Chapter 265 No, we have to send reinforcements! (Second update!) Cun Yunsheng here is still trying to think of ways to completely mess up the Middle East. In addition, the German Supreme Command held a highest-level military meeting. The content discussed at this meeting was the battle for the island of Malta. According to Nagumo Chuichi's proposal, the four navies must capture the island of Malta as soon as possible. Only in this way can we deal with the Allied fleet without any worries. Therefore, the special military meeting held this time was to discuss whether to send troops to the island of Malta. "The attack on the island of Malta requires the support of the navies of all four countries." Marshal Keitel, Chief of Staff of the National Defense Forces, said. "According to Nagumo Chuichi's plan, this is inevitable." General Yodel, chief of staff of the National Defense Forces Command and Staff Department, said with certainty. "But the island of Malta is too narrow, and there are too many targets that need to be occupied, such as airports, ports, etc." Marshal Keitel said with some worry. Hearing this, Admiral Yodel shook his head and said.
"Marshal Keitel, I know all your concerns, but the strategic position of Malta Island is very important. It is like a fishbone stuck in our throats, which is very uncomfortable." "Why has the North African Army been unable to open up the situation? Isn't it because the defenders on the island of Malta often attack our transportation lines, which prevents the frontline troops from receiving effective supplies. This is why the North African Army has been in a supply shortage." After listening to Admiral Yoder's analysis, Marshal Keitel sighed lightly. As a field marshal of the empire, how could he not see this clearly? But the current problem is not just the Mediterranean, but the Eastern Front battlefield. The Soviet army also mobilized hundreds of thousands of elite troops from the Far East and rushed to the front line. This means that the pressure on the Eastern Front will increase again. Although Speer had already begun general mobilization for war, a large number of tanks began to be continuously imported to the Eastern Front battlefield. According to his expectation, if he persists for a while, the situation on the Eastern Front will change, especially those armored units that are not satisfied with the establishment, and will soon be supplemented by a large number of tanks. This was the guarantee given to him by Speer. However, if a landing operation on the island of Malta is to be carried out, it means that the German army will have to disperse part of its forces and even consume precious tanks and fighter planes. Therefore, from a strategic point of view, he knows the importance of Malta Island, but from a practical point of view, temporarily stopping the attack on Malta Island and prioritizing the supply of limited weapons and equipment to the Eastern Front may bring unexpected surprises. But he couldn't say this. He needs to pay attention to the impact, after all, the performance of the North African Legion is very good. If the British army in Port Said could be completely eliminated, then the entire North Africa would be theirs. "Admiral Yodel, you are right, but now the defense on Malta Island has been strengthened. If we launch an attack now, the losses will be very heavy." Marshal Keitel decided to use another reason to convince the other party. Who knew that Admiral Yoder would just sneer. "Marshal Keitel, the island of Malta must be occupied. Its geographical location is so advantageous. I think I don't need to explain this. If we don't solve it, it will always be a trouble for us." "I know, what I mean is, can it be delayed for a while? The material supply on the Eastern Front is entering a critical moment now. When the Eastern Front completes the supply, can we consider attacking the island of Malta?" Marshal Keitel could only tell the truth.
They all know the specific situation in Germany now. They also know the specific conditions of various armored units on the Eastern Front. Marshal Keitel's main problem now is to restore the original armored divisions to full strength. Otherwise, with only a serial number and no tanks, it is just a decoration. "We can definitely use paratroopers, which will not consume a lot of supplies." Admiral Yoder said expressionlessly. General Stuart, who was pulled into a meeting at the Supreme Command, looked confused. He originally wondered if he, a toothless paratrooper, came to hold such a top-level meeting. Was he a little flattered? You must know that since the airborne battle on Crete, more than 6,600 paratroopers have died, more than 200 transport aircraft have been lost, and the elite 7th Aviation Division has been injured. His paratroopers were ordered not to conduct any more large-scale airborne operations. At the same time, the originally planned invasion of Malta was cancelled, and Germany decided that the airborne troops should be used as ground troops. Yes, the former paratrooper lieutenant general is now an infantry general. Unexpectedly, someone would now restart the plan to land on Malta Island again, which shocked him. "Admiral Student, what do you think?" Admiral Yoder looked at Admiral Student. "I will obey the order, but the airborne landing on Malta Island may cause heavy losses. It is expected that at least thousands of paratroopers will be lost." Because of the shadow of the last time, Admiral Stuart learned the lesson this time and put the difficulties out first. . If these big guys don't care about casualties, then they can do it. If you feel the casualties are too great, then don't do it. Remain as commander of his army. Since the last time, we suffered heavy losses. His paratrooper force also expanded by a lot of paratroopers, but there were almost no actual combat operations. However, relying on those veterans, airborne landings can still be carried out. The only trouble is that the casualties will be huge. "Even if we lose 10,000 people, it is still worth it. The importance of Malta Island is really too great." Admiral Yoder said. "Admiral Yodel, are you asking if this plan is too risky? That's 10,000 people." Marshal Keitel felt that the casualties were still too great. It was just too risky. Not worth it at all. Unexpectedly, the man in front said excitedly. "The importance of the island of Malta is undoubted, and the plan proposed by the other party can definitely be tried." Upon hearing this, Marshal Keitel and Admiral Yoder stopped arguing instantly. "Admiral Stuart, tell me what you think."
Seeing this, Admiral Stuart stood up and pointed to the sand table in the middle. "My suggestion is to carry out an airborne landing in the southern part of the island of Malta and seize the airport there. As long as the airport is held, subsequent soldiers and supplies can arrive in a steady stream." In fact, Stuart's combat plan was nothing outstanding. It was nothing more than a small team seizing the airport and then the large force arriving. It was the same as the later battle at Antonov Airport. The special forces raided the airport, captured the airport, and waited for the rear transport plane to land at the airport. Who knew that the intelligence was leaked in advance, and the defenders set fire to the plane wreckage on the runway in advance. The diffuse black smoke made it impossible for subsequent troops to land. The final outcome was that the special forces were surrounded and suffered heavy losses in the end. "After the airport is captured and the reinforcements arrive at the airport via transport planes, they can then attack the port northward." Stuart pointed at the map again and said. Hearing this, the officers present could not help but nod. Although there is nothing outstanding about this plan, it is the most stable combat plan. Not surprisingly, the success rate is very high. As long as the airport is occupied, the German Air Force can be sent to the battlefield. At that time, the Air Force will control the air and can provide air support for the paratroopers. Therefore, if nothing unexpected happens, it will definitely succeed. As for the troops on the island, the officers present did not think they could stop the paratroopers' attack. After all, the paratroopers have proven with their strength that they are an elite force. "Then prepare according to your plan. At the same time, I will ask the navies of the four countries to gather at the northern port. They will be responsible for containing the garrison at the port." The man sitting in the middle said. "Yes." Everyone stood up and saluted. … In fact, there was nothing to prepare for. Although his troops had been used as infantry this year, Stuart never stopped training for a moment. The usual training is based on the requirements of paratroopers. So the so-called preparation is not necessary for him at all. Or in one sentence. That means always being prepared. At this moment, Stuart was giving the paratroopers the last training before departure. Then they will take a plane and rush to the airport in Italy for the transfer. Afterwards, they will land on the island of Malta under the cover of aircraft. In order to cover their airborne operations, the German army also dispatched fighter planes to the island of Malta for bombing in the past two days. For this reason, several air battles broke out between the two sides.
This time the German army mobilized FW190 fighter jets, which had the advantage of crushing the British Hurricane fighter jets. Therefore, in these air battles, the German army shot down several times enemy aircraft at a very small cost. For a time, the British fighter planes on the killed island did not dare to take off. "Soldiers, the time has come when the empire needs us. It is time to let the empire know our bravery. I hope we can bring victory to the empire." Stuart routinely gave morale boosts to his men. "Soldiers, we failed miserably in the airborne operation on Crete a year ago. It was our shame, so we were hidden in the snow, but today, the empire gave us another chance." "Soldiers, in my eyes, we are the sharpest spears in the empire and will tear apart any enemy that stands in front of us." "Soldiers, I hope we can carry forward the spirit of not being afraid of sacrifice and fight for the empire until the end." "I will personally lead you to the island of Malta. If you win, I will share the wine with you. If you die in battle, I will personally carry your coffin." "Long live the Empire!" It has to be said that after a year of precipitation, Stuart is much more mature and stable than before. Even a mere pre-war mobilization is exciting. All the paratroopers shouted loudly. "Long live the Empire!" "May God be with us, may the Empire be with us, let's go." Stuart waved his hand and was the first to get into the transport plane. This operation can be said to be the moment when the paratroopers wash away their shame. Stuart was even more prepared. If he could not win, let him be buried on the island of Malta. The honor of the paratroopers must never be tarnished again. The anomalies on Malta Island were naturally noticed by the Allies. After all, Allied officers are not fools, especially the frequency of bombings in the past two days, which is obviously abnormal. Obviously, the German army should take action against the island of Malta. So the telegrams for help on the island of Malta continued one after another without stopping. "The island of Malta is in danger, and the German bombing scale has increased again." "The German army used FW190 fighter jets, and the Hurricane fighter jets suffered heavy losses." "Requesting support, otherwise the island of Malta will be lost." "..." The first person to receive the telegram was Lieutenant General Montgomery in Port Said, who originally commanded the island of Malta. Looking at the contents of the telegram, Montgomery felt as if his heart was being stabbed by a steel needle, beating wildly. If the island of Malta were lost, it would mean that the Mediterranean Sea was completely split in two. By then, the German army will deploy a large number of fighter planes on the island, and it will be greatly difficult for Allied warships to recapture North Africa.
Therefore, there is absolutely no room for error on the island of Malta. There was even a way to fortify the island of Malta. But how to strengthen it? He is now very precarious and may jump into the sea to feed the sharks. He really has no control over the island of Malta. "Can Fleet H support Malta Island?" Montgomery asked. "Lieutenant General Montgomery, what if this is a conspiracy by the Germans to lure our Fleet H?" Lieutenant General Patton shook his head and said. He always felt that there seemed to be some conspiracy here. Surrounding the spot for support? It's not impossible. But the problem we are facing now is that if we don’t go to rescue. This means that the island of Malta may really be lost, and the trouble will be even greater. If you go to rescue, you are afraid of being ambushed. After all, the strength of Fleet H is far behind that of the four navies. The best way is to wait for the arrival of the main fleet, but it will take time. "I know, but what we need to consider right now is to ensure that the island of Malta cannot be lost. If the Germans really airborne on the island of Malta, it means that we really have to jump into the sea to feed the sharks." Lieutenant General Montgomery smiled bitterly. said. Could he not know about these conspiracies? But what the Germans are doing now is conspiracy. If you don't come to support, I'm sorry, then the island of Malta is mine. If you come to support, that's even better. By the way, I can eat Fleet H and reduce the pressure. "So what if the German army does arrive on the island of Malta? The island's current defense force is still very strong, and there is absolutely no problem in defending the island." Lieutenant General Patton can completely defend the island by relying on the island's strength. Even if the German army landed on the island of Malta, they would not be able to completely capture it for a while. As long as the main fleet arrives, the balance of victory will return to their side. "You are right, but the island of Malta still needs support. Let me think about it. Two elite infantry regiments are dispatched to support the island of Malta on fishing boats." Montgomery took a deep breath. Even though he was in extremely difficult circumstances and Port Said could be lost at any time, he still had the energy to support the island of Malta, which made Lieutenant General Patton extremely admired. If it were him, he would never care about the issue of Malta Island. There are also some fishing boats in Port Said that go fishing, and there is absolutely no problem in transporting soldiers from the two regiments. And with the support of these two regiments, there is no need to be afraid even if the German army does land. As long as we hold on for ten days and a half and wait until the Allied main fleet arrives, everything will get better. I have to say that Montgomery's overall view is still very good.
He certainly knew the importance of the island of Malta. If it weren't for it, the German army, which was going all out, would have defeated him in North Africa long ago. Didn't they rely on the defenders on the island of Malta to sneak attack German transport ships from time to time? (End of chapter)