The German High Command issued an order to promote the successful transfer of more than 100,000 troops from the encirclement of the Ming army back to northern Italy, thus preserving the German army's battle. The pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info and successfully blocked the attack of the Ming army in the Battle of Cassino Peak. Rommel was made Field Marshal, and he was awarded the Diamond Medal with Oak Leaves.

After becoming Field Marshal, Rommel would become commander of the newly formed German Army Group South, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Italian Theater. With U.S. Army General George. Patton, French Army General Charles. De Gaulle co-commanded the Allied armies in northern Italy.

There was actually a lot of resentment within the German Army about this promotion order. Because Rommel swept through North Africa at the beginning of the war, and was repeatedly defeated in the confrontation with the Ming army at other times. Rommel became the marshal to whom all German soldiers coveted, and to say that no one was jealous and dissatisfied would be.

But the Germans also have their own considerations. The war was fought until now, and the German army did not actually participate in the war on a large scale. Although there were large armies deployed on the Russian battlefield. But the German army was basically playing soy sauce over there, and it was rare to take the initiative to engage in a bloody battle with the Ming army. In fact, this is the case with all the allies, most of whom are responsible for garrisoning important areas in the rear. It was always the Russians who really went to the front line to fight the Ming army, after all, the Russians were defending their homeland. The Allies sent troops only to avoid Russia's defeat.

The places where the German army really went to war and fought fiercely with the Ming army were in North Africa and Italy. And Rommel, who was a commander on both battlefields, was definitely the German officer who fought the most with the Ming army at this moment. In addition, he did not make any obvious mistakes in the battles, and even performed quite well. As for why the war has been defeated in the later period, it is basically a non-war crime. The difference in strength between Germany and the Ming Dynasty is no longer something that some strategies and tactics can compensate. This kind of thing can still be seen by the elites in the German General Staff.

Therefore, although many people are unhappy with Rommel's promotion, there is nothing wrong with it. This promotion and medal were spelled out by Rommel. Moreover, there is also strong support behind Rommel. The prime minister, who once studied painting at the Daming Imperial Capital Art Academy, was Rommel's biggest backer.

"Congratulations on becoming a marshal this time." The city of Milan, the former colonial governor's palace of Milan in the Ming Dynasty, the commander of the German air force in Italy and the chief of the general staff of Army Group South, General Kesselring, raised the wine glass in his hand and gestured to Rommel, who was sitting opposite him and wearing a brand-new marshal uniform, "My Excellency the marshal." ”

The rank of marshal was a very remarkable thing in Prussia, and even in the entire Greater German Confederation. If you become a marshal, you will be for life, which means that they will never retire. Enjoy a special carriage or car, a secretary, a rich allowance for the next year, and so on. And most importantly, marshal is a top-notch honorary rank. Only those who have successfully commanded a glorious battle, or captured an unbeatable fortress, enjoy this honor.

The young Rommel became a field marshal, which has been the most high-profile event in the world in recent days. Because in any country, the rank of marshal is extremely rare. It is basically impossible for someone to become a marshal in peacetime, and it is very rare in wartime. The Ming army, which is the most powerful in the world, only has two marshals.

"Thank you." Rommel raised his glass and nodded. After a moment, he put down his glass and looked at his partner in Italy, and said softly, "I was also surprised, I didn't expect that I would be able to win this honor." But now the pressure in my heart is also very high. After all, the position of marshal was more like a reward paid in advance, rewarding me for being able to lead the German army to drive all those Ming troops out of the sea and recover the entire Apennine Peninsula. ”

"Hmm." Kesselring, who was sitting across from Rommel, nodded and said, "Yes, it's an honor and a responsibility." This is to make you better able to engage in the battle. After all, Army Group South would grow in size, and the commanders of the American Expeditionary Force and the French would also have the rank of general. As a commander, it is difficult for you to command the battle well without a sufficiently distinguished rank. ”

"That's true." Rommel nodded. After a moment of silence, he asked, "How much can the Air Force help me?" ”

"Yesterday night the strategic bomber unit of the Daming Army Air Force attacked Munich, and the Messerschmitt aircraft manufacturing plant was severely hit, and it will take at least a month to resume production." Kesselring whispered: "Our war potential is constantly declining. Although the Air Force is already desperately resisting, this simple defense actually does not mean much. The Ming Dynasty was able to produce at least 2,000 large four-engine strategic bombers in a month. They are ready to double their production capacity if needed. In this case, it is very likely that we will be directly bombed back to the Stone Age by the planes of the Ming army. ”

"I know." Rommel frowned, "That's why Army Group South was formed, why I was promoted to field marshal." We must push the forward base of the Ming army's strategic bomber units as far as possible. Push to a place where you can't threaten your homeland. It's okay to pay any price for it. ”

"Hmm." Kesselring nodded, "The Air Force has mobilized as many troops as possible to come to support. As soon as next week, I will have more than 12 wings of fighter planes in my hands. And the speed of logistical replenishment is also very fast. You can provide your Excellency the Marshal with the best possible support. ”

"Good." A look of satisfaction flashed in Rommel's eyes. A wing of the Luftwaffe also has at least more than 160 fighters of various types, and 12 wings are enough to compete with the Ming Army Air for air supremacy. Even if it can't provide much help to the ground forces, it can at least neutralize the powerful threat of the Ming Army Aviation.

Thinking of this, the corners of Rommel's mouth twitched slightly. Daming Army Aviation, this name that terrified all the allied armies. Even Rommel had a headache when he thought of the overwhelming and sweeping air power that swept almost everything. He had fought against the Ming army many times before, and at least one-third of the troops and equipment in his hands were lost in the hands of the Ming Army Aviation.

"I'm ready to attack right away." Rommel's words made Kesselring, who had just taken a sip of the wine glass close to his mouth, almost squirt out. Kesselring, whose expression had changed drastically, looked at Rommel with surprise on his face: "But now the troops are not in place." Not to mention the American Expeditionary Force and the French, even our own troops are not in place. Supplies and anything are not enough. Take the initiative at this time? ”

Kesselring knew that Rommel's initiative would not be a harassing attack, but a real large-scale attack. However, because of the obstruction of the Alps, many of the subordinate units and supplies of the German Army Group South did not arrive on the road, is it really good to take the initiative to attack at this time?

"Compared to the Ming army, we don't actually have any advantage. On the contrary, they are even at a disadvantage. Rommel shook his head and said, "I don't think the top brass of the Ming army, or Zhang Cheng, is definitely not a fool. The Alps are so impassable that transportation is extremely difficult. Even if we blow up the tunnels and bridges, we can completely cut off the road from Italy to the north. How could they possibly choose the real direction of attack on this side? ”

"What do you mean?" Kesselring frowned slightly, and asked in confusion. He also felt that this was very strange. The Ming army was not a fool, knowing that the Alps were impassable, but also invested the main force in Italy. Very doubtful indeed.

"I think the main purpose of Zhang Cheng and the Ming army is actually to provide a good sortie platform for the strategic bomber forces of the Ming Army Aviation." Rommel's words stunned Kesselring, and after a moment he suddenly exclaimed, "No wonder! ”

Rommel's guess was not wrong, Zhang Cheng naturally knew that if there were Alps, it would be very difficult to launch a large-scale ground offensive. He never thought of sweeping Western Europe through the Apennines. The main reason for attacking here was to provide a base for strategic bomber forces to advance and at the same time kick the Italians out of the battlefield.

"In fact, now that the Ming army has occupied half of Italy, it is enough for their strategic bomber forces." Rommel narrowed his eyes and said softly, "Their next step must be to stabilize the defense line and slowly advance north." Stay in one place further. Until the front is advanced to the point where it is no longer possible. And now a large number of Ming troops and supplies are being transported to the Apennine Peninsula on a large scale by sea. The scale of sea transportation is far greater than the scale of our transportation through tunnels, mountain passes, and air force transport planes. In other words, our transportation efficiency is far inferior to that of the Ming army. Once they are allowed to rest and start heading north, it can only be a step by step encroachment position. So. ”

Speaking of this, Rommel said in a cold voice, "I need to take the initiative to disrupt the deployment of the Ming army, so as to provide time for our troops and materials to build. Otherwise, we won't be able to fight the Ming Army anyway. To continue to wait is to wait for failure. No matter how good the tactics are, in the face of absolute strength, there is only one ending in the end: defeat! (To be continued.) )