novelden Chapter 149 I also have a special force
Chapter 149 I also have a special force
Kuang Zhengqi soon received a report from Strang. Although the 7th Division had held its position, it had suffered heavy losses. Seventeen Churchills, twelve M17 Shermans, five M4A12 heavy tanks, and five M6A1 light tanks had been destroyed. Twenty-eight tanks of various types had been damaged, nearly half the division's tank strength, along with numerous armored vehicles and artillery. Over 5 casualties had been inflicted. Estimated enemy losses were: over 5 tanks destroyed or damaged, 1 tank destroyers destroyed or damaged, and a significant amount of artillery destroyed. The estimated enemy losses were over 5 men.
In his report, Strand expressed remorse for his last-minute impulsiveness, which nearly led to the 7th Division's collapse, and requested to resign as commander of the 7th Division. Kuang Zhengqi replied to Strand, stating that a single defeat meant little; the battle had at least proven that the Second Army's tank divisions were fully equipped to counter German tank power. Of course, the battle had also proven that the Churchill tanks were completely unsuitable for dealing with the German Panthers, and even struggled against the German Panzer IVs. Supplementary tanks for the Second Army had arrived. Kuang Zhengqi decided to replace all Churchills in the 7th Division with the new M4s, and to expedite the installation of the already completed reactive armor.
The 114th Division also sent a telegram, saying that it encountered the German 3rd Tank Division during its advance. Pu Zhengsong was not as impulsive as Stellan. After a brief contact, he ordered a retreat to the starting point and began to establish an effective defense.
Intelligence showed that the German-Italian coalition had more than three tank divisions, plus the remnants of the previous 27th Tank Division. Rommel's African Corps had at least more than 500 tanks and nearly 8 troops on the Kom-Om front.
Kuang Zhengqi immediately realized that the Second Army could not split its forces, and the 5037th Mechanized Brigade and the 28th Regiment of the New 84th Division moving northeast had to withdraw to consolidate the defense of the Aswan line.
Kuang Zhengqi immediately asked Powell to inform Martin and others to withdraw, and he personally called the British Sudanese Command, requesting them to temporarily suspend their advance towards Nuhud, and suggested that they organize a defense on the Berenisse line and wait for the result of his decisive battle with Rommel's southern group on the Nasser line before advancing to occupy Mina Alam.
The German 3rd and 21st Divisions have been spotted along the Komong front. They must be accompanied by a light or grenadier division, with another armored and infantry division in that direction. The 27th Tank Division, despite suffering heavy losses in previous battles, is still in place and will undoubtedly participate. Which direction will they be moving from? If the Germans concentrate their attack from Komong, their two tank divisions will clearly be insufficient. Should they call in the US 1st Armored Division from the other side?
Just as Kuang Zhengqi was looking at the map, hesitating whether to adjust his deployment, General Powell walked in with an Air Force reconnaissance report and told him anxiously, "The 1st Division is in a very dangerous situation. Air Force intelligence reports that a large number of German armored units on the west bank are moving south along the river and are expected to reach Binban in two hours. According to insider reports, the German attack on the west bank is launched by the newly formed 2st Tank Army, composed of the 1th and 15th Tank Divisions and the 27st Light Division. Our current front is the 1rd Tank Army, composed of the 3rd and 3st Tank Divisions and the 21st Grenadier Division."
"What? The Germans have two tank armies?" Kuang Zhengqi took the telegram, read it carefully, and after a careful calculation, said, "Rommel thinks highly of us. With nearly 10 troops, we are one-third of his own, and they are definitely his main force. Isn't he afraid of a collapse on the northern front?"
Powell said, "Rommel always enjoyed taking risks, and he's taken similar actions many times in North Africa." Powell continued, "Don't worry, dear Kuang. Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery have immediately launched the Tunisia Operation, seizing this opportunity to recapture Gabes and Tripoli. The two generals hope that we can delay von Arnim here as long as we can. As long as we can regain the initiative in Libya, even if we withdraw from the Aswan area, it will be a victory!"
Kuang Zhengqi asked in a low voice: "Where is General Wedemeyer now?"
Powell said, "Chief of Staff Wedemeyer has met with General Montgomery. He suggested that we abandon Nasser and retreat to Aswan."
Kuang Zhengqi ignored Powell's subsequent words and thought with his head down: The Second Army plus the US 1st Armored Division has about 7 people and about 600 tanks; the German army has four armored divisions and at least 700 tanks. The gap between the two sides is not big, and it is not impossible to fight.
Kuang Zhengqi had no intention of retreating without a fight. Furthermore, he held a considerable advantage in both manpower and tank numbers in the direction of Nasser City, so he would not give up easily. The most important issue now was the US 1st Division on the West Bank. An armored division, it had only two tank regiments, fewer than 100 tanks, a mix of M3/M4 tanks. Although the Second Army's heavy artillery regiment was located high above, it was clearly insufficient to counter the German 1st Tank Corps.
Kuang Zhengqi looked at the map and suddenly thought of the pontoon bridge he had built near Dalau. An idea suddenly struck him. He looked up and asked Powell, "Can our pontoon bridge at Dalau accommodate M5A1 light tanks and Jagdpanzer destroyers?"
Powell thought for a moment and replied, "It should be no problem. A fully loaded heavy truck can get through. We even sent some supplies to the West Coast the day before yesterday, using heavy trucks."
"Excellent!" Kuang Zhengqi excitedly clenched his fist and raised it. "Have Lieutenant Colonel George lead the light tank column and equip him with 24 Jagdpanzers. Have him get behind the Germans and disrupt the rear defenses of the German 1st Tank Army!"
Powell was a little confused and asked, "Is this okay?"
Kuang Zhengqi smiled and asked Powell to come to the map. He pointed at it and said, "Binban's terrain is suitable for defense. It won't be easy for the German 1st Tank Corps to break through the defenses of the US 1st Division. The US 1st Division fought under General Patton and is well-versed in dealing with German attacks."
Kuang Zhengqi continued, "Besides Binban, there are no supply lines along the west coast that can support the German army. The German army will inevitably have to divide its forces to defend the logistics lines and must attack with all its might to capture Binban as soon as possible. Isn't this a good opportunity to surprise them?"
Powell immediately understood and added: "Rommel likes to use surprise attacks, so we will defeat him with a surprise attack this time!"
Powell continued, "Looks like I have to go there myself. With me here, Cheney (commander of the 1st Division of the US Army) should be able to make the decision!"
Kuang Zhengqi smiled. This was exactly what he wanted. If the US 1st Division could hold out in Binban for more than a day, the German 1st Tank Corps would inevitably be thrown into disarray. He added, "General Powell, please bring a rocket artillery battalion with you as well. 24 rocket launchers will be a significant help to the US 1st Division!"
The two men smiled at each other, shook hands and said goodbye. The decisive factor in determining the war in southern Egypt had been formed.