The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

Chapter 146 Before the War

In the evening, Kuang Zhengqi led the main force of the Second Army to Nasser City and listened to the combat report from Zhou Xuhui and others. He then called a meeting of officers above the rank of colonel and asked Zhou Xuhui and Zhang Lingpu to share their experience in this battle.

Kuang highly praised Zhou and Zhang's tactical execution, explaining that this was their operational model for countering German tank clusters. He urged all units to prioritize the German Panzer III tank destroyers and 88mm anti-tank guns (anti-aircraft guns). He also cited examples from the Allied battles against the Germans in North Africa, reiterating that tank coordination was fundamental to victory. He particularly praised Major George's decisive action in dispatching light tanks to pursue the German Panzer IIIs. With Allied authorization, Kuang promoted George to Lieutenant Colonel, placing him in command of the newly formed Light Tank Column (equivalent to a reinforced battalion).

Kuang Zhengqi concluded, "Air Force reconnaissance reports indicate that the main force of Rommel's Afrika Korps has moved south and is currently deployed south of Ugsur. It comprises approximately three German tank divisions, one grenadier division, and one Italian corps. The forces attacking Nasser today are the 3th Regiment of the German 212rd Tank Division and an Italian infantry regiment."

"Rommel has apparently decided to engage us in a decisive battle along the Nile River in southern Egypt. Our main forces are concentrated east of the river, along the line of Nasser City. We should seize the opportunity to break through Kom Ombo and engage the Germans in a decisive battle in the flat desert area of ​​Kom Ombo."

"The 1st Armored Division has bypassed the west bank of the Nile and has already occupied the towns of Sabhayya and Binban, forming a pincer attack with us. The army's heavy artillery group has been deployed on the high ground on the west bank. If the Germans attack prematurely, we will deal a heavy blow to Rommel around the city of Nasser!"

Then, the new chief of staff of the Second Army, Major General Powell of the US Army, issued a combat order. The 7th Tank Division ambushed along the west side of the city, and the 28rd Regiment of the new 83th Division followed and deployed on the periphery to prevent the German-Italian coalition forces from attacking from the east; the 114th Division advanced head-on towards Kom Onm and occupied Kom Onm if necessary; the 5037th Mechanized Brigade and the 28th Regiment of the new 84th Division formed an eastward column, and attacked Nuhood over a long distance, where they met up with the British 17th Division (British and Australian troops) heading north along the Red Sea coast, and then assisted it in attacking Mina Alam.

Kuang Zhengqi's move was simple. It solved the hidden dangers in the vast desert area in the northeast, and at the same time opened up a close supply line to the Red Sea, which was beneficial for the troops to obtain supplies. In addition to using the airport in Aswan, the Air Force had secretly built a new airport in Berenice on the coastline. This would be the main base for the Allied forces to bomb Rommel's African Corps.

What Kuang Zhengqi did not expect was that Rommel's right-hand man Hans Jürgen von Arnim had commanded the 3rd and 21st Tank Divisions and the 151st Grenadier Division to arrive at Kom Ombu, forming the 3rd Tank Army of the Afrika Korps. On the west bank of the Nile, the 15th and 27th Tank Divisions and the 1st Light Division formed the 1st Tank Army, which was moving south along the river from Edfu and was expected to appear in Bimban tomorrow. The US 1st Armored Division and Heavy Artillery Regiment on the west bank would face severe tests.

Fortunately, Kuang Zhengqi observed that the river was flat in Dalau and ordered the engineering corps to build a pontoon bridge to facilitate mutual support and coordination between the two banks. This move eventually became the decisive factor in this battle, which will not be discussed in detail here.

Von Arnim left the 212th Regiment's commander's combat report aside. He clearly didn't care about the objective explanations given for the defeat. After arranging for the commander to be sent to Afrika Korps headquarters, Arnim carefully observed the terrain surrounding Nasser. It was clearly unsuitable for large-scale tank operations. Arnim set his sights on the east, where the terrain was high and flat, with relatively solid sand dunes, making it ideal for large-scale tank movements. If they could bypass Nasser and swoop down from the heights, they could easily capture the city.

Anim thought further. The troops could completely avoid the city of Nasser, detour along the desert, and attack Aswan. Here was the best node. As long as they captured Aswan and then turned back to intercept the US-UK coalition forces, it would be like catching a turtle in a jar.

Arnim smiled faintly and thought: Chinese, why do you have to get involved in the European battlefield? This time, I will make you taste the German iron fist!

Arnim immediately called over General Ludwig Kluwer, the commander of the 21st Tank Division. The two had both graduated from the same school and had always been good friends. Arnim met Kluwer, asked him to sit down, and handed him a cigarette, saying, "Kluwer, during the war, we didn't have anything good to offer you. This is British food. Try it!"

Cruwell lit up Arnim's cigarette first, then lit his own. After taking a deep puff, he said, "British products are really good, better than the German Hans cigarettes."

Arnim smiled and said, "My dear Kruwel, if the Führer knows what you said, it will bring you trouble."

Kruwell shrugged, "Germany isn't the best at everything. Otherwise, why would we go to war? The Germanic people just want to acquire more resources, just like British tobacco, which eventually became an item of the German Empire."

Arnim nodded, thought about it, and said to Kluwer, "Kluwer, what do you think about the Chinese participating in the war in Africa?"

Kluwer said angrily, "Jacques Ribbentrop, that idiot, has brought in Japan, a foolish ally. Not only has he awakened the sleeping lion of China, but he's also forced the United States to get involved. The war is getting bigger and bigger. If it continues, it won't be good for the empire."

Arnim said, "Don't worry too much. The German Empire is invincible. The once powerful Soviet Union is now in danger. The US and Britain are no match for us in Africa. I believe the Third Reich will soon conquer the Persian Gulf and occupy the Middle East oil fields on which the US and Britain depend for their survival. When that happens, what resources will the US and Britain have to fight us with?"

Arnim continued, "It is obviously unwise for the Chinese to get involved in the European battlefield, but we have to admit that once they obtain American and British weapons and equipment, the Chinese army will be a formidable opponent."

Kruwell nodded. "In the East Indies, a Japanese Panther tank division was defeated by the Chinese. The US and Britain equipped the Chinese extensively and sent them to the African battlefield, obviously because they saw this. However, the Third Reich is not a loser like the Japanese. Since it is unavoidable, we must defeat them and hurt them. Let these Chinese people know the price they have to pay for joining the European battlefield!"

Arnim was very pleased with his old friend's reaction and immediately told Kluwer his plan. Kluwer's eyes lit up and he thought to himself: Chinese, are you ready to bear the wrath of the Third Reich?