My Italy

However, the next attack today never started because reinforcements from the Third Guards Regiment came up.

Faced with the Italian troop strength changing from 500 to nearly 3,000, Menelik II, who led the team, suspended the attack. He needs more heavy firepower, and the artillery's previous performance was too poor and needs to be rectified. In addition, he also needs to send troops to contain other directions, and the enemy will inevitably threaten him from the flanks.

In addition, he also has a task, which requires him to surround the enemies of Mara City, but Emperor Johannes IV can help with this task.

When Menelik II appeared with his troops in front of the enemies of Mara, Emperor Johannes IV, with a main force of 110,000, was passing through twenty kilometers west of Mara.

It is extremely barren and uninhabited, but there is a small stream locally called Natamu. Although it cannot provide enough water for its own army, coupled with the existence of several underground rivers, it can barely provide the army with enough water.

Johannes IV, as emperor, moved with the army in a cart drawn by four horses. And the messengers who came in and out from time to time allowed him to get the latest news.

"Your Majesty, General Wärtsilä, has captured Kaleta's sentry."

"knew."

As soon as Johannes IV finished speaking, he drew a circle with charcoal on a parchment map. The location where the circle was drawn was exactly a sentry post called Caleta.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Menelik has led his army to surround Mara."

"knew."

"His Majesty……"

The constant news gave Johannes IV the latest control over the battle situation.

None of this news made His Majesty the Emperor show any fluctuation in his expression, and he always had a serious expression.

However, this situation continued until the evening. When the messenger came to report and the Meng Calai stronghold was also pulled out, his expression finally changed. Because on the parchment map, there are no Italian strongholds within fifty kilometers of Mara.

"The first phase has been completed. Next we need to see Menelik's performance and Italy's reaction."

The performance of the master of Shoa cannot be seen yet, but he will have a chance to see Italy's reaction.

Mendefera is located between Adi Kwara and Asmara. It only takes two days to reach both places. Of course, it was possible to reach both places so quickly thanks to the previous road construction army. But now the army has stopped building roads, and only the recruited indigenous people and engineers are still doing it.

This town, located between the two sides, is currently chosen by Simeone as his temporary headquarters. Because this allows him to get closer to the front line without giving up control of logistics. It is a good place to get the best of both worlds.

When the news came that the Abyssinians were attacking Marat, Simeone immediately cheered up. The opportunity he had been waiting for finally came.

"It seems that Johannes IV can't sit still."

After seeing the news of Marat being surrounded, Simeone was still in the mood to joke with the chief of staff beside him.

Major General Bartlett said after taking a look at the telegram. "The Sudanese offensive put Johannes IV in a difficult situation. If they don't take the initiative, they are waiting for death. They can only take advantage of it."

Facing the chief of staff's explanation, Simeone immediately said with a serious expression. "He also asked for it. If he hadn't acted arrogantly and ignorantly against the Eritrean garrison, this result would not have happened. He has attracted our anger and he must bear the consequences."

The two commanders of the expeditionary force were not worried about Major General Wagman in Mara City at all, and they still had the heart to tease the Abyssinian emperor.

What makes them so reassured is not only that Major General Wagman has eight thousand troops, but also that he has sufficient supplies. The ammunition is enough for two months of fighting, and the food and grass are enough for three months. Since there is no shortage of ammunition and food, there is nothing to worry about.

Since there is no need to worry about relieving Major General Wagman's advance team, Simeone and others are more concerned about another issue, how to capture the enemy's main force and prevent it from running away.

"Now we need to consider how to capture the main force of Abyssinia and prevent them from running away. I don't want to start a pursuit on the plateau."

"What are you going to do?"

Facing the chief of staff's inquiry, Simeone looked at the map in front of him and was struck by inspiration, so he spoke. "I have an idea."

"What do you think?"

Simeone pointed to the map in front of him and said, "Mara is surrounded. It is obvious that Johannes IV wants us to reinforce him. He must be watching our every move in a corner, considering Abyssinia People are more familiar with the environment there than we are, so we need to be a little more prepared.”

Chief of Staff Bartlett agreed very much with Simeone's words. Although they were not worried about the safety of Major General Wagman's advance team, their main task was to defeat Johannes IV and make the Abyssinians surrender, so what should they do? , which requires careful consideration.

"Then what do we do?"

The chief of staff's question made Simeone curl up his lips. "This is what I think. If we all press forward, although it will be safe and the siege of Mara can be lifted, it is possible that Johannes IV will escape. So my idea is that there must be reinforcements, but the strength cannot It cannot be too strong or too weak, and it is best to control the number of people to about 10,000.”

Simeone's words made Bartlett feel a little dangerous. "Ten thousand people, isn't that a little too low? The number of enemies reaches 160,000 to 70,000. Isn't it too dangerous to reinforce with ten thousand people? You must know that this is a march, unlike Mara, who has a solid defensive position."

Chief of Staff Bartlett's words are very reasonable, because the troops are not in combat status during the march, which is very dangerous if they encounter an enemy surprise attack. Although the soldiers each have their own rifles, the army's important support firepower cannot be in a state of combat readiness.

Moreover, the road from Adi Kwara to Mara was crisscrossed with ravines, which lengthened the queue of troops and slowed down their reaction speed. It can be said that if Bartlett commanded the Abyssinian army to besiege Mara, it would be a disgrace to what he had learned if he did not attack the reinforcements. That's why he expressed his worries.

"I have also considered what you said. To this end, I am preparing to strengthen this reinforcement force in terms of firepower so that it has enough firepower to block possible enemy raids."

Faced with Simeone's words, Bartlett was a little curious. "What equipment are you planning to strengthen for them? Artillery cannot counterattack quickly. Rifles are enough. Machine guns require preparation time?"

Faced with Bartlett's words, Simeone answered with a smile. "It's a Maxim machine gun, but a Maxim mounted on a carriage."