Chapter 258: One link after another! (First update!)

"Be careful, and avoid it." After observing for a while, the British commander did not find the firing position, so he could only remind his subordinates to pay attention.

boom!
boom!
boom!
The power of the 88mm anti-aircraft gun is indeed far greater than that of the Type tank.

The German Panzer III tank needs a certain level of skill to destroy the M3 light tank.

The 88mm anti-aircraft gun is basically a mindless bombardment.

The frontal armor of the M3 light tank could not withstand a single shot from the enemy.

Even if it hits the turret, it can be blown away.

This made the German tank commander tremble with fear.

If this is replaced with armor-piercing bullets, wouldn't it be like poking tofu with chopsticks?
Can you easily penetrate the opponent?
For a moment, the German tank commander felt that this was a very good design.

In fact, not only him, but even the previously boastful German lieutenant was attracted by this 88mm anti-aircraft gun.

Before this, they had destroyed several tanks with 88mm anti-aircraft guns, but it was not taken seriously at the time.

But now, after experiencing it myself, I feel more and more that we should equip more of this anti-aircraft gun.

"If we have ten 88mm anti-aircraft guns, we can completely stop the British attack." The German lieutenant murmured.

In fact, he was just thinking about hitting tanks.

This thing can also be used to fight infantry.

And none of them said a word.

Since they are all broken limbs, who will say anything?
"Lieutenant, wouldn't it be more powerful if it was placed on a tank? And could it accompany infantry attacks?" A sergeant next to him had a gleam of light in his eyes.

The birth of any equipment is inseparable from the designers' wild imagination, but it cannot be separated from the actual needs of the battlefield.

In fact, according to the requirements of the German High Command, all Type 3 tanks should be converted into Type 3 assault guns to accompany infantry attacks.

However, because the North African Corps was too far away from the mainland and the Eastern Front had become a veritable meat grinder, newly-born Panzer IV tanks were all transported to the Eastern Front.

Taking into account the actual situation of the North African Corps, the Type 3 tank that was originally to be converted into a Type 3 assault gun was transported to North Africa to increase the armored strength of the North African Corps.

However, the level of the British Army's tanks is also constantly improving, and with the M3 light tanks provided by the US military, although their performance is slightly weaker than that of the Type tank, they have more in number.

Too many ants can kill an elephant.

If there are more M3 light tanks, they can also beat up their Type tanks.

In other words, on the actual battlefield, the Type 3 tank could no longer meet the needs of the armored forces.

They must have a larger caliber tank gun.

For example, the Panzer IV.

But there is no doubt that they can't get it.

All Panzer IVs were transferred to the Eastern Front.

"According to the recoil of the 88mm anti-aircraft gun, the chassis of the Type 75 tank may not be able to withstand it. If it is replaced with a mm recoilless gun, it may be better, but in that case, the turret should be weakened." The German lieutenant's eyes flashed with a strange light, as if he had thought of something.

He felt that he must report his ideas after the battle was over.

Their weapons and equipment must be updated, otherwise, once the enemy's tanks are updated, no matter how good their tactics are, they will not be able to defeat the enemy.

"Isn't that the Type 1 assault gun?" The sergeant was stunned, because the Type 2 assault gun appeared a long time ago, but its effect was mediocre and it could not penetrate the thick armor of KV- and KV- tanks.

"Yes, that's because of the 24-fold caliber. What if it is changed to 43-fold caliber? Would it be better?" The German lieutenant took a deep breath and said again.

Upon hearing this, the German sergeant was even more stunned. If this was the case, the power would be extremely great.

So the M3 light tank in front of them is just a pile of scrap metal in their eyes.

"Lieutenant, I suggest that you should report this idea to Field Marshal Rommel." The German sergeant said solemnly.

"Well, let's wait until this battle is over. Let the soldiers stay hidden." The German lieutenant nodded.

boom!
boom!
boom!
As more and more German tanks joined the battle, the British army's raid plan completely failed.

"Damn it, let the infantry charge, we are the target now." A British tank commander shouted angrily.

At a distance of 800 to 1,000 meters, they were completely defenseless against the German tanks.

If you want to achieve the best shooting distance, you have to rush forward to 500 meters.

But in that case, they would lose more.

So it would be better to let the infantry launch a charge.

boom!
There was another explosion, and another British tank was destroyed.

More than twenty tanks were destroyed in succession, reaching a casualty rate of 10%, which made the remaining British troops extremely frightened.

"Damn it, reverse first, reverse first." Finally, some British tank commanders couldn't hold on any longer and started to reverse.

Fortunately, the tank reversed in time and an armor-piercing bullet flew past the edge of the tank.

If the speed was even a little slower, it would definitely be destroyed.

"Damn it, reverse first. If you don't want to die, reverse quickly. The German tanks have reacted, reverse immediately." The British commander also knew that this raid should be a complete failure. In order to avoid greater losses, he immediately ordered to reverse.

"How on earth did those idiots in charge of the reconnaissance conduct the reconnaissance? Didn't they notice that there were still German troops on the battlefield?"

"These idiots can't do anything right."

Unfortunately, no matter how he yelled, it was of no use.

Because of the heavy rain, it is basically impossible to conduct a very clear reconnaissance.

Based on their own judgment, they believed that the German troops should have gone to hide from the rain.

Who knew that the German army still had enough troops left on the position to guard against their sneak attack.

"Send a signal to the troops in the rear, ask them to organize themselves and continue the attack. This kind of attack is totally useless." The British major battalion commander immediately noticed something was wrong and decided to reorganize the formation.

Otherwise, if we continue to fight like this, we will just be giving away our lives.

"Yes." The signalman responded immediately.

"These German soldiers used the earth slopes to hide their tanks. It was difficult for our tanks to hit them unless they fired at close range."

"Not only that, they took advantage of the heavy rain. Even the smoke from the artillery fire was washed away by the rain, so we couldn't find any trace of them at all."

"Now we can only re-plan the attack formation." The British major picked up the radio and reported to the commander behind him.

"What's your suggestion?"

"I suggest that all troops be divided into two teams, left and right, to attack the German defensive positions and try to find the German tanks. Also, notify the artillery to provide fire support at any time." The British major immediately gave his analysis.

"It's difficult to destroy the German tanks with such means." A sigh came from the other end of the radio.

"We must find the anti-tank artillery position that destroyed our tanks. The damage it caused is too great. It is not easy for the German Panzer III tank to destroy our tanks head-on, but the hidden anti-tank artillery position will be a huge threat."

"Send out the infantry and find that anti-tank gun position."

"Yes." The British major nodded.

On the other side, the British infantry battalion commander who received the order immediately issued a combat order.

"Company A is on the left, Company B is on the right, and Company C serves as the reserve, ready to provide fire support at any time."

"Yes."

After a brief arrangement, the British infantry also began to attack.

Along with the infantry's attack, British artillery in the rear also began to provide support.

But their attack was not very smooth.

Especially the 88mm anti-aircraft gun, which can destroy British tanks as long as it is aimed.

"Damn it, another tank was destroyed, why hasn't it been found yet?" the British major roared angrily.

"The heavy rain washed away the smoke and we couldn't find it at all. I suspect it wasn't an anti-tank gun at all, but perhaps some other artillery."

"Impossible, this is definitely an anti-tank gun." The British major retorted stubbornly.

"I see a Panzer III." "Fire."

boom!
The British M3 light tank, which had just stopped, fired a shot at a Type tank with half of its body exposed.

The shell hit the front armor of the Type 3 tank and the driver was killed on the spot.

Looking at the burning tank, the other British tank soldiers couldn't help but exclaim.

"Great, got rid of him."

boom!
The rest of the British tanks also stopped and continued firing at the burning Type 3 tank.

Because the heavy rain was dousing the flames, in case the crew inside were still alive, they had to get another shell.

Of course, the actions of the British tanks aroused the wrath of the German armored troops for revenge.

boom!
boom!
boom!
The tanks of both sides fired back and forth continuously.

From time to time, there was the roar of 88mm anti-aircraft guns.

Compared with the destruction rate of the 88mm anti-aircraft gun, the destruction rate brought by the Type tank is not very high.

The main reason is that the caliber of the tank gun is too low. If it is replaced with a 75mm/43 times caliber main gun, it will definitely kill one M3 with one shot.

The fierce fighting on the front line soon spread to Rommel who was resting in the rear.

"The British army took advantage of the heavy rain to attack us?" Rommel, who was awakened by his subordinates, asked after listening to the report.

"What's the damage?"

"So far, seven or eight of our tanks have been destroyed, and at least thirty of the British tanks have been destroyed. However, the British army did not choose to retreat, but continued to attack." Rommel frowned slightly after hearing the report from his subordinates.

This is not good news, as it means that the British army must have something to rely on, otherwise it would not be possible to continue the attack.

"Has the 15th Armored Division arrived?" Rommel took a deep breath and asked again.

The 21st Armored Division alone was far from enough, and the British counterattack was far more powerful than he had imagined.

If this continues, even if the German army wins, it will probably be a pyrrhic victory.

"We are resting and expected to be able to go into the battlefield tomorrow." The subordinate reported immediately.

Hearing this, Rommel took a deep breath and said.

"Then let the 15th Armored Division go into battle immediately and repel the British troops in front of us."

"But they have already traveled a long distance, and many tanks need to rest. The manpower they can devote is less than 40% of the usual amount." The subordinate's face changed.

Tanks require maintenance.

Especially during desert marches, the damage to tanks is very heavy.

Sand got into some parts and stuff.

Therefore, before each major battle, strict cleaning and maintenance are required.

Now not only were the tanks exposed to the rain, but also to the sand they had carried along with them from the entire journey.

Many tanks have safety hazards.

There is a high possibility that you will run into trouble due to these reasons as soon as you enter the battlefield.

By then, the casualty rate will continue to rise.

As an excellent staff officer, he absolutely could not tolerate such a situation.

"No, we don't have time to wait for them to complete maintenance. We must launch a counterattack immediately and repel the British army completely. Otherwise, all our previous efforts will be in vain." Rommel shook his head to reject his subordinates' suggestion, and then ordered in a strong tone.

"Excuting an order."

Seeing this, the subordinates had no choice but to convey the order.

Soon, the 15th Armored Division received the order and all the tanks that could be activated drove towards the battlefield.

At this time, the confrontation on the battlefield has entered a white-hot stage, with the distance between the two sides getting closer and closer.

Casualties also continued to mount.

The German army's tank casualties also reached 20, while the British army had more than 50 tanks destroyed.

Even so, the British army did not choose to retreat.

Montgomery issued a death order, no retreat was allowed even if all the troops were wiped out.

Because this kind of opportunity is hard to come by.

Once the heavy rain stops, German fighter planes will appear in the sky, and these tanks will become sitting ducks.

However, their casualties were so great that many British soldiers' complaints continued to deepen.

Because they know that there is no point in continuing to fight like this, and it will only result in greater losses.

"Retreat first."

"We must retreat. We are no match for them."

"Where's the artillery? Let our artillery provide fire support."

"Where did they go?"

The radio was filled with calls for help and insults.

"Hold on, hold on, we must hold on to the German attack."

"Damn it! No retreat."

Just as the British commander was still trying to maintain order on the battlefield.

Suddenly, dozens of German tanks appeared on the right.

boom!
boom!
boom!
These German tanks immediately opened fire crazily at the British tanks in front of them.

"Oh my god, there are so many Type 3 tanks here?"

"Oh my God, why are there still so many tanks lying in ambush here?"

"That's simply impossible."

"terrible."

"Hide quickly, hide quickly."

"Number Seven, it's aiming at you."

boom!
When the German 15th Armored Division arrived at the battlefield, the British armored forces completely collapsed.

The British troops, who had been holding on, were thrown into complete chaos and began to reverse.

The German tanks continued to fire.

Many British tanks that were unable to dodge were hit and began to smoke.

"Damn it! Retreat immediately. I want to leave this damn place."

"Assholes, retreat."

As more and more tanks began to retreat, the British commander knew that there was no point in continuing to hold on.

At this time, the rainstorm began to gradually weaken, and a ray of light could be seen in the distant sky.

It was obvious that the heavy rain would stop soon. If it didn't, everything would be doomed.

When the news of the British tanks' retreat reached Montgomery's ears.

"We can let the fighter planes on the north bank of the canal take off. When they arrive here, the heavy rain should have stopped, and then we can let them bomb these German tanks." Montgomery took a deep breath and did not feel angry because of the failure of the armored duel.

But the words from the communications officer completely stunned him.

"Lieutenant General Montgomery, an urgent message from the airport on the north bank of the canal: they were attacked by natives."

(End of this chapter)