The turmoil within Italy was manifested in the Allied defensive lines, that is, the retreat of the German army. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

Barton called Zhang Chi at the first time: "You know what? We succeeded, the Germans were retreating! ”

"Well, then, it's time to move forward!" Zhang Chi said.

"Yes!" Barton laughed, "I can't wait to see the Germans run away!" ”

But Patton said so, in fact, he was still extremely cautious, and this caution was manifested on the battlefield, that is, the American troops still played as usual, first bombarding the opposite side with artillery, and then sending tanks to advance and reconnoitre, until it was confirmed that it was safe to let the follow-up troops advance and occupy.

Patton was right, of course, to do this, because the Germans were "retreating" rather than "collapsing...... This is mainly because the uprising of the Italian army is too "mild", Patton is a little puzzled, the "vigorous" uprising of millions of Italian troops can not even deal with the two airborne divisions of the German army, and even let the two airborne divisions of the German army surround the capital, so that the king and the prime minister have to flee.

What surprised Barton even more was ...... That's when Alexander called Patton.

"General!" Alexander said: "In order to ensure that the enemy does not launch a counteroffensive that will cause the collapse of our rear, I think you should hold your line, and the Eighth Army will cross your line to pursue the Germans!" ”

Hearing this, Barton felt as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly, and the shamelessness of the British was beyond his imagination.

Patton was tempted to scold Alexander and hang up the phone, but as a professional soldier, he replied, "Sorry, General! I obey only the command of General Eisenhower...... What's more, we have already crossed the line and are on the way to pursue! ”

Without saying more, Alexander hung up the phone.

Patton showed restraint on several occasions in this regard, such as his previous obedience to Sicily's apparently biased British plans...... This is not quite consistent with the unscrupulous and irritable words he expressed in front of reporters, but this is also the characteristic that a professional soldier should have, because a soldier has a kind of "no matter what the superior's order is, you should obey it and not doubt it!" ”

Therefore, Patton can definitely be called a good soldier, and certainly an excellent commander, but his weaknesses in history have been exploited and magnified.

Alexander didn't want to talk to Eisenhower about it...... One is because Eisenhower was not an easy person to deal with, and the other is because even he felt that this request was a bit excessive, which was obviously the credit for robbing the US military.

But Alexander had no choice, because if the Americans were allowed to continue to fight like this, then the British army would undoubtedly lose the dominance of the war...... At this time, Alexander thought that once the Italian army revolted, then the operation in Italy would be as smooth as an "avalanche".

So Alexander had no choice but to put on his hat and go to Eisenhower.

When Alexander walked into Eisenhower's office, Eisenhower was looking at a map.

When he saw Alexander come in, Eisenhower excitedly said, "Oh, General Alexander...... I think we inadvertently did one thing right, the Italian army revolted, and we finally got a breakthrough in the defensive line! ”

"General!" Alexander said, "That's what I'm here for!" ”

"What? Do you have any ideas? Eisenhower looked at Alexander, and then said humorously, "You don't want us to stop while we are in pursuit!" ”

In fact, Eisenhower already knew Alexander's intentions, and of course Patton would have communicated with him.

Eisenhower's words choked Alexander and swallowed everything he wanted to say.

After thinking about it, Alexander simply had a showdown with Eisenhower: "General, I hope that in this battle, the United States can fully take into account the interests of the British side!" ”

Eisenhower couldn't help but be stunned, and then nodded...... Eisenhower preferred this kind of explicit talk to the disgusting excuses that preceded it.

From this point of view, Alexander was also forced and helpless.

"So, General!" Eisenhower said, "I don't know if you have considered the interests of the United States? ”

"I know ......," said Alexander, "but, you know, if the blow to the British army is too great, it will not be good for our future battles and cooperation, will it?" I mean, we still have the possibility of landing from the north of France, and landing from the north of France cannot do without the help of the British! ”

Alexander's words are true, if the British army is defeated to the point of demoralization, it will be perfunctory in the future in the battle, in other words, it will lose the enthusiasm of the battle and the burden will be placed on the United States, which is of course not in the interests of the United States.

"Oh!" Eisenhower said, "General, so to speak...... Are you not against landing in northern France? ”

"No, no,......," said Alexander, "I only say 'maybe'!" ”

"Okay!" After thinking about it, Eisenhower replied, "What do you want me to think about the interests of Britain?" Let's stop moving forward? This cannot be, it means completely sacrificing the interests of the United States! ”

"No, of course I wouldn't!" Alexander replied: "I hope...... The United States attacked for a while, say a week later, and then handed over the pursuit to the British. This is also in line with the laws of warfare, isn't it? Two army groups are advancing in turn! ”

After thinking about it, Eisenhower asked, "Does the time of the week you are talking about include the previous three days?" Also, how long have you been attacking? ”

"We're attacking for a week, too!" Alexander replied: "Start accumulating today!" ”

Eisenhower nodded in agreement, he shook Alexander's hand and said: "General, I hope we all talk in this way in the future, then I think it will be more beneficial to the alliance between us!" ”

"Of course!" Alexander agreed.

What Eisenhower didn't know was that Alexander was actually being cautious...... The reason why he set a week was because he estimated that the American army should not have reached Rome at that time, so the next ...... When the British army was replaced, it was time to capture the Italian capital and reap the greatest results.

However, Alexander did not know the situation...... He was overly optimistic about the uprising of the Italian army, believing that the Germans would not be able to control it, and that it would soon be overwhelming.

Therefore, the British army was destined to fall into the pit they had dug themselves.