The decisive battle against the Third Reich

It turns out that this was Conrad's role.

After Conrad completed testing the new "Plank 3" tank and PAK38 and other equipment, he made a report to Rommel

"Is everything going well, Colonel?" Rommel asked Conrad.

"Of course, General!" Conrad stood up and replied: "It went very well!"

"So..." Rommel took a sip of coffee: "My tanks will no longer be as powerless against the Matilda or other British tanks as before?"

"Yes!" Conrad said: "They can penetrate the frontal armor of enemy tanks at about 400 meters. In addition, I believe that our tanks will greatly improve their reaction speed and coordination capabilities!"

"What do you mean?" Rommel was a little confused. This was not mentioned in Conrad's previous report.

"That's right, General!" Conrad replied: "I installed a phone on the back of each tank so that the infantry can coordinate with the tank through the phone, and the tank commander no longer has to risk his life in the tank. Observe the situation and command the tanks, and the infantry will tell them all the information they need!”

Rommel couldn't help but be startled when he heard this. With his rich tank combat experience, he certainly knew the benefits of this, so he nodded and praised: "Good idea, Colonel, you did a good job!"

"In fact, General!" Conrad replied: "This is not my credit, this is proposed by your subordinates!"

"My men?"

"Yes, a sergeant!" Conrad said, "It is said that he was also a combat hero!"

"What a surprise!" said Rommel. "I think I should meet this sergeant!"

This is a method often used by Rommel. It is not because he meets the soldiers because of anything, but because he knows how to capture the hearts of the soldiers.

Rommel once said to the officers: "The most important thing is that a commander must try to establish a personal, brotherly relationship with his subordinates. Through such psychological control techniques, the combat capabilities of the troops can be greatly improved." The level of improvement!”

Facts have proved that Rommel's approach was correct. The German army in the North African battlefield was able to repeatedly defeat the larger number with less and the stronger with the weak. In addition to the military quality of the German army and correct strategies and tactics, another point was that Rommel would often go to the soldiers. to encourage and mobilize their confidence and morale to fight.

In this regard, British commanders are exactly the opposite. They always command remotely from a location far away from the battle line. For example, in the recent "Operation Tomahawk", Lieutenant General Pearce, the so-called frontline commander of the British army, actually set up his headquarters. In Sidi Barani, 97 kilometers away from the front line...

97 kilometers, which prevented him from making timely and accurate adjustments according to new situations emerging on the battlefield.

One of Rommel's methods was to meet with soldiers who had meritorious services or made outstanding contributions. Rommel believed that this was just a matter of chatting with the soldiers in his spare time at work. He could relax himself while also motivating the soldiers to fight bravely. Why not? Why not?

Senior German officers often regard meeting soldiers as a kind of honor and reward. For example, being interviewed by the head of state, or hunting with the head of state, is a supreme honor and can be written on the resume as a kind of affirmation, but Qin Chuan is completely Not caring about this, he just walked into Rommel's office as ordered.

"General!" Qin Chuan stood up and saluted.

"Sergeant Frick!" Rommel, who was reviewing documents, said without raising his head: "I heard that you proposed to install telephones on our tanks. It's a very good idea..."

When Rommel looked up and saw Qin Chuan, he couldn't help but be startled: "Oh, we have met before, right?"

"Yes, General!" Qin Chuan replied: "At Tobruk Airport!"

"Yes, I remembered it!" Rommel said: "You are a sniper. Where is your sniper rifle?"

"In the hands of the guards at the door, general!" Qin Chuan replied: "They won't let me bring him in!"

Rommel smiled apologetically: "You know, these guards are always a little nervous. The way they do it, I will disarm all the soldiers just by walking around the front line!"

"It doesn't matter, General!" Qin Chuan joked: "Those guards still have guns in their hands, they can go to the battlefield for us!"

Rommel couldn't help laughing. He had never seen any soldier dare to joke with him, so he couldn't help but look at Qin Chuan differently.

"Training is hard, isn't it?" Rommel brought Qin Chuan a cup of coffee: "I see you don't look good!"

"No, it's not about training, General!"

"What's that for?"

Qin Chuan hesitated for a moment and then replied: "A few hours ago, I fainted due to severe dehydration..."

"Oh, the desert weather is like this, but it's because of the training!"

"No, general!" Qin Chuan replied: "It's because of punishment!"

"Punished?" Rommel looked at Qin Chuan in confusion: "Why would a soldier as good as you be punished?"

"General!" Qin Chuan could only tell the truth: "Last night... I stole General Strike's chicken!"

Rommel almost spit out the coffee in his mouth.

"You stole General Strike's chicken?" Rommel looked at Qin Chuan with an incredulous expression: "Then what?"

"And we ate it!"

Rommel couldn't help laughing, laughed for a while and then asked: "What was General Strike's reaction?"

"He was so angry!" Qin Chuan said, "Our whole company was forced to stand under the sun because of this!"

This made Rommel laugh again.

After a while, Rommel calmed down and said: "Sergeant, this is the funniest joke I have ever heard!"

In fact, Rommel still had the pleasure of revenge in his heart. He had long been grudged against Major General Strike for repeatedly disobeying his orders.

If Major General Strike felt his dignity was damaged because of stealing the chicken, Rommel also felt that his prestige was affected because Strike disobeyed orders.

Of course, Rommel would not show his contradiction with Major General Strike in front of the soldiers.

"Let's do this!" After thinking about it, Rommel said: "Before you go back, I will ask the guard to bring you a chicken, and treat it as returning it to General Strike. You can also tell him that it was given to you by me. Yes, even if I’m interceding for you!”

"Yes, General!" Qin Chuan was completely relieved now.

Just now, Qin Chuan was worried that General Strike would continue to settle accounts after he returned. With Rommel's words, it would be difficult for General Strike to pursue the case again.

"You can go!" Rommel patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder with a smile and said, "If you need anything next time, such as a chicken... you can report it to me!"

"Yes, General!"

At this time, there was a sudden burst of gunfire outside, and Rommel's expression changed.

Soon a guard opened the door and said nervously: "General, we are under attack!"