Five hundred and twentieth chapters, the think tank behind Wavell
"Did you find that small German unit?" the Australian major general asked anxiously.
"No!"
"Division Commander, we repelled the French attack on the southern flank. The two battalion commanders stationed there asked for instructions whether to launch a pursuit of the French army."
"Let them maintain their garrison. There is no need to pursue the French army on the southern flank." the Australian major general ordered.
"Wait!" Johnson suddenly stopped the Australian major general's order at this time, and instead shouted: "Order the two battalions stationed on the southern flank to immediately launch a pursuit. At the same time, I asked the British troops under my command to also transfer a battalion to assist.
Pursue and try to capture the French army on the southern flank as soon as possible!"
"Leave the position, add more troops and launch a pursuit?" The Australian major general looked at Johnson in shock.
Johnson turned around, swallowed, and explained to him: "The French army's attack on Highland 4 is not an aimless and scattered offensive. In fact, they have already carried out a pull-type attack at multiple battle points.
It contained our garrison on Highland 4."
Having said this, Johnson wiped his cold sweat with some fear and said word for word: "The enemy is not conducting an unfocused attack on Highland No. 4. It is only the French army who are attacking without focus. Their key offensive mission is to hand over
In the hands of the Germans!"
"The German army will launch the main attack?" The Australian major general held up the sand table in front of him with both hands and stared at the remaining model of the sand table that had been half destroyed by him. Then, he said to Johnson with some enlightenment: "What do you mean?
.....”
"Yes!" Johnson said decisively: "Start with the French army's seemingly chaotic offensive, use unfocused and scattered attacks to drag down the energy of the garrison on Highland 4, and wait for the opportunity to dispatch the most powerful German troops to eliminate the 2 troops at the junction.
Battalion Australian support force. Then use the remaining troops of the French army to launch a pass on the southern flank of our main attack position to attract our main force. Finally...their German troops who ended the battle circled to Highland No. 4
In the surrounding area to the east, launch another attack in another direction that is truly a fatal threat to the garrison!"
The Australian major general was already sweating profusely when he heard this. He dared to say that there were too many things in it that were beyond the imagination of their Australian generals. The British general had thought of it, but it seemed that it was just an afterthought. So, planning all this
How terrifying is the German commander?
"Now it seems that the opponent took full advantage of our two blind spots and planned this cunning tactic." Johnson said through gritted teeth, his face turning blue and white.
"First, they took advantage of our thinking inertia. In fact, the opponent did not fill the second line of defense with German troops as we predicted. On the contrary, they probably gave up the entire second line of defense and vacated
All forces are used for the attack!"
Abandon the entire second line of defense?!
The Australian Major General was a little unbelievable. Although this did explain how the small German and French armies were able to gather the strength for this large-scale offensive.
However, the side with the inferior force actually completely abandoned a complete fortification. How audacious is the commander of the other side!
"Second, they captured Position 4. Although they suffered huge losses, they still have a high possibility of holding it..."
At this point, Johnson was already gasping for air and his tone was extremely heavy: "...I just received the news from the reconnaissance plane that the Italian army is approaching here!"
I see!
At this time, the Australian Major General, with the help of Johnson, finally figured out the meaning of the whole thing. The German and French troops just made perfect use of a time difference. They freed up their troops and used chaotic offensives as cover, intending to cause chaos.
Win the battle and capture Highland 4.
Then, when the approaching Italian army arrives, both highlands No. 3 and No. 4 will be able to obtain sufficient defenders. At that time, the British army will want to overcome this last obstacle and capture the highlands not far behind.
The oil fields in eastern Algeria are even more difficult than reaching the sky.
Thinking of this, the Australian Major General re-examined their ultimate goal of starting a war with the French army. His expression suddenly changed. He quickly took a breath of air and said urgently: "Major General Johnson, then we are now..."
Once the allied forces of Germany, Italy, and France regain their position, the local advantage that the British army finally gained on the southern front will be offset again. In this way, the British army will be separated from the strategic target in front of them.
Will be visible but out of reach!
"As long as we can take down the French army that is harassing us on the southern flank first, we will have time!" Although Johnson was still a little scared, he sat down, then turned his head and said to the Australian major general standing at the sand table model table:
"No matter who the opponent is, even if he is Rommel himself, since I have seen through his tricks, he must be prepared to pay the price! In terms of speed, I am still confident that he can be faster than their Italian reinforcements."
At this moment, the Australian Major General suddenly felt a kind of respect that was close to admiration for his colleague. He was indeed the man who had helped General Wavell make plans to defeat more with less, defeating 500,000 Italian African troops with 100,000 men.
A little famous general in the British army.
Although in the eyes of most ordinary people, the credit for defeating the strategy of Garibaldi, the commander of the Italian Army in Africa, almost entirely belongs to General Wavell.
But in fact, most of the British Commonwealth military circles, especially the generals in Africa, knew that if Johnson had not strongly suggested that Wavell first deal with North Africa and then turn around to deal with the Italian troops in East Africa until Tobruk was captured, perhaps the British would have
From the moment Somalia fell, Wavell couldn't bear the pressure and retreated.
It was Johnson's suggestion that allowed the British army to capture the crucial Tobruk Fortress in East Africa, and then they could confidently and boldly turn around to deal with the Italian army in East Africa, relying on Tobruk Fortress for comfort.
It can be said that Johnson's persistence contributed to Wavell's victory. As for Wavell's real contribution, it was just that he was moved by Johnson's persistence and followed his advice.
Of course, for the sake of propaganda effect, Churchill's government concentrated the credit of all the generals on Wavell and created such a famous national hero.
However, when it comes to strategic and tactical attainments, more African British generals actually admire Johnson.
This was also the reason why Wavell left Johnson in charge of the already critical southern front.
Now, in the eyes of the Australian Major General, placing Johnson here may soon be another great success decision for General Wavell.