Redemption of WWII

Chapter 59 Selection

Rommel did not know the news that the British Tenth Armored Division had been completely lost. 【】Rommel received the news that the 15th and 21st Armored Divisions of the German Army passed by an armored unit of the British Army, and only broke contact after a brief exchange of fire with the enemy.On the chaotic battlefield, the German 15th Division and 21st Division did not carefully understand the extent of the enemy's losses, because that was not their main task. Their main task was to rush through the blockade line as soon as possible and reach the 'Ah Lai' Man'.

This small mistake led Rommel to believe that a British armored force was attacking his second line of defense.Rommel's second line of defense was set up in the 'Fouquet' area on the Egyptian border, where the 2 German infantry divisions that had just been mobilized from France and the 4 Italian troops withdrawn from the 'Ah Lehman' line of defense defended. The German infantry and the Italian infantry of the two divisions were sent out by Rommel, and the armored troops of the German army went to "Ah Lehmann" to attack together. The tanks were of little use when attacking the fortress.

The 'Fouquet' line of defense was just established by Rommel, and the soldiers hadn't even dug trenches, let alone various large-scale fortifications.

Now Rommel's tanks have basically been dispatched to attack 'Ah Lehman'. Facing the fast-moving and extremely capable British tank troops, Rommel really has no good way but to retreat.Of course, if Rommel is given another 1 to 2 days to build fortifications, Rommel is really not afraid.Lay anti-tank mines in front of the positions, and then use a large number of anti-tank guns to lay out various anti-tank positions. , and finally use those 88mm cannons just shipped from Berlin for long-range shooting.Not to mention, it is quite difficult for the British to break through this line of defense.

But now there is no time for this short day. According to the description of the telegram, the British army is less than 2 hours away from him.It can be said that the British have come under Rommel's nose, and Rommel has already smelled danger, and the situation is quite critical.

Now Rommel doesn't have many choices, the first is to carry it here.The desert has a wide view and flat terrain, which is simply a paradise for armored troops to fight.The combat efficiency of the tank can be amplified in the most ideal state.Even if fortifications are built, infantry cannot successfully block the attack of tanks.Not to mention that there are no fortifications.

Rommel's second option was to withdraw the German armored units that were marching towards 'Ah Lehmann'.The best option for fighting tanks in the desert is to use tanks to attack tanks.But Rommel couldn't do this. Those tanks were all brought by Philip, Andre's old housekeeper. He really didn't have the face to let those tanks return.Even if he transferred those tanks back to wipe out the British army in front of him, he probably wouldn't be able to explain to Berlin and Andri's father.

When the time comes, people should say, "Marshal Rommel, I got everything you asked for. But why didn't my son see it. What's going on?"

Regarding the deeds of Andri's father, Rommel also heard about it when he was with Hitler. The Führer's intelligence department set the files of Andri's father as top secret.But there is one thing Rommel can be sure of, that is, without Andri, he is sure that his life will not be easy, and his family will even be implicated.Thinking of his gentle and virtuous wife 'Lucy', and thinking of Andri's father's slightly evil and kind smile, Rommel felt the hairs on his body stand on end.

Rommel had a third choice, which was to choose to retreat directly.Since you can't beat it, let's run, but the price you pay for this choice is quite heavy.In the desert, the marching speed of infantry is not comparable to that of armored troops.That would turn into a chase by the British army, and the Germans who couldn't hold their ground would be covered up by the British army from behind. When the time comes, let alone these troops, even the 'Tobruk' behind can guarantee that they won't all succeed. problem. 'Tobruk' was Rommel's place of glory.Rommel's field marshal was awarded by Hitler because he conquered the important military fortress 'Tobruk'.

Now that I have got a lot of troops, weapons, and fuel, if I lose Tobruk.Not to mention whether the German command will punish Rommel.Even if other German generals uttered sarcastic remarks, Rommel couldn't stand it.

Other generals would say, "It's easy to get it and it's easy to lose it. We can't learn from him."

"That's right, Field Marshal, I'm nothing special. I can't even defend a fortress, and I'm not as good as a division commander under me."

"What teacher, my regiment leader can defend it."

"My battalion commander can hold on."

"I."

Rommel shudders to think about it.

After thinking about it, Rommel finally made a difficult decision.There is no need to think about calling back the tanks, nor do you need to think about retreating and being chased and beaten by the British.The only option right now is to stick to the 'Fouquet' line of defense.Now Rommel only has more than 70 thin-skinned tanks in the Italian army, and the other 40 'Tiger' tanks that have just been shipped from Germany.

Rommel had not seen a 'Tiger' tank before.Rommel will not be much better if he has seen the 'Tiger' tank, because the 'Tiger' tank is too ordinary, and its appearance is far from the fluency of the German No. 4 tank.It feels a little goofy.In addition, there are only 40 'Tigers', which are too few, and there is no way to compete with the 300 tanks of an armored division of the British army.

Rommel was used to losing hundreds of tanks in one battle, and these 40 'Tigers' might not even survive half the battle.But this is just Rommel's wishful thinking, because he doesn't understand 'Tiger', not to mention that he doesn't even understand the German High Command.Because the 'Tiger' tank is only in the experimental stage, it is only a prototype tank.If it weren't for Andri's old lady who was eager to save her son, it would never have been Rommel's turn to use these 'tigers' first.

The design concept of the "Tiger" tank is different from most tanks in the early years of Germany. The previous design emphasized the balance of mobility, protection and firepower.Although Germany's early tanks were often inferior to other opponents in terms of firepower, tactical advantages outweighed these disadvantages. The design of the 'Tiger' tank showed a different design philosophy, emphasizing firepower and armor at the expense of mobility.But in fact, the mobility of the 'Tiger' is just not improved, and it is the same as the previous No. 3 and No. 4, that is, it still has the mobility of a German tank, although it is not as good as the 'Sherman m4' and the Russian ' The t-34' runs fast, but it is the most maneuverable heavy tank in the world.

It can be said that Rommel was also deceived by the simple and honest appearance of 'Tiger'.So all the 'tigers' were placed in the northernmost part of the defense line, where Rommel didn't want to use up the last bit of armor in the battle.Then put most of the elite German infantry units in the path of the British [-]th Armored Division.

The reason why Rommel dared to use infantry to stop the British army coming from the opposite side was because of his great self-confidence.This confidence comes from the 88mm anti-aircraft guns that have just been shipped.

To be honest, this kind of gun was famous in the hands of Rommel.

In the two battles in 1941 and 1942, Rommel was actually at a disadvantage. On two occasions, the troops led by Rommel himself were surrounded by British armored soldiers.However, Rommel had very few tanks. At a critical juncture, Rommel ordered the troops to equip the 88mm anti-aircraft anti-aircraft guns used for air defense, and directly changed them to flat-fire guns.The anti-aircraft guns are used for shooting airplanes, the barrels are scary long, and the speed of the guns is quite high.

After changing to anti-tank guns, the effect is surprisingly good.The British 'Matilda' 2 tank, which cannot be hit by other anti-tank guns, can't escape at all as long as it is hit by an 88mm anti-aircraft gun.

The unexpected discovery gave Rommel an extra weapon against British tanks.And Rommel's accumulated combat experience has become more and more handy for the application of weapons such as 88mm anti-aircraft guns.

However, the 88mm anti-aircraft gun can only be used for defense and must be erected in advance.The British tanks are not targets. They stop where they are and let you slaughter them at will.If a place cannot pass, British tanks will bypass this place, and then the 88mm anti-aircraft gun will be useless.That's why Rommel didn't have the confidence to stop the British armored cluster.It is simply very contradictory.