World War II: Starting with the defeat of the Desert Fox

Chapter 55 Counterattack Time

Ramsden will continue:

"Currently, our 10th Army's two armored divisions only have about seventy Grant tanks in total."

"These tanks were almost all gone after one tank regiment was equipped, and most of them had malfunctions or defects. A significant portion of them were tanks that had been decommissioned and repaired by the 7th Armored Division."

"Therefore, our mixed-species approach is actually a last resort."

(Note: In 1942, a full-strength British armored regiment had about 50-55 tanks.)

Thorne understood what Ramsden meant.

It is feasible to incorporate the Grant tanks into the model unit.

However, the purpose of the "model group" is to set an example and serve as a model for other armies to learn from.

If the "model group" is targeting the "Grant" tank, while other units are using the "Crusader," then there is no point in "learning."

It's like "the content being taught is out of touch with reality".

Ramsden and Major Cross cast questioning glances at Thorne: Under these circumstances, should "Grant" still be included in the sample group?

Thorne did not hesitate.

"Then," Thorne said, "..."

"All 'Grants' will be incorporated into the Sample Company, plus one 'Crusader' company."

"The two training methods do not interfere with each other."

Ramsden and Major Cross exchanged bewildered glances. Were they learning two sets of tactics at the same time?

Thorne, however, was quite certain.

"Grant" represents the near future, and its training is designed to prepare for receiving American tanks and enhancing combat capabilities.

"Crusader" represents the present day; there are still a large number of "Crusaders" in the 10th Panzer Corps, and they still have to use it in combat.

Therefore, we must grasp both aspects.

"As for the 'Grant' repairmen," Thorne said, "we should transfer all of Captain Thea's troops here and have them train a new batch of repairmen as soon as possible."

Lieutenant General Ramsden immediately agreed: "Leave it to me. I'll go talk to Montgomery."

Major Cross said, "I'm in charge of deploying the Grant tanks; they'll be assembled here tomorrow."

Thorne nodded. The armored regiment was efficient enough. After all, there was the pressure of survival, and any delay would be disrespectful to his own life and that of his men.

However, Thorne thought he had more than a month to train, but the reality was not so.

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In the command post, Montgomery held a cup of coffee, his eyes fixed on the map on the table, lost in thought.

In the past, he would have not hesitated to postpone the attack until October, even though Churchill urged him time and time again.

Because only then could the British army's supplies arrive and preparations for the attack be initially completed.

But now.

Under Thorne's leadership, the British army defeated the German army twice at minimal cost. As a result, the overall strength of the two armies rapidly widened, forcing the German army to adopt a defensive posture.

This left Montgomery wavering.

Degangan handed Montgomery a telegram: "General, I requested headquarters to move 200 artillery pieces, but it was rejected."

Montgomery looked at Degangan with a puzzled expression: "It was rejected?"

Degangan replied, "The command's response was: We should focus on the southern sector; it makes no sense to equip the 10th Panzer Corps in the northern sector with more gear."

Montgomery understood immediately upon hearing this.

The northern section is primarily defensive, while the southern section is primarily offensive.

Alexander's move was intended to force him to attack, and Churchill may have also been behind it.

Montgomery couldn't help but snort, his face turning ashen.

He was extremely dissatisfied with this interference in his military command through political and logistical means, and the more this happened, the more he preferred to postpone the counter-offensive until October.

however.

A gentleman in casual clothes, wearing a top hat and a suit, with a cigar in his mouth, walked into the command post accompanied by Alexander and his guards.

Montgomery took a closer look, his pupils dilated instantly, and he quickly got up to greet him.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, what brings you here?"

The one who arrived was British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

He flew secretly from England to Egypt, and because he needed to cross the German-Italian blockade zone, it involved a series of meticulous arrangements:

He flew through the night in an American B-24 bomber painted entirely black.

(Note: This is a stealth concept from World War II, making it difficult for enemy night fighters to detect a completely black flying target in the absence of moonlight.)

The flight was divided into two segments to ensure the aircraft could safely cross the Strait of Gibraltar at night and arrive in Egypt.

The whole process took a day.

"Is everything alright, Monty?" Churchill asked as he sat down on the sofa.

"All is well, Your Excellency Prime Minister," Montgomery replied.

Churchill grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze fixed on Montgomery: "You know why I'm here."

"Yes," Montgomery replied, "but I might disappoint you, Your Excellency, I don't think we're ready yet..."

"Answer me a question," Churchill interrupted Montgomery. "Before you took office, I asked you what your biggest concern was. Do you remember your answer?"

Montgomery remained silent.

Churchill continued:

"You told me that what you were most worried about was the morale of the Eighth Army."

"You said everyone believed Rommel was invincible, the British morale was extremely low, and they had no will to fight."

"You said that as long as you change this, you're confident you'll win."

Churchill shrugged: "Has that changed now?"

Montgomery could only nod: "Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."

He had to admit it.

Thorne's two victories have completely shattered Rommel's myth of invincibility, and the British army is inspired by Thorne, with morale and fighting spirit rising rapidly.

"Then," Churchill asked, staring intently at Montgomery.

"I want to know what the problem is?"

"What makes you still lack confidence in a counterattack?"

"Is it because it was Thorne, not you, who defeated the German army twice?"

The last sentence stung Montgomery, who looked at Churchill in shock: "No, Your Excellency, of course not."

"That's good." Churchill nodded gently.

"There's a rumor going around that you can't fight a war without 'Hans the Salesman'."

"Of course I don't take that seriously."

Montgomery gritted his teeth; this had pushed him to the brink.

If they do not counterattack, it is tantamount to admitting the "rumors"; otherwise, they agree to counterattack.

Then Churchill took a folded piece of paper from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Montgomery.

"Top secret," he said.

Montgomery took it, opened it, and read:

"Currently, the Afrika Korps has only enough fuel for one week and enough rations for two weeks. About one-third of its vehicles, including tanks, are in the repair shop because they cannot be repaired due to a lack of spare parts."

"However, two days ago Rommel flew to Berlin to ask for help, and Berlin has agreed to provide full assistance to the Afrika Korps in mid-September."

Montgomery was shocked.

Does this mean that the counter-offensive must be launched in early September?

It's only a little over ten days away!