Chapter 397: Sicily (Fifth Watch, Asking for a Monthly Pass)

Of course, Qin Chuan can't say this flaw, because Qin Chuan shouldn't know the date of birth of "Major Martin", unless he asks Ron and others to send spies to check.

But not only does this take time, but it is also unnecessary, because the two points raised by Qin Chuan are enough to overturn this entire conspiracy.

Suddenly, Hitler erupted.

"Stupid!" Hitler threw the document into the air with all his might: "Fool, ignorant fool...... In the face of such big flaws, my military intelligence knows nothing, and a captain who has never had any experience in espionage can find them in a matter of minutes! These are my eyes and ears? That's where my intelligence and analysis come from? God, I'd rather be blind and deaf! ”

The angry Hitler walked around in front of Ronaln and Canaris with his hands behind his back, and Ronald and Karis were so frightened that they didn't dare to make a sound, and stood straight and reprimanded Hitler.

After a while of scolding, Hitler shouted: "Get out, get out of my sight, and stay with your so-called investigation and documents that should all be reduced to ashes!" ”

General Canaris and Colonel Ronaln hurriedly saluted and fled.

Hitler walked a few more steps, and then quickly changed his face, and he said to Qin Chuan politely: "Sorry, my general, captain, you are right, we have all been deceived by the hateful British!" ”

As he spoke, he nodded towards Qin Chuan: "Captain, you are very good!" Better than I imagined, as General Rommel praised, you are worthy of the name of 'legend', worthy of the warrior of the Empire. Now, I can understand why the Afrika Korps always defeats the enemy in adversity, we have the best generals and soldiers, you are invincible, we have nothing to fear! ”

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

"Now!" Hitler walked to his desk with a beaming look and spread out the map with a "whoop": "Now that we have seen through the trap of the British, it is our turn to plan well!" ”

As he spoke, Hitler stared at the map and fell into deep thought, and there was no movement for a long time.

Qin Chuan looked at Rommel suspiciously...... Didn't you say, "Let's plan well"? How could Hitler think alone?!

Rommel shook his head slightly, signaling Qin Chuan to wait patiently.

"My general!" After a while, I saw Hitler and asked, "Do you have any ideas?" I'd like to hear about your plans! ”

"Your Excellency!" Rommel replied: "We have two infantry divisions in Sicily, but I don't think it's enough. We also need at least three armored divisions, three infantry divisions, two mechanized infantry divisions to reinforce Sicily, and an airborne division as a reserve! ”

Seeing that Hitler was a little embarrassed, Rommel explained: "The reason is that although the Italian troops stationed in Sicily have 200,000 men, their combat effectiveness is too poor for us to count on them." On the other hand, it is possible that the Allies will throw 200,000 men and a large number of aircraft and ships into Sicily, and we will need at least nine divisions to hold off their attack! ”

Hitler nodded wordlessly.

At other times, he would have presented the facts to Rommel, reasoned with the statistics, and even hoped that Rommel would defeat the enemy with an "iron will".

However, after knowing that there was oil in North Africa, after determining that the Allied target was Sicily, he no longer dared to say these words lightly.

After a while, Hitler said: "I can transfer three armored divisions and one mechanized infantry division from France, and three infantry divisions from Germany!" Plus the 36th Mechanized Infantry Division of North Africa and the Italian 'Lightning Division'! ”

Rommel nodded reluctantly, because two of these divisions belonged to the Afrika Korps, so in fact Hitler's reinforcements only had seven divisions.

But Rommel also knew that the war situation on the Eastern Front was tense now, and on the other hand, there were rumors in France that the Allies were going to land, so it was not easy to have seven divisions to reinforce it.

After a pause, Rommel pointed to the map and said: "Sicily is roughly triangular, and the three corners of the triangle are large ports, namely the ports of Messina, Palermo, and Syracuse, and there are ten small and medium-sized airports on the island. I think...... The Allies will inevitably attack from both sides of the port of Syracuse! ”

Hitler nodded in agreement.

This is obvious.

First of all, attacking the islands is first of all to attack ports and airports, because only they can quickly and bulkly transport strategic materials, especially large ports, which can not only allow large transport ships to dock quickly bring a large number of troops and supplies, but also unload large equipment such as tanks, cars, etc., which cannot be done by airports.

Therefore, if the Allies wanted to launch an offensive with as many as 200,000 men, they would have to capture a large port, otherwise even if they threw 200,000 men into Sicily, they would not be able to provide enough supplies and ammunition for them to fight.

Secondly, among the three large ports of Sicily:

The port of Palermo was located at the other end of the Tunis Strait, through which it was almost impossible for the British to attack if they were to attack.

The port of Messina was located in the Strait of Messina, and if you wanted to attack this port, you would have to enter the narrow Strait of Messina, which was not only unrealistic, but also attacked by Italian troops on both sides of the strait...... The narrowest point of the Strait of Messina is only 3.2 kilometers, and although the Italian army is fighting all over the place, it can still do it by firing artillery to block the strait.

As a result, the British had only one option, and that was to approach the port of Siracusa in the direction of the island of Malta.

In addition, in order to be able to deploy troops, the British army will also carry out landings on the two sides of the port of Syracuse, so that on the one hand, it can be used as a supply base after the capture of the port of Syracuse, and on the other hand, the troops will not be crowded into a mass and unable to exert their combat effectiveness.

"I plan to build fortifications along the coast and set up firepower to prevent the Allied landing!" "That is, with the port of Syracuse as the center of gravity, an infantry division is stationed to defend it, and if it cannot be defended, the port equipment will be blown up," Rommel said. Two infantry divisions were placed on each flank to defend the coastline with the Italian army...... Behind the defensive line, an armored division is placed to assist in the defense, two mechanized infantry divisions are responsible for protecting the airfield on the island and clearing the enemy's airborne troops, and an armored division and an airborne division are used as reserves! ”

This was Rommel's usual defensive tactic...... The front line was defended with infantry and the second line was defended by armored divisions.

However, Qin Chuan knew that this would not work in Sicily.