The victory on the battlefield in East Africa allowed Churchill to see another dawn given to him by God.
One after another, the British army defeated the larger number with less, and defeated the numerically superior Italian army, proving to the world that the British army was capable.
Of course, just when General Wavell thought his troops could finally rest, a new round of combat missions came.
Churchill ordered them to start from occupied Libya and attack Algeria westward, trying to occupy or destroy the French oil fields there and prevent Germany from importing oil from the French Algerian oil fields and use it against Britain in the future.
After seeing Churchill's telegram, Wavell did not reply immediately. Instead, he gathered most of the senior generals of the British army in Africa to discuss the matter together.
The generals also had different views on this matter.
"I think our army should not attack Algeria rashly. The army has just experienced continuous battles with the Italian army and is exhausted. How can it have the energy to attack Algeria again?" said an old general.
This veteran general, who was always known for his conservatism, seemed to disapprove of Churchill's plan to order the British army to attack Algeria.
"The old general is right. I also think that our army should not rush to attack Algeria where the French army is. The French army is no better than the Italian army, at least they will not surrender as easily as the Italians." Another general followed, He had a good relationship with the old general on weekdays, so naturally he helped the old general speak for him this time.
"What the two generals said makes sense. Moreover, our army has just stopped contact with the Italian army. Although the main force of the Italian army has been defeated by us, the remnants of the Italian army are still organized and may come back at any time. If we mess with France again now People, if Italy and France join forces in the future, we will be in a great passive situation. What's more... there is also Germany." A major general wearing glasses said.
This major general has always been the main combatant in the army. Even if there is a little hope for the attack plan, he will not be afraid to implement it. But this time, even he is not optimistic about the British army attacking Algeria, which shows that this operation will have a negative impact on the British army in Africa. What an adventure it is for the military.
In fact, Churchill probably felt that this operation would be difficult.
After he sent the battle telegram to Wavell, he also personally talked to Wavell on the phone. Churchill on the phone said helplessly: "General Wavell, this is not because I am embarrassing you, but the British Empire really needs you urgently." Attack Algeria. I know you need to rest, but the enemy will not let us rest! You must understand that while you are resting, Algerian oil is being transported to France one by one by transport ships, and then sent to Germany. And not long after , they will be transported to the front line by the Germans and become fuel for the tanks, battleships, and aircraft that attack us. Therefore, I repeat, this is not a discussion, this is an order. I order you to attack Algeria immediately to prevent them from attacking Algeria again. Germany exports oil!”
Churchill's words affected General Wavell, and he understood the entanglement and helplessness in the British Prime Minister's heart.
In fact, General Wavell also made up his mind at this moment and decided to help Churchill kill Algerian Belante, a thorn in the side of the British Empire.
Now, what Wavell needs to do is to find a way to convince the soldiers to fight this uncertain fatigue battle.
"Do you have any other opinions?" General Wavell knocked on the table with his hand and looked at his chief of staff meaningfully.
The chief of staff looked at Wavell, but then quickly turned his eyes to the other side, as if he was deliberately avoiding something. He knew what Wavell wanted him to do, but he really didn't want to do it!
In fact, long before the meeting, Wavell had thought about the fact that almost everyone was opposed to the war.
And if the generals are opposed to this battle, they will not fight with all their strength. When the time comes, the British troops under his command will definitely suffer greater losses.
So Wavell had no choice but to try to persuade everyone through discussions with the chief of staff.
But who would have thought that after the chief of staff saw that everyone was strongly opposed to this battle, he did not dare to speak for a while!
The chief of staff's approach really put Wavell into a trap.
Shaking his head helplessly, Wavell continued: "Let me ask again, does anyone have any other opinions?"
Seeing that there was still no answer, he simply called the chief of staff by name and said: "Chief of staff, tell me."
The chief of staff was stunned. He didn't expect General Wavell to point him out directly. This was too much trouble!
There was no other way, so the chief of staff had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "Personally, I still prefer to attack Algeria..."
Wavell smiled calmly, the chief of staff was quite knowledgeable.
But before Wavell could be proud for too long, he heard the chief of staff continue to say: "But after listening to everyone's thoughts, I think what everyone said is very reasonable, and I don't know which view is more reliable.
"
After saying that, the chief of staff lowered his head and stopped talking.
General Wavell was very annoyed by the chief of staff's answer. He simply didn't follow the rules he gave him!
Just when Wavell was feeling desperate, the new major general commander of the 7th Armored Division unexpectedly said: "Commander, I think we should attack Algeria immediately!"
When Wavell heard that someone had the same opinion, he immediately felt as if he had found a life-saving straw. He raised his head happily and ignored the other generals' dislike of the major general. He said excitedly: "Come on, tell me why you think we should immediately
Attack Algeria?”
The major general said calmly: "First point, as the Prime Minister said in the telegram, Algeria has the largest oil field in Africa, and Germany is continuously buying oil from it. And once we occupy Algeria
, it was like cutting off an arm of the German mechanized forces, air force and navy.
Second, the northern ports of Algeria play a considerable role in controlling the Mediterranean. After we occupy Algeria, we can cut off the Mediterranean supply lines of Germany and Italy.
Third, our army has just experienced several major victories and its morale is very high. However, the French army has suffered successive defeats on home soil, and even its capital was captured by the Germans. Its morale is low. Comparing the two, it is not difficult for us to win."
After hearing this, Wavell laughed heartily and said: "Good analysis, this is the conclusion I want!"
