Bismarck

Looking out the window, there were three or four requisitioned small boats, including the one next to the Duke of Abruzzi, which were docked next to several Italian warships, replenishing these Axis warships with ammunition and fuel - especially the anti-aircraft ammunition that had been consumed in great quantities during the day.

Even though it was a moonless night, the supply operation was still proceeding in an orderly manner.

Although the mainstream view has always been that Italy's allies are cowardly and unreliable, it now appears that the Italian Royal Navy and a considerable part of the Italian ground forces are not the incompetents as the legend says.

Even the ambitious but incompetent leader in Rome, who likes to set random goals, basically responds to requests when the front line asks him for support.

It seems that if Italy, the ally, is not such a weakling, he would still be worried about his ally...

So the remaining thing is to take advantage of these few days to step up investigation and integrate the forces in your hands.

Picking up a cup of coffee, Lütjens had already made up his mind...

"Lindmann, ask Tirpitz to ask Bismarck how the Zeppelin's repairs are going. If possible, we'll go back together tomorrow, as we'll need her again soon."

Chapter 512: Tirpitz Volunteers

More than 230 kilometers east of the Port of Alexandria is the exit of the Suez Canal in the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt's third largest port city, Port Said.

In a military restricted area of ​​the port, even though it was late at night and the lights were turned off, behind the tightly covered doors and windows, there were still crowds of people and bright lights.

A tall but sturdy secretary walked out of a room with a sign on the door saying "Radio room, confidential area, no entry for outsiders" and an armed sentry standing guard at the door. She walked quickly to the door of an office with a heavy door...

"Hmm? My dear lady, what can I do for you?"

Cunningham, who was in the pile of documents, looked up and saw that it was his wife ship knocking on the door, and his old habit of talking nonsense came back. Then, as usual, before he could finish his sentence, with a bang, the commander with a smile on his face was punched on the head by the brave, persevering and conscientious secretary ship.

"During working hours, I'll say it again, Commander, you have to call me Secretary Belle... If you call me Madam again during working hours, you'll just have to sleep in the office!"

But why can secretaries hit their superiors?

Cunningham couldn't figure it out.

Probably Schrödinger's secretary...

Ignoring his own man who was holding his head and crying, War-weary snorted unhappily. Cunningham, who was suffering from tracheitis, could only hold the big red envelope with cross-tape on it, looking at the slightly raised nose of his secretary-ship, and said nice things with a smile as if his nature was acting up.

Even though they have been married for decades and are tired of war, it doesn't matter how nicely you put it, this guy is thick-skinned. It's hard to change one's nature.

Why was I led away by this guy in the first place?

She had a headache.

Although to be honest, this guy looks like this because he cares about me. After all, he is a secretary and he must have official business to come to me.

After get off work, she can have fun and play as she pleases. But at work, she has to abide by the rule of not talking about personal matters during working hours.

Suppressing the light feeling of happiness in his heart that was a little bit of mutual support for twenty years, he sighed helplessly that he had fallen into this guy's trap in his life. He rolled his eyes at the guy who would definitely turn a blind eye to his repeated admonitions, took out a telegram, pretended to be cold to his own frivolous commander, and began to deal with business as usual:

"Commander, I just heard a call from Tirpitz to Bismarck. The content was to inquire about the damage and repair of the Zeppelin. It also mentioned that Lütjens and his headquarters would go to the Zeppelin with Major General Dazzara of Italy to hold a meeting."

As he spoke, he handed the telegram to Admiral Cunningham, commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, who had put away his playful expression.

"Even the Italians are holding a meeting? Do you think this is a sign of their next move?"

After reading the telegram with only a few short sentences several times, Cunningham looked at his secretary with a frown.

"That should be the case, but we still don't know when and where they will take action. I can still eavesdrop on their communications. Although those German warships are playing hard, it seems that Lütjens is also keeping a tight control on the key information."

"Lütjens has always been serious and meticulous, so it is normal for him to control the dissemination channels of some information." Cunningham smiled and nodded: "Otherwise, relying on a few ship girls alone, he would definitely not be able to fight the war like this - but if we know that they are going to carry out a major operation in the near future, we can make an estimate in advance."

"They have received a new batch of reinforcements in the past two days. The General Staff has already estimated that they should start counterattacking after the new reinforcements arrive. Although the existing intelligence is still very scattered, no matter what they do, they should start counterattacking in the Alexandria area first." War-weary took out an assessment memorandum from the General Staff and handed it to Cunningham while continuing to report.

"I see. Just pass this information to Li Teqi. If there are any signs in Alexandria, he will know what to do..." After listening to his secretary's report, Cunningham thought for a moment and said, "But according to the analysis, the possibility of a surprise attack on Port Said should not be underestimated..."

"Lütjens or Mussolini, both want to fight out of the Mediterranean. This possibility must be guarded against." War-weary nodded seriously, and as if he had thought of something, he added: "Especially now, in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), the remnants of the Italian East African Corps are still active in the Gondar Fortress in the northern mountains. Your brother, General Allen Cunningham, is leading the troops to clear them out. Now I wonder if Mussolini still has some evil intentions towards Abyssinia?"

"Hey, that kid, the situation is almost settled on his side. Speaking of which, after they defeat Alexandria, they will most likely attack Port Said, right? After all, they want to open the Suez Canal."

Although he spoke of his battlefield judgment, Cunningham seemed to take it lightly. He raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Even if they want to attack the Suez Canal, they must wait until the situation in Alexandria is resolved. So we still have time to adjust our defense here. Besides, don't we still have the Suez Canal garrison here? Let's refine the defense plan for the Suez Canal in the next few days, dear, what do you think?"

"Well, okay, wait! What did you call me just now?" The secretary ship, who was listening carefully to the commander's thoughts, was teased by this guy again without paying attention. However, just when War-weary came to his senses and stretched out his fist to teach this shameless and disrespectful guy a lesson, there was a knock on the door outside...

"Who is it? Come in." War-weary turned around and shouted unhappily.

The door opened, and the confidential staff officer came in with an urgent letter: "Report to the commander, an urgent telegram from London..."

"Hmm? What happened?" Confused, War-weary took the telegram from the confidential staff and handed it to Cunningham. Cunningham took the telegram, waved his hand to let the confidential staff go, and then read it with War-weary...

"...In order to coordinate the maritime and continental strategies between our country and the American allies and unite to defeat our common enemy, Nazi Germany, the War Cabinet will form a military delegation to negotiate with the United States in Washington... The War Cabinet has decided that you will serve as the head of the delegation, and at the same time, General Henry Haewood will take over your position as commander of the Mediterranean Fleet... Please complete the transfer procedures for the Mediterranean Fleet as soon as possible and return home as soon as possible, and lead the team to visit the United States as soon as possible. This matter concerns the overall strategy of the British Empire, and you must not shirk it... Prime Minister of the British Empire Winston Churchill."

Looking at the transfer orders in their hands, Cunningham and War-weary could not help but look at each other.

Even he couldn't help but slam his fist on the table.

"This...what should we do now? This war..." Even though he was tired of war, he couldn't help but feel a little at a loss.

Suddenly I was ready to do something big, but found myself having to leave this place.

Cunningham had no other choice. No matter how unhappy he was, he could not disobey the order from above.

Forced myself to calm down.

"There's nothing we can do. Let's prepare to return home. Conducting the Allied Maritime Strategic Negotiations with the Americans is really a big deal. I can only ask Howard to pay attention to the defense of Port Said when the time comes..."

Cunningham raised his head, and with a hint of reluctance, he looked far away to the west of Port Said, in the direction of Port Alexandria...

"After fighting so hard with Lütjens and Bismarck in the Mediterranean, the Germans are still attacking. I am being transferred away before I can see the victory of the counterattack. I am really unwilling to accept it..."

As the old sailor in the Mediterranean spoke, he couldn't help but clench his rough fist holding the transfer order, and the blue veins on his fist seemed to be about to burst. Beside him, War-weary was also like his old sailor, biting his teeth with a hint of reluctance, looking far away in the direction where the war was still raging...

"Bismarck... Zeppelin... The British Empire will defeat you one day."

------

At the same time, in the conference room of the Zeppelin aircraft carrier...

The senior officers of the Mediterranean Fleet were gathered around a large table covered with maps and documents, discussing the tactical issues of the landing operation.

"In other words, only by cutting off the last retreat route and forcing the more than 20,000 British troops in the city to land in one fell swoop can the situation of the war be fundamentally changed?"

Looking at the charts and maps on the big table in the conference room, Bangtai scratched his bald chin and looked carefully at the aerial photos taken by the Air Force: "But, Montazah Palace was originally a royal palace with sufficient fortifications and defense facilities. The terrain is open and easy to defend. It is only three or four kilometers away from Abu Qir and Alexandria..."

"And the British have a fortress in Aboukir, which is the most annoying thing." Lindemann was also a little depressed and slapped a stack of photos and pictures in his hand on the table: "This is the result of Zeppelin's reconnaissance plane: There are three 155 fortress guns at Cape Aboukir and in the direction of Montazah Palace and Mamulah Bay, and there is a circle of 40mm anti-aircraft guns around each. - Anyway, my Grape has already said that those Italian warships are not her real body, and the accuracy of the specific artillery bombardment cannot be controlled at all. So even if she commands the Italian light cruiser to bombard, she can't beat these turrets - unless her real body is transferred from the Crete anchorage."

"Tizi's current condition...it's only been three weeks, can she move?" Lütjens, Bismarck and Zeppelin all turned their heads and looked in the direction of Lindemann.

Seeing the looks people were giving him, Lindman touched his nose helplessly. "Well... we have just welded the big leak with steel plates. The reinstallation of the armor has not started yet. Also, although the structural damage is strong enough, it still needs to be repaired... woo woo."

Lindemann was halfway through his words when a small, white hand suddenly covered his mouth.

Lütjens, Bismarck, Bonte, and Zeppelin all looked at Lindemann's side. It turned out to be a little hamster that was originally just hanging on Lindemann as a cute pendant. It covered its captain's mouth and raised its eyelids expressionlessly. Seeing that the people around were all looking at her, the lazy Grape pursed her lips and squeaked in her soft and cute voice: "Attack the artillery, I'll go."

"Tizi, don't joke. You haven't recovered from your main body injury yet." Shaking off Tizi's hand that was covering his mouth, Lindeman first looked at the pink-haired mouse hanging on his shoulder.

"Yeah, Tizi, don't force yourself." "You don't have to go. If it doesn't work, I can ask my men to blow it up..."

Bismarck and Zeppelin also advised in unison.

"I'm going, I'm going." Grapes muttered impatiently. Seeing Lindemann and Bismarck Zeppelin still trying to persuade them, Hamster pouted and snorted, and started to get angry: "I must go for this kind of thing. There is not only one artillery position. The British have soldiers there... If the British want to fight back, will they use the Italian cruiser's 152mm guns with very little power to fight back?"

When Tizi said this, Lindemann, Bismarck, and Tirpitz were all stunned...

But, this is the truth.

The reconnaissance reports on the table and the information brought over by Rommel all showed that the British had a large number of troops stationed in the fortress of Aboukir.

According to intelligence from the army, in addition to the six 155mm coastal guns on the two artillery batteries, the fortress barracks in Abu Qir has at least one tank regiment (equivalent to the tank battalion in other countries), a reinforced mechanized infantry battalion, a 155mm howitzer battalion, and a mixed anti-aircraft artillery battalion equipped with 40mm ping-pong guns and 90mm heavy anti-aircraft guns.

Moreover, Abu Qir is a fortress and barracks. Even the Montazah Palace, although it is a royal palace and royal garden, has many places that can be transformed into fortifications.

Zeppelin now only had about 155 planes left, and they had to provide air cover. The main air force was also busy dealing with the superior forces of the British Air Force on various battlefields, and did not have much energy to support the Marines on the ground. The firepower of the cruisers was not even enough to deal with the mm shore guns on the forts...

Without a battleship as a firepower deterrent, this battle would be difficult to fight.

Looking at the little hamster who was still a little angry but wanted to help everyone, everyone in the meeting room couldn't help but feel a little complicated.

Bismarck, in particular, was happy and relieved for his sister, but he also felt a little distressed that the cruel war situation required her to fight in the battlefield with injuries.

The conference room suddenly fell into silence.

"What's wrong? Haven't you figured it out yet? At a time like this, I'm the only one left to go."

Looking at the silent crowd, the little hamster, who was originally still snorting, pouted proudly. As Tirpitz's biological sister, she knew that this girl was not very willing to deal with such troublesome things, but she wanted to help everyone, so she forced herself to go ahead...

Bismarck felt even more distressed, and suddenly felt like he wanted to say something. But as soon as he opened his mouth, he was interrupted by his sister with a wave of her hand:

"Sister, please stop talking. I dragged your real body out of the beach. Really... If I don't go, will you go?"

Bismarck felt that he could no longer say what he wanted to say.

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Chapter 513: The Difference Between Salted Fish and Salted Fish

The war is as cruel as ever...

In order to blow up Rommel's supply fleet, the Royal Air Force in the Middle East and North Africa Theater under General Arthur Tedder was completely bloodthirsty. Although they suffered heavy casualties, they still got up early and went to bed late every day, bombing the two ports of Alexandria and Matruh at all costs.

Under the fierce air raid, in addition to the one that ran aground, the other two merchant ships that were still able to move in Alexandria were bombed into one sinking and the other stranded. And in Matruh, one of the three oil tankers that were unloading fuel with hoses was also sunk by the British night bombing.

Of the sixteen cargo ships used for supply operations, five sank, a loss rate of 31%. Alexander's transport fleet was particularly annihilated.

However, after several days of continuous attacks, the Royal Air Force was severely damaged.

After all, when the air force attacks, it will definitely suffer greater losses. Especially the Germans, the radar station and front-line command center set up by Lake Mareotis allow Field Marshal Kesselring to directly monitor the movements of the British troops over the entire battlefield.

Moreover, although the number and capacity of airports were limited, the German Air Force could fly directly from the mainland to Greece or Italy, and then directly to North Africa to reinforce the battlefield. The British aircraft, except for the old-fashioned aircraft in the colonies that were outdated and could not stand up to the battle, the main bomber reinforcements took the shortest route on the map: from the Free French Nigeria Governor's Office, across the Chad region to the Sudanese Khartoum Airport (which was then a region of the Farouk Dynasty of Egypt), and then transferred to Egypt. This route is 2000 kilometers across the African continent.

The most important thing is that there is no navigation along the route, which is the most frustrating part.

Once they get lost and are forced to make an emergency landing, even if they don't die from the fall, the consequences will probably be that those with better luck will be fed to lions, those with less luck will be fed to hyenas, and those Europeans with even less luck will probably be pierced through the heart by a spear from the legendary African cannibal tribe and then made into skewers, right?

Human meat skewers taste delicious, but it would be terrible if they fell on your head.

As for fighter jets, they would have to sail around the entire African continent, not to mention that there was also an early warning command fighter jet that would bring a group of perverts from the Zeppelin aircraft carrier to brush up their records every now and then...

Britain's air force advantage was being rapidly reduced in the brutal air battle.

The four merchant ships of Alexander's supply team carried 7,000 tons of supplies, including two that were able to be salvaged after running aground, and a total of 2,400 tons were rescued.

It’s about seven or eight basic quantities of supplies, which is equivalent to a battle.

More ships safely unloaded the supplies they were carrying at Mersa Matruh and Tobruk.

With the relay transportation of more than a thousand vehicles, 160 German tanks and 50 Italian tanks, more than 50 heavy artillery pieces, 11,000 tons of fuel and 12,000 tons of supplies began to be transported continuously towards the Alexandria battlefield.

Although it would take at least three to five days to drive from Matrouh, heavy equipment such as tanks and heavy artillery would have to be repaired before they could be used even after arriving at the port of Alexandria...

But...with the reinforcement of heavy equipment, Rommel, who had been suppressed by second-rate guys like Litchi and had been holding back his anger for a long time, turned around and, with the support of the Air Force, began to launch a large-scale counterattack against the tired British troops under the fortified city of Güton.

The 15th Armored Division, the 21st Armored Division, and the Areet Blackshirt Armored Division only had the personnel and equipment of an armored regiment. The Axis armored forces, who were exhausted from putting out fires everywhere on the edge of the southern desert, exploded with anger after receiving reinforcements and supplies...

The German armored soldiers, who were blood-thirsty, drove their mounts like wolves and tigers, howling and rushing towards the British tanks under the cover of 88 anti-aircraft guns and 30 machine gun Stukas.

With the abnormal offensive and defensive capabilities of the powerful modified Panzer IV tank, British and American tanks, whether Valentine, Crusader, or the American-made M3 Grant, are no match at all.

Firepower can't penetrate, defense can't stop, and running is not much faster than others.

In the face of the speed of the Panzer IV, the Churchill, the only one who could withstand the fire of the Panzer IV in terms of defense, had almost the same mobility as a bunker...

Moreover, the British Churchill in North Africa had at most a tank battalion.

So, after a head-on confrontation in a small valley on the edge of the desert with a score of 57 to 4, the Allied armored forces on the southern front collapsed on the spot...

The four Allied armored divisions on the southern front - whether it was the Free French Armored Division that had been crippled before, the British 1st Armored Division and the British 7th Armored Division, or the British Royal Guards Armored Division that came from afar and had strong manpower - all suffered a crushing defeat under the German counterattack.

On Alexander's side, Litchi was having a headache facing the village of Shahinnakh which had been bombed into rubble, and the 164th Division which had less than a battalion of troops left but was still fighting to the end in the narrow terrain. When he received the news that the Royal Guards Armored Division had been defeated, his jaw dropped to the ground.

"How could... How could this happen? How could we lose so miserably... This is impossible..."

The horrified Litchi ignored the stalemate in the port of Alexandria and hurriedly dispatched the Australian 6th Division, which had been reorganized in the rear, to try to stabilize the front line.

Prime Minister, Litchi doesn't want to be rushed into Cairo by the offensive madman Rommel along the "Western Highway" on the edge of the desert...

As for the 164th Division...

Let me stabilize that place first...

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About twenty kilometers northeast of Alexandria, on the tip of the Nile Delta coastline, there is a small fishing village called Abu Qir.