Iron Cross

After talking about the situation in Africa, Hoffman changed the topic and asked about the navy: "How is the situation of the fleet?"

"The main force of the Japanese combined fleet has all returned north, and the fleet in need of repair will enter the Italian port tonight. We are ready for everything. The remaining Japanese fleet participating in the Kenya operation is expected to cross the Suez Canal and enter Alexandria tomorrow evening, and then sail as planned. The port is replenishing oil. The Italians have been given 150,000 tons of heavy oil and there are still nearly 200,000 tons left. The Japanese fleet may have to use more than half of it. Because the Musashi super battleship is too wide to pass through the Suez Canal smoothly, it will stay with some warships. Training in Socotra.”

"We can't be stingy with this little oil, and we still expect the Japanese to help attack Malta." Hoffman said with a smile, "Now that we have the oil fields in our hands, Marshal Antonescu of Romania no longer dares to raise his tail to the sky. Capitalists in other countries are also much more honest. Are there any of our personnel on Socotra?"

"Yes, Hainan Airlines has retained some personnel, and the rest of the pilots have been led by General Richthofen back to Kiel Port. Their aircraft have also been left with the Japanese. It is considered part of our handover of Japanese aircraft. The carrier-based aircraft pilots yesterday It has boarded the Zeppelin aircraft carrier and is undergoing adaptability exercises - judging from the sea trial, the entire warship is operating well. If everything goes well with the carrier-based aircraft formation, the fleet can be dispatched around February 5. "

Keitel then added: "The main force of the Navy's Southern Fleet is currently staying near Pemba Island and Zanzibar Island. On the one hand, it is blocking Kenyan ports and transportation, and on the other hand, it is covering the rapid entry of air force and army troops. Two airports have been established so far. , has more than 80 fighter jets, nearly 40 bombers and attack aircraft, and initially has control over Mombasa and surrounding waters. It is expected to have 200 fighter jets, more than 100 bombers and attack aircraft, and a navy after completion. Marine Brigade. We believe that such a deployment can meet the requirements of the Allied Forces besieging Mombasa - their strength may now be around 80,000."

Hoffman thought about it silently, and decided that the action time of the "Tsunami" plan would be January 29. It was agreed that the Tirpitz battleship formation would first attack from the Alta Fjord in Norway. After attracting the attention of the main force of the British Navy, Provide cover for the Zeppelin aircraft carrier to break into the Atlantic Ocean. He nodded and said: "Operation 'Tsunami' is not a matter of the Navy alone. Control of the entire campaign must be in the hands of the Supreme Command - the success of Operation Thunder-Serbrus benefited from the clever cooperation of the Navy and Air Force, while the Bismarck attacked alone. , the ultimate failure is a vivid counterexample, so I hope that the Supreme Command can shoulder its responsibility."

"Yes, head of state." Keitel couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard that he had the opportunity to join the navy, which was regarded as an independent kingdom. Now the Supreme Command can command the army and air force very satisfactorily, and its authority has been restored a lot. Keitel's status has also been improved.

"If Richthofen's carrier-based aircraft fleet cannot fully adapt, there is no need to force it. I can afford to wait. The aircraft and ships can be replenished. After the loss of these pilots and sailors, there will be no hope in the short term."

At this moment, the latest enemy situation telegram was delivered to Hoffman. He almost laughed out loud when he saw it. The intelligence showed that the Allied JW-51 had set off from the waters of Iceland on January 26 and was expected to pass 4-5 days later. In the Norwegian waters, just in time for Tirpitz's attack, everything seemed to be coordinated "flawlessly".

"This is Churchill and Roosevelt's New Year's gift to Stalin - we should find a way to get a piece of it and see what's inside."

While Hoffman was giving Keitel and others face-to-face instructions, Balck, commander of the Grossdeutschland Division, was discussing the current war situation with Rommel.

"Sir, do you want to use 80,000 to attack 150,000, and at the same time surround and destroy them?" The Middle East Group Army has a total of 90,000 people. Except for 10,000 who will stay in the rear, the remaining available mobile forces are less than 80,000. .

"No, this is impossible. In fact, on a battlefield as large as Persia, this number of troops is really too small."

Balk didn't know what Rommel was thinking: "So, what is the purpose of your current actions?"

"This is just an intimidation."

"Intimidation?" Balk looked confused: Rommel's current layout is very strange. He only has a small number of troops, which is almost half of the enemy's army, but even with such a small number of troops, he still divides him into two parts - - One part is deployed on the shores of Lake Urumiye, and the other part is deployed in Isfahan. The strength of both parts is around 40,000.

"If you were the Russian commander, what would you do about the overall Persian war situation?"

"First of all, we must stick to the back road and ensure that Tabriz is not lost."

"Our army is stationed on the west bank of Urumiye Lake. Are you coming to fight, or are you staying put in Tabriz?

"Well..." Balk hesitated, "It depends on the opponent's determination and his judgment of our strength. If he is determined, he should attack decisively."

"Then do you want him to attack?"

"Of course, the defense is in our favor. There is a lake to the east of this terrain - it is impossible for the Russians to come from above, so they can only come from the north and south. Except for the oasis we are in now, the rest are hills. And in plateau areas where movement is difficult, we can just sit back and wait for work.”

"So, if he attacks, how many troops will he need? Is 60,000 enough? 80,000? 100,000?"

"I think it won't be a problem to defend 80,000-100,000 Red Army troops.

"He only has a total of 150,000 troops, and some of them need to be deployed in Tehran - do you think my troops south of Tehran can capture this city?"

Balk's shell got stuck, and after thinking for a while he said: "What if the enemy does not attack and just hides in Tabriz?"

"That's it." Rommel pushed lightly on the map and pushed the southern troops to the door of Tehran. "For this city, I will only encircle it but not attack it. What do you think?"

"It's going to be very uncomfortable."

"I besieged Tehran for a week to ten days, and then..." Rommel gently pushed the chess pieces on the shores of Lake Urumiye, "I asked these troops to attack in a roundabout way from the south and attack the communication line between Tabriz and Tehran. What do you think will happen?"

"Tabriz and Tehran are divided between us."

"At this time, do you still dare to guarantee that our northern and southern forces will not join forces to attack Tehran?"

Balk was shocked and blurted out the next words: "What if I was ready to abandon Tehran from the beginning?"

"Then... we control Persia." Rommel said with a smile, "But do you think Stalin will be so easy to talk to?"