Iron Cross

Rommel, who was suffering from stomach problems, returned from Africa. He stood in front of Hoffman with a respectful expression, but the grievance in his eyes could not be concealed: a month ago, in order for the war in Africa to progress smoothly, he He deliberately flew back to the base camp to ask for reinforcements, but the head of state dismissed him in a few words because the eastern battlefield was more important, and asked him to wait patiently for news of victory in Stalingrad and the Caucasus. In order to take care of the overall strategy of the head of state, he endured, and even considering that his own unfavorable situation would gradually intensify as time went by, he was also prepared to take the initiative to launch an attack to seek to deter the British. But a month later, just five days before the scheduled attack, he received an order from Guderian to replace him.

He had reason to be angry. This was not directed at Guderian, he was just directed at the capriciousness of the head of state - a month ago he asked for 200 tanks and an infantry division to be reinforced, but a month later Guderian was able to bring 2 An armored division and three motorized infantry divisions came to take office. Although so far, except for Guderian and several of his assistants, no soldier has set foot on the yellow sands of Africa, Rommel has his own channels and knows that this time the head of state will never deceive Guderian - the troops he promised The Eastern Front has been gradually mobilized and is undergoing rapid reinforcements. The authority is at the highest level, and Guderian is likely to obtain more strength-the "Flying Fortress" armored division upgraded from the Hermann Goering Armored Brigade and the Sri Lankan armored division. The elite paratrooper brigade reorganized by General Tudent will also be deployed on the African battlefield.

"My Marshal, I'm sorry..." Hoffman didn't know what words to use to explain to Rommel, because he couldn't explain the reason for changing the overall strategy after crossing, and it was inconvenient to say outright that Montgomery would be Rommel's pain. - This was due to conflicting command styles and insufficient troops. He could only comfort the desert fox with warmth.

"The war in Stalingrad and the Caucasus is advancing extremely hard. In a sense, many people's suggestions to me were pertinent, so I decided to adjust my focus to the southern front." Hoffman explained himself euphemistically. "As for Guderian's appointment, don't be too surprised - it's purely because I know that your health is not ideal and I want you to return to China for recuperation. On the one hand, I want you to come back this time. I hope you will do well." Recuperation, on the other hand, is..."

"Führer, my body can still hold on, I..." Rommel wanted to ask himself if he had lost the trust of the Führer, but after thinking about it for a moment, he swallowed the words that were already on his lips - the Führer said He had the gift of cultivation, which promoted him from a small guard battalion commander to an army field marshal. He could not express this doubt confidently.

Hoffman saw what he was thinking and waved his hand casually: "You don't have to consider too many factors. Your condition is an important aspect, but the more important thing is the overall situation: too many things are going on now, and I need capable personnel. Share the burden for me. You know, my reserve army commander is a traitor. The nearly 2 million supplementary army and reserve army are in chaos. No one can hold up the situation. I need a capable general who I know well. "

"General Jodel has been working beside the Führer for a long time and is familiar with various tasks of the Supreme Command. I think he is more qualified for this position than me."

"He is not good. He is a staff commander with no actual combat experience and very little contact with front-line troops. Now in wartime, we urgently need experienced soldiers and officers, and we need experienced commanders even more." Hoffman explained He said, "You are the most suitable candidate in my mind."

After hearing the explanation, Rommel remained silent. If according to this logic, Guderian also met the requirements, why did he have to come back?

Hoffman forced him to sit down: "I know you are not satisfied with this arrangement, but I sincerely consider it for you. You are in poor health and need to rest. The reserve army also needs a commander with high battlefield prestige. Your Experience, your exploits and even your tactics are all things I need urgently, and it would be good for you to dispel certain rumors..."

Rommel remained silent, he knew what the "certain rumors" were referring to - he had just been promoted to the rank of marshal two months ago, and a large number of senior generals and generals on the Eastern Front were still waiting eagerly, and any of them They all commanded more troops and destroyed more enemies than Rommel. Some people said sourly: "Rommel, the field marshal, commanded a few divisions in the desert and was placed as the commander of the Eastern Front Army Group." Not as good as anything else." Rommel's lack of combat experience in commanding a large corps has always been Rommel's weakness - he was only a division commander during the Battle of France. When the Eastern Front army surged forward, he transferred to North Africa, and the number of troops under his command never exceeded 50,000.

So Hoffman recalled him as the commander of the reserve army and let him experience for himself what it was like to control a large corps. The place for field operations had already been selected, and he sold it in front of Rommel, "Guderian said at the end of the year There will be another reinforcement before?”

"Yes, he told me so, so Head of State, I think this is too unfair to me."

"I said that reinforcements would be sent to Guderian, but I did not say that reinforcements would continue to be sent to Guderian...According to reliable intelligence, the US military will also have a landing. The location may be in French Morocco, and the time is likely to be December. It must be defeated. Their ambitions, otherwise our strategic system will be opened up - Italy, the soft underbelly of Europe, will receive a heavy blow from the American cowboys. I will never allow this to happen. In the future, the direction of Africa will be divided into east and west. Of course, one group will be led by Guderian, and the other will be led by you." Hoffman stared at Rommel, "The core force of this reinforcement group is three armored divisions - all of them are famous first-line troops. The troops are now being replenished, and the matching infantry divisions will be drawn from the current reserve army. Only the best people can familiarize them with the battlefield and improve their tactical level. In the face of the American attack, I need a general who can turn the tide. , can I trust you, my field marshal?"

Erwin Rommel put his legs together and raised his hands respectfully: "As you wish, Führer!" He was now convinced that the Führer was not abandoning him, but was preparing to give himself more and greater opportunities. mission.

Hearing Rommel's affirmative reply, Hoffmann breathed a sigh of relief, and his expression finally softened. I have explained a lot just now, hoping that Rommel, who has a stubborn personality, can put aside all his random thoughts and cooperate with his own intentions. If compared from this perspective, General Paulus, the former commander of the Sixth Army, is much tamer. Although he also does not understand the personnel changes and it is difficult to accept the fact that he was suddenly replaced, he did not complain in the second half of his report after returning home. , he was as respectful to the head of state as ever during his audience. With just a few words of persuasion, Hoffmann put aside all his unhappiness and happily went to take office on the Western Front. Before leaving, he also hinted that he would keep an eye on the old Marshal Lundstedt to prevent him from being killed. The overall strategy of the Führer was disrupted. If he hadn't known his original performance in historical time and space, this attitude would have made Hoffman feel guilty for the rest of his life.

Hoffman patted Rommel on the shoulder: "Say hello to your wife Lucy for me. Unfortunately, I can't give you too much leave. Those troops returning from the Eastern Front need experienced commanders to tell them What is the essence of desert warfare? The snowy Russian front line and the long yellow sands of North Africa are two completely different styles of war. On the North African front line, you have the staff team you left behind to assist Guderian. All this can be done here. Totally relying on you."

"I think she will thank the Führer for his concern and understanding of all this." Rommel nodded and said in an affectionate and natural tone, "I promised to take her around the world after she wins."

"Count me in then, maybe we will have the opportunity to travel around the world together." Hoffman smiled. As he thought about problems and dealt with affairs more deeply, he increasingly transformed from an intellectual position to a head of state. His spirit has also been very depressed recently, and he can only numb himself with constant work. Rommel's enthusiastic answer greatly improved his slightly gloomy mood.

"It's a great honor!" Rommel seemed to have thought of something again, and added, "You can rest assured, head of the training and adjustment of the reserve army, especially the second wave of the African Army, that in order to assist me in my work, at my request, Marshal Keitel specially transferred Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg back to China at the same time as the director of the reserve army training department. This is an outstanding officer with abundant energy and infinite fighting spirit. Although he is a descendant of the Württemberg court nobles , but he is very loyal to his leader, and his performance was particularly outstanding in the battle in North Africa. If I return to North Africa soon, I am willing to recommend him as the chief of staff of the reserve army at the appropriate time. "

"Colonel Stauffenberg?" Upon hearing the name of the mastermind of the "720 Incident", Hoffmann showed a surprised expression. In the end, he calmed down and nodded slightly. Then he held Rommel's hand tightly and made a pun. Farewell, "You may encounter unimaginable difficulties and challenges. I wish you and the future chief of staff good luck."