In fact, the quarrels between Britain and the United States did not only exist in the meetings of senior generals, but also between the soldiers of the two armies, the media, and even among the common people.

The contradiction is so strange, it has always existed, if the Battle of Sicily had been won, it would not have intensified, and now the Battle of Sicily has failed, so everyone wants to find out the reasons and responsibilities for the defeat, and there are even people who think that it is impossible for the British and American armies to unite and defeat the Germans.

This point of view came from a senior military commentator named Nims in the American media at the time, who analyzed it on television: "Everyone is thinking about the question of why the Allied army is much stronger than the enemy, and we are much better equipped than the enemy, such as our air supremacy, air supremacy, and even more...... The Italian soldiers and civilians of Sicily still couldn't wait to throw themselves into the arms of the Allies! But ......"

Nimston paused, and the conversation changed: "Why would we lose this war when we have absolute superiority in all aspects, is it because the landing operation is too difficult?" No, we know that the Allies did not have difficulties in landing. Is it the Germans who are smart? Perhaps, but that doesn't mean we can defeat the battle if the enemy is smart! ”

This was supplemented by a little laughter.

"I think!" Niemus continued: "The root cause of the defeat was the disunity of the American and British armies. Oh, yes...... Everybody knows this. But no one thinks about why the American and British armies are not united! Gentlemen, remember the Thucydides Trap? The British always thought they were the number one power in the world, or so he thought. And the United States, which is challenging his position......"

The host asked in surprise: "Mr. Niemus, do you think we are walking into the Thucydides trap with the British?" ”

"Yes!" Niemus replied: "I do think so, so some people think that if the American and British commanders do a good job of ideological work, let them come to a consensus, then they can unite and finally defeat the Germans." I don't think so, because the United States and Britain have conflicting national interests, and the conflict I'm talking about is not an argument between officers or soldiers or even civilians and the media, understand? It is a divergence of national interests, so it is likely that the United States and Britain will not be able to truly unite each other......"

There aren't many people who hold this view, but it's enough to make everyone's hearts "chuckle".

In order to put an end to this endless quarrel, Churchill personally flew to North Africa a few days later to inspect the Fifteenth Army Group (under the command of the British Eighth Army and the US Seventh Army).

The results of the inspection surprised Churchill, and the contradictions between Britain and the United States were even deeper than he had imagined, and even developed to the point that British and American soldiers fought in groups every day.

A worried Churchill organized a meeting.

Perhaps it was because it was the British Prime Minister who convened the meeting, so the officers of the British and American armies did not quarrel as usual.

"I know everyone here is dissatisfied!" Churchill said: "Yes, I am also not satisfied, to you, to this war, to everything. If it's useful to be upset or to vent on your own people, I should send you all home right now! But, as you all know, it doesn't help, as we argue about who is more to blame for this defeat, when our soldiers are smashing each other's heads with beer bottles and stones, when we are trying to find evidence to attack each other...... Do you know what the Germans are doing? ”

As he spoke, Churchill slammed the thick stack of papers on the table and said, "They are building trenches, they are laying mines, they are training with rifles equipped with bayonets!" ”

There was silence in the conference room.

"If you're going to keep arguing like this!" Finally Churchill said, "Believe me, I can get you to go home and quarrel!" ”

No one doubted that Churchill was capable of this, and although he was a British prime minister who had no authority to mobilize the United States, he could propose to Roosevelt a change of commander.

At the same time, if the quarrel continues, I am afraid that Roosevelt is also on the side of Churchill.

So in the end, the British and American generals turned the page.

And not only do this, but the grassroots officers are also required to comply with the same from the top to the bottom, and then the grassroots officers will influence the whole army.

Churchill summoned Eisenhower, Montgomery, and several other major generals to his office for a short meeting.

"I want to know when the next attack will be!" Churchill, with a cigar in his mouth, asked, "How long will it take?" ”

"I was about to give you a suggestion about this, Your Excellency, Prime Minister!" Eisenhower said, "I think it's time for us to open up a second battlefield......

"No, no, I'm talking about the Mediterranean!" Churchill interrupted Eisenhower's words: "We cannot abandon the whole strategy of the Mediterranean just because of one failure!" ”

Churchill would never give up the opportunity to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister!" Eisenhower said, "The point is...... We don't have a suitable tactic to deal with the enemy's tunnel defense tactics, at least not yet. ”

"Does it matter?" Churchill asked irritably.

"Of course it does!" Eisenhower spread out a map in front of Churchill and said: "The Gabes Line is mountainous, and the Germans have built tunnels here. Sicily is predominantly mountainous, and we found the tunnels there to be more difficult to deal with than we thought. Similarly, three-quarters of Greece is mountainous, and then there is Italy...... The Germans surrounded the Mediterranean Sea in a half-circle with tunnel fortifications, and when we attacked any point in the Mediterranean, we had to face the mountains and the enemy's tunnel fortifications on the mountains. ”

"Then find a way to deal with them!" Churchill said.

"We can't help it!" Eisenhower retorted: "During this time, I have asked people to simulate their tunnel fortifications in the hope of finding suitable tactics, but all the corresponding tactics proposed have been denied!" ”

After a pause, Eisenhower continued: "And we don't even need to face this kind of complex tunnel fortifications here, because 80% of France is plain, and the mountains are mainly concentrated in the southeast, especially now that the Germans have attacked Moscow on the eastern front, it is the best time for us to land in northern France and flank Germany......"

"Enough, General Eisenhower!" Churchill interrupted Eisenhower's words in a loud voice, and after a pause realized that he had lost his temper, he said slowly: "I want to speak alone with General Montgomery!" ”