Iron Cross

After a moment, Zeitzler asked: "Suppose the problems in Morocco still exist, how do we solve them?"

"If we take over the Middle East and then look back at Morocco, it won't be a big problem." Hoffman gestured on the map, "First we control Greece and Crete and can take over Cyprus and the Middle East. The Mediterranean holds an overwhelming advantage. Even if all of West Africa is lost, the road between the Middle East and the mainland will still be open, and the incompetent Italians can be avoided. Secondly, I can send troops to stop the Americans. The Italians will fight for it; finally, the Middle East is an important pillar of the British global colonial empire, and Churchill values ​​​​maintaining the honor and prestige of the British Empire more. He will not do anything for the so-called illusory mission of "opening up a second battlefield." If we hand over the colonies, there will be profound conflicts between Britain and the United States.”

Although they were skeptical of some of the views and arguments that Hoffman had just described, the three had to admit that the Führer's strategic vision was very vicious. This action hit the Allies' weakness, and they were shaken in their main position. The key point of thinking has shifted to how to ensure the smooth landing of troops.

Keitel first expressed his position: "In principle, I agree with the head of state's strategic judgment. The problem is that the risk of landing is too great."

"How big is it?"

"Hmm..." A few people hesitated and couldn't say anything. Keitel and Yoder were inexperienced. Zeitzler knew the whole process of the Battle of Dieppe, but he didn't want to irritate Hoffman by telling the tragic story of the failed British and American landings.

"If the landing plan fails, will Guderian's African cluster be in danger?" Hoffman asked the three of them.

"No, the status of the Afrika Korps will not get worse." Keitel answered first.

Hoffman turned to Yoder and asked: "Can you guarantee it?"

"Yes, this can be guaranteed." Yodel nodded quickly.

“Will Crete be lost?”

"No! Although the landing force has 60,000 people, the original defense force on the island is not included, and we can continue to strengthen the force on Crete." Zeitzler replied.

"Then the problem lies with the landing group." After glancing at the three of them, Hoffman made up his mind and slapped the map hard, covering Crete firmly. "I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. As the head of state, I am responsible for the overall strategy of the empire and the future of the nation. I am determined to make these 60,000 people prepare for the worst possible outcome of this battle - perhaps the entire army will be annihilated!"

What? Zeitzler almost fell to the ground. Keitel and Jodel also opened their mouths and looked at Hoffmann with incredible eyes. The only thought that came to the minds of the three people at this moment was: "Crazy! The Führer is crazy!"

"Don't look at me like that, I'm not crazy!" Hoffman saw the horrified expressions on the three people's faces and knew what they were thinking, and asked, "What if I strengthened all 60,000 people to Gu?" Derian asked him to eliminate Montgomery's 200,000 men. Do you think it will be successful? How many casualties will it cause?"

Everyone was silent. This matter was unpredictable. Let's not say whether Guderian could kill the Eighth Army with 110,000 troops. Even if he succeeded, the loss might exceed 60,000 people. What's more terrible is that he couldn't afford it. During the duel between Guderian and Montgomery, the British could continuously send reinforcements. Initially, it was 110,000 versus 230,000, and later it may become 110,000 versus 300,000 or 500,000.

"The most important thing in this combat plan is time. We can't afford it or delay it. We must use resolute methods to defeat the Eighth Army and march to Cairo." Hoffman encouraged the three of them, "It's not just two armors Division, 1 infantry division and 1 parachute division? Why are we reluctant to give up? We lost 500,000 people in the Typhoon battle alone, and another 200,000 people were lost on the eastern front this summer. It's a big deal if we are always afraid. Casualties, this war simply doesn't need to be fought. The outcome of judging whether the battle is successful depends not only on the number of casualties, but also on whether the overall situation and strategic situation have been improved. The meaning of this battle is the clearest - to invest in the victory or defeat. As the supreme commander, I have the courage to change the situation in the Middle East in one fell swoop. You, the chief of staff, must also be determined.”

Zeitzler persuaded him hard: "Führer, you can't just look at the number. Two armored divisions don't look like much, but one of them is the SS Viking Division and the other is the Grossdeutschland Division. Even an incomplete airborne division is not enough." They are all well-known elite troops of our army. Serious damage will greatly damage their morale, not to mention the heavy losses of the entire army being wiped out. "

Hoffman thought to himself: Can’t stand 60,000 people in four divisions now? How did you survive the loss of the entire 6th Army in Stalingrad and the loss of more than 1 million men? But he couldn't say this now. He could only explain it earnestly: "I just believe in the tenacity of the Viking Division and the tenacity of the Grossdeutschland Division. That's why I will assign the most important mission to them. If I am afraid of losing the elite troops, I will not dare to do so." If they are used, they will lose the opportunity to use them forever. You can ask the commanders of the four divisions in advance to understand the situation and ask them if they are willing to take on the important task of opening a bloody road for the future of the German people."

"But..." Zeitzler wanted to say a few more words, but Keitel had already restrained him. He knew the character of the head of state: he was obviously determined to fight to the death. If the three of them continued to insist on resisting, I'm afraid that The angry head of state would bypass the General Staff and directly start dispatching troops - he did not think that the commanders of these divisions would refuse such an order.

"We will work hard to rethink and improve the combat plan, and we must ensure that the head of state's strategic thinking is implemented." Keitel tried his best to calm down the atmosphere. "The troops will be replenished and mobilized first to make relevant preparations."

"This is the work of the staff department. I don't want to get involved in specifics. I just want results!" Hoffman decided to continue to pass on the pressure and turned to ask Yodel, "Paulus's current task on the Western Front is not heavy. I need to help him." Will I be dispatched to work with you? "

Yodel blushed and said without hesitation: "Don't worry, head of state, I will definitely come up with a mature plan as soon as possible." But in his heart, he was thinking: Are you kidding? What should I do if Paulus comes? I have done a lot of work in the early stage. Whose will will this plan reflect? How will the credit be calculated in the end?

Keitel and Zeitzler looked at each other helplessly. The Führer was trying hard to force them to death.

Hoffman was quite confident in Yoder's statement: "Guderian has begun to retreat towards Tobruk. Although Montgomery is still kept in the dark, he will not be kept secret for long. The enemy's next move will be revealed soon." Will advance. I will hold an international conference on the Serbian issue at the Eagle's Nest at the end of the month. I hope you will be ready for a reasonable combat plan. It can be discussed as soon as the meeting is over. While the plan is being formulated, relevant materials and personnel The mobilization will continue to be concentrated as originally planned - the two chiefs of general staff must regard this as a major task. "

"Yes, Führer."

"Be more ruthless when formulating plans, have innovative ideas and a sense of desperation, be very kind to the enemy, and even more so to yourself! We can negotiate for resources, transport ships, and aircraft. Don't be afraid that the troops do not have amphibious landing experience. They can Two weeks is enough for on-site learning on Crete - we can’t prepare everything perfectly, and we weren’t perfect when we played against Poland and France. Didn’t we get through it differently? We have to have confidence in ourselves. Have confidence in the troops! In addition, Guderian sent me a telegram saying that Montgomery's defense line near Alamein is very tight and strong. If he is lured out and put in Tobruk, the British will not take the initiative to destroy it. We can quickly seize the opportunity to use this line of defense, and we may get unexpected results.”

Yodel nodded: "We will seriously consider the suggestion just made by the head of state.\

,""Tomorrow I will set off to inspect the Peenemünde base and come back in two days. I hope that in these two days you can come up with a more feasible draft as the basis for the next discussion."

"The Führer, my Führer." Hoffman's army adjutant suddenly stumbled in from outside.

"What all the fuss is about."

"Our lurking submarine in the Eastern Mediterranean sent a telegram. The main force of the Mediterranean fleet has just left port and sailed westward." The adjutant gasped and handed the corresponding telegram to Hoffman. "You warned me that as soon as there is intelligence from North Africa, Report to you immediately."

"Is this?" Keitel asked doubtfully, "They are going to Malta?"

"Maltese warships are also preparing to leave port!"

"Hahaha!" Hoffman suddenly burst out laughing, "The god of luck really favored us!"

"Is this?..." The three of them were confused.

"Churchill probably believed that the situation in the Mediterranean was relatively stable at present, so he safely deployed the main force of the Mediterranean fleet to ensure their landing in northwest Africa." Hoffman explained, "If my guess is correct, these battleships are definitely It is to return to the mainland for maintenance and supplies, and then cover the landing of the fleet departing from the mainland. From a time point of view, it also matches the rhythm of the landing at the end of October - after this, they will not be encountered in the Eastern Mediterranean for at least 6-8 weeks. ”

"This is God's will!" Yoder muttered excitedly, "Incredible God's will."