A train laden with a large amount of arms and supplies crawled from Alexandria to Saloum. This is the westernmost section of the railway built by the British in Egypt. At this time, a large number of British military cars and camels gathered here. They will
These precious supplies continued to be transported westward to the field armies ahead.
"Look! Plane!!" Someone shouted, followed by the shrieking siren of an air raid.
Bombs fell like raindrops one after another. A clever person took a moment to take a look and discovered that the bottom of these planes was no longer the Italian dot symbol, but the German iron cross symbol.
"Oh!, my God, it's the Germans, it's the Germans!!" Although the British army had a psychological advantage over Italy, they were very afraid of the German army at this time. When the Stuka's distinctive whistle sounded,
, which makes people feel even more frightened.
The entire train station was suddenly bombed into chaos. The camels were frightened by the huge explosion and ran around. Many British soldiers and coolies were trampled to death by the camels. It took a long time for the British anti-aircraft firepower to open fire. This was also because of this.
The fighting went so smoothly for a while that the British army suddenly forgot that they were actually the strategically disadvantaged side, and even slackened their defense against the attack.
"Quick! Tell the commander, the German army is out. The German army is in front of us!!" The British commander at the train station finally calmed down, and suddenly thought of the main British force not far away. Now the German army has arrived, and the lone army is coming from Italy.
The British army had become the British army. Maybe the British army's victory would be snatched away by the Germans before it even took off. He quickly sent a message to Wavell, the top British commander in Africa.
He was not mistaken. While he was generating electricity, an encounter was taking place in the fields of Cambut.
The British army was unprepared and pursued all the way west. In the past few hundred kilometers, they had not encountered much decent resistance. They basically surrendered whenever they saw people. It was like an armed parade. The British army also had a good time.
The German army was addicted. As the vanguard, the British army finally climbed up a hillside. When they saw a group of Italian troops digging trenches on the top of the hillside, they were overjoyed. Finally there was resistance. The British army immediately set up their formation and rushed up.
Each one was so aggressive that in their minds, as long as one charge passed, the Italian army on the opposite side should surrender.
But this charge felt wrong. The resistance on the other side was extremely fierce. Machine guns and artillery were pounding down as if they were free. The charging British troops were blinded in one fell swoop. Before the British troops could react, another sound was heard from behind.
There were bursts of explosions, and the British army quickly looked back and saw, damn it! Why is that the Iron Cross flag? Why are the Germans here?
The situation reversed, and an extremely familiar scene appeared. The British were suddenly overwhelmed by the sudden German troops. The British army had no idea how many German troops appeared. They only felt that enemies were everywhere, and the German tank regiment rushed forward.
, and was immediately beaten and defeated.
"Damn! The British tanks are okay! These rough-skinned and thick-bodied ones are really exciting to fight!" Jiang Weiguo looked at a "Matilda" type 2 tank not far away with red eyes. This is
The first tank his tank company encountered since the war started, he immediately snatched it away and asked him to fight it himself.
With the sound of "Bang", the 75mm gun of Jiang Weiguo's mount No. 4 tank flew out an armor-piercing projectile, which slanted past the British tank. Only first-class sparks were seen flying, and it missed.
The "Matilda" 2 tank is the same as other British tanks. It has rough skin and thick flesh. Its main armor is up to 75 mm, but its caliber is not large. It only has a 40 mm gun with a caliber of 52 times, because it is originally positioned as an infantryman.
Tanks are used to fight infantry and cover infantry. The British did not even think about tank warfare at that time, let alone design tanks specifically for armored warfare.
"Can you do it? Let the old gunner do it!" Roger shouted into the intercom with a smile from another tank. He also fired a shot. This shot hit the left side of the British tank. It might as well be
Jiang Weiguo's tanks were attacking. Roger immediately became blushing.
"Oh my, you can't do it anymore. You picked it up last time I went to France. It seems that half of what you said to me was because of your boasting. Look at me, what does it mean to decide the world with one shot! What does it mean to know?
Qiankun? You are an uneducated person!!" Jiang Weiguo was quarreling with Roger while he kept using the throat communicator to direct the tank attack.
I only saw this "Matilda" type 2 tank that looked like an old scalper. Under the teasing of Jiang Weiguo and Roger, it kept fighting left and right, and soon the side was exposed. Jiang Weiguo was stunned.
An armor-piercing round shot straight into the side of the tank, causing a burst of black smoke and an explosion.
"Charge!! For Germany! Long live Germany!!" Jiang Weiguo shouted loudly into the microphone and continued to charge with his company. He turned back and looked at Roger in front with a smile and said, "How about it? Next time you can just
You can’t say that I have never been on the battlefield.”
Roger smiled disdainfully and said, "Where are you? What the British are chasing after the Italians is a chaotic formation. When we rushed, the British were already in chaos. Just watch, if we don't rush all the way to the British."
The general will not stop at the lair, brothers, rush for me!!"
Seeing the German army defeating the British pursuers in two and three blows, Italy suddenly felt that its energy was coming. Whether it was the Guards regiment that was still thinking about whether to retreat or the troops that had just reorganized and rushed over, they beat the fallen dogs hard.
There were not many opportunities, so they all roared and fought eastward. This pursuit lasted all night. It was not until dawn that the German and Italian allied forces chased to Salum and stopped. The British army watched as they were bombarded.
The bombed Salum didn't dare to defend it at all, and abandoned the city without saying a word. Rommel also felt that it was about the same. He didn't bring much ammunition supplies this time, and he didn't have enough stamina, so he chased him for several miles.
After that, they began to dig fortifications in Salum and prepare for defense. The first battle on the African battlefield ended with the British army winning first and then losing. However, judging from the losses on both sides, the British still took advantage of it. The total number of British casualties was only six.
Thousands, of which 4,000 were captured by German assaults later, and the number of prisoners in Italy was 50,000 or 60,000. Therefore, both sides promoted their victory in international public opinion. But anyone with a discerning eye understands that the British and
Germany can indeed be said to have won, because the only loser was Italy. From then on, Italy's dominance in Africa was transferred to Germany, completely reducing it to the embarrassing position of a slave country that was not a slave country.
News of the war in Africa reached China. Agent Chiang from Chongqing took a long breath, looked at Chen Brai and said, "Hey, it's a pity for the British. Maybe they are really lucky. It seems that this empire on which the sun never sets is really possible."
It’s going to sunset.”
Chen Brai quickly encouraged Jiang Jie and said, "The current situation is indeed unfavorable to us, but the main reason is that the United States did not participate in the war. If the United States joins our camp and has the extremely powerful industrial strength of the United States, both Britain and us will
You can take a breath now. Not to mention Germany, Italy and Japan, even if you add the Soviet Union, I don’t think it’s scary!”
Agent Jiang nodded and said, "Indeed, the quality of our Chinese army soldiers is not bad, and the generals are first-class, but the weapons and equipment are a little inferior. This time the American delegation comes to visit, we must give the Americans confidence and let them send aid as soon as possible."
things are implemented!”
Chen Bulei smiled and said, "Don't worry, Chairman, everything has been arranged. This time we will definitely let the Americans leave something behind!"
Agent Jiang sighed and said, "It seems that all parties have been quiet during this period, but this quietness makes me feel extremely stressed. The Japanese army is now adjusting its strategic direction, but whether it is heading north or south, we
China is the first to bear the brunt, and the power of the Red Party is also growing. Now that the Soviet Union has reconciled with Japan, although the Red Party expressed its dissatisfaction with the Neutrality Treaty between the Soviet Union and Japan in the newspaper, who knows whether it is a bitter trick? I
It’s like walking on thin ice!”
Chen Brai sighed and nodded, expressing deep agreement.
Agent Jiang took another look at the battle report. He couldn't help but think of his youngest son. Did that boy also participate in this battle? I don't know how many months had passed when I last got a letter from home. Germany and China were far apart.
It's just a thin layer of skin left after breaking up. Maybe it's time to let him come back.
——The next day
A plane landed slowly. Jiang Jie and other people in the Chongqing government had been waiting for a long time. Fan Xuande, director of the China Division of the US State Department, Lattimore, director of the Pacific Branch of the US Intelligence Coordination Office, and others got off the plane one after another. Nelson James, the US Ambassador to China
Sen stepped forward to introduce Chiang and the Americans to each other.
"Mr. Jiang Jie, it's a pleasure to meet you. On behalf of President Roosevelt, I would like to pay tribute to you!" Fan Xuande shook hands with Jiang Jie.
Agent Jiang glanced at Soong Meiling next to her. Song Meiling nodded slightly and began to translate simultaneously for Agent Jiang.
Agent Jiang smiled and said, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Fan Xuande. Please also say hello to President Roosevelt for me. I admire your country's rapid prosperity under President Roosevelt. I hope I can have the honor to meet him next time."
After the two met, the group exchanged greetings with each other and drove to the government building together.
In the car, Jason asked Fan Xuande, "Mr. Fan Xuande, you have worked hard. I am very curious about the purpose of Mr. President asking you to come here this time. Is our country going to adjust its strategy towards China?"
Fan Xuande nodded and said, "Yes, but neither Mr. President nor Congress have made up their minds, so I hope we can take a look and understand how strong the Chinese Chongqing government's will to fight against Japan is. I still need to ask you for advice on this aspect."
Yes, you have been in China for many years and know China very well. What do you think?"
Johnson laughed and said, "If Mr. President believes in my judgment so much, I'm afraid he won't let you come. You'd better take a look first, but let me tell you my personal thoughts first. Regarding the war against Japan, I'm already saying
This country has formed the most basic and broadest consensus. This country is very chaotic and has many warlords. If it were not for this anti-Japanese banner, I am afraid that the area that Chairman Chiang Kai-shek can rule would be reduced by half immediately. Therefore, it is not whether he wants to
He continued to fight against Japan, but the situation forced him to insist on fighting against Japan. There is a word in China, which is called the general situation!"
Fan Xuande also had a lot of research on China, so he understood it immediately. He looked at the dilapidated buildings around him and asked, "Although it is during the war, why are there so many damaged buildings here?"
Jason glanced at the Chinese people who were clearing the ruins and building temporary residences, and said with some pity, "Japan is a country that does not pay attention to international law. In the recent period, China's war situation has been a relatively stable period, and the Japanese land offensive has eased a lot.
, but their air raids are almost non-stop all day long, and they only take a break when it is foggy in eastern spring. Now in summer, their air raids have become more frequent again. All you see are bombed houses. The original
Bombings can still make news, but now there are so many that even newspapers are almost too lazy to mention them. Chongqing will be bombed today, Nanchang will be bombed tomorrow, and Hengyang will be bombed the day after tomorrow. Not many Chinese troops were killed, but the people were more killed."
Fan Xuande also looked at the scene outside with some pity, but immediately withdrew his pity. He understood what his mission was, and he could not let pity affect his judgment.
"By the way, we got news in the United States about the Chinese Red Party's attack on the Soviet Union. What's going on? In addition, the Chinese Red Party is said to have a lot of troops and land in the north. Is this true? Who did they get from?
Do you have such an army and land in your hands?" Fan Xuande asked another key question.
Jason immediately replied, "It's true. I've also read that article. As far as I know, China's Red Party was originally under the direct command of the Soviet Union and the Red International more than ten years ago. However, due to changes in command,
He made a mistake and was criticized by some local party members for stepping down. I heard from people in the Chongqing government that the internal struggle within the Chinese Red Party was extremely fierce, so I think this time it was probably caused by the struggle between the local faction and the international faction.
In addition, you said that they occupy a lot of land and troops. According to my estimation, the largest force in China at this time is the Japanese army, the second largest is the National Government in Chongqing, and the third largest is the Chinese Red Party armed forces in Yan'an. They
In addition to the 18th Group Army and the New Fourth Army established by the Chongqing government, the army also annexed the Shanxi-Sui Army in Shanxi. It is said that the armed forces now have hundreds of thousands of people, but I don't know exactly where those lands came from.
Yes, the information blockade in Chongqing is very severe, and I can only know some details. I can only say that most of them were taken back from the Japanese army, but some were taken from the Chongqing government."
The conversation between the two people in the car continued, and soon they arrived in front of the National Government Temporary Office Building.
After everyone took their seats, Fan Xuande said to Jiang Jie, "Mr. Jiang Jie, our president has received a request for assistance from your Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Song. We are curious, can you really not find a peaceful communication point with Japan?"