The decisive battle against the Third Reich

While Qinchuan and others were building fortifications in Tunisia, Montgomery was having a dispute with Eisenhower.

The focus of the debate was whether to continue the attack from the sea or from the land.

"I think we should fight Germany again at sea!" Eisenhower said: "Although our fleet suffered losses, it can be repaired, and the German Dunkirk was also injured."

"It's the Air Force that counts, General!" Montgomery said.

"I know this!" Eisenhower said: "Our Air Force has indeed suffered heavy losses, but we still have the U.S. 10th Air Force Group, and we still have air superiority!"

"No!" Montgomery replied: "The problem is that we underestimated the air defense power of the German fleet. It is difficult for our fighters to gain an advantage in front of their warships!"

"But that's the British Air Force, not the American Air Force!" Eisenhower retorted: "We have more advanced bombers and fighters than the British!"

Eisenhower was right. At this time, the American B17 and B24 heavy bombers were already in service. The ceilings of these bombers were above 8,000 meters. Although this was within the 10-kilometer range of the German fleet's 130MM secondary battery, , but as mentioned before, the higher the altitude, the larger the dead zone area of ​​the anti-aircraft gun at the maximum elevation angle of 75 degrees, so in fact, B17 and B24 can drop bombs towards the German fleet without any pressure.

"Ike!" Montgomery said: "The problem is that we don't know what improvements the Germans have made to naval guns, so I think any action against German warships at this time is risky. Although I believe in the strength of the U.S. aviation force, But we don’t have to do this, because we have another option, which is to quickly advance the front towards Tunisia. As long as we occupy Tunisia on land, the Tunisian Strait will not be a problem for us. !”

Eisenhower thought for a while and finally nodded and said: "Just do as you say, Monty. But I have to remind you that we have received intelligence that the Germans are building a defense line in Tunisia. If you are determined to attack from land, If so, you'd better hurry up, otherwise they'll be ready and waiting for you!"

"Of course!" Montgomery said and turned his attention to the map again.

Montgomery's decision was actually selfish. At this time, the United States and the United Kingdom were actually not monolithic... The United Kingdom wanted to keep its position as the number one in the world, but the United States wanted to pull the United Kingdom down and sit on the throne itself, so this happened. Disagreement: The United States was eager to put its aviation group on the battlefield to show off, announcing to the world that the British were defeated by the German fleet and that the United States could beat them to the point where they were unable to fight back.

Montgomery was not stupid either. Of course he would not give the Americans this opportunity, so he tried every possible means to find excuses to attack from land... Without the use of American aviation, Britain would not have the strength to launch another large-scale battle from the sea.

Fortunately, the British offensive on land went very smoothly. If it were not for the constant interference from Egyptian, Libyan and other guerrillas in the rear, it would have reached Tripo by now.

However, Montgomery believed that the British army would eventually break through Tunisia because the Germans did not have the equipment suitable to deal with the "Sherman" tank.

On the other side, the French battalion and German soldiers were shouting loudly on Heights Zero.

After ascending to the high ground, what appeared in front of them was a salt lake, which is the largest salt lake in Tunisia... the Jared Salt Lake.

This thing is 160 kilometers long and 22 kilometers wide, so what appears in front of everyone is a large piece of white salt and blue lake water... The salt lake is a characteristic of Tunisia and Algeria. The main reason for its formation is the topography and climate of the north and south. and terrain differences.

The north is mainly mountainous, with abundant rain and seawater, while the south is an arid desert, so in the middle area, seawater and rainwater will continue to seep in and be dried.

So, the dry place is covered with salt, like a white sea of ​​sand, and the watery place is as blue as the sky because it is rich in salt ions.

Most of the French battalion and German soldiers saw such beautiful scenery for the first time, and they couldn't help shouting with excitement.

"This is one of the reasons why I built the Gabes Defense Line!" Major General Neumann said: "This Great Salt Lake almost crosses the entire Tunisia, and there are Gelsa Salt Flats and Melegil Salt Lake to the west, because There is salt everywhere, so there is almost no vegetation for dozens of kilometers, only a few low halophytes!”

Qinchuan couldn't help but nodded. This would expose the Allied offensive troops to the firepower of the German defenders. However, the German defenders could fire from a high position on the high ground and use fortifications or hidden vegetation for cover. Even in broad daylight, it was a One is in the light and the other is in the dark.

Looking at the blue lake at the foot of the mountain, Colonel Slaine said: "So... why do we still need the tunnel? Can the enemy still bring warships here? If not, how can they break through? Gabes Line of Defense?”

Qinchuan understood what Colonel Slaine meant. If the British wanted to attack the Gabes defense line, they would first have to cross the Salt Lake. This meant that their tanks would not be able to provide cover for them, so the lake would act like a moat in front of the defense line. Forming a natural barrier, no matter how powerful the Allied forces were, they could not break through.

Major General Neumann shook his head and said: "Colonel, if the salt lake will not dry up, then what you said is correct!"

"Will it dry up?"

"Of course!" Major General Neumann said: "It is the rainy season now, and the salt lake water is relatively abundant, but this does not mean that the entire defense line is filled with lake water. When the dry season arrives, the temperature here will rise to 50 degrees, and the lake water will be very hot." It will be evaporated soon!”

Colonel Slain nodded and said: "And in one month, when the Allied forces arrive here, the dry season will be here!" (Note: Tunisia's dry season means the long summer, and the winter means the short rainy season)

"Yes!" Major General Neumann raised his head towards the lake at the foot of the mountain with his telescope: "By then, these lakes will turn into a layer of salt, and the enemy's tanks can drive to our defense line without any hindrance. Plus they have many more planes and artillery than we do... I think the tunnel fortifications proposed by the lieutenant are very necessary!”

Colonel Slaine stopped talking after hearing this.

"Lieutenant!" A French soldier shouted at Qin Chuan: "Can we go to the lake and take a bath?"

"Of course!" Qin Chuan replied casually: "If you are not worried about landmines!"

Needless to say, that area must have been mined.