(The content of the previous chapter has been modified, and the review is in the public chapter——)
Because of the Suez Canal, Egypt has become a transportation artery connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The importance of the Suez Canal does not need to be emphasized too much. Before the opening of the Suez Canal, ships traveling to and from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans had to bypass Africa. The opening of the Suez Canal shortened the voyage between Europe and Asia by 8,000 to 10,000 kilometers.
The Atlantic Ocean is connected to the Indian and Pacific Oceans via the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal. It is an international shipping waterway of important economic and strategic significance.
In 1888, the Congress of Constantinople declared the canal a neutral zone under the protection of the British Empire, stipulating that the canal would be open to ships from all countries, both in peace and in war.
This announcement was actually in vain and could be adjusted at any time according to British interests. During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Spanish warships were unable to pass through the Suez Canal. During the Russo-Japanese War, Russian warships were also unable to pass through the Suez Canal and eventually had to bypass the entire Africa.
During the Italian-Turkish War, Britain did not even allow the Ottoman Empire to provide support to North Africa through Egypt.
So just listen to the promises made by certain countries, but don’t take them seriously. Russia takes them too seriously, which is why they were deceived and haven’t turned over yet.
At the time of the Russo-Japanese War, King Edward VII of England was still the uncle of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and his relatives were equally merciless.
Like India, Egypt is a core interest that Britain must protect. India represents Britain's human resources, while Egypt represents Britain's control over the world.
As a country with a long history, Egypt's current situation does not match its long history. Ancient Egypt has been ruled by foreigners since the 11th century BC. It is now part of the Ottoman Empire, but it was occupied by the British and was not even a protectorate.
Among the four ancient civilizations, the miserable index ranks second, second only to ancient Babylon, which has disappeared.
The current British High Commissioner in Egypt is McMahon, whom Roark has long known. Roark's memory of this man comes from the famous McMahon Line and the letter McMahon wrote to Sharif Hussein on his own initiative,
Although the letter has not yet been sent, and will probably never be sent, these events speak volumes about McMahon's character.
As long as they are not fair and honest, Roque hopes that officials in southern Africa will be fair, honest and self-sufficient, but officials outside of southern Africa should be as good as they can be. This is also an obvious double standard.
After returning to the Ministry of Defense, Roque first transferred Paul Coker, a senior instructor from the Nyasaland Army Academy, as his chief of staff. Paul Coker and Derek Dodd, who is now the Deputy Minister of Defense,
Both came from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and were of standard white British descent. Rock recruited Paul Coker to make it easier to contact McMahon.
Of course, it is also to reduce Rock's burden. After all, there are still many things to deal with before the army sets off, and the role of the chief of staff is reflected in these specific tasks.
Paul Coker was indeed very efficient. It only took three days to complete the preparations for the departure of the troops. However, Rock still found many problems when inspecting the operations.
"The supplies that Egypt can provide must be removed from our inventory. We not only have to carry out the mission, but also test the endurance of the troops." Roque's requirements are high, and Paul Coker is indeed a little bit.
It was so excessive that even the drinking water needed by the troops had to be sent from southern Africa.
The troops going to Egypt consisted of two regiments. Rock decided to deploy one from the Northern Rhodesian Division and the 1st Cavalry Division. The 1st Cavalry Division now has almost nothing to do with the cavalry. The troops have fewer mules and horses than cars.
, but this is a difficult situation in Egypt because cars have higher logistical requirements.
In order to allow professional soldiers to have stronger combat effectiveness, Roque spared no effort in supplying materials. In southern Africa, it is very convenient to mobilize various resources and it is not difficult to meet the needs of the troops. In Egypt, it is very troublesome. In order to ensure the combat effectiveness of the troops, in
In the staff plan, even the drinking water needed by the troops must be transported from southern Africa.
Fortunately, Roque corrected him in time. When supplies are sufficient, the troops can ensure strong combat effectiveness. However, when supplies are in short supply, they have to endure various difficulties. Southern Africa needs a victorious army that can overcome various difficulties and win. There is no need to be afraid of the cold.
A young soldier who is well-dressed and well-fed.
In southern Africa, millions of square kilometers are fully supplied with less than 40,000 professional soldiers. It is true that the supply of various materials can be guaranteed. However, once the war breaks out, various materials will begin to be in short supply. At this time, the endurance of the troops will be tested.
"You still need to pay attention to drinking water. The situation in Egypt is different from that in southern Africa. If the drinking water is unsafe, it may cause big problems." Paul Coker also has good reasons. The regulations in this regard in Southern Africa are also very detailed. Not only
Not only the troops, but also the colonial pioneer teams who are going to unfamiliar areas also attach great importance to the safety of drinking water.
Unsafe water quality may cause serious health problems. The reason why early European colonial expansion suffered heavy losses is inseparable from the diseases and plagues caused by various viruses in the colonies. Water sources are a very serious problem.
If it were the 21st century, if the water quality was not clean, drinking it would ruin your stomach and you would be fine with just one injection. But in this age when penicillin is more expensive than gold, drinking it and ruining your stomach could be fatal. That’s why Paul Coker had to travel thousands of miles from southern Africa to deliver water.
Go to Egypt.
"This is a problem that can be solved locally in Egypt." Roque insisted that although the issue of water is very important, it can be solved as long as we pay more attention to it. What cannot be solved is people's dependence on habits. If the military in southern Africa has sufficient logistics,
If supply is taken for granted, the problem will be more serious.
"Okay, I'll revise it right away -" Paul Coker has already expressed his attitude. Even if Rock doesn't adopt it, Paul Coker will still obey Rock's order.
"The equipment of the troops must also be adjusted, and mechanical vehicles should be reduced as much as possible. There are camels in Egypt, which can replace the role of vehicles, and you don't need to carry many bullets. Although we have a large number of automatic weapons, the caliber of our bullets is different from that of the local Egyptian garrison.
Universal, this problem can also be solved locally in Egypt." Luo Ke can save money. What Egypt lacks is the army, not supplies. The British industrial capacity is still very strong. Two regiments with several thousand people will not be able to provide enough supplies.
Sorry.
"Our station is in Alamein, where is this Alamein?" Paul Coker searched all over the map of Egypt but could not find Alamein. You can imagine how small the characters are.
It is indeed remote, but this Alamein is the same Alamein where the "Battle of Alamein" broke out. It is still anonymous and is just an ordinary small fishing village. This place will only gradually prosper after oil is discovered in the future.
"It seems to be near Alexandria." Rock prompted.
Paul Coker went to search near Alexandria, and sure enough he found El Alamein. When he looked at Roque, his eyes were filled with admiration.
Anyone in such a remote place knows that they have done enough homework.
"Our military camp has not been built yet, and I don't know if it can be stationed in time." Paul Coker was a little worried about the efficiency of the Egyptian government.
"It should be no problem -" In contrast, Roque knew more about Egypt.
In Egypt, the local indigenous people really do not live up to expectations and have lost their status as one of the four ancient civilizations.
However, under British colonial rule, the Egyptians were still very efficient.
For the same reason, don’t connect current Egyptians with future Egyptians. Under British colonial rule, Egyptians were still very diligent.
During the construction of the Suez Canal, a total of 120,000 Egyptians died, an average of 738.5 people per kilometer. The queue of these people lying down was longer than the Suez Canal. Therefore, the consequences of not being diligent are not salary deductions, but death.
Compared with the cruelty of the British in building the Suez Canal, the various infrastructure construction in Southern Africa is simply kind. Although the construction of infrastructure in Southern Africa will inevitably have to pay a price, but not to such a cruel level, the numbers are cold. , can reflect a lot of history that has been deliberately concealed. To use a popular saying, it is not that 120,000 people died from exhaustion during the construction of the canal, but that this kind of thing happened 120,000 times, which is indeed bloody.
It was estimated that the situation in Egypt was indeed very dangerous. The War Department sent four telegrams within a week asking when the Southern African troops would set out. On August 15th, the Southern African troops finally boarded a ship in Port Edward and headed for Egypt. After eight After a long voyage of several days, the southern African army crossed 7,000 kilometers and finally arrived in Cairo, Egypt.
It was only when Rock arrived in Cairo that he realized that Cairo was actually not next to the Suez Canal, but more than a hundred kilometers away from the Suez Canal.
The river next to Cairo is called the Nile. Rock's impression of the name Nile came from the movie "Tragedy on the Nile", which was set around this time.
The whole of Egypt was looking forward to the reinforcements from southern Africa. The British High Commissioner in Cairo, McMahon, personally went to the dock to greet them. Ade had worked in Cairo before and had written to McMahon before, asking McMahon to take care of Romania. Croats and Southern African armies.
I don’t know how McMahon felt when he saw the letter. The whole of Egypt needs the protection of the southern African army, and McMahon couldn’t take care of it even if he wanted to.
"Lord, welcome to Cairo -" McMahon looked at Rock with passion, just like the scorching August weather.
It probably has a lot to do with Rock's identity. After all, Rock is a viscount, and McMahon is not even a knight.
"Colonel, it's a pleasure to meet you. I would like to send you Lord Harewood's blessings and wish you good health." Roque announced his family name. Ade's name still has some effect in Egypt.
