The decisive battle against the Third Reich

Just when Qin Chuan and the driver were at a loss, several engineers walked up.

"What are you guys doing here?" An engineer yelled at the two of them dissatisfied: "Who allowed you to detonate the mines we carefully laid?"

"You bastards!" the driver scolded: "You should tell everyone where the mines are buried!"

"That's right!" the engineer replied: "Don't you know now?"

Another engineer followed up: "If you continue to talk like this, we are willing to leave you here and let you figure it out on your own!"

As the engineers said this, they turned around and left calmly.

"No, no... wait!" Although the driver knew that the engineer was just scaring him, he did not dare to take the risk.

And who can be sure whether the engineers will really leave them here? After all, this is war, and it is not unusual for landmines to kill several of our own people.

In the end, Qin Chuan and the driver safely arrived at General Strike's command vehicle thanks to the "good people and good deeds" of the engineers.

What surprised Qin Chuan was that General Rommel was also there.

"We meet again, Sergeant!" Rommel took the initiative to shake hands with Qin Chuan. He glanced at Qin Chuan's tattered uniform with bloodstains everywhere, nodded and said, "This battle must be very difficult!"

"Yes, General!" Qin Chuan replied.

"Well done!" Rommel patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder and said confidently: "Don't worry, everything is under control, we will win!"

Qin Chuan suddenly felt an inexplicable touch, as if a fire was burning in his heart again. Although he knew that this was Rommel's usual method. Rommel had always encouraged soldiers to fight bravely in this way, but at this time he really I was still "motivated" involuntarily.

This shows what role officers play in combat, especially junior officers... These tasks of Rommel are actually what junior officers should complete, but the effect will be much better if Rommel does it.

Just imagine, if an army loses a battle and the platoon leader, company commander and even the general are as dejected as wilted cabbage, then the morale of the entire army will soon be gone, and the army will leave without any surprise. Enter another defeat.

But if the officer still has a confident smile on his face and is full of energy...this will undoubtedly affect all the soldiers and cheer them up again.

Rommel turned around and walked to General Strike and others who were gathered in front of the map. His face turned serious and he said dissatisfiedly: "However, our commander is not doing his job well. Look at our soldiers..."

As he spoke, Rommel raised his hand towards Qin Chuan who was standing: "Look at him, while our soldiers are charging on the front line and fighting the enemy desperately, you are here enjoying port wine and warm beds!"

Obviously, Rommel was very dissatisfied with General Strike's command method.

But this is actually a matter of command habits.

Because Rommel often went deep into the front line, he asked others to do the same as him... This approach can indeed motivate the soldiers, but at the same time, it also sends a large number of officers to the enemy's guns and muzzles.

"General!" Qin Chuan said to Rommel: "I think General Strike and others have tried their best, but..."

"Just what?" Rommel asked.

"I think the failure of this battle was caused by several aspects!" Qin Chuan said: "First, the intelligence errors caused us to rush the attack without knowing the enemy's situation. Secondly, the troops and equipment between the enemy and ourselves were disproportionate. Thirdly, It's because our army is too tired and the enemy is waiting for work. The Indian 4th Infantry Division we are facing has not even participated in the battle before!"

"Uh-huh!" Rommel nodded: "Sergeant, I heard that you have been providing advice to General Strike and it has been adopted many times, right?"

"In fact, that was the result of our discussion, general!" Qin Chuan certainly did not dare to take all the credit.

Just kidding, Colonel Slain and General Strike are right next to them... They are both their immediate superiors. As a Chinese, Qin Chuan certainly knows how to speak.

Sure enough, Qin Chuan saw the grateful and approving eyes of General Strike and others.

In fact, this is not a unique characteristic of the Chinese. It is the same in all countries around the world, from primitive tribes in Africa to modern cities in the United States. Which boss would like his subordinates to climb on top of him?

This is the commonality of mankind, but China has turned it into something similar to "culture".

Rommel was obviously very satisfied with Qin Chuan's humble answer. He nodded and extended his hand to signal Qin Chuan to join their discussion.

"Now, we must learn from last night's failure!" Rommel pointed to the map and said: "At least we can be sure that the British still have a hundred Stuart tanks in El Alamein. I guess this may be The British are new, but they do play a big role!”

Rommel didn't explain it clearly, but Qin Chuan could understand it.

The armored force that appeared on the flank of the 21st Armored Division last night consisted of a hundred "Stuarts", which forced the 21st Armored Division to retreat...

But in fact, what Rommel knew was not accurate. There were two hundred "Stuarts" instead of one hundred. General Auchinleck hid part of his strength.

"And we lost a total of twelve tanks in last night's battle!" Rommel said: "In addition to the ones that broke down due to the long march, we still have..."

As he spoke, Rommel turned his attention to Colonel Olbridge.

"There are still fifty-three that are ready for combat, General!" Albridge replied: "In addition, we have thirty-one captured Stuarts, but they are not very suitable for combat!"

Rommel did not respond. He continued to point to the map and said: "My plan is this. The 15th Armored Division will arrive here in an hour. At that time, the 15th Armored Division will be responsible for the main attack, and the breakthrough point will still be Rwaisa. Te Ling, you are responsible for covering the left flank of the 15th Armored Division, and the two Italian divisions are responsible for covering the right flank. Therefore, you should turn to the direction of El Alamein to deploy defenses. Is there any problem?"

"No problem, General!" General Strike and others replied.

This is indeed no problem, as it can solve the problem of not being able to retreat because the flanks are outflanked.

On the other hand, the minefields in the direction of the Ruoisat Ridge have just been cleared. If the Germans carry out some more harassing bombings, it will be difficult for the British to replenish enough mines in time, so it is indeed a good breakthrough point. of.

But... with the current state of the 21st Armored Division, is it really suitable to continue fighting?

Thinking of this, Qin Chuan said: "General, I have a problem!"