The decisive battle against the Third Reich

Two days later, the order for first-level combat readiness was sent to the troops again.

"Get your rifles ready!" Bazel said: "We are marching towards Cairo, this time for real!"

The soldiers felt a little unbelievable, but not surprised, because Rommel had such a character. He was like a bull at times, and no one could stop him from moving forward.

Soon, the soldiers heard Rommel's speech to the entire army read by the officer: "Soldiers, you are loyal and reliable, you are brave and tenacious, and you keep the enemy under constant attack. Now, it is time for us to completely defeat the enemy. In the coming days, I ask you to continue to fight bravely to achieve our great goal. Victory belongs to us!”

"Victory belongs to us!" the soldiers cheered, seeming to believe that the war would soon end.

But Qinchuan knew that it would not go so smoothly. Although the British suffered heavy losses in this battle, they were not injured... Most of their losses in the battle were "Stuart" tanks and "Mattie" tanks. "Elda" and "Valentin" actually did not directly participate in the battle because of their weak maneuverability, and of course they did not suffer much losses.

Although these infantry tanks have various shortcomings, their thick armor is undoubtedly a defensive weapon. Therefore, it would be too optimistic to attack rashly or think that they can reach Cairo and end the war.

Qin Chuan is not the only one who holds this idea. Air Force Marshal Kesselring also realizes this. At the same time, Kesselring knows Rommel very well... Rommel is a man who pursues fame and wealth at all costs. He does not even hide this. He once said that he would conquer Egypt like Alexander the Great, Caesar, and Napoleon, and leave his name in history as a great conqueror.

"Yes!" Kesselring said to himself: "This is Rommel. Will he march to the Nile? Will he want to realize his dream of drinking whiskey in the spacious Sheppard Hotel? Yes, he will definitely do so! "

So Kesselring dropped everything and flew to Tobruk to rush to Rommel's headquarters.

"Welcome, Marshal!" Rommel saluted Kesselring, but the expression on his face was not happy because he knew the purpose of Kesselring's trip.

"General, you must stop the attack!" Kesselring said: "You know, we are attacking Malta Island with all our strength. If the Afrika Korps continues to attack, it will force the Air Force to deploy more troops to cover you. With too much power, our attack on the island of Malta will fall short!"

"No, Your Excellency, Marshal!" Rommel refused without thinking: "I want to pursue the victory and cannot wait for you to capture the island of Malta, because this will cause us to lose a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

As he spoke, Rommel took the map and placed it in front of Kesselin, pointed to the route on the map and said: "You know, the British have received supplies from the Americans, and the Americans have a large amount of supplies in India. Including an unknown number of tanks, we have learned a lesson. We have added 200 tanks from Italy, and the British have added 700 tanks...If this delay continues, even if it takes a few weeks, the British army may mobilize elites. Troops and more tanks, then we have no chance!"

Objectively speaking, Rommel's idea is reasonable. He rushes to attack not only because he is eager for quick success, but also because facts have proven time and time again that the British can always obtain many more tanks than the Germans in the same time. and supplies, especially after knowing that the United States began to assist Britain, it was even more urgent.

Just like someone said about the American industry: "When one plane is shot down, two planes take to the sky at the same time; when one aircraft carrier is sunk, two aircraft carriers are launched at the same time."

This situation also existed on the African battlefield, so Rommel could only fight quickly.

"You didn't understand me!" Kesselring said: "Without the full support of the air force, you cannot attack Egypt; and if the air force fully supports you, you cannot attack Malta; if Malta cannot be taken, The Afrika Korps’ logistics line is completely unprotected! You may not even get a tank or a box of bullets by then!”

As he spoke, Kesselring emphasized his tone: "You can't place your hopes on a desperate move, General! The only correct way now is to stick to the original plan and defend the Halfa Pass defense line, and postpone the attack on Egypt until the capture of Malta. after!"

"No, Marshal!" Rommel replied: "I choose to go all out!"

"Okay, General!" Kesselring was angry at Rommel's words: "Maybe I can't influence your thoughts, but you have to understand that the air force is under my command!"

Kesselring's implication was that if Rommel insisted on having his own way, he would not let the air force support the attack launched by the Afrika Korps.

Kesselring originally thought that Rommel would give in, but unexpectedly Rommel shook hands with Kesselring politely with a smile and said: "I completely agree, Marshal, even so, I will choose to attack. Then I will I’ll invite you to dinner in Cairo!”

Kesselring could not convince Rommel, so he left angrily. Before leaving, he said: "Don't think I just talk, I do what I say!"

Rommel was not a fool. Of course he knew that continuing the attack without air force cover was just asking for death... Without the cover of wind and sand, enemy reconnaissance planes could see the smoke and dust caused by tanks advancing from a long distance, and then fighter jets and bombers all the way. Indiscriminate bombing, hundreds of tanks were probably destroyed before they even reached Cairo.

But Rommel had other plans.

After Kesselring left, Rommel sent a telegram to Hitler: "Dear Führer, the current situation of the Afrika Korps is in the best condition. The condition and morale of the troops, coupled with the captured munitions and supplies and the current enemy's Weaknesses are all conducive to pursuing the remaining enemies in the hinterland of Egypt. Some people don’t understand that if we can capture Cairo and control the Suez Canal and then occupy the entire North Africa, what else will we do with the island of Malta?”

Hitler was immediately moved after receiving this telegram... Hitler was also a man who was eager for quick success. Rommel once served as the captain of Hitler's personal guard, so he understood this very well, and of course he also knew what could impress him.

Rommel's guess was correct. After receiving the telegram, Hitler announced in front of his military advisers: "Any attempt to capture Malta is 'completely' out of consideration. The 'turning point' in Africa has arrived, and the ever-victorious If the commander-in-chief cannot persevere to the end in the moment of victory, the goddess of victory will never reappear!"