The decisive battle against the Third Reich

The news soon reached Hitler.

Hitler excitedly raised his hand to the staff with the telegram and said: "Look, these are the soldiers of our empire! Can you believe it? An army, they actually captured an entire fleet of the enemy!"

The staff were shocked by Hitler's words, and many of them even thought that Rommel was falsely reporting his military exploits.

Of course, these warships had not yet returned to Algiers, so Rommel did not dare to take it lightly. He immediately transferred half of the air wing's forces to the Algiers airport and did everything possible to provide air cover for the navy within the combat radius. On the other hand, he contacted the Italian Air Force to ask it to try to contain the British troops on the island of Malta, whether it was the air force or the navy... Rommel was worried that this fleet would be intercepted by the British halfway.

This worry was completely necessary, because the Toulon fleet was seriously understaffed, and many warships were even operated by French crews.

Even so, these warships can only be moved. No one can operate the weapons and equipment such as naval guns, torpedoes, depth charges, etc. Simply put, it is like a fleet without combat and defense capabilities. If there are enemy fighters bombing or a few warships breaking in, the German army will definitely doubt their lives.

Fortunately, because Crete had been occupied by the German army before and another supply line was established, Malta gradually lost its function. So the British army gradually transferred the fighters and warships stationed on Malta back to Port Said. At this time, there were only a few reconnaissance planes and mine-laying submarines left on Malta, which could not pose any threat to the Toulon fleet.

The next day, the first batch of troops of the German 36th Infantry Division arrived in Algiers.

The reason why the 36th Infantry Division arrived in Algiers so quickly was that it had just been converted into a motorized infantry division... Converting to a motorized infantry division was not without cost. The division originally had three infantry regiments, but the German army only had enough equipment for two infantry regiments (most of the equipment was used on the Eastern Front), so one of the infantry regiments was transferred to the Eastern Front.

The division commander, Major General Oxter, was obviously very dissatisfied with his mission, so he showed some emotions when he saw Colonel Slaine and others who came to greet them.

Colonel Slaine took Qin Chuan and others to the jeep where Major General Oxter was riding, and saluted: "Slaine, the commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment of the 21st Armored Division, welcome to the general!"

The window of the jeep slowly rolled down, revealing a face with glasses and full of wrinkles. He was obviously Major General Oxter.

Major General Oxter glanced at Colonel Slaine, and only came out after Colonel Slaine opened the car door for him. He didn't even glance at Colonel Slaine, but went straight to the gray-white earthen houses in Algiers and asked, "Colonel, do you know where we are transferred from?"

"Yes, General!" Colonel Slaine said, "I know, you are from France!"

Major General Oxter took off his white gloves elegantly, put his hands behind his back, and asked, "Do you know what is in France? There are comfortable houses, beautiful French women, and fine wine and dances, but you let us come to this hellhole... I hope this is valuable!"

Hearing this, Qin Chuan knew that Major General Oxter was a general of aristocratic origin, and he was used to a comfortable life in France.

"Of course it is valuable, General!" Colonel Slaine said.

"Tell me about your value!" Major General Oxter asked.

Colonel Slaine was speechless for a moment. He really didn't know how to answer, because this was a battlefield, and the conditions were extremely difficult. If it was about enjoyment, it was certainly not as good as France.

"General!" Qin Chuan couldn't help but interrupt, "The value here is that it can protect Germany's interests in France!"

Another meaning of this is to protect people like Major General Oxter from enjoying life in France.

Major General Oxter turned around and saw that the person who spoke was a second lieutenant. He couldn't help but said angrily: "Second Lieutenant, did I ask you a question?"

"No, General!"

"Then you should know that you should keep silent at this time!"

"General!" Colonel Slain said: "I'm sorry, the second lieutenant answered what I wanted to say!"

Major General Oxter was stunned, then narrowed his eyes and looked at Colonel Slain, and asked: "Colonel Slain, do you mean... this second lieutenant can answer questions for you?"

"Yes, General!"

"Then does it mean that he can also exercise command on your behalf!"

"Yes, General!"

Colonel Slain's answer was obviously beyond Major General Oxter's expectations. He smiled and said: "Then, Colonel, please answer me... Why don't you, as the regiment commander, let this lieutenant do it?"

"If General Rommel agrees!" Colonel Slaine spread his hands: "I think it is indeed feasible!"

Major General Oxter looked at Colonel Slaine in a daze, looked at Qin Chuan, and asked: "Tell me the reason?"

At this time, the infantry who came with Major General Oxter suddenly became chaotic. Several guards rushed to Major General Oxter and shouted: "General, we found a fleet, the enemy's fleet... is coming here!"

Major General Oxter hurriedly took the telescope and looked at the sea. He saw that there were indeed warships heading in this direction in the hazy morning fog. His face changed and he hurriedly ordered: "Hide!"

With that said, Major General Oxter hid behind a stone under the cover of the guards.

Germany does not have a fleet in the Mediterranean, so any fleet that appears is of course the enemy's fleet.

Seeing that Colonel Slain and others were still standing there, Major General Oxster leaned out and shouted: "This is not the time to be a hero, Colonel!"

"No, this is indeed not the case!" Colonel Slain replied: "General, didn't you ask me why?"

As he spoke, Colonel Slain walked to the seaside, pointed at the increasingly obvious fleet on the sea, and said: "This is the reason... The ensign standing in front of you has just captured this fleet from France!"

"What did you say?" Major General Oakster stood up slowly and unconsciously.

"Yes, you read that right, these are French warships!" Colonel Slain said, "But now, they are our fleet!"

Major General Oakster did not get the news because they were always on the march.

However, Major General Oxter still couldn't believe it until he saw the German flag flying on the warship and the German soldiers on the warship cheering towards the port.