The decisive battle against the Third Reich

The Alamein Line of Defense is actually more than just a line of defense.

It is true that there is only one visible path, but it is true that there are at least three.

These three lines of defense are, from far to near, the air defense line, the artillery defense line and the trench defense line.

The air defense line is about fifty kilometers away from the El Alamein defense line... In fact, in order to slow down the German army's marching speed, British aircraft have already extended the defense line forward to a hundred kilometers away.

However, the main line of defense is still within 50 kilometers, because at this distance, the British Air Force can more easily get cover from ground anti-aircraft firepower and face less German anti-aircraft firepower, so it can achieve the maximum results at the minimum cost.

The artillery defense line is within ten kilometers.

The British army concentrated almost all the artillery they could find on the Alamein line.

General Auchinleck knew very well that if the Alamein Line of Defense could not stop the German attack, then the British army would no longer be able to block the Germans... The Alamein Line of Defense was equivalent to the British army's city wall, a barrier.

If this city wall and barrier were breached, the Germans would rush in and kill like a tidal wave that broke a dike.

Therefore, General Auchinleck did not even leave artillery in important cities such as Cairo and Alexandria. More than a thousand famous artillery were transferred to Alamein to block the German attack.

Needless to say, the trench line of defense was a line of defense built by the British ground forces using trenches, bunkers and tanks.

This is the last line of defense of the British army, because it is 55 kilometers long and many British troops suffered heavy losses in the desert. This resulted in the British army, which had always had sufficient strength, to be short of troops.

So General Auchinleck hurriedly transferred the 11th African Division and the 12th African Division, the paramilitary forces mainly formed by Egyptians, to garrison. At the same time, reinforcements were immediately transferred from South Africa, India and Australia (2nd South African Division, 29th Indian Brigade) , Australian 9th Division).

Therefore, the most vulnerable one should still be the trench defense line. The main defensive force is the Indian 4th Division, which is the reserve force of the 13th Army. The others are the remnants of the 30th Army that suffered heavy losses from the 21st Armored Division in the Gabushali area. The one that barely maintained combat effectiveness was the Australian 6th Infantry Division.

It is said that this line of defense is strong enough, and General Auchinleck should be confident to block the German attack. However, General Auchinleck, who was already frightened by the Germans, prepared a plan B: in case Alamein fell, the Eighth Army Just retreat across the board to the Nile Delta. If Cairo and the Delta cannot be saved, then continue to retreat south to the Nile River.

Therefore, General Auchinleck ordered the engineers to build a defense line in the rear and even in Cairo.

As a result, the whole of Egypt was like an explosion and turned into a mess... Originally, everyone had great confidence in the British army, because they believed that the British army could defend Egypt no matter how bad it was with its absolute advantage in strength and equipment.

Britain is the world's most powerful country, isn't it? If the Germans use only a small amount of troops to fight against the world's most powerful country, is that just trying to hit an egg with an egg? !

Unexpectedly, the truth is exactly the opposite. The British army has been defeated again and again. Now the British engineers are actually building fortifications near the pyramid...

Suddenly, the streets of Cairo were crowded with cars retreating from Alexandria and the countryside and military transports returning from the front. The British consulate was crowded with people who came to apply for visas to Palestine, and the trains to Palestine were overcrowded. , soldiers going to the front line, wounded soldiers returning from the front line, and people trying to flee Cairo were crowded and mixed together, and from time to time there would be conflicts due to certain frictions.

The wives and families of British officers left in Cairo were told to prepare for an immediate retreat. Some of them were to be sent to Palestine, while others were evacuated from ships in the Suez Canal.

It was not just Egypt that was in chaos. Britain was not much better. The argument of failure shrouded this isolated island. Churchill was strongly questioned by the opposition and even his own party.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister!" Senator Milne asked: "We have more troops and equipment than the enemy. Not long ago, we were even attacking the Germans, but now the Germans are almost attacking Cairo! You also swore to us Britain will eventually win. Do you still think so?

"Yes, of course!" Churchill replied: "We are only temporarily defeated!"

"Then please..." Senator Milne continued to ask: "Is this 'temporary' one hundred years or two hundred years?"

Councilor Milne's words caused a burst of laughter.

Congressman Winterton also said bitterly: "We have never had such a series of catastrophic failures like the current one. Prime Minister, do you really not think this is due to command or decision-making?"

Congressman Winterton's words were obviously referring to General Auchinleck, but secretly he pointed the finger at Churchill, because Churchill was the final decision-maker.

"No!" Churchill replied: "I don't think there is anything wrong with our command and decision-making. This situation occurs because we have encountered the most powerful opponent in the world. Putting aside the disaster of war, Rommel is indeed an outstanding military genius!”

Churchill did not mean to flatter his enemies, but only by elevating his enemies could he appear to be less stupid.

A member of parliament immediately said: "Your Excellency Prime Minister, if we follow the British army's step-by-step tradition, if Rommel served in the British army, he would probably be a sergeant!"

This remark immediately caused another burst of laughter. Churchill blushed on the stage and was speechless with embarrassment.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister!" The members still refused to let him go easily. One member asked reluctantly: "You have won victory after victory in the past debates, but you have been attacked again and again on the battlefield. Failure. Does your silence in the debate here mean we are about to win?”

Churchill did not dare to answer because he was worried that the situation would be like before... As soon as he said that the British army was about to win, news of a defeat came from the front.

A frustrated Churchill sent two telegrams after the meeting.

A telegram was sent to General Auchinleck.

"For God's sake, stop the Germans!" Churchill said: "I no longer expect victory, but don't let the enemy cross the Alamein line, not even a step!"

Another telegram was sent to Roosevelt.

"Mr. President!" Churchill said: "I have to tell you that the situation is extremely critical. If we don't get strong assistance, maybe we will lose Africa forever!"

"Hang in there!" Roosevelt called back: "Help will be arriving in Alexandria in a few days!"

"No!" Churchill called back: "You'd better land at Port Said, because I'm not sure whether Alexandria will still be ours in a few days!"