While Qin Chuan and others were building fortifications in Tunisia, Montgomery was engaged in an argument with Eisenhower.

The debate is over whether to continue the offensive from the sea or from the land.

"I think we should fight Germany again at sea!" Eisenhower said: "Although our fleet suffered losses, it could be repaired, and the Germans 'Dunkirk' were equally wounded. ”

"It's the Air Force that matters, General!" Montgomery said.

"I know this!" Eisenhower said: "Our Air Force has indeed suffered heavy losses, but we still have the US 10th Air Group, and we still have air superiority!" ”

"No!" Montgomery replied: "The problem is that we underestimated the air defense of the German fleet, and it was difficult for our fighters to gain an advantage over their warships!" ”

"But that's the British Air Force, not the American Air Force!" Eisenhower retorted: "We have more advanced bombers and fighters than the British!" ”

Eisenhower was right, at this time the American B14 and B24 heavy bombers had been put into service, and the ceiling of these bombers was above 8,000 meters, although this was within the range of 10 kilometers of the German fleet's 130MM secondary guns, but as said before, the higher the altitude, the larger the dead angle area of the anti-aircraft guns at the maximum elevation angle of 75 degrees, so in fact, B14 and B24 could drop bombs at the German fleet without pressure.

"Ike!" "The problem is that we don't know what the Germans have done to the naval guns, so I think any action against the German warships at this point is risky, and although I believe in the strength of the American Air Force, we don't have to do it, because we have another option, which is to quickly move the front in the direction of Tunisia," Montgomery said. As long as we occupy Tunisia on land, then the Tunis Strait will not be a problem for us! ”

Eisenhower thought about it, and finally nodded and said, "Just do as you say, Monty." But I have to warn you, we have information that the Germans are building a defensive line in Tunisia, and if you are sure that you are going to attack from land, you better hurry, or they will be there ready and waiting for you! ”

"Of course!" Montgomery said, turning his gaze back to the map again.

Montgomery's decision was actually selfish, and the United States and Britain at this time were not actually monolithic...... Britain wanted to keep its position as the number one in the world, while the United States wanted to pull Britain down and sit on the throne by itself, so there was such a disagreement: the United States was anxious to send its air brigade to the battlefield to show off and announce to the world that the British had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the German fleet and that the United States could fight them to the point where they were unable to fight back.

Montgomery was not stupid, he certainly would not give the Americans this opportunity, so he did everything possible to find an excuse to attack from the land...... Without the use of American air forces, Britain really did not have the strength to launch another large-scale campaign from the sea.

Fortunately, the British offensive on land was very smooth, and if it were not for the constant interference of Egyptian, Libyan and other guerrillas in the rear, I am afraid that it would have reached Tribo.

Montgomery, however, believed that the British would eventually break through to Tunisia because the Germans did not have the right equipment to deal with the Sherman.

On the other side, the French battalion and German soldiers were shouting loudly on Heights Zero.

After ascending the heights, they were presented with a salt lake, the largest in Tunisia...... Jared Great Salt Lake.

This guy is 160 kilometers long and 22 kilometers wide, so what everyone sees is a large white salt and blue water...... Salt lakes are characteristic of Tunisia and Algeria, and the main reasons for their formation are the differences in topography between the north and the south, as well as the climate and topography.

The north is mainly mountainous, with abundant rain and seawater, while the south is an arid desert, so that in the middle of them, there is constantly seawater and rainwater seeping in and being dried.

As a result, the dry place is full of salt, like a sea of white sand, and the place where there is water is as blue as the sky because it is rich in salt ions.

Most of the French battalion and German soldiers saw such a beautiful scenery for the first time, and they couldn't help but shout with excitement.

"That's one of the reasons why I built the Gabez Line!" Major General Neumann said: "This great salt lake runs almost all of Tunisia, and to the west there are the Gerza salt marshes and the Malegir salt lake, because there is salt everywhere, there is almost no grass for dozens of kilometers, only a few low halophytes!" ”

Qin Chuan couldn't help but nodded, this would make the Allied attacking troops completely exposed to the fire of the German defenders, while the German defenders could fire condescendingly on the high ground and cover with the help of fortifications or hidden vegetation, even in broad daylight.

Looking at the blue water at the foot of the mountain, Colonel Slane said, "So...... Why do we need tunnels? Will the enemy still be able to drive warships here? If not, how can they break through the Gabess line? ”

Qin Chuan understood what Colonel Slain meant, if the British wanted to attack the Gabes Line, they had to cross the salt lake first, which meant that their tanks could not provide cover for it, so the lake would form a natural barrier in front of the defense line like a moat, and the Allies would not be able to break through with three heads and six arms.

Major General Neumann shook his head and said: "Colonel, if the salt lake does not dry up, then what you say is correct!" ”

"Will it dry up?"

"Of course!" "It's the rainy season, and the salt lake has plenty of water, but that doesn't mean that the entire line is full of water, and when the dry season comes, the temperature here will rise to 50 degrees and the lake will soon evaporate," said Major General Neumann. ”

Colonel Slain nodded and said, "And a month from now, when the Allies hit here, the dry season will come!" (Note: The dry season in Tunisia is also a long summer, and the winter is a short rainy season.)

"Yes!" Major General Neumann raised his head with a telescope towards the lake at the foot of the mountain: "At that time, these lakes will turn into a layer of salt, and the enemy's tanks will be able to drive in front of our line without hindrance, plus they have many more planes and artillery than us...... I think the pit fortifications proposed by the lieutenant are necessary! ”

Hearing this, Colonel Slein stopped talking.

"Lieutenant!" A French soldier shouted at Qin Chuan, "Can we go and take a bath in that lake?" ”

"Absolutely!" Qin Chuan replied nonchalantly: "If you don't worry about landmines!" ”

Needless to say, there must have been mines in that area.