Chapter Sixteen Crisis

  The vast Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world. In this vast ocean of sand, there are many dunes of various shapes. There are pyramidal, parabolic and parallel ridges, most commonly crescent-shaped dunes. However, after being blown by a desert storm, the appearance of the dunes will change greatly. The desert also has many rocks that have been eroded into strange shapes like "castles" and "stone mushrooms".

  The Sahara Desert is one of the driest and hottest regions in the world, with a tropical desert climate. The average annual rainfall here is less than 100 mm, and some places do not see any rain for years on end. Sometimes dark clouds appear in the sky, and it seems like it's about to rain, but not a single drop falls to the ground, evaporating instead in mid-air. Rainfall like this, which has been continuous over the past few days, is something that Sahara rarely sees, perhaps only once every several decades.

  If it weren't for Rommel's good luck, the British would have driven him out long ago if not for the rain and curry problems. In fact, Rommel was also a quite sensible person, when he was fighting in France, his 7th Panzer Division had already arrived at Dunkirk, just one more push could turn over the British turtle shell and step on it again. But as soon as he received Hitler's telegram, without even reporting to the German Army Command, he rushed to Paris to attend the entry ceremony. If it were another general, they would have fought a decisive battle with the British army at Dunkirk, and then been scolded by Hitler.

  He had to say that Rommel was a good person, and he could see the situation at the time, tightly holding Hitler's rough retreat. He would never do anything that didn't work out well. As a result, he became the most outstanding person in the French campaign of World War II, mentioned by Hitler again and again. In less than two years, he was promoted to the position of Field Marshal. Rommel was actually smart enough, and he had both dignity and warmth towards Hans and Andrie. To put it simply, just the parents and family of Andrie made Rommel look up in awe, not to mention that Rommel was a Field Marshal, but in their eyes, he was nothing more than a tool for fighting wars. It was easy to get rid of him.

  So at first, no matter how much Rommel made a mess of things, Leeb didn't pay too much attention to him. At most, he was just locked up for three weeks. Showing mercy and saving face for everyone, after Rommel took command, he also equipped his troops with new tanks from Leeb's maternal family's armory, making everyone happy.

  Later, Rommel left Berlin and took command of a large army, full of vigor and ambition, achieving great success in middle age.

  Years of military life had made Rommel a seasoned tactical expert. He had excellent military qualities and outstanding military command capabilities. Plus, he was likable by his superiors and respected by his subordinates. Therefore, he could get whatever he wanted, and after several advances and retreats on the North African battlefield, he earned the nickname "Desert Fox".

  But the old fox is now in a difficult situation. In Rommel's command center, Rommel looked at the handwritten letter Liu Qi gave him for the seventh time and remained silent. The letter read:

  His Excellency Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel

  Hello

  When you read this letter, your loyal subordinate Hans and Andri have already crossed the Ruvessa Ridge east of Chia. This time I will go to the command center of the British army, before I take control there. Hope you don't retreat from the front line for 5-7 days at most, after I occupy the British command center. I will try my best to disrupt the deployment of the British army. Hope you seize the opportunity, and leave the rest to you. Cairo may be taken by you soon. Please keep this confidential for me.

  。

  I also sent my steward Philip with the letter to your headquarters, so that he can contact my family. Try to persuade the Führer to replenish supplies and personnel for you as soon as possible.

  Sincerely yours

  Your most loyal subordinate Barbary, Hans, Andri, Von, Dennitz

  Looking at Liu Qi's letter, the old fox Rommel was a bit embarrassed. Why? Because the current war situation in North Africa is very critical. Although Rommel almost drove the British into the sea twice before, but the personnel and supplies could not keep up, which dragged down Rommel's hind legs.

  The first time was when Rommel had just arrived in North Africa, at that time the German army led by Rommel was in high spirits and invincible. Although the number of people was not many, only 2 divisions of German troops. However, with high morale and the high-quality fighting capacity of German soldiers, plus Rommel's ingenious use of tank troops, before the British could react, they directly tore open the British defense line.

  The British were shocked and helpless in the face of being surrounded by danger, with no way to turn around and run. This one run was for several hundred kilometers.

  It has to be said that the British have a very scientific, systematic and specialized approach to retreats. This was evident in several battlefields around the world at that time, including Dunkirk, Burma, Greece, and now North Africa. For the British, facing danger head-on and escaping is not shameful, but rather a civilized and correct way of doing things. They ran all the way from Libya to Egypt, leaving behind only half a division of troops in Tobruk, who were left to fight like cornered beasts.

  Rommel directly surrounded Tobruk, but Rommel was not in a hurry to take Tobruk. Because the old fox knew deeply that his tanks could not play a role in urban warfare. If he took Tobruk, the German army would have to suffer huge losses in personnel and equipment. The old fox's dream was Cairo. He didn't want to use his precious tank armored forces for siege purposes, plus these troops were the bottom of Rommel's box in North Africa at the time. If they were all used up, it wouldn't be good if the British came back again.

  Romel then ordered a portion of the German infantry to cooperate with the Italian army to surround Tobruk. They were surrounded tightly and carefully. Then, they assembled a large number of air force and artillery units to continuously bomb and shell.

  Rommel immediately sent a telegram to Hitler requesting supplies for the troops and tanks, but at that time Hitler was intensifying the implementation of Operation Barbarossa to invade the Soviet Union, and also did not want to see Mussolini's power become too large, so he rejected Rommel's request.

  Hitler actually wanted to defeat the Soviet Union three months after the start of the war and then personally command the North African Corps to capture Cairo. Hitler also wanted to become a commander like Caesar who conquered Egypt. Little did he know that Rommel was also dreaming of doing the same thing.

  For various reasons, Rommel's supplies and troops were delayed indefinitely. Faced with the good situation, Rommel was so frustrated that he wanted to cry. However, no matter how clever a woman is, she can't cook without rice. It's like when you're in the middle of foreplay and suddenly find out you can't get it up. Rommel had no choice but to set up defenses and wait for supplies.

  But the British on the opposite side were very strange, obviously it was a situation where you wanted to fight and I would run away, why did Rommel not give face, not even a little movement. It's so bad that even the luggage of the big British military families in Cairo has been moved onto the ship, just waiting for everyone to get on the ship and return to Britain.

  As for whether the government will collapse because of losing North Africa, that is not something soldiers can consider. British soldiers adhere to the basic principle that soldiers absolutely cannot interfere with politics.

  The British basic principle of safety first is indeed the most basic of all principles. Losing a battle is not terrible, but if you lose your life, it's impossible to fight again. Can responsibility be shifted to Hitler and Rommel even after defeat? First, turn Rommel into an undefeated military god.

  What, you're not convinced? Alright, let's send you to North Africa to train with Rommel. How about that, aren't you afraid now? If you had come earlier, Rommel would have already taken care of you. Look at me, enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea in the comfort and warmth of my home. What is the difference? This is the difference. Losing one North Africa is nothing, our empire has many colonies around the world, I can still rise through the ranks and get rich in another place. I don't believe Rommel can conquer the whole world.

  Faced with Rommel's non-cooperation, the British army in North Africa felt empty. However, leaving North Africa without being attacked is a very serious matter. The discipline of the troops and the sense of honor of the soldiers do not allow British soldiers to abandon their posts. Being defeated is not terrible, people will forgive. But if order is not maintained in the colonies, that would be a major problem.

  The British are most anxious about Churchill, that big fat cigar-smoking guy. Egypt cannot be lost at all costs, this is the most basic one. He doesn't care how many people die, as long as he has Egypt and the Suez Canal. You know, without the canal, the colonies' supplies and food would have to pay a greater price to reach Britain.

  This price is just like exchanging gold for food, still one-to-one. To know that without food and afternoon tea, the British will complain loudly, then there will be no votes. The government's reputation will also suffer a great blow. It may collapse, and the credibility of the Liberal Party it represents will also be swept away. Maybe in the general election for the next few decades, opponents will use this matter to attack.

  With the help of the United States, it can still hold on for the time being, but that is also a temporary solution. That old fox Roosevelt only knows how to smile and give this and that. But these are all debts that need to be repaid! The British Empire's wealth accumulated over hundreds of years has almost been emptied by that smiling tiger Roosevelt. If they can't repay, the British people will go hungry, and someone will have to be held accountable - that prime minister will have to be torn apart.

  Don't look at Chamberlain being ousted in the war, but he is still living comfortably in his country villa. Even when he comes out to stroll around, people are very respectful of him. He didn't let the people starve or go without afternoon tea.

  Look at yourself, busy all day with your four feet in the air, you can't even squeeze out time to play bridge. In the end, you still have to look at Roosevelt's face and do things, although you also secretly instructed the Royal Navy to hang German military flags and sink several American merchant ships. But this old guy just pretended that nothing had happened, only letting the Foreign Ministry protest to the German embassy. Even the New York Times controlled by your family was banned from reporting. Can only watch as the US economy rapidly grows under the stimulus of war demand.

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  Here is the translation:

  Just a couple of sentences. The warm-up in front will soon be over, and now I'm putting all my spare time into this book. From now on, I'll try to update three times a day, morning, noon, and night, but at least no less than twice a day. On Saturdays and Sundays, due to work being busier, there can only be two updates, which is basically all that I can write. If you like it, please recommend this book to others. I'll say thank you in my heart. The key is that I was disturbed by the crying sound of a girl who was dragged out of an internet cafe by her parents last night, and I didn't fall asleep until almost 3 am. However, I took advantage of the opportunity to write another chapter. In my heart, I don't know how to evaluate that girl who was dragged home from the internet cafe in the middle of the night, but her sad crying sound did make me understand a bit about girls' strong online spirit.