Chapter 265 No, we must go to reinforce! (Second update!)

Here, Cun Yunsheng was still trying to find ways to completely mess up the Middle East. In addition, a top-level military meeting was held at the German High Command.

The topic of discussion at this meeting was the battle for the island of Malta.

According to Chuichi Nagumo's proposal, the four countries' navies must capture the island of Malta as soon as possible.

This way we can deal with the Allied fleet without any worries.

Therefore, the special military meeting held this time was to discuss whether to send troops to the island of Malta.

"The attack on Malta requires the support of the navies of all four countries," said Field Marshal Keitel, Chief of Staff of the Wehrmacht.

"According to Chuichi Nagumo's plan, this is inevitable." General Jodl, Chief of Staff of the Wehrmacht Command Staff, said affirmatively.

"But the island of Malta is too small, and there are too many targets to be occupied, such as airports, ports, etc." Marshal Keitel said with some concern.

Hearing this, Admiral Yodel shook his head and said.

"Marshal Keitel, I know your concerns, but the strategic position of Malta is very important. It is like a fishbone stuck in our throat, which is very uncomfortable."

"Why has the North African Corps been unable to make any breakthroughs? Isn't it because the defenders on the island of Malta often sneak attack our transportation lines, resulting in the front-line troops being unable to receive effective supplies? That's why the North African Corps has been in a state of supply shortage."

After listening to Admiral Jodl's analysis, Field Marshal Keitel sighed.

As the empire's field marshal, how could he not see this?

But the current problem is not just the Mediterranean, but the Eastern Front.

The Soviet army also dispatched hundreds of thousands of elite troops from the Far East to the front line.

This means that the pressure on the Eastern Front will increase again.

Although Speer had already begun total war mobilization, large numbers of tanks began to be continuously imported into the Eastern Front.

According to his expectations, if they hold out for a while, the situation on the Eastern Front will change, especially those understaffed armored units, which will soon be replenished with a large number of tanks.

This was the assurance Speer gave him.

However, if a landing operation was to be carried out on the island of Malta, it would mean that the German army would have to disperse part of its forces and even consume precious tanks and fighter planes.

So, strategically speaking, he knew the importance of Malta, but practically speaking, temporarily stopping the attack on Malta and giving priority to supplying limited weapons and equipment to the Eastern Front might bring unexpected surprises.

But he couldn't say these.

He needs to be mindful of the impact, after all, the North African Legion's performance was fantastic.

If they could completely wipe out the British troops in Port Said, then the whole of North Africa would be theirs.

"Admiral Jodl is right, but the defenses on the island of Malta have been strengthened. If we launch an attack now, the losses will be very great." Marshal Keitel decided to use another reason to convince the other party.

Who knew that Admiral Yodel would just sneer.

"Marshal Keitel, Malta must be occupied. I don't think I need to explain how advantageous its geographical location is. If we don't solve it, it will always be a problem for us."

"I know. What I mean is, can we delay for a while? The supply of materials on the Eastern Front is entering a critical moment. Wait until the supply on the Eastern Front is completed before considering attacking Malta Island?" Marshal Keitel could only tell the truth.

They are fully aware of the current situation in Germany.

They also knew the specific situation of each armored force on the Eastern Front.

The main issue that Marshal Keitel is now focusing on is restoring the original armored divisions to full strength.

Otherwise, just having a number but no tank is just a decoration.

"We can use paratroopers, so the consumption of supplies will not be too much." Admiral Jodl said expressionlessly.

Admiral Student, who was called to the meeting at the Supreme Command, looked confused.

He was originally wondering, as a toothless paratrooper, wasn't he a little flattered to be attending such a top-level meeting?

You must know that since the Crete Airborne Battle, more than 6600 paratroopers were killed, more than 200 transport planes were lost, and the elite 7th Air Division was seriously damaged.

His paratrooper unit was ordered not to carry out any large-scale airborne operations.

At the same time, the original plan to invade Malta was cancelled, and Germany decided that the airborne troops should be used as ground troops.

Yes, the former lieutenant general of paratroopers has now become an infantry general.

Unexpectedly, someone is now restarting the plan to airdrop to the island of Malta, which shocked him.

"Admiral Student, what do you think?" Admiral Jodl looked at Admiral Student beside him.

"I will obey your order, but the airborne landing on the island of Malta may result in heavy losses. It is expected that at least thousands of paratroopers will be lost." Because of the shadow of the last time, Admiral Student learned his lesson this time and put forward the difficulties first.

If these big guys don't care about casualties, then we can do it.

If you think the casualties will be too great, then don't do it.

Continue to be his army commander.

Since the heavy losses last time.

His paratrooper unit also expanded with a lot of paratroopers, but had almost no actual combat experience.

However, relying on those veterans, airborne operations are still possible. The only problem is that there will be heavy casualties.

"Even if we lose 10,000 people, it is worth it. The importance of Malta Island is too great." Admiral Jodel said.

"Admiral Jodl, isn't your plan too risky? That's 10,000 people." Field Marshal Keitel felt that the casualties were still too high.

It's really too risky.

Not worth it at all.

Who knew that the man in front would say this excitedly.

"The importance of the island of Malta is beyond doubt, and the plan proposed by the other party can be tried."

Upon hearing this, Field Marshal Keitel and Admiral Jodl stopped arguing instantly.

"Admiral Stuart, tell me what you think."

Seeing this, Admiral Stuart stood up and pointed to the sand table in the middle.

"My suggestion is to carry out an airborne operation in the southern part of Malta and seize the airport there. As long as we hold the airport, subsequent soldiers and supplies can arrive continuously."

In fact, there was nothing remarkable about Stuart's battle plan. It was nothing more than a small team capturing the airport and then the main force arriving.

Just like the later battle at Antonov Airport.

The special forces raided the airport, took over the airport, and waited for the transport plane in the rear to land at the airport.

Who knew that the intelligence was leaked in advance and the defenders set fire to the wreckage of the plane on the runway in advance.

The pervasive black smoke made it impossible for follow-up troops to land by air.

The final outcome was that the special forces were surrounded and suffered heavy losses.

"Once we occupy the airport and reinforcements arrive at the airport via transport planes, we can attack the port to the north." Stuart said, pointing to the map again.

Hearing this, the officers present nodded.

Although there is nothing special about this plan, it is the most reliable combat plan.

If nothing unexpected happens, the success rate is very high.

As long as the airport is occupied, the German Air Force can be sent to the battlefield. At that time, the Air Force will control the air power and provide air support for the paratroopers.

So, if nothing unexpected happens, it will definitely succeed.

As for the troops on the island, the officers present did not think they could stop the paratroopers' attack.

After all, the paratroopers have proven with their strength that they are an elite force.

"Then prepare according to your plan. At the same time, I will ask the navies of the four countries to assemble at the northern port. They will be responsible for containing the port's garrison." The man sitting in the middle said. "Yes." Everyone stood up and saluted.

……

In fact, there was nothing to prepare. Although his troops were used as infantry in the past year, Stuart never stopped training for a moment.

Routine training is conducted in accordance with the requirements of paratroopers.

Therefore, the so-called preparation is not necessary for him at all.

Or in a word.

That is to be prepared at all times.

At this moment, Stuart was giving the paratroopers the final training before departure.

Then they will take a plane to the airport in Italy for transfer.

Afterwards, they will land on the island of Malta under the cover of aircraft.

In order to cover their airborne operations, the German army also dispatched fighter planes to bomb the island of Malta in the past two days.

As a result, several air battles broke out between the two sides.

This time, the German army dispatched FW190 fighters, which had a crushing advantage over the British Hurricane fighters.

Therefore, in these air battles, the German army shot down several times more enemy planes at a very small cost.

For a time, the British fighter planes on the island did not dare to take off.

"Soldiers, the time has come when the empire needs us. It is time to let the empire know our bravery. Hopefully, we can bring victory to the empire." Stuart routinely gave morale boosts to his subordinates.

"Soldiers, we suffered a crushing defeat in the airborne operation on Crete a year ago. It was a shame for us, so we were put on ice. But today, the Empire has given us another chance."

"Soldiers, in my eyes, we are the sharpest spears of the empire, and we will tear apart any enemy that stands in our way."

"Soldiers, I hope we can carry forward the spirit of fearlessness and sacrifice and fight for the empire until the last moment."

"I will personally lead you to the island of Malta. If you win, I will share wine with you. If you die in battle, I will personally carry your coffins."

"Long live the Empire!"

It has to be said that after a year of settling down, Stuart has become much more mature and stable than before. Even a mere pre-war mobilization can make people's blood boil.

All the paratroopers shouted loudly.

"Long live the Empire!"

"May God be with us, may the empire be with us, let's go." Stuart waved his hand and was the first to get into the transport plane.

This action can be said to be the moment for the paratroopers to wash away their shame.

Stuart was even prepared to be buried on the island of Malta if he failed to achieve victory.

The honor of the paratroopers must never be tarnished again.

The abnormalities on Malta Island were naturally noticed by the Allies.

After all, the Allied officers are not fools, especially the frequency of bombing in the past two days is obviously abnormal.

It is obvious that the German army is about to take action against the island of Malta.

So the telegrams for help from the island of Malta continued one after another without stopping.

"Malta is in danger. The German bombing has increased again."

"The Germans used FW190 fighters, and suffered heavy losses in Hurricane fighters."

"Request support, or the island of Malta will be lost."

"........."

The first person to receive the telegram was Lieutenant General Montgomery in Port Said, who was originally in command of the Island of Malta.

Reading the contents of the telegram, Montgomery felt as if his heart was being pierced by a steel needle, beating wildly.

If the island of Malta is lost, it means that the Mediterranean will be completely divided in two.

By then, the German army will deploy a large number of fighter planes on the island, and it will be much more difficult for the Allied warships to retake North Africa.

Therefore, the island of Malta must not be lost.

We even have to find a way to strengthen the island of Malta.

But how to strengthen it?
His life is in danger now and he might even jump into the sea to feed the sharks. He really can't take care of the island of Malta.

"Can Fleet H provide support to the Island of Malta?" Montgomery asked.

"Lieutenant General Montgomery, what if this is a conspiracy of the German army to lure our H Fleet?" Lieutenant General Patton shook his head and said.

He always felt that there seemed to be some conspiracy here.

Surrounding the spot for support?

It is not impossible.

But the problem we face now is what if we don’t rescue them.

That would mean that the island of Malta might actually be lost, which would cause even greater trouble.

If I go to rescue, I'm afraid of being ambushed.

After all, the strength of the H Fleet is far behind that of the four countries' navies.

The best way is to wait for the arrival of the main fleet, but it will take time.

"I know, but what we need to consider right now is that we must ensure that the island of Malta cannot be lost. If the German army really airdrops onto the island of Malta, it means that we will really have to jump into the sea and feed the sharks." Lieutenant General Montgomery said with a wry smile.

How could he not know about these conspiracies?

But now the German army is playing an open conspiracy.

If you don't come to support me, I'm sorry, but the island of Malta will be mine. If you come to support me, that's even better. By the way, you can eat up Fleet H and relieve the pressure.

"Even if the German army really arrives on the island of Malta, what can we do? The island's defenses are still very strong and there will be no problem in defending the island." Relying on the strength on the island, Lieutenant General Patton can completely defend the island.

Even if the German army landed on the island of Malta, they would not be able to take it completely in a short time.

As long as they wait for the main fleet to arrive, the balance of victory will return to their side.

"You are right, but we still need support for Malta. Let me think about it. We can dispatch two elite infantry regiments and send them to support Malta on fishing boats." Montgomery took a deep breath.

Even though he was in great difficulty and Port Said could be lost at any time, he still had the spare capacity to support the Island of Malta, which made Lieutenant General Patton extremely impressed.

If it were him, he would definitely not care about the problems of Malta.

There are still some fishing boats in Port Said that go out to sea to fish, which can definitely be used to transport two regiments of soldiers.

And with the support of these two regiments, there is no need to be afraid even if the German army really lands.

As long as we hold on for ten days or half a month, everything will be better when the main Allied fleet arrives.

I have to say that Montgomery's overall view is still very good.

He naturally knew the importance of the island of Malta.

If it weren't for it, the German army, with all their might, would have defeated him in North Africa long ago.

Isn't it just that the defenders on the island of Malta would occasionally launch sneak attacks on German transport ships?

(End of this chapter)