Chen Dao and Knikamp were working the Monkey version of the T-34 tank, and their Russian counterparts were also working on the Monkey 4G provided by Germany.

At the Kharkiv Tank Factory, Koshkin, chief engineer of the Kharkiv Tank Design Bureau, coughed and climbed up and down a Type 4G tank, carefully inspecting every corner of the Type 4G tank.

His assistant Morozov looked at Koshkin, who looked sickly, worriedly, and said with concern: "Your condition is getting worse and worse, it's better to go to the hospital, just have me here." ”

"It's just a cold, it's nothing." Koshkin said as he coughed.

Marshal Voroshilov, a member of the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR, who was standing aside, kept looking at the data sheet in his hand, and then asked Koshkin: "Dear Comrade Koshkin, how much do you think the performance of the Type IV G tank is far behind our T-34 tank?" ”

Its body armor is 30 mm in front and 30 mm in the sides, which is incredible, the front armor is as thick as the side armor, and there is no large inclination. I am sure that the Germans tricked us with their hands on the front armor of the tank. Koshkin said.

"How many millimeters do you estimate the thickness of his front armor?" Voroshilov asked.

Morozov handed Koshkin a cup of coffee, and then replied on Koshkin's behalf: "With the distribution of the volume and weight of the Type IV G, I think that its front armor can be at least twice as thick." ”

"Cunning Germans. They think they can deceive us by using this simple method. It's so naïve. Koshkin said after coughing a few times.

Morozov carefully patted Koshkin on the back. Turning to Voroshilov, he said: "The best performance of the Type 4G is in its firepower, it is equipped with a 48 times the diameter of a 75 mm tank gun, the discharge speed is 650 meters per second, and its sighting system is very good, with this gun, it is completely qualified to fight our T-34 tank." However, it is still the same problem, the performance of this gun is likely to have been weakened by the Germans, and its real performance is likely to be even more powerful than the current performance. ”

"What's the final conclusion?" Voroshilov asked.

"The overall performance is about the same. We have an advantage in maneuverability and armor, and the Germans have an advantage in firepower, so the most important thing for us at the moment is to give our T34 tank a more powerful gun. Koshkin said.

"Fortunately, we have been prepared for a long time, and at the beginning of the design, we have reserved room for upgrading the artillery." Morozov said.

"What type of artillery are you going to replace?" Voroshilov asked.

"The F-34 76.2 mm tank gun, 42 times the diameter, with it, our tank will be more confident against the original version of the Type 4G tank."

At 4 p.m. on 9 September, Chen Dao's FW-200C four-engine reconnaissance plane landed at Lucca Airport on the island of Malta.

After a week of renovation by Luftwaffe sappers, all three airfields on the island of Malta have been fully functional.

Got off the plane. At first glance, Chen Dao saw Colonel Garland, who came to greet him.

After hugging, Chen Dao asked with a smile, "How does it feel to be a teacher?" ”

"I finally got out of the office. Thank God, thank you, dear commander. Garland said with his hands dancing.

"You're free, what should I do? I'm going to be buried alive by those papers. Chen Dao shrugged his shoulders helplessly and said.

"It's simple, come to the combat unit like me and don't always stay at the headquarters." Garland said.

"As I thought, I came out this time, and I was ready not to go back for two months, and let Leibniz deal with those evil documents, he likes to do this kind of work very much." Chen Dao said with a smile.

"I haven't been back for two months?" Garland leaned over to Chen Dao and asked.

"You? After you finish this fishing operation, you will return to China, not only you, but also the 1st Aviation Division. ”

"What are the chances of a fish being hooked?" When Garland heard about the fishing action, he suddenly came to his senses, pulled Chen Dao and ran into his office, and asked eagerly.

"Don't ask me, ask Churchill." Chen Dao kicked the ball out without hesitation.

At 10 Downing Street in London, England, Churchill finally had the courage to move out of the underground headquarters and return to his prime minister's residence.

In the conference room, War Secretary Eden excitedly said to Churchill: "The Bletchley estate has just deciphered a telegram from the German mainland to Libya, and on the night of September 10 a convoy will depart from Naples to the port of Benghazi, carrying the fuel urgently needed by the German and Italian garrisons in Libya." And we have ample intelligence to prove that the German and Italian armies will soon launch an attack on Egypt after receiving this batch of fuel. ”

Bletchley Garden, also known as Radio X, is a house located in the town of Bletchley in Keynes, Milton, England. After Britain declared war on Germany, Bletchley Garden was used as the central location for British intelligence to decipher codes, and Axis cipher machines and cipher files, such as Enigma cipher machines, were generally sent there for decoding.

A hint of excitement crept over Churchill's expressionless face.

"Mr. Turing's new bomb machine is really an amazing machine, the Germans just changed the code rules in May, and we can now continue to decipher their code. If we can't teach the Germans a lesson, how can we deal with the hard-working Mr. Turing. ”

"If you want to intercept this convoy, the Mediterranean Fleet will definitely attack. The H fleet will pass near the island of Malta, where it is dangerous, and I do not recommend sending them. Admiral Beckhausen said.

The excitement on Churchill's face vanished instantly. On the morning of 5 September, it took him two full hours and countless spittles and energy to calm the Parliamentarians, who were in turmoil over the loss of Malta.

The loss of Malta meant not only that British troops would have to make a detour to the Cape of Good Hope to reach the Middle East and North Africa, but that their merchant ships would also have to take a detour.

A detour to the Cape of Good Hope will cause a surge in costs, and the surge in costs will naturally lead to less profits. The vital interests were damaged, and the anger of the parliamentarians naturally had to be sprinkled on the culprit, so Churchill became a punching bag.

Although he had succeeded in calming the MPs, Churchill's mood was not high, and his calm exterior contained a vengeful rage that everyone in the room knew well.

"Since the German and Italian forces in North Africa are waiting for this batch of fuel to attack, we must not allow it to reach Libya safely, and we must intercept it. If we can intercept it successfully, we will not only delay the enemy's attack on Egypt, but also avenge the loss of Malta Island and give an explanation to the people. General Ismay instigated.

"What is the success rate?" Churchill asked Beckhausen.

"If it were to be a surprise attack, it would be very successful, and I would need to consult General Cunningham on the specific tactical details."

"So what are you waiting for? Today is the 9th of September, and we are running out of time, so contact General Cunningham right away. Churchill said. (To be continued......)