The United States also took into account the importance of the North African battlefield, because the terrain of North Africa is very special, with the Strait of Gibraltar in the west and the Suez Canal in the east, and the narrowest point is only 13 kilometers, which can be said to be blocked with artillery.

Once North Africa fell into German hands, the Mediterranean Sea would be controlled by Germany, and almost all of Europe would be in Germany's pocket...... They are cut off from the outside world and have no other option than to surrender, which is clearly not in the interests of the United States.

So after thinking about it, Roosevelt asked, "What can we do to help you?" ”

"Tank!" Churchill said: "We need more tanks, and artillery, if possible!" ”

Of course, the United States did, at this time he had not yet participated in the war, and some were weapons and equipment, but Roosevelt did not want to let "Stuart" lose the face of the United States, so Roosevelt discussed with Marshall, and decided to agree to Churchill's request to give more and more powerful support and immediately began to prepare.

General Auchinleck's side was also busy.

For the large-scale offensive of the German and Italian armies, Major General Ritchie formulated two plans:

The first plan was to use the fortifications along the border with the cooperation of mechanized troops and air power to maneuver with the German army, so as to consume the German army's living force and finally block the German offensive.

This plan may work, because the disadvantage of the German army is that it has few troops, and if the British army can take advantage of the favorable terrain to flexibly fight and consume the German army's vital forces, then the German and Italian offensive will be easily defused.

But this plan was rejected by General Auchinleck as soon as it was proposed.

"God, it's suicidal!" General Auchinleck said: "Don't you know that mobile warfare is exactly what the Germans are good at? Except for the more than 200 'Stuart' tanks that had just been transported to the front, our armored units crawled on the ground like turtles! They will be divided and surrounded by the Germans and then annihilated! ”

"Then we only have a second option!" "We can form a high-speed mobile force, which is mainly equipped with 'Stuart' tanks, which are faster than the Germans, so it can fight and go to delay the Germans to buy us time," said Major General Ritchie. The main force of the Eighth Army withdrew to Matru to build a defensive position and buy time to reorganize its formation, and launch a counterattack against the enemy at every opportunity! ”

General Ochinleke couldn't help frowning when he heard this: "Matru? No, it is too close to the border, only more than two hundred kilometers, and the Germans will most likely arrive in three days, and three days will not have time to build positions and reorganize the troops! ”

General Richie's face couldn't help but change: "What does the general mean ......"

"Keep retreating!" General Ochinlek replied: "Give up Matru!" ”

"But the General!" Major General Ritchie said urgently: "There is a large oasis in and around Matru, if you leave it to the Germans......"

Although Major General Richie had not finished his words, General Auchinleck had already understood why Richie was using Matroux as a line of defense.

Major General Ritchie is right, Matroul has more than 2,000 springs, plenty of fresh water resources, and the local population also grows wheat, beans, olive trees, date palms, etc., making it a rare treasure in the desert.

If it is left to the Germans, it will almost mean that the German army will not have to transport fresh water and food, which will undoubtedly reduce the pressure on the German army's logistical supply to a large extent.

Thinking of this, General Auchinlek could only sigh, nodded and said: "Let's build a defensive line in Matru, and order the 13th Army to seize the time to reorganize, as for the counteroffensive...... I think it's better to forget about it! ”

Obviously, General Auchinleck, after a series of defeats, had lost confidence in the combat effectiveness of the British Eighth Army.

"Yes!" Major General Richie answered, and the order was relayed.

On this point General Auchinleck was misguided, and his original thinking was correct, and three days was not enough time for the British army to build fortifications and to put them in order.

This was mainly due to the fact that the tanks of the British 13th Army were mostly "Matilda" and "Valentine", which were so slow that many troops were even on their way to Matruh when General Auchinleck gave the order.

On the other hand, it was the Afrika Korps that advanced much faster than General Auchinleck had imagined...... The journey of more than 200 kilometers did take three days at a normal marching pace, but Rommel ordered the troops to march more than 100 kilometers a day, and they arrived at the foot of Matru in two days.

As a result, the preparation time of the British army in Matrum was actually only one day.

To make matters worse, General Ochinleck gave the order to have three days to build fortifications and prepare for battle, so everyone thought they had three days...... As a result, the Germans suddenly appeared in front of them and took them by surprise.

Both of the proposals proposed by Major General Rich are inadequate, but if the two options are combined...... That is, to use the "Stuart" tank to form a rapid mobile force to harass and block the German armored forces, so that the British 13th Army has time to form a defensive line in Matrou, then it is not impossible to hold Matroux...... Matroux had abundant freshwater resources, which could also ease the supply pressure on the British army.

However, as mentioned before, General Auchinleck had already been beaten by the German armored division, so he did not dare to send the "Stuart" tank to do anything at all, he took it for granted that it was to send him to death.

Of course, this was a good thing for the Germans.

The German 15th Panzer Division arrived at Matroux the next night and launched an attack without stopping.

The British 13th Army, which did not expect the Germans to arrive so quickly, was defenseless and was beaten all the way back, but fortunately the 13th Army had a unit similar to the Australian 6th Infantry Division, that is, the New Zealand 2nd Division.

The New Zealand 2nd Division was also a World War I unit and, like Australia, had a strong sense of identification with the British...... New Zealanders have only a few indigenous Māori, and most of the rest are European immigrants, especially British.

This unit used fortifications to block the offensive of the German 15th Panzer Division, allowing the British 13th Army to reorganize and reorganize a defensive line.

General Auchinlake breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the news, and secretly said that the British army was finally a bit of a soldier, otherwise no matter how much advantage it had in any battle, it would be lost...... General Auchinlake really didn't know how to command such an army.

Unbeknownst to General Auchinleck, however, the 21st Panzer Division had already left Sidioma and was thrust into Matru's rear as fast as it could......