Chu Tiange believed that he could persuade Montgomery to cooperate with the two sides. On the one hand, it was because China's current status among the allies was at its peak. On the other hand, he was convinced that Montgomery, as an experienced veteran, would never let go of this battle. opportunity in the situation in North Africa. However, things did not develop according to the route he envisioned. After receiving his telegram, Montgomery truly believed that this was a rare opportunity. As long as he grasped it well, he could reverse the current unfavorable war situation in one fell swoop. However, because He has a congenital rejection of China, and when he contacted Ang Bos some time ago in the hope of strengthening cooperation between the two armies, he was rejected by Ang Bos, so he finally decided to be the oriole hiding behind the mantis and wait to become the ultimate Winner's chance.
In the eyes of Chen Cheng and even the vast majority of Chinese people, China's sending troops to the Soviet Union, Australia, and North Africa was China's contribution to world peace and a selfless sacrifice. However, in the eyes of the British, Americans and even many Westerners It seems that China's move is not just for drunkenness, but to seize the vested interests of the West when the West is weak. Therefore, on the one hand, they are pleased that China is sending troops overseas, thinking that this can help them share part of the burden of the war. The aggressive pressure of the German army, on the other hand, they maintain a high degree of vigilance, closely guarding their vested interests in these areas, for fear that the Chinese will take advantage of them. This complex mentality will not cause any harm to the Chinese Expeditionary Force in normal times. But now, it has become the biggest problem that the North African Expeditionary Force will face.
As Ouyang Yun's sworn brother, Chu Tiange grew up with Ouyang Yun and the Xuebing Army. He understood Ouyang Yun's way of doing things and ideals better than others, so when he was just appointed as the commander of the North African Expeditionary Force, Chu Tiange , he understood Ouyang Yun's intention and implemented it in daily military deployment. However, after all, he had been fighting on the front line and could not always pay close attention to the current situation like those politicians. Therefore, he When it was decided to lead the main force into the war, the political factors were not taken into account.
At this moment, south of a small town called Wasim in southeastern Libya, Chu Tiange was standing on a sand dune and observing the front with a telescope. On the battlefield of about fifty square kilometers in front of him, the North African Expeditionary Force's third The Three Mountain Divisions, the 103rd Armored Division and the 3rd Infantry Division of the French Nationalist Army are fighting with about two divisions of German troops. Fighting in desert areas, the German army's adaptability is obviously far stronger than that of the North African Expeditionary Force who came from afar. and the French Restoration Army, so although the German army does not have the upper hand, it is the German army that is suppressing the Chinese and French coalition forces. The Chinese and French coalition forces are tired of defense and have no power to fight back.
"General, Commander Li Zhengyu reported that Highland No. 3 has been lost." A young staff officer hurriedly came over with a message in his hand and said loudly from a distance.
The war has been going on for three days, and Chu Tiange already knew the terrain of the battlefield well in his mind. Hearing this, he put down his telescope, his eyes widened and his teeth clenched, and he suddenly said loudly: "Tell Li Zhengyu, no matter what method he uses, no matter how many people die, Everyone must take back Highland No. 3."
An active attack turned into a passive defense. Chu Tiange didn't expect it, and he was already filled with anger. In addition, the British didn't reply for a long time, and he was in a really bad mood.
When the North African Expeditionary Force and the French Zionist Army entered North Africa to fight, they relied on the strength of France's "Fighting France" troops in Chad. However, because Ambros insisted on being the commander in chief and refused to be led by de Gaulle, he chose the commander of the North African Army, Le Leclerc always followed de Gaulle's lead, so although Leclerc provided certain help for the Central and Soviet troops to enter North Africa, and even gave up the area of Egypt occupied by his troops as a camping ground for the Chinese and French coalition forces, he refused to follow Ambos's order. In this way, although the Sino-French coalition forces have entered North Africa and have a solid rear area, they have also assumed the responsibility of helping the Kingdom of Egypt defend the southeastern region. Wasim is the most dangerous area on the border with Egypt. Once it falls, This will mean that the western gate of Egypt will be opened. The Kingdom of Egypt's own military strength is extremely weak, and the French troops in Chad are also small. Leclerc has always insisted on keeping a distance from the Restoration Army of Ampos. This also means that if the German army invades Egypt, In the southeast, the Chinese and French coalition forces will have to defend the southeastern region of Egypt with a total area of more than 500,000 square kilometers alone. In that case, it will be difficult to fight when it is almost impossible to receive support and cannot get help from local Egyptians. Far more than now, this is another reason why Chu Tiange insisted on attacking even though he knew that Rommel was planning to besiege the city for reinforcements.
The North African Expeditionary Force fell into a bitter battle with the Germans for the first time. Chu Tiange originally expected to become famous overseas with this battle, but now he feels a little disgraced and miserable.
Chu Tiange's life was difficult, and Ang Bos's situation was even worse. The reason why this decisive battle was fought was Ang Bos' eagerness to regain his country. Rommel seized on his mentality and lured him to take the initiative and encircle him. , and from the moment the German army surrounded the French Restoration Army, which took the initiative to attack, the German army had actually taken the initiative in this decisive battle.
When Chu Tiange led the main force to attack, Ang Bos was still high-spirited, thinking that he would be able to defeat the German army and push the front to the hinterland of Libya. Wasim, Balechi (the current 1st Division and 1st Brigade of the French Resistance Army) were defeated For the Chinese and French coalition forces and the German army, the "natural danger" meaning of the defense line is mutual. If the Chinese and French coalition forces break through this defense line, they can threaten the entire eastern Libya. Therefore, what he frequently asked his subordinates at that time was, " What, the Chinese army still failed to break through the German Balaichi line of defense."
As the North African Expeditionary Force shifted to the defensive, he began to worry about the safety of the 1st Division and 1st Brigade that were sent out. Almost every once in a while, he would ask his subordinates to call Major General Brick, who commanded this force, to order. He persisted and persisted.
At about five o'clock in the afternoon that day, Li Zhengyu of the North African Expeditionary Force finally recaptured Highland No. 3 after paying heavy casualties. As Rommel mobilized two more divisions of German troops to the front of the Wasim Defense Line, he had no choice but to Ask Angpos to fill the battlefield with the reserves of the Nationalist Army.
Ambos originally thought that this battle would definitely defeat the German army and advance into the hinterland of Libya, so the main force of the Restoration Army led by him was not very far from the Wasim front line. In this way, only about five minutes apart, he received Chu Tiange At this time, he actually hesitated. Chu Tiange asked him to lead his troops to take over the northern defense line of the expeditionary force so that he could put the northern expeditionary force into the frontal battlefield. And Ang Bos knew that Rommel had There were still about two divisions of German troops and three divisions of Italian troops, so he believed that they had no chance of winning this battle, and began to think about what would happen after the defeat.