The decisive battle against the Third Reich

Of course, Rommel would not give in on this issue, even if he caused infighting or casualties.

The reason is very simple. Major General Oxeter's approach, which is to continue to impose a 60% tax, is to force French businessmen to continue exploiting Algerians as usual, and of course the Algerians will not allow French businessmen to exploit them again. They were exploited like slaves, so conflicts between Algerians and French merchants were inevitable.

On the other hand, Major General Oxster supported the French businessmen, so he could only suppress the Algerians bloodyly and even conflict with the Zoav Corps, that is, Zemamouche's troops. In this way, the entire layout of the African Corps in Algeria would be destroyed. Be disrupted.

This is only one aspect, what's worse is... this is equivalent to the German army breaking its commitment to support Algeria's independence, so it will form a domino effect on Greece, Libya, and Egypt, and the people and troops who side with the German army will There were concerns about the German army's commitment.

In other words, everything the African Legion has done before will be in vain, and even the foundation of Algeria will be shaken.

Therefore, Major General Oxter faced not only Colonel Slaine and the First Infantry Regiment, but the entire African Corps and even the troops and civilians of several North African countries.

If Major General Oxster knew this, he would never be stupid enough to make such a choice.

In fact, Rommel had other ways of dealing with it, such as getting in touch with General William and stating his interests to him, or giving orders directly to Major General Oxter.

But Rommel did not do this. He chose a more drastic method...arresting Major General Oxter.

It can be said that Major General Oxter ran into the muzzle of the gun, or was used by Rommel... Rommel needed to tell all North African countries in this fierce way: Rommel did what he said and promised to give you independence. We will definitely give you independence, and we will not show mercy even if the German troops are standing in the way.

Both Colonel Slaine and Qin Chuan knew this, and it was precisely because of this that Colonel Slaine used the "Lightning Division" and the "Zoav Corps"... It would not take so many people to arrest General Oxter. At most, the First Infantry Regiment plus the "Lightning Division" is enough. Plus the tens of thousands of Zoaf Corps stationed in Algiers, the strength is several times greater than that of the 36th Infantry Division.

So, that night, several armies gathered in groups in the pouring rain.

All soldiers received an order: "No shooting without orders!"

This is to avoid accidental injuries caused by language inability of troops from several countries to communicate.

Then, following Colonel Slain's order, cars and armored vehicles carried the soldiers straight to the shoe factory of the 36th Infantry Division.

The latest ones to join the battle were of course the Germans... The troops of the 36th Division were also Germans, so the sentries guarding the door never expected to be disarmed by their own people.

Therefore, when the German, Italian and Algerian troops deployed forces outside the shoe factory to heavily surround the 36th Infantry Division, the German troops inside did not even know... Of course, this was related to the rainy night and the fact that the shoe factory was located in the city of Algiers. , they thought there would be no danger at all in this position.

Then, with an order, dozens of searchlights were turned on with a "pop", and the snow-white light illuminated the shoe factory as if it were daytime.

Colonel Slain raised a loudspeaker and shouted to the shoe factory: "General Oxster, we are arresting you on the order of General Rommel. Please put down your weapons and come out of the main gate alone to surrender!"

At this time, General Oxster was still drinking and joking with several officers in the ballroom. Hearing these words, he couldn't help being stunned, and then said: "Is today April Fool's Day?"

The officers burst into laughter.

But soon a soldier hurried in and reported: "General, we have been surrounded!"

"Surrounded?" General Oxster said inexplicably: "Surrounded by whom?"

"First Infantry Regiment!" the soldier replied: "It seems there are also Italians and Algerians!"

Only then did General Oxster realize the seriousness of the problem.

He hurriedly led a few of his subordinates out of the ballroom, and rushed to the main entrance with a handkerchief in hand before even putting on his poncho.

"What's going on, Colonel Slaine?" General Oxster asked.

Colonel Slaine came forward and said to General Oxster: "Sorry, General, we have to arrest you!"

"Arrest me? What crime?" General Oxster asked angrily: "Disobeying orders?"

Of course, this charge was not established, because General Oxeter was obeying General William's orders.

"No!" Colonel Slaine replied: "As you said, our Eastern Front is in urgent need of supplies and materials, but you have deducted military expenditures that should have been used to produce and manufacture these supplies and materials!"

Major General Oakster couldn't help being stunned when he heard this, and then said angrily: "This is slander..."

Colonel Slaine waved his hand, and several soldiers controlled Major General Oxter.

"Do you have evidence?" An officer under Major General Oxster stepped forward: "If not, we must protect our division commander!"

Of course, Colonel Slain came prepared. He waved back, and two German soldiers escorted Beltrand up.

"This Frenchman gave General Oxeter a hundred thousand francs!" Colonel Slain said: "I think the money should still be in General Oxeter's bedroom. If you don't mind, you can go with my soldiers. Go in and search!"

Of course, the money was found. There is not much personal space in the army, even for the general.

So the German officer was speechless.

Of course, everyone knows that this is just an excuse. If Major General Oxter had not disobeyed Rommel's order or even threatened the deployment of the Afrika Korps in North Africa, he would not have been arrested for accepting one hundred thousand francs.

"This matter has nothing to do with anyone else!" Colonel Slain walked up to the officers and asked one of them: "What's your name, Colonel?"

"Franz!" The officer's eyes were a little evil and his tone was full of hostility.

"Very good!" Colonel Slain said: "Colonel Franz, now you are the commander of the 36th Infantry Division. I hope you will not make the same mistake as Major General Oxter!"

With that, Colonel Slaine waved his hand, and everyone escorted Major General Oxter out.

Colonel Franz and other officers were left standing there in a daze. Only then did they realize one thing: no matter who their superiors were, they had to listen to Rommel in Africa.