If you don't know how expensive firewood and rice are, the British and American coalition forces suffered a big loss in this regard.
Let’s not go into detail, just calculating from 1942 to 1945, the US military expenditure was 292.7 billion U.S. dollars, and the British military expenditure was 23.5 billion pounds. According to the exchange rate at that time, it was roughly equivalent to about 117.5 billion U.S. dollars.
In the past four years, the military expenditure in Southern Africa was only 58.6 billion rand, which is equivalent to about 293 billion U.S. dollars. One of the important reasons is that the material consumption of the Southern African Expeditionary Force is far lower than that of the US and British troops, and is almost the same as that of Russia.
level.
However, from 1942 to 1945, Russia's military expenditure was about 500 billion rubles, which was equivalent to about 120 billion U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate at that time.
At present, Russia does not count the domestic population serving the war, and only counts the frontline troops, which is already as high as about 11 million.
How many people are on the front lines in southern Africa?
The total number of people in the East Asian battlefield and the European battlefield is less than 5 million.
This also includes the navy, air force, and logistics forces.
Therefore, the unit consumption of the Southern African Expeditionary Force is much lower than that of the British and American troops.
All this stems from the good habits developed by the Southern African Expeditionary Force since ancient times.
Saying "since ancient times" is a bit too much, but the good habits of the southern African military have been consciously cultivated since at least the First World War.
During World War I, trench warfare was the main battle between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. In every large-scale battle, pre-war firepower preparations would involve amassing thousands of cannons and conducting intensive bombing for a week or two. At its peak, during the Meat Grinder of Verdun,
Forty million rounds were fired in ten months.
The Southern African Expeditionary Force began to focus on infantry and artillery coordination during World War I, and fire strikes during battle preparations were significantly reduced.
After the outbreak of World War II, the Southern African Expeditionary Force paid more attention to infantry-tank coordination and air-ground coordination. The intensity and frequency of artillery attacks dropped again, and the importance of armored forces increased significantly.
Qining and his friends could not change the situation of the war. Their work could only delay the advancement of the German armored forces.
However, Qi Ning did not slack off. If small people played a proper role in big battles, they could also play a key role.
After burying the last anti-tank mine in the crater, Qining finally breathed a sigh of relief. He finally completed the task assigned by his superiors, and then it was time for free play.
"Can we retreat?" Little Wright was very worried. Intelligence showed that at least six German troops were approaching the town of Remagen from different directions, and Qining's team only had 12 people.
"Don't worry, boy, our mission has just begun -" Cargill, who was carrying a rocket launcher, sat down next to Little Wright. The grenades and rockets on his body clinked together, making Little Wright frightened.
"Stay away from me big man, I don't want to be blown up into the sky -" Little Wright didn't want to die without knowing it.
Since the outbreak of World War II, too many people have died in action. In France, nearly 800,000 people have been killed.
It doesn't seem like much, but considering that France only resisted for less than 40 days in total, this number is still shocking.
France's regulations for fallen soldiers are similar to those in the United States. Only when the identity of the soldier is confirmed can it be determined that the soldier was killed in action, and his family members can enjoy the treatment they deserve.
If his body is broken into pieces, or his identity cannot be proved, it can only be attributed to missing on the battlefield, and the pensions his family can receive are pitifully small.
"Don't worry, young man, you can live for at least 40 years!" Cargill patted Little Wright on the shoulder and laughed. Southern Africa's standards for fallen soldiers are much more humane than those in the United States and France.
When soldiers disappear on the battlefield, they are either shattered to pieces or captured. There is almost no third possibility.
Soldiers in Southern Africa have a strong sense of honor and would rather die in battle than surrender. The so-called "chivalry" in European countries that allows surrender in the face of force majeure basically does not exist in Southern Africa.
There is only one possibility for the officers and soldiers of the Southern African Expedition to be captured, and that is to faint during the battle and be forced to become prisoners without the ability to resist.
As long as there is a shred of resistance, even if it can only pull the handle of a grenade, the southern African soldiers will not become prisoners.
Therefore, officially in southern Africa, there is almost no such thing as "missing".
Even "captured" soldiers will be treated equally after the war.
That’s not right either. Not only are they treated equally, they are even given special treatment.
Because captured soldiers need special psychological counseling to accept this fact.
"Head, German troops were found five kilometers away -" Mark Taylor, who was in charge of the security mission, was riding a crawler motorcycle, which is the most effective means of transportation on the battlefield.
In terms of speed, tire-type motorcycles are obviously faster and more efficient than track-type motorcycles.
However, the battlefield environment is complex, the traffic conditions are very bad, and many places where motorcycles cannot pass, the crawler tracks are like walking on flat ground, so crawler motorcycles have become the favorite of scouts.
"Are there any tanks?"
Little Wright thought Qining would order a retreat.
Obviously, Qining is braver than Little Wright imagined.
"Yes, a lot!" Mark didn't turn off the engine and remained ready to escape at any time.
"Nicholas, call for support -" Qining picked up the assault rifle and rushed towards the hillside next to him.
Nikolai is the team's communications officer and carries a walkie-talkie that can call for air support at any time.
Before Little Wright could react, Cargill chased Qining and ran up the hillside, not forgetting to greet Little Wright.
"Let's go, kid, this may be the most exciting moment in your life!"
These words were so inflammatory that little Wright did not hesitate and followed Cargill up the hillside.
Mark also started his motorcycle, went around the hillside and hid. If they wanted to retreat, this crawler motorcycle was their best hope.
The response speed of the Southern African Air Force was astonishing. In just two minutes, four "Cheetah" fighter-bombers passed over the hillside and flew in the direction of the German troops.
"Is our air force so powerful?" Little Wright was simply stunned.
"How normal. This must be a flying team performing patrol missions nearby. The headquarters will coordinate all air forces nearby to serve the war!" Cargill was digging foxholes with a shovel.
Time is tight, it is impossible to dig trenches, and more foxholes must be dug, so as to have a higher chance of survival.
Little Wright was at a loss with the shovel, not knowing where to start.
Foxholes are also very particular.
Just like a skirmish line, people who don't understand war will feel that when the troops charge, it's all a chaotic human sea tactic, and they can't see any way.
Real veterans don't need to observe. Even if they are improvised men from different units, they know to keep an appropriate distance from their comrades when attacking. At least one grenade will fly over and they will not be taken advantage of.
Ignoring large-caliber artillery shells, those things cannot be resisted by human power. It depends on fate.
"Go there!" Qining directed Little Wright to dig a hole. For a small team of more than a dozen people, let alone echelon defense and cross fire, the key was to protect themselves.
"Ten meters apart, dig four. The last one is on the ridgeline. Prepare a tarpaulin. We may have to spend the night here today -" Qining was ambitious and obviously wanted to fight a protracted war.
"Sir, we only have a dozen people -" Little Wright felt that his hands and feet were out of sync. A dozen people were fighting against a German army with many tanks. Using a mantis arm as a vehicle is not enough to describe it.
"So what!" Qi Ning is not afraid. If the order allows, Qi Ning dares to lead a small team to raid Berlin.
Whether it can be successful or not is one thing.
Whether you dare or not is another matter.
Confidence comes from winning again and again.
The French obviously don't have this kind of confidence.
Five kilometers is just a step on the accelerator for the armored forces.
The "Cheetah" is still very powerful. As soon as the first German tank appeared in Qining's sight, it was destroyed by a bomb flying from the air. The turret flew ten meters high and the ammunition exploded, like a brilliant firework.
Also destroyed were two other tanks and a truck.
On German soil, the German army is still very relieved.
As mentioned before, the domestic transportation in Germany is very developed, with thousands of kilometers of highways, which is very conducive to the advancement of armored forces.
The Germans also did not expect what the Southern African Expeditionary Force would do on the highway.
Coupled with the importance of the Ludendorff Bridge to the German army, the German armored forces immediately rushed towards the town of Remagen as quickly as possible after receiving the order, without any precautions at all.
The "Cheetah" attack was swift and violent. Three tanks and one truck directly blocked the entire highway, making it impossible to advance or retreat.
After throwing away the bomb, the "Cheetah" pilot did not stop and continued to use his machine gun to shoot at the ground troops.
The German air defense force is still good, especially for mechanized units. Air defense units are standard equipment. The 88mm anti-aircraft gun is quite efficient in dealing with air targets and can pose a huge threat to the "Cheetah".
However, it is impossible for the 88mm anti-aircraft gun to maintain combat status at all times during the march, and it will take a certain amount of time to deploy.
This period of time is enough for the "cheetah" to wreak havoc.
The 20mm cannon and 12.7mm aviation machine gun equipped by the "Cheetah" can be described as devastating when dealing with light infantry.
Even with the thickest armor, the top of the Panzer V tank is still the weakest link.
There is no doubt that No. 5 is the "Cheetah"'s top priority target.
A commander of the armored forces stood on top of the Panzer 5 tank and directed the trailer to move the destroyed tank and open a path for the troops to advance.
A "Cheetah" dived down at a nearly vertical angle. While the 12.7mm bullet cut off the German commander, several bullets flew into the interior of No. 5. After a loud clang, the interior of No. 5 directly turned into a massacre.
field.
Qining held a telescope and looked at the chaotic German troops in the distance, neither sad nor happy.
There is nothing to be happy about. They are all soldiers. Qining will not sympathize with the German army, because when the German army had an absolute advantage, it did not show mercy to the Allies.
Of course, I won't be sad either. In war, you will die or I will die. Qining has had this realization since the day he joined the army.
Little Wright didn't have a telescope and couldn't see clearly how embarrassed the Germans were. When the "Cheetah" dived repeatedly, little Wright couldn't help but jump up and cheer loudly.
Every Frenchman hates the Germans from the bottom of his heart.
"Boy, don't be too happy yet. Is your work done?" Cargill reminded Little Wright not to let down the time the "Cheetah" bought.
It was indeed not finished. The first foxhole was only halfway dug, and little Wright was already feeling numb in his hands and feet.
The amount of training is still not enough. If it were the Southern African Expeditionary Force, it would be impossible for Wright's physical fitness to appear in the front-line troops.
The number of "Cheetahs" was more than Wright imagined. Just as the first batch of "Cheetahs" left, another batch of "Cheetahs" followed, this time six.
A "Cheetah" can carry 500 kilograms of aerial bombs when performing a mission.
The "Cheetah" has insufficient pylons, so it is impossible to hang all 500 kilograms of bombs into 50 kilograms. Under normal circumstances, one chooses one 500 kilogram bomb, or two 250 kilogram bombs.
Even against No. 5, a 250 kilogram bomb is enough.
A 250 kilogram bomb exploded next to a No. 5 car. The strong shock wave knocked the No. 5 car directly off the highway, leaving a large crater nearly two meters in diameter and one meter deep on the ground. The infantry around the pit had disappeared.
Gone. According to the standards of the US military and the French army, these disappearing German troops are all missing.
Dong dong dong dong——
The German 88mm anti-aircraft gun finally completed preparations and fired strings of bullet chains mixed with tracer bullets at the diving "Cheetah".
A "Cheetah" was caught off guard and was hit in the tail by a shell. The pilot was highly skilled and managed to fly the crooked "Cheetah" towards the town of Remagen. Several other "Cheetahs" dispersed without allowing the anti-aircraft guns to continue attacking.
Opportunity.
"Brothers, get ready for battle, it's our turn!" Qining put down the telescope in his hand and began to inspect the weapons.
There is nothing to check about the assault rifle. It has a simple structure and reliable performance, and is deeply trusted by expeditionary officers and soldiers.
The key is a variety of offensive and defensive grenades, as well as detonators to detonate explosives.
Qining not only planted anti-tank mines on the highway, but also buried a huge explosive package, which was powerful enough to completely cut off the entire highway.
The detonator of the explosive package is now in Qining's hands. He only needs to turn the switch to delay the German advance for more than six hours.
Kargil has also made preparations. He has 12 rockets neatly stacked in his hand. This is the maximum amount of ammunition that a single soldier can carry. It is not heavy, but it takes up space.
Mark hid the tracked motorcycle and began to inspect his Nyasaland rifle.
Assault rifles have good firepower, but their range and accuracy are inferior to Nyasaland rifles. Many expeditionary force soldiers still prefer Nyasaland rifles.
Nikolai is still calling for support. Where are we? The air superiority of the Southern African Expeditionary Force has not been fully exerted. At this time, if there is an air fortress, or a super air fortress, half the German armor
Teachers will be reimbursed here.
In the deserted wilderness, there is not even a bunker. This environment is most suitable for carpet bombing.
