Chapter 62: The Plan of Attack

  The British 7th Armoured Division is now at a crossroads. The first option is to turn back, pursue the German armoured units that have just passed through here, and engage in a tank battle with these German armoured units in the desert. The result of this would likely be mutual destruction, and the 7th Division will suffer heavy losses for some time.

  Secondly, the German tank troops have already gone to the rear of the British army. 'Bryan' judged that there can't be many tanks in the rear of the Germans, either infantry units left behind by tanks or transport convoys for transporting supplies to tanks.

  After careful consideration, 'Braun' chose the second route, which could result in the British Army's Corps Headquarters at Alamein being captured by German forces. Alternatively, it was possible that the British 7th Division would break through Rommel's last line of defense, forcing him to recall his tank units for rescue. The key here is who gets their hands on it first. And the distance marked on the map is clearly more favorable to the British 7th Division.

  The Seventh Army may have built a defensive line in an area of less than 50 kilometers, while the German army that just left here is still 200 kilometers away from 'Aachen'. 'Bryan' even slept for a while after finding out the German defense line and launched another attack, while the German army was still at least tens of kilometers away from 'Aachen'.

  Dare to disregard the safety of his own highest command, and deliberately attack the German army's defensive line that was like a decoration. This cannot be said that 'Bryan's military skills have already risen to a very high level.

  If it were another general, they would have chosen to return to their own headquarters first. Regardless of whether they could actually rescue them, with this positive attitude, their highest commander would not blame them. But 'Bryan' disregarding the safety of his own headquarters and deliberately trying to break through the enemy's last line of defense is somewhat unacceptable. This approach clearly has a flavor of adventure and opportunism. Even if victory is ultimately achieved, the highest commander will still have some reservations in their heart, and it is inevitable that 'Bryan' will be dressed down afterwards.

  Judging from the current situation, Brian's approach is the most correct. It is also the only way for the British army to win this battle. As long as they break through the German defense line in front of them, there will be nothing that can stop the advance of the British tanks. The British army will directly point to Tobruk, which has been occupied by the Germans for three months. The German supply will be completely cut off. At that time, even if the Germans have more tanks, without fuel supplies, they will all become scrap iron.

  The German army could only retreat to Syria, and at the time there were no vehicles, no oil, and no water. The German army was estimated to be completely annihilated in this vast desert.

  Brauchitsch's eyes were poisonous, Rommel's weaknesses were analyzed by him very clearly. That's why Rommel decided to use the flesh and blood of his soldiers to block the footsteps of British tanks, which was also a helpless measure.

  The British 10th Armoured Division and the 7th Armoured Division, which had lost contact with Corps Headquarters, unexpectedly made contact through wireless. The commander of the 7th Armoured Division, 'Brian', was astonished to hear that the 10th Armoured Division had been in contact with German tank forces.

  The commander of the 10th Division, Alexander, certainly did not dare to conceal it. When Brian heard that it was just a German army passing by and shooting, he felt slightly relieved. But when he heard the result of 0 vs 220, Brian almost bit his own tongue off.

  "Brian" thought to himself, "Alexander, what are you eating? Are your tanks driven by a group of pigs or something? Even if they were, it wouldn't result in 0 vs 220. And advancing while firing, I bet you're just exposing the rear of your tank and letting the Germans get close for a shot."

  Of course, Brian would never express these words on the radio. However, Brian was still secretly relieved about his decision not to attack the passing German tank unit earlier.

  Very soon, 'Brian' found the location of the 10th Armored Division on the map, which was less than 50 kilometers away from his own position, and to the south. It was a miracle that the microwave radio could contact at such a distance. Looking at the location, it seemed closer to Rommel's possible defense line than his own position. And so a bold plan took shape in 'Brian's' mind.

  Brian was soon back on the radio to Alexander, commander of the 10th Armored Division. "Old buddy, you're in a pretty bad spot. You won't be able to explain this to the high command." Previously, Brian had been only a corps commander, one echelon below Alexander's division command. He would not have dared address Alexander as "old buddy" before. But things were different now that both men were armored division commanders - and Brian had many more tanks than Alexander did.

  "Alexander" replied, "Yes, I'm worried about what to do now. Want to attack but no tanks left, want to retreat but no command from headquarters. Little brother, you tell me what to do." "Alexander" is also desperate and willing to try any method to get out of trouble.

  "Brian said slowly,"I think, brother, you can't hide the situation now. But you can't retreat."

  "Oh, why can't I retreat?" Alexander asked.

  "Brian" replied, "Think about it, if you go back once, the outcome of the battle will definitely not be hidden. When the time comes, the hat of defeat will be directly put on your head, and being removed from office will probably be light, and there is a possibility that you will be sent to a military court."

  "Military court, ah, ah, old brother, you must save me, looking at the party and country's sake, pull your brother one time." Alexander was also anxious, a mouthful of movie lines all came out.

  "Don't worry, I have a plan. You follow this plan and execute it, whether it succeeds or not, you won't be in trouble when you get back," said Brian with a sincere tone.

  "Oh, what's the plan? Tell me." Alexander said hastily.

  "It's like this, your current position has been exposed, so the German army may already know your attack route. But you still have to continue attacking forward, and the intensity of the attack must be great, putting all your firepower on it at once. Force other German troops to come and reinforce." said 'Brian'.

  "What... little brother, aren't you pushing me into the fire pit? Now I only have a few Matilda 2 tanks left, this is my entire firepower now. The remaining 35 French Char 1 tanks are still intact. But those old antiques can be knocked out by a German long-handled grenade, not to mention the German artillery. And I'm forced to call in other German troops for reinforcements, I reckon the German troops on the front line will finish me off, no need for reinforcements." Alexander said, almost crying.

  "What's your hurry? I haven't finished yet," said Brian.

  "Oh, oh, you go on, I'm not in a hurry, I'm not in a hurry, my name is Not-in-a-hurry." Alexander's mouth was once again dubbed the famous "Mr. Not-in-a-hurry".

  "This is what I'll do, I'll send 50 of the latest 'Sherman M4' improved models to reinforce you, you mix these 50 Shermans with your dozens of tanks and pretend to be the vanguard of an attacking force, advancing together towards the German positions. Then have your armored vehicles drag some debris behind them, raising a lot of dust in the rear of the attacking force, making the Germans think it's a large follow-up force." said 'Bryan'.

  "Oh, what of it?" Alexander asked.

  "As long as you can attract a large number of German troops to your front, I can take advantage of the opportunity to break through other weak points of the German army and get behind their backs. When the time is right, we'll launch a pincer attack from both sides, and the Germans will surrender. Even if they don't surrender, I estimate they won't be able to resist for much longer," said 'Bryan'.

  Alexander thought that if it was done this way, it would be a good idea. When the time comes, as long as they can take down the German army in front of them, the command center will not pursue the issue of tank losses. There is no war without loss. Although the loss is a bit heavy, Alexander can do it as a division-level cadre, and there are also people in the Ministry of Land who speak for him. However, the premise must be to win this battle in front of them.

  Brian didn't really want to help Alexander, of course not. Brian's real intention was to let Alexander attract a large number of German defenders, while he himself led the main force to directly break through the German defense line. These were all the same as before, but after breaking through the German defense line, Brian had no intention of going to surround the German army in front of Alexander. Brian knew that with just his few tanks and armored infantry, it was impossible to annihilate the large number of German troops in front of him. If the Germans were really forced into a corner, they might even recall their armored units that had just left. At that time, it would not be encircling the Germans, but rather delivering themselves to the door to be wrapped up like dumplings.

  The real intention of 'Bryant' is to break through the German defense line and rush straight to the German logistics supply point 'Tobruk', cutting off the German supply line, so as to achieve the plan to annihilate the entire North African German army. In that case, he would become a meritorious general of the British army in North Africa, even Montgomery couldn't compare with him. He estimated that his noble title could be further conferred by the king. And he no longer had to bear the name of a noble son, but became a real noble.

  As for tens of kilometers away, 'Alexander' and 'Brian' are not worried. Although 'Alexander' is likely to be killed by the Germans. That can only blame 'Alexander' for being unlucky.

  It would be best if Alexander died in battle, dead men don't talk nonsense. But even if Alexander didn't die and was captured by the Germans, it's unlikely they'd let him speak easily. If Alexander were to return alive to the army headquarters, 'Bryan' wouldn't be afraid, no one likes a loser who talks nonsense after being defeated.

  Alexander hastily expressed his gratitude on the radio to 'Brian' "Thank you, (in Fan Wei's tone)"

  Alexander was sold like that by 'Brian' and he was happy to count the banknotes in his hand for 'Brian'.