Preparations before battle

  Rommel, who usually spent his days buried in strategy and tactics, rarely had a chance to let loose. He drove his Mercedes at top speed, with Frenzen sitting in the passenger seat, frightened out of his wits! Again and again he urged Rommel to slow down.

  "Is my car faster than your plane, Major?" Rommel retorted.

  "Field Marshal, the two are not comparable. One flies in the sky and the other runs on the ground, it's a different story. Oh! Ah! Ahead! Slow down!" Rommel saw that Frenszen was able to speak calmly, so he increased his speed. The shock-absorbing system of this era's Mercedes-Benz was not yet mature and perfect, so the bumpy road surface transmitted to Frenszen's buttocks, causing his panic.

  "..." Vossen was speechless. In fact, he didn't dare say anything else, the Marshal's safety is important! After all, a good pilot's physical condition can't be compared to that of a slightly older newly appointed Marshal. He had nothing to do with it, and in his heart, he even hoped Rommel would floor it, so he could fully experience the power of the 1.6 engine. But for safety, he had to pretend to concede.

  Fortunately, Rommel returned safely to the No. 3 truck and was refreshed after a lap around it. He was eager to see the equipment that was about to be shown. Furenzen timely invited out the technical officer who came with the same machine - White Qi's crew member Xiao Afu. This guy is a DIY enthusiast, and his self-made tools happened to come in handy. In the simple mechanical factory on the front line, replacing engines for airplanes and cars, adding armor to tanks, and so on, were all child's play in front of him. Usually, with a face that was proud of being a technical expert, Xiao Afu had a hobby of pointing fingers at others' work, always thinking that no one was better than him. He called himself the King of Efficiency! And he especially liked to teach apprentices! White Qi decided to use his plan to carry out the renovation work of the front-line simple factory in order to satisfy his vanity, and gave him a task of teaching 30 apprentices every month. Some of the small tools and auxiliary fixtures he invented had great promotional value in this era!

  He selected some of his "inventions" that could be applied to him and standardized them. Then, according to his drawings, many parts were specially made, which can be conveniently modified for the German army's existing equipment. When the production capacity of the mountain camp cannot meet the needs of the German army, as an urgent substitute, it can improve the performance of weapons in a short period of time.

  Xiao A Fu suddenly became the highest-ranking technical officer in the entire German army, which was very cool! He happily taught his apprentices, modified planes, installed tanks, and became one of the busiest people among the Ice Origin crowd.

  Only Xiao A Fu had the demeanor of a university professor, nodding at Rommel. Since he was not a military man (nor a fan of Bai Qi's military games), Rommel simply shook hands with him, without treating him to a military salute.

  Xiao A Fu carefully introduced the technical equipment he brought this time to Rommel. There were many that were essential for desert warfare, such as new desert camouflage uniforms. Based on the marshal's uniform, although it was thick like a cotton-padded jacket, it had six major functions!

  1. Air conditioning function, autonomously sensing the body temperature of the host, adjusting the temperature of the clothes, keeping the wearer in a comfortable temperature environment at all times.

  2. Bulletproof function. 7.92 Mauser bullets cannot cause harm to a person wearing clothes at 100 yards away.

  3. Waterproof function.

  4. Color-changing function, in the enemy's field of vision, there is never this color of clothing among the colors. What they see is sand, leaves, and green grass.

  5. The life jacket has a clever inflation hole on the outside of the garment, which inflates to make the life jacket.

  6. Tactical vest function. When used as a military uniform, it can save water bottles, bullet belts, pistol holsters, dagger sheaths and other miscellaneous accessories, only one piece of clothing is needed, and there are several reasonably designed pockets on the clothes that conform to ergonomics.

  This outfit is great, but it's just too expensive. Xiao A Fu only brought less than 100 pieces this time, and there aren't many people qualified to wear this kind of military uniform. At least in Xiao A Fu's line of sight, which was higher than the top, the Rommel in front of him counted as one.

  Xiao A Fu is a meticulous person, he knows Rommel's physical condition is not good. So on this piece of clothing, he added massage function, using ancient Chinese medical principles combined with modern technology, designed a massage system. Using magnetic materials to massage Rommel's acupoints, helping Rommel to ventilate and blood circulation, aid digestion, regulate qi and bowel movements, and lift yang energy to dispel all diseases! He proudly and respectfully presented this piece of clothing to Rommel!

  But Rommel was not impressed at all, the 1.6 engine had already fully ignited his passion, but the marshal uniform brought out by Xiao A Fu was like a basin of cold water, extinguishing his enthusiasm! How could someone like Rommel, who didn't even care about the honor of being a marshal, attach importance to a military uniform? As a result, Xiao A Fu's enthusiastic face was met with a cold butt. However, Xiao A Fu didn't mind at all, it's said that people like him are rare. Such a person would not bother with a scientifically ignorant person like Rommel, who although fierce in battle, is only a novice in technology! Xiao A Fu naturally wouldn't bother to argue with him.

  Facing Rommel's disdain, Xiao A Fu, who was confident in his heart, just smiled. He said to Rommel, who was coldly looking at Furenzen: "Marshal, you mustn't underestimate this marshal uniform, it's a good thing! Don't believe me? Try wearing it first!"

  The frivolous tone undoubtedly further irritated the already volatile Rommel, who was on the verge of exploding! Frenzen saw that things were going badly and immediately stepped forward to mediate: "Field Marshal, why don't you just try it? Who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised!"

  Based on Frltz's experience, (he had experienced many "surprises" during his training at the Outpost Camp and thought this was another one) he knew it wasn't just a uniform. He blinked and puckered up, trying to ease Rommel's mood and pique his interest.

  Romell, although hot-tempered and straightforward, was not a fool. Seeing Frenzen's expression, his curiosity was piqued. "Maybe this uniform has some secret?" He thought to himself as he quickly took off his general's uniform and put on the marshal's uniform handed over by Little Afu. Then, he provocatively looked at Little Afu, implying "What's up, I've worn it. Show me what you've got!"

  However, Little Afu - a cultured technical officer simply didn't mention this matter. He put it aside and instead introduced Rommel to a new type of weapon - individual rockets.

  Compared to the marshal's uniform, this single-handed killing machine with a violent gene was more likely to catch Rommel's eye. He eagerly took over this beautiful weapon and inquired about various details, forgetting the comfort brought by his new uniform.

  This is a familiar weapon to everyone - the 40 fire! However, it is an improved product here! It is a triple-noiseless, smokeless, and flashless weapon. When fired outdoors, there is no tail smoke to expose the shooter's position. At night, there is no muzzle flash to reveal the shooter's location. In quiet alley battles, the shooter's position will not be exposed. Moreover, the range is quite impressive, with a direct shooting distance of 800 meters. With an optical sight, it can perform well in open environments like deserts! The power is also formidable, with a penetration depth of 3600 mm, enough to deal with various armored combat vehicles now and in the future! The bullet speed is fast, with an initial velocity of 1600 m/s. Flying 800 meters takes only half a second, truly "the beast cannot catch up, the bird cannot fly away"! Lightweight, the launch tube is made of carbon fiber material, sturdy and durable. Quality is minimal, volume is smallest. The entire weapon's combat weight is only 2.8 kg. Bullet weight is 2 kg. Length is 60 cm, and after opening the rear exhaust pipe, it is 100 cm. Safety: Even if it falls into enemy hands, it cannot be fired because during battle, the switch is unified, the trigger is protected by a fingerprint lock setting! It only recognizes one firepower group or one shooter! Enemy fingerprints are not recognized, and the cannon will not fire! The only drawback is that the rocket projectile is uncontrollable, shooting in a straight line. Low-cost, easy-to-produce RPG-style weapon. Shooters need a certain amount of training to use it proficiently!

  Romel was thrilled with such a big killer and asked again how many such weapons were brought. Xiao Afu smiled and told him that there weren't many, just one per African soldier. Romel's eyes rolled over in delight!

  The efficient German logistics department issued two per company the next day, plus six rounds of ammunition. After test-firing them, the soldiers were also delighted. They said "We have a shoulder-fired 88 now".

  Furenzen just demonstrated the excellent versatility and convenient installation of the 1.6 engine for Rommel. Xiao AF played a video for Rommel, and Rommel's eyes widened in amazement. It turned out that airplane engines could also use this thing, and it was very useful, pilots loved it. Rommel almost rolled his eyes again. When he saw Xiao AF's battlefield factory operation method, Rommel looked at Xiao AF with a gaze that was no longer helpless, but excited as if he had found treasure. His tone was no longer arrogant, but respectful and polite, almost to the point of tears! Because using Xiao AF's tools, it only took about 20 minutes to replace a new engine for the tank, and the empty space could hold many more things! The tank's weight decreased, and its combat power increased. The turret could also be equipped with 40 fires, totaling six pipes, although not many in number, but enough to take on the British Matilda with thick skin.

  Xiao A Fu saw Rommel's appearance and knew he had fallen into a trap. He slowly and calmly asked, "Marshal, how is your uniform? Is it comfortable?" His tone was still as light and careless as before.

  Although he said that, Rommel didn't get angry at all. He had long understood the automatic temperature control function of this suit, and since wearing it, he felt very cool, his legs were no longer sore, his waist was no longer painful, and his stomach was comfortable. With a face full of apology, he asked Xiao A Fu: "Okay, great technical officer! You are a gift from God to us! Now, my uniform pants and shoes haven't been given to me yet! Haha..."

  "Haha..." Xia A Fu was also laughing loudly.

  For him, it was indeed a fascinating thing to be able to work with heroic figures like Rommel.

  Romell was in a good mood, but the supplies hadn't arrived yet, so his good mood could continue. The remaining supplies were nothing new, mostly ammunition for two types of new aircraft and fuel for 50 trucks worth of air force supplies. The army wasn't too happy about it, having waited for so long, only to receive 300 planes. Not a single reinforcement soldier was seen, nor was there any tank armor-piercing shells, which were urgently needed. There were no other ammunition either. But there was a huge pile of food! The army felt very disheartened!

  Romel was unhappy again, the air force gave a big team. But how can it be comparable to an armored division?

  Out of the remaining 50 trucks, three were equipment for Little Afu's battlefield factory, seven were engines for 1.6 and 3.6 vehicles. One was Rommel's command center, three cars with 40 guns, two cars with reconnaissance and communication equipment. The remaining 36 vehicles had 30 food! Six cars were taken away by the air force, unknown what was inside. The African army looked at the air force's supplies as abundant as flowing water, while they couldn't even get a drop. The disappointment in their hearts! It was like the long waters of the Nile River and the vast sands of the Sahara Desert!

  In Africa, the air force troops also knew about the arrival of supplies. This group of proud sons heard that there were 300 aircraft in the Air Corps belonging to the African Army. They wanted to compare themselves with others to prove that those newcomers were just a piece of cake. Even if they had new planes, Field Marshal Kesselring's order soon disrupted their plans. 60% of pilots were transferred and sent to the Out Mountain Camp for training. The squadron led by Marseille stayed behind and went to report to the new Special Air Corps. This "Star of Africa" was the first ace pilot in Africa, his flying skills, shooting sense, all showed that he was a genius pilot! The new BF109HSX's various features were just right for such pilots! As an excellent pilot, Marseille couldn't be let go! Historically, Marseille died in September 1942 due to engine failure. Now with the new advanced and reliable planes like white clouds in the sky, such tragedies would not happen again!

  Frenzen is the captain of FW190HSX, with 200 aircraft divided into 20 small teams. Each team can theoretically destroy 600 tanks! The attack capability is very strong! However, it's just theoretical and under perfect attack conditions. The enemy tanks won't be lying on the ground waiting for Frenzen's 30 cannons to take them down! FW190HSX's armor performance can withstand 20 cannonballs, so as long as they're not directly hit by the enemy's large-caliber high-altitude guns, there won't be a big problem! The British 3.6-pound high-altitude gun is one of the only two on the African battlefield that can threaten FW190HSX, and the other 40mm caliber Bofors high-altitude gun has limited equipment and won't pose much threat! So, with air superiority, FW190HSX relies on its long-range, large payload, powerful 30 cannons, frightening unguided rockets, bunker-busting glide bombs (also known as cruise missiles), to efficiently strike ground targets. At the same time, with the help of fire control radar, FW190HSX has some air combat capabilities, flying steadily and stably, but its maneuverability is far inferior to BF109HSX's agility! However, FW190HSX is thick-skinned, hard-hitting, and can take a beating, giving you ten punches for one! Moreover, the long-range 30 cannons can fire outside enemy aircraft range, and with the help of onboard radar detecting enemies first and precise aiming from the fire control system, there's a high probability of shooting down enemy planes!

  There are 100 BF109HSX aircraft and 100 pilots. On the surface, it seems like one pilot per plane, but in fact, thirty of the pilots are instructors, mechanics, or temporary guest pilots who helped fly the planes to Africa! The remaining thirty vacancies were filled by Hans-Joachim Marseille's squadron. The reason Marseille, the "Star of Africa", was kept here is that he is a symbolic figure. He represents Germany's air power in Africa.

  The British saw him as a sheep seeing a wolf!

  There is still a need for a leader in the BF109HSX squadron, and Marsellus, although as arrogant as Rommel, is even more so. However, his down-to-earth and genuine self makes it easy for him to get along with his subordinates! He stubbornly insisted on flying his yellow 14 plane, without any intention of switching planes. Not until he saw his new plane did he hesitate to give up. His future subordinates repeatedly explained the benefits of the new plane, but Marsellus insisted on trying it out. So, without any experience with the new model, he began his first solo flight! After taking off, Marsellus became familiar with the plane in just ten minutes. He enthusiastically performed various stunts with this more agile, solid, and faster plane. After a brief flight, he had already fallen deeply in love with this plane. "This is the plane designed for me, she understands my heart, she's my lover!" When he landed, with Frenzen's help, he opened the cockpit and loudly shouted to his subordinates: "I'm in love with her! I'm hooked! I yearn for battle! Long live the new plane!"

  Marseille's efforts to save his Yellow 14 were not in vain, as the aircraft was transported to Berlin and well protected, serving as a tangible monument for future military museums! Only three BF109s shared this treatment, namely Hartmann's and Barkhorn's personal planes.

  Of course, in his big brother's eyes, Rommel severely criticized his adventurous approach. However, the 22-year-old young man's hot blood and impetus, as well as his restless, lively, and dynamic personality, were precisely the qualities that made a brilliant pilot, so he did what he wanted to do. Never changed.

  A series of new-style weapons required familiarization, many new subordinates needed to be familiarized with, and new planes needed to be ground-tested with old hands. His instructor was just as stern even when facing an ace! The Germans' unique strictness, seriousness, and by-the-book personality made it difficult for someone like Marseille to get along with them. His instructor was no exception, so Marseille had no choice but to go through his instructor's course schedule step by step, even if he could do it with his eyes closed! He endured, looking forward to it.

  His 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th squadrons have all achieved great results. Only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd squadrons, having completed their new aircraft training, haven't gone on a mission yet. He often wears shorts and smokes cigars, gazing at the African sky, thinking to himself: "Beautiful blue sky, are you feeling lonely because I'm not flying in your arms?"

  Just when Marshal was feeling bored, someone was working very fulfilling. This person is Xiao Afu, he took 400 technical backbones from Rommel as his apprentices. This time it's enough to satisfy the addiction of being a master! He commanded the German technicians who were very sensitive to machinery to use advanced electric tools to quickly replace the new engine for the tank, install composite armor plates, and install 40 fires. The No. 3 tank was transformed into having 750 kilowatts of power, and the captured Matilda had 1500 kilowatts of power, which was previously slow as flying! The 3.6-liter rotary piston engine reached the same power with only half the fuel consumption of the previous old engine! Single-cylinder 750 kilowatts, two-cylinder combination 1500 kilowatts! No cooling liquid, no oil pan, reduced oil consumption means increased gasoline! Speed increase means distance reduction! Xiao Afu inspected these rubbish in his eyes with a unique perspective, trying to improve the reliability of these existing tanks as much as possible. After his modification and maintenance, the combat effectiveness of 560 tanks was doubled! The various targeted usage specifications he formulated greatly avoided human error!

  Through these days of not long or short time, Xiao Afu's understanding of tanks has been sufficient. He now wants to hurry back to the Out Mountain Camp to design and manufacture his ideal tank! He already has a preliminary design plan, just waiting for this battle to be finished, after the actual combat test of the armor plate, it can be implemented.

  Back to Marseilles, even the instructors were full of praise for this young man's flying genius. He was a once-in-a-century talented pilot who completed his studies with excellent results and created new tactics for the new fighter plane using the simulator! The new tactics required higher G-force tolerance from pilots, but fortunately, the application of anti-G suits helped pilots overcome the discomfort of high G-forces. With these conditions in place, many of Marseilles' unique tactics became extremely valuable! His creative fighting style was pioneered in battle, and his intuitive shooting came from his genius judgment! In order to tap into more of his potential and further enhance the army's combat effectiveness, the instructors decided: Marseilles' battles were about to begin!

  After several days of rest, they trained a large number of technicians for the modification of armored vehicles. They were equipped with specialized armored repair vehicles that could quickly repair tanks, cars, planes and other vehicles in the dark. From then on, the logistical maintenance of the tanks that galloped across the battlefield depended on them!

  Romel is now fully prepared, he is visiting various combat units non-stop, formulating tactical details, deploying battle tasks, and waiting for the three special operations units of the leader to arrive before starting the fight!

  Everything is ready, only waiting for the east wind.