My Italy

What is General Simeone doing?

In fact, since Major General Pascal set off with the support troops, he has been preparing to send troops. In order to prepare for the speed of dispatching troops this time, he did not carry too many other supplies. Basically, except for ammunition and food, he brought as little other supplies as possible.

But this alone was not enough. In order to avoid harassment from the enemy's cavalry, he also summoned the local Tigrinya elders and asked them to send troops to assist him. As a reward for sending troops, he made a decision for the colonial government. As long as the local Tigrinya tribe sent cavalry to support themselves, the government would no longer collect a head tax of 8 lire per person per year from their tribe.

Do you feel like the money is very little?

Don't think it's less, it's a good thing for the barren local tribes of Eritrea. Because this tax is not small, and it adds up to a large amount every year. In addition, it also means that it can handle things well with the Italian authorities.

Of course, if you want to get the benefits of Simeone, each tribe needs to make a strong effort. Simeone also had requirements for tribes to send troops. According to the population of each tribe, troops were allocated at a ratio of fourteen to one. This is after deducting the elderly, children and women. Basically, the ratio is two to one, which is a relatively harsh draw.

Of course, being ruthless is not enough. Simeone also has a benevolent side. As long as they bring their own horses, equipment, weapons, and food, they can provide them themselves.

A steady stream of grain and grass purchased from various places was constantly transported from the Massawa port, allowing Simone to provide support to these mobilized indigenous warriors.

Of course, although Simeone didn't say what the result would be if he didn't want to, he would know it with his knees. Therefore, few tribes dared to disobey his orders.

Within the stipulated time, warriors from various tribes rushed to Adi Kwara with their horses. The indigenous cavalry of 24,000 people made the already crowded Adi Kwara even more crowded.

But these were all trivial matters. The main reason was that these tribal warriors were used to being undisciplined and started causing trouble everywhere. Simone arranged for the military police to arrest a few of those who made too much trouble and borrowed their heads to calm them down.

Then he called the leaders of each tribe and asked them to control their subordinates, otherwise the Italian army would manage them on their behalf. So under the suppression of these leaders, these indigenous cavalry finally looked decent.

At this time, the message for help from Major General Pascal finally arrived.

Simeone, who had been waiting for the news, immediately ordered the indigenous cavalry to clear the way, and his army then advanced.

Sometimes I have to admit that the local Eritrean tribal cavalry is a good way to deal with the harassment of the Abyssinian army. In front of 24,000 indigenous cavalry, the small-scale Abyssinian cavalry had no way to deal with them.

They were all driven far away, unable to get close to Simeone and the main force.

It was precisely with the protection of the indigenous cavalry that Simeone's troops were very fast, not as slow as the previous two times. They arrived in less than two days before Major General Pascal was attacked by the Fire Bull Formation in the Pare Valley.

Now he is less than 15 kilometers away from Major General Pascal who is surrounded, almost a day's journey.

Facing Simone's reinforcements, the one who was most surprised was the Abyssinian Emperor Johannes IV.

"You said enemy reinforcements are almost here?"

In front of Johannes IV, an Abyssinian warrior dressed as a cavalryman lowered his head and answered. "Your Majesty, yes. Our troops can't get close to the Italian army at all, so we can't delay their march at all. Those Tigrinian traitors are helping the Italians fight us."

Hearing this news, Johannes IV and the princes and nobles present had differences on whether to continue the attack on Alem.

"We should retreat. Since the enemy's large forces are coming, continuing to fight will put everyone in danger."

A prince expressed his opinion.

"This won't work. If we just give up like this, then wouldn't the soldiers we sacrificed die in vain? We must know that we have lost more than 30,000 people in order to fight the Italians trapped in Alem. What should we do with the losses of these people? ? How do you want the people to think of us if we retreat like this without any results?"

A disgraced prince expressed his dissent. Of course, they did not say that their troops had suffered losses of up to four levels due to the previous battle, and were already injured. If they retreated like this, how could they suppress the dissatisfaction of the troops. What's more important is that he belongs to the group of people who suffered heavier casualties, and of course he can't stand the princes who suffered smaller losses.

"This is to avoid causing greater losses. Otherwise, when the Italian reinforcements arrive, we will not be able to retreat even if we want to."

Such an explanation did not satisfy him, so he saw the fighting palace speak. "Our difficult enemy is even more difficult. Didn't you see that the enemy has retreated to only guarding one hilltop? Moreover, in the past few days of fighting, those Italians have also suffered heavy losses. As long as we use our strength, we will definitely be able to defeat them. At that time , I would not object to retreat at all.”

"I also know that the enemy's losses are too great. If we attack a few more times, we will definitely be able to capture it. However, this is not because the enemy's reinforcements are coming soon. It is too dangerous. I don't think it's worth it for this goal."

"Why is it not worth it? There is no battle that is not dangerous. Seeing that the enemy is almost finished, what do you mean by retreating? Are you planning to make good friends with the Italians and leave yourself a way out?"

"How do you talk?"

"That's how I talk."

"Okay, everyone, stop."

The voice from Johannes IV suppressed the dispute between the two princes. However, although he suppressed the dispute between the two, it could be seen from their eyes that they were still very unconvinced.

"Both of your suggestions are for everyone's consideration, but they have different ideas. I have decided to attack for another day tomorrow. If I can't hold on anymore, I will retreat immediately."

The order from Johannes IV left everyone speechless. They could only accept His Majesty's order, and the meeting ended like this.

For Johannes IV, reinforcements from Simeone were definitely no less harmful to him than other princes. Because this battle was decided by himself, if he could not produce a convincing result, the princes and nobles who had suffered huge losses would definitely leave him.

Then he, the unconvincing emperor of Abyssinia, will follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Tewodros II.

The emperor faced the British attack completely alone, so he died in Magdala in the end. This was the revenge of other princes and nobles for Tewodros II who only knew how to brutally squeeze them.

Following the lessons of the previous emperor, Johannes IV would mainly rely on win-overs and always ensure that the princes and nobles were on his side.

But now facing Alem, who had never been able to win, how could he lead the Abyssinian army to evacuate with heavy losses. So he could only bite the bullet and try again, no matter what, he had to achieve some results.

So whether the next step is to fight or flee will be decided tomorrow.

Major General Pascal, who was on the top of the mountain, was also looking at the Abyssinian military camp down the mountain. He had suffered enough losses and needed the support of General Simeone.

Don't worry, book friends who are waiting, the war will be over soon.