British government of the situation, hoping to force Cunningham to change his decision.
What the Greeks did not expect was that to Britain, the 30,000 British troops besieged in Tobruk were much more important than the small island of Crete.
Not only did the British government fail to change Cunningham's demands as the Greeks hoped, but instead suggested that the Greek government open Crete to the Cyprus squadron as soon as possible.
Even more generously, since Southern Africans like Crete so much, the Greek government should be a good man and donate Crete to Southern Africa. Then Southern Africa will definitely go all out for Greece's security.
The Greek government certainly does not accept this statement.
Go all out?
Dream on!
France donated Saint Roch to Southern Africa. When the Germans attacked Saint Roch, Southern Africa gave up Saint Roch without firing a shot. The Greek government did not want to be taken advantage of.
Of course, the Greek government does not dare to directly reject the British request.
Therefore, the "public opinion" of Crete has been used as a shield by the Greek government.
The reason of public opinion is useful for the federal government of Southern Africa, but not for the British government.
London's reply is simple. The Greek government is responsible for the work of the people in Crete, and London only looks at the results.
So amidst the turbulent entanglement of interests, with the arrival of spring, war broke out again.
