On 19 February, a huge convoy of 200,000 men carrying the German Army's 8th Army arrived in the waters of western India. The German 8th Army did not have troops stationed in Egypt or in the Middle East. Their task was to defeat the enemy, and the occupation and control of these colonies would be arranged domestically.

When the time comes, the General Staff will send special troops to the station, and at the same time the forces of the German protectorates will be reorganized so that they can be increased in combat effectiveness enough to ensure the security of these protectorates.

In the afternoon of the same day, the commander of the 8th Army, Admiral Ludendorff, boarded the battleship Nassau, the flagship of the Indian Ocean Fleet. Next, the 8th Army needs to cooperate with the Indian Ocean Fleet.

"Welcome, General!" Lieutenant General Ingnoll and Major General Ruyter both saluted Admiral Ludendorff.

Although, they belong to different systems. However, Ludendorff was, after all, a general, with a higher rank than them.

Admiral Ludendorff returned a salute.

"Your Excellency, Commander, Your Excellency the Chief of Staff. Next, the 8th Army has a lot to worry about you! Admiral Ludendorff said. It is impossible for him to use his rank to coerce the Indian Ocean Fleet into doing anything. After all, it's not a system, and if the other party ignores him, he can't do anything.

"General, it is our responsibility to fully cooperate with your operations, and the Indian Ocean Fleet will definitely fully cooperate with the 8th Army." Lieutenant General Ingnoll hurriedly said.

Afterwards, they went to the war room to communicate about the ensuing battle.

"General Ingnoor, I plan to launch a landing operation tomorrow, can the fleet send some capital ships to provide us with fire support for the landing?" Admiral Ludendorff asked.

"General, the 8th Army is coming from afar, don't you need to take a break?" Lieutenant General Ingnoll did not answer immediately, but asked with concern. After all, it's not a good thing to take a boat. Especially on long voyages at sea, many people will get seasick for the army that is accustomed to land.

"There's no need, if you want to rest, wait until you get ashore. For every day we delayed, the British were able to arm tens of thousands more Indians. That's the real disaster for us. Admiral Ludendorff said with a serious face. They got the information that the British were frantically arming the Indians, and it was said that the Anglo-Indian army had grown to five million people, and the British conscription was not over yet, and it was still continuing. This was not good news for the German army.

After all, the German army was able to devote too few troops to fight in India, and 400,000 men was nothing compared to India's vast land area. The longer it dragged on, the worse it would be for the Germans. In that case, the British would have enough time to arm more Anglo-Indian troops, and even train them to have stronger combat effectiveness. At that time, if the German army wants to defeat these British and Indian troops, I am afraid that it will have to pay a greater price. In any case, the Germans had to do their best to prevent this from happening.

Lieutenant General Ingnoll nodded: "That's true, General. In the past two days, we have sunk dozens of ships from other countries trying to force their way through our blockade and into India. The Pacific Fleet sank only a lot more ships than we did. It is clear that the British have not stopped transporting weapons and equipment to India until now. ”

"The only task to prevent the British from transporting weapons and equipment to India is to be entrusted to you." Admiral Ludendorff said.

"It's our duty! When it comes to fire support, the general doesn't have to worry. Tonight, several more capital ships will arrive. Tomorrow morning, we will concentrate seven capital ships to provide fire support for the landing of the army. Lieutenant General Ingnoll said.

The Mediterranean Fleet had only seven capital ships in total, and they were all able to assemble to provide fire support for the landing of the 8th Army, which was undoubtedly full support for them. This made Admiral Ludendorff very satisfied.

"By the way, General Ingnorr, we have just arrived, and the Mediterranean Fleet has been wandering around the western coast of India for several days, so do you think it would be better to choose where to land?" Admiral Ludendorff asked.

"General, if you want to choose a landing site, it is naturally the best in Mumbai. Mumbai is the largest city in India and the most industrially developed. It has a well-established port. If Bombay can be taken, it will be very beneficial for the logistics supply of the troops. Lieutenant General Ingnoll suggested.

Admiral Ludendorff nodded, just the supply of more than 200,000 people of the 8th Army is a very large number. When the 4th Army arrived, the pressure on logistical supplies was even greater. If Mumbai can be taken intact, especially the port of Mumbai, it will play a very important role in ensuring the German army's operations on the Indian subcontinent.

"But if they attack Bombay directly, the British will destroy Bombay! At the very least, it will blow up the port of Mumbai. In that case, we won't get anything. Admiral Ludendorff feared that the British would choose to burn jade.

"Yes, General, it is possible. But as long as we launch an attack on Mumbai, the possibility of the British destroying the port of Mumbai must exist. It is very difficult for us to take the port of Mumbai intact. But as long as the main body of the port can be kept, it will be a rare victory. If you start quickly, it's not impossible. Lieutenant General Ingnoll suggested.

"Well, that's true. Then, choose this as your landing spot! Admiral Ludendorff's finger landed on the map.

The place that Admiral Ludendorff pointed to was called Alibagh, a small coastal town about twenty kilometers from Mumbai.

"It's a really good landing spot. According to the information we have received, there is a small port there that can meet the landing of a certain number of troops. On top of that, it was close to Mumbai, and the landed troops could attack Mumbai directly. Lieutenant General Ingnoll said.

"How many Anglo-Indian troops are there in Alibagh?" Admiral Ludendorff asked.

"A few thousand, about the strength of an infantry brigade of the British Army. However, the troops composed of indigenous Indians will not be too combative. Lieutenant General Ingnoll said.

"Well, that shouldn't be a problem." Admiral Ludendorff is undoubtedly very confident in the next landing operation.