Red Flood

[Stig]

I would go for save 1. But I'm on my own

[Lord Winter]

Attack, Attack and Attack!

If the british are bringing in reinforcements this is one of the best chances we are going to get to grab Tobruk. Historicly the Africa Corps were able to keep there suppplies at an acceptable level durring these mad dashes of prusuit which were relitivly effective, such a dash like this infact was what took Tobruk.
We should focus on immeditly taking toburk, this is a larger and closer port so it should stabilize our supply situation. It also is in a good postion for a further invasion of egypt.

So in conclusion, give rommel a free hand and bring up the 15th as fast as possiable before the british get there reinforcements. It's the best chance we've got so we might as well make the best out of it.

C

[DemonArchangel]

Option B. We're already having supply difficulties, and letting Rommel run wild would be OK assuming that we had plenty of fuel and spare parts for our tanks and airplanes. But we don't. We need to make a more limited advance while trying to secure more supplies and shipping for our divisions.

And also, how about shipping a regiment of Brandenburgers over to North Africa so that they can attack British supply lines and airfields. Sabotage from behind would help our advance greatly.

[SwordsMaster]

Option B. We're already having supply difficulties, and letting Rommel run wild would be OK assuming that we had plenty of fuel and spare parts for our tanks and airplanes. But we don't. We need to make a more limited advance while trying to secure more supplies and shipping for our divisions.

And also, how about shipping a regiment of Brandenburgers over to North Africa so that they can attack British supply lines and airfields. Sabotage from behind would help our advance greatly.

We could even help our advance with FJs once some kind of front is established... Or maybe to jump into Alexandria or Tobruk... Actually that could be fun to consider. Maybe if the FJ took Tobruk, Hitler would be more willing to consider our proposals considering prioritizing our equipment, recruitment, and retraining.

[Stig]

Our FJs won't be ready for atleast another month I think ... if Germany has the same resources as the Yanks had between June 1944 and September 1944, which I doubt.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Some suggestions for Rommel's current offensive:
Once he reaches the goal of the current offensive, he should concentrate on:
1. holding the line west of Tobruk and cut off the retreat of too slowly retreating British troops - taking plenty of prisoners
2. trying to seize and hold the harbor of Tobruk
3. making sure to capture one or more airfields as close to Tobruk as possible as soon as possible, so proper air support and supplies can reach closer to the front. If there aren't any suitable airfields, try to construct one - initially just a simple one to get some decent basic air support for a proper offensive at Tobruk, it doesn't need any fancy equipment for landing and takeoff in difficult conditions initially, just a bit off hard enough earth or something
4. get some FLAK up to the front ASAP. We want to make sure we don't lose more planes than the British so we are at increasing disadvantage the closer we get to Alexandria. Offensives tend to keep aircraft loss ratios in favor of the defender so some FLAK to damage British counter-attacks could improve the odds somewhat. Keeping strict discipline in getting FLAK close to the front quickly to accompany the offensives will matter in the long term.

[Lord Winter]

Somethoughts on the follow up offensive after the front stablizes and we bring the 15th panzer into to it.

1. Our ideal stoping point should be the easternmost fork between Sollum and Machilli. That would keep our supplys farily ballance and also allow for a two pronged advance on that road. However if we have the chance, I think we should give rommel the flexibillity to keep going if he thinks he can grab toburk.

2. A three prong attack IMHO would be the best. The northern most prong would follow the cost road and make an holding attack on the forces in Tobruk. The second prong should be the main thrust, supporting the third group to the south and striking at the british army along the two roads.
The third group would consist of the armor and would focus on a deep thurst towards Sollum aiming to cut off the britsh retreat. It will also support the advance of group center

After the center group forces the british back they should turn north and aim to attack Tobruk from the east hopefully taking it. If this fails the road running south of Sollum would be a good line to establish our forces on as we prepare for a second assult.

3. The FJ should be used in the attack on Tobruk succuring airfields and possiably going in as the first wave to blow any fortifications.

4. Tobruk is our most vital target in this phase and thus it's assult should be given the majority of our air power.

[Franconicus]

And also, how about shipping a regiment of Brandenburgers over to North Africa so that they can attack British supply lines and airfields. Sabotage from behind would help our advance greatly.

You have access on the Brandenburger. However, they have nor experience neither equipment for the desert.

making sure to capture one or more airfields as close to Tobruk as possible as soon as possible, so proper air support and supplies can reach closer to the front.

There is a large airfield at Benghazi, a smaler one at Derna and another one south of Tobruk (Adem). Tobruk itself has a small field for fighters.

We could even help our advance with FJs once some kind of front is established... Or maybe to jump into Alexandria or Tobruk... Actually that could be fun to consider. Maybe if the FJ took Tobruk, Hitler would be more willing to consider our proposals considering prioritizing our equipment, recruitment, and retraining.

At the moment you have neither enough transport planes nor any FJ for your airborne operation.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 44 – Lost and found
Cyrenaica, 3rd – 9th April 1941

Ramcke sends a message to Hoth about the current situation and makes a proposal to meet before the army reaches Tobruk. He also sends this information to Rommel.
Then he decides to visit the front to get a picture of what is really going on. He gets himself a driver and a jeep. His target is the southern route, where most of the tank forces. The adjutant had told him that this group was stranded because of lack of fuel. The adjudant also warns him. The Italians poisoned this route with thousands of mines during their retreat.
Before he starts he hears that Rommel told the Panzerregiment to take all the remaining fuel to mobilize the tanks and to continue the advance. It is almost evening when Ramcke and his drivers leave Sirte. It may be dangerous to drive across the desert at night. However, the Panzerregiment does it and so Ramcke decides to do it, too. Furthermore it will be very unlikely to meet any British soldiers there. At all hazards he takes a radio along with him.
The night-time ride through the desert is certainly a special event. However, soon they loose the road, or whatever they call road in the desert. They struggle through the sands. Many times the jeeps get stuck and they have to dig it out. Ramcke is glad when they finally reach the stony desert. The wheels find solid ground here, but sometimes this ground may be a bit too solid. In the middle of the night the ride comes to an abrupt end; the axle breaks.
Ramcke and his driver are stranded in the desert, all alone in the endless wilderness. Fortunately they have the radio and in the morning a German Storch comes to pick Ramcke up. The pilot lands near the vehicle. He promises that another plane will come to pick up the driver too. Then the plane starts again and they fly to the front close Mechili. From up above Ramcke has an excellent view on the desert. It seems to be endless, but it is not empty. Here and there are German vehicles. The pilot tells him, that many of the cars just broke down like Ramcke’s jeep, or that they had engine failures due to the sand, or that they simply run out of fuel. Or the drivers just lost the direction or the cars stuck in the sand. Anyway, most of the Luftwaffe planes are out to search for dispersed parts of the Panzerregiment and to supply them with water and fuel. The sight is harrowing and reminds Ramcke of an army on the run.
Near Mechili Ramcke has the first contact with the British. Two Hurricanes spot the Storch and try to pick it off. Ramcke thinks that his last hour has come, but the pilot knows how to defend himself. The Storch may be much slower than the hurricanes, but he can almost stand still and he can rise vertically like a lift. The Hurricanes attack several times, but every time the German plane can outmanoeuvre them. However, the Hurricanes do not loose heart and attack again and again. Then they suddenly surcease. They spot a more attractive target.
Four German transport planes are approaching a field with a group of German tanks. Obviously they want to land there. At the moment they touch ground the Hurricanes reach the field too. Four giant torches show that the transport planes had carried fuel for the tanks.
Ramcke’s pilot uses the opportunity to get down. Ramcke is so glad to stand on his own two feet again. He hurries to the commander of the ground forces. It is the Ariet and parts of the 5. Light Division. Here he stays to watch the advance of the Axis troops and to get the latest news.
That day Benghazi is taken by the Italian divisions Trento and Bologna together with the AA3. The force heading for Msus is making only slow progress but the third group, the most southerly, with part of the German 5th Light Division and the Italian Ariete Division, is going well toward Mechili.
On April 5., the Axis advance continues. On the coast Barce is taken while inland Tengeder falls and Mechili is threatened.
The next day, it is a Sunday, the attention is attracted by the events on the Balkans. German forces invade Yugoslavia and Greece. The attack begins with advances by List's Twelfth Army from Bulgaria and with bombing raids on Belgrade and targets in Greece. The main German attack on the first day falls on Greek troops in forward positions. The German 30th Corps attacks the center attacks the center and right of the Metaxas Line. A second corps attacks the left of the line but sends more of its force into Yugoslavia toward Strumica. The third corps moves into Yugoslavia farther north heading for Skopje. There is heavy fighting on the Greek border but the Yugoslav frontier is easily crossed by the Germans. During the night there is an important air raid on the port of the Piraeus in which a British ammunition ship blows up, sinking many other vessels and extensively damaging the port installations.
In North Africa the German and Italian advance is maintained. On the coast the Australian Division is beginning to pull back to Tobruk from Derna. On Monday, April 7, Derna is overrun in the continuing Axis advance. Inland near Mechili an armored battle begins between the German 5th Panzer Regiment and the remnants of the British 2nd Armored Division. April 8, Mechili falls to the German attacks in the morning and Rommel immediately begins to organize an advance to Tobruk.
In the evening of April 8, German officers meet at Derna. There is Hoth, the commander of the Panzergruppe Afrika, Rommel, commander of the 41. Korps, Kuhn, commander of the 15. PD, Cambara, commander of the Italian 20. Motorized Corps and Lörzer, commander of the II. Air Coprs and Ramcke.
Ramcke gives a short status report:
“Gentlemen, our advance has been very successful so far. Within two weeks we marched 300 km. Yesterday we captured important documents. They give us a clear picture of the situation of the British forces. The enemy had sent several divisions to Greece. The 9. Australian Division and the 2. Armoured Division remained at the front. The Australian are currently retreating to Tobruk while the 2. Armoured has cease to exist. Currently there are no armoured divisions against us. The enemy is desperately trying to reinforce his positions. The 6. Infantry Division and the 7. Australian Divisions are on the way west. Additionally the British are forming a new armoured unit with the core of the 7. Armoured Division. They have left the delta and will arrive soon. After the defeat of the Italians in East Africa another division is coming from there. Maybe there is another Australian Division, but information in uncertain. To make a long story short, today we have one division against us, but the enemy has called 4 to 5 new divisions, including an armoured one. Recon observed a lot of transport ships in the harbour of Tobruk.
On our side there is the 5. Light Division, currently approaching Tobruk and Sollumn from the south. There is also the Italian Divisions Bologna and Trento marching along the coast, currently moving to Gazala. Ariete and Brescia are coming from Mechili and march to Gazala too. They will arrive tomorrow. Division Pavia is still near El Agheila. The German 15. PD landed at Tripoli and will arrive at Tobruk in about a week. Trieste is on the way, too. In total we have three Tank Divisions and five Infantry Divisions. Supply situation has been tight sometimes, but as we have conquered British supply magazines, we have enough fuel. However, we are still not able to repair the damaged vehicles. The 5. Light Division has only about 20 tanks. I know that everybody did his best, that everybody is exhausted. However, now is not the time to relax. We have to push further and finish what we started. Otherwise, the British will enforce their positions and it will be much harder to break through then!”
After Rommel ended, General Lörzer gives a review of the situation in the air: “Gentlemen, the II. Air Corps arrived at Africa and entered the battle immediately. I have to say that neither our equipment, nor the organisation suited to the conditions here. Currently we have one Stuka Group, one Bomber Squadron and two Fighter Groups to support the operations. However, only a small percent of the planes is actually ready to fly. We too have problems with supply. Of course we are fighting together with our Italian comrades.
In the first phase of the operation there were not many contacts with British planes. Lately we meet them more frequently. They received reinforcements, especially bombers.”
Rommel: “Gentlemen, listen to the plan for the next operations. Bologna and Trento will approach Tobruk from the west. Ariete and Brescia will approach it from southwest. The 5. Light Division will give one battalion to support Ariete, the rest will attack Solumn, Fort Capuzzo and Bardia. They will cut off the British and secure our eastern flank. Then the Italian Divisions and the German battalion will attack Tobruk from several sides. If we succeed we will control this important harbour before the British reinforcements arrive. With the fresh divisions, especially the 15. and Trieste we will be able to push through and to invade Egypt.”
The Italian General Cambara has a different opinion: “I do not think that we should split our forces. The British are not able to attack us now and we should concentrate our forces on the main target, Tobruk. My proposal is that Bologna and Trento attack Tobruk from the west, Ariete and Brescia from the south and the 5. Light advances to the coast and the attacks Tobruk from the east. This concentric assault will manage to break through. Do not forget that Tobruk is well defended, with strong fortifications.”
Rommel: “Yes, that is exactly the reason why we should make a surprise attack rather than besiege the town,”
Hoth: “Well, to be honest, I do not see the need to act so carelessly. We have gained a good position. I suggest stopping in front of Tobruk and to wait until the 15.PD and Trieste arrived. Then we will have superior forces. In the meantime we can bomb the harbour and the fortification and improve our supply situation.”
Now it is time for Ramcke to tell what he wants to support.
A Rommel’s proposal
B Cambara’s plan
C Hoth’s suggestion

[SwordsMaster]

A. Rommel is right. It will be easier to take Tobruk with one division in it than 5. And we would still have numeric superiority. Then, when the british reinforcements arrive we will hold Tobruk against them.

[Kagemusha]

A) There is no point waiting when the odds are for us. I dont agree with Rommel in what to do after Tobruk has fallen,but i do agree with him how the taking of Tobruk should be handled. In best situation once the British reinforcements arrive our forward parts could engage them on delaying action,while they believe that our forces are insignificant. Then crush the British as they try to take back Tobruk.
EDIT:Swordsmaster it seems we have exactly the same idea.

[Stig]

B. Go with the Italian fellow. Don't split up and take Tobruk.

[DemonArchangel]

I trust Rommel in this instance: Option A.

Caveat: We need to get our supplies in order though. That should be our priority. The thing is, we simply lack the shipping to get all the supplies we want, despite the fact that we took Malta. We need to convince Italian industry to provide more cargo ships for the Mediterranean theater. I can already tell there are systemic deficiencies in German Industry that need to be addressed immediately.

[Rodion Romanovich]

B. We have done a good job in a rather careless operation. Our margins between victory and defeat were small, our losses unnecessarily high, despite the fact that we vastly outnumbered the British. It was a good thing to do this once, it got the British shocked but now it's time to change strategy both to be less predictable and to be successful against what is coming at us now - we can't trust the captured documents to be 100% accurate about the time when the enemy reinforcements will arrive. Taking Tobruk would be a nice way to end this offensive. The Italian general's plan is the one that gives us best chances of success in a quick surprise operation. Possibly Rommel should be given free hands to attempt a surprise attack with the forces currently at Tobruk even before the Italian support arrives if he think he can do it, but the reinforcements from the east should be brought just for safety. Once Tobruk is taken, my suggestion is to first of all get airfields going to the west of Tobruk and get FLAK to the front, then get our supplies to work properly and - also important - get our damaged vehicles repaired. If that takes time, so much better since it will only draw the British forward, opening a wider gap behind them for a renewed flanking movement from the armored divisions. No need to fear the British digging in a bit more to the east of Tobruk, we will still, no matter how we fight this campaign, sooner or later have to halt our advance long enough to allow the British to dig in, because we can advance the troops faster than we can advance the supply. It's better to slow down and regroup at a time like this, than after taking great casualties and being forced into retreat.

[Kagemusha]

Legio.Do you mean additional FLAK from reserves? Since the Divisions have their AA battalions with 88´s,Propably separated between the regiments and very close to the front lines. Also the two Corps should have therir AA regiments and the Grouppe should have its own.

[Lord Winter]

I vote A. I have worries about making a frontal assult on a well fortified postion even with numerical suppority, and we need to keep contact untill we can capture Tobruk thus stablizing our supply situaion. From their I agree with Legio and Kage, lets wait, dig in and solify our postion against the British counter attack. After that is repelled we can start looking towards attacking egypt.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Legio.Do you mean additional FLAK from reserves? Since the Divisions have their AA battalions with 88´s,Propably separated between the regiments and very close to the front lines. Also the two Corps should have therir AA regiments and the Grouppe should have its own.

Actually I meant both, in a sense. From what I understood most fuel etc. was given to the panzers, so possibly some of the other heavy stuff such as artillery, supplies and FLAK will not have accompanied them to a full extent. Moving in some from the reserve would also be a good idea, but only if there is any reserve to speak of available at the moment.

[King Kurt]

Against the tide - as usual!! - I reckon we should go for Hoth's proposal. A few episodes ago we opted for Hoth as a steadying hand - the first time he suggests something we ignore him!! By stabilising the front we will be in a better position to push on - and by letting the British troops come up to the front we may be able to ensnare more when we attack again. If we rush on a la Rommel we might surround Tobruk, but not capture it and end up stopped by the English reinforcements coming up a few more miles up the coast. Wouldn't it be better to let them come up, then defeat them with out strengthened and resupplied troops. Our aim should be to defeat the English army, not to capture Tobruk.

[Franconicus]

We finally received these sketches of the fortifications of Tobruk from our Italian allies:

[Franconicus]

Chapter 45 – Eastern
10th – 27th April 1941

The decision is made. The 5. Light will advance to the Egyptian border and protect the eastern flank. The rest will attack Tobruk, to take this important harbour as fast as possible.

Right now, there is little Ramcke can do. He decides to fly back to Berlin to get in touch with the supreme command. Information flow hasn’t been very good lately and this could impact the campaign.

Back in the capitol Ramcke tries to get an audience with Keitel. To his surprise, Keitel wants to see him immediately.

“Ramcke, good to see you! Hope you bring news from the African front!”
“Yes, that is why I am here.”

Ramcke gives a short status report.

Keitel: “Thank you! We haven’t received any clear information for quite a while. Honestly, we have been worried. I think I see clearer now.
Before we discuss the situation at Africa, I think I should give you some information about what is going on in the rest of the world.

Our Greece operation is going well. Even though the terrain is rough, our tank forces and our Blitz strategy work very well. Greek, Yugoslavia will be defeated soon. And so will be the British expedition corps.

The war against Britain and its supply is going on. Almost every night our Luftwaffe bombs another British harbour. Most of them are not worth bombing any longer. More and more submarines leave training and enter the battle. In May the number of operating ships will reach a maximum. However, the British convoy system is rather effective. It is getting harder to find the merchant ships.

We estimate that the British war production fell by 30 percent. However, there are still no signs that the British give in. Göring wants to burn down London. He says that this is the biggest commercial and industrial area in the world. He is sure that destroying it would force the English to surrender. Hitler hasn’t agreed so far, but this may change if the Brits bomb a German town.

The war enter of the Americans is looming. It is obvious that Roosevelt wants to lead them into the war. He does everything to support the British. He gave ships and produces weapons for them. Even though most of the numbers are pure propaganda, we have to bargain for the appearance of US made planes and tanks soon.

Roosevelt has also ordered that the US Navy will extend the American Defense Zone up to the line of 26 degrees West. This hampers our submarines warfare. The Red Sea is declared to be no longer a "combat zone" and under the terms of American law US ships may now carry cargos to ports there including supplies for the British in Egypt. This will soon affect the African campaign. We really have to hurry! Maybe we do not have time until the end of the year. The sooner we finish the campaign against Sues and the Arabian oil fields the better!”

Ramcke: “What about the Soviets?”

Keitel: “They are not pleased with our engagement on the Balkans. They stopped the delivery of oil and metal. The official reason is “technical and logistical problems”. Ribbentrop is currently at Moscow. He hopes to argue them into supporting us against the British. He will ask them to give our troops free passage to invade the oilfields from the Caucasus.”

Ramcke: “Do you think that is realistic?”

Keitel: “No! The Russians made an agreement with the Japanese. Didn’t I tell you that we have to hurry? We must end the war in the south as soon as possible! When do you think that we will be able to defeat the English?”

Ramcke: “Hard to say. This depends on how quickly we can deploy our divisions and how we can supply them. Right now the second German division is arriving. There are still two missing. We need more air support, fighter and stukas. And of course transport planes. Our first strategic goal is Tobruk. We need this harbour for the further advance to Egypt.”

Keitel: “I see. I will support you. As soon as the invasion of Greece comes to an end, you will get more transport squadrons and more fighters and divers. Regarding Tobruk, I agree that the seizure is a precondition for any more ambitious operation. I will order Hoth to halt any operations against Egypt until the town is ours. I think I can also send you a pioneer regiment. It is specialist in assaulting fortresses. I think they could reach Tobruk mid-May.
There is another issue I would like to hear your opinion about. Hitler is wondering how to press home the success at Greece. He thinks about an invasion of Crete. This is necessary to secure the Romanian oil fields. Further more the island will be an excellent airfield to control the eastern Med and to raid Cairo. However, the British still control the sea. We would have to do the major assault with our airborne units. After the battle of Malta, we have a maximum of 5,000 paratroopers. We think that the British garrison will have the same seize, however spread across the whole island. Additionally there may be a Greek division, about 10,000 men. Probably not the best units and maybe they will welcome our soldiers as liberators. What do you think?”

Ramcke: “Well, Crete is a tempting target, for sure. May I talk with Student about the current state of readiness of the airborne forces?”

Keitel: “Sure. Please give me your view within a week!”

After this meeting Ramcke also gets in contact with the Abwehr. They tell him that Churchill, the British Prime Minister, had franticness when he received the latest news from Greece and Libya. He asked his commanders why the British Army is unable to withstand the German forces. Everywhere the two armies had met, the outcome for the English had been disastrous; at France, at Greece, at Libya. He gave them the order to achieve a victory, either at Greece or at Africa. Therefore, the Abwehr expects a Britsh offensive within the next 6 weeks. The British are already sending reinforcements from the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

Ramcke has heard enough and flies back to Africa. He is curious to see what has been going on there. Along with him flies General Paulus. He is an emissary from the Headquarter. Keitel gave him the authority to release or stop any further operations.

Rommel is not at his HQ. Hoth informs Ramcke and Paulus about the latest operations:

“On Thursday, April 10, the first German tanks reaches Tobruk and begins to attack with a small improvised force but are beaten off. The isolation of Tobruk is then complete. The German attack on Tobruk continues but the combination of Australian infantry and British artillery defending proves too strong and they fail to break through. The AA3 and the PR5 start their advance against Bardia and Sollum. They manage to take the two towns until April 13th. They also take Fort Capuzzo.

The next day, the eastern detachment attacks Halfaja Pass. The assault is repelled by the 7. Australian Division.

The siege of Tobruk goes on. Ariete takes El Adem and defeats parts of the 2nd Armoured Division and one Indian brigade. Immediately, German divers land at the airport and start to raid Tobruk.

On April 16th the 7th Australian Division start a counter strike and takes Solum and Capuzzo. Rommel reinforces the western detachment with a machine gun battalion of the 15. PD, that has just arrived, and a regiment of Ariete.

On April 17th Rommel starts the assault of Tobruk. 32nd Tank Rgt, 8th Bersaglieri Rgt, and 132nd Artillery Regiment from Ariete and 19th, 20th Infantry Rgts and 55th Artillery Rgt of Brescia and the German MG Bat.8 try to break through the Australian lines. This operation lasts for four days, and then Rommel has to break up. Casualties are very high.

On April 19th the German and Italian forces manage to retake Solum and Capuzzo, but the Australian still hold Halfaja.

On April 24th the British start an operation against Solum and Bardia, supported by a small amphibious operation against Bardia. The German troops are able to repel these attacks. Rommel gives orders to the 5th Light and Ariete to advance further to Marsa Matruk, The German and Italian commanders refuse to advance. They claim that they do not have enough supply, that they have lost almost all of their tanks and that there is a threat that the British attack their flank from Fort Maddalena.”

Rommel: “How is the status of supply?”

Hoth: “Bad. We simply have not enough trucks, at least none that are running. We can hardly supply the units around Tobruk, the eastern detachment is almost cut off. The Luftwaffe is supporting the assault of Tobruk, but there is little more they can do. There is hardly any German plane east of Tobruk.

The British started to attack our supply chain. There are raids from the desert against convoys and stores and airfields.

Further more the British Navy started to raid our sea transports.”

Ramcke: “I haven’t heard that! Tell me more about it.”

Hoth: “Somehow the British managed to attack one of our convoys, that carried parts of the 15th. It consisted of 3 Italian destroyers Baleno, Lampo and Tarigo and 5 merchant ships Adana, Aegina, Arta, Iserlohn and Sabaudia. The British had four destroyers. In this battle, all 5 merchant ships were sunk as well as 2 of the Italian destroyers, the Luca Tarigo and Baleno. In an act of bravery, the Italian destroyer Luca Tarigo, attempted to take on the entire British Flotilla alone. A British shell eventually hit the Tarigo's bridge, blowing the leg off the captain, Commander Pietro de Cristofero. With his leg crudely bandaged, he continued to exchange fire with the British warships until he died of loss of blood. The crew continued to fight on without him and managed to place the Tarigo between the British ships and the convoy. An ensign of the Tarigo managed to launch 3 torpedoes, sinking one destroyer before getting her steering gear destroyed and having the deckhouses go up in flames. The Luca Tarigo finally settled to the bottom of the sea after being hit numerous times. About 1250 of the 3000 German troops are rescued by Axis forces.”

Ramcke: “Gosh! I haven’t expected this!”

Hoth: “It comes even worse! On April 22nd, three battleships from the Mediterranean Fleet shelled Tripoli. They damaged the harbour and the docks.”

Ramcke: “It seems like the British are not willing to let our convoys pass the strait any longer. Anything else?”

Hoth: Well, many soldiers are ill. We have trouble with dysentery. The medical care is disastrous. We were able to get some tanks from the garages. Our tank forces are slightly stronger than some weeks ago. The 15. PD is arriving at the front.”

Paulus: “How strong is the British garrison?”

Hoth: “There are four Australian brigades. They are supported by several tank regiments from the former 2nd Armoured Division. Additionally the British concentrate a lot of artillery and air defence guns. They also have Hurricanes fighters on an airfield inside the fortress. The Australian fortifications are strong. However, we believe that they suffer more than we do. Our Luftwaffe managed to cut off the supply from sea almost completely. We know that the British are sending destroyers in night missions to supply the town.”
Ramcke leaves the conference to visit some units that had been involved in the fighting. He meets some men of the MG Battalion 8.

“We attacked the British position at the first light of day. We managed to advance several hundred meters. Then there was machine gun fire from several sides that forced us to run for cover. The ground there is very hard and it was almost impossible to dig in. We laid there for maybe an hour and we could not raise our heads because there were snipers everywhere. Finally, Italian tanks came to support us. They got ahead of us and fired at the Australian positions. We followed them, hoping that we could make it then. However, the Australians did not give up. They fired from all sides and welcomed the tanks with heavy artillery bombardment. Nevertheless, we could advance another 200 meters. Then the Italian tanks stopped. They were held by a covered tank trench. They had to return and we run for cover again. On our left, a Bersaglieri Rgt. attacked. Despite the deadly fire from infantry guns and artillery they tried to cross the trench. They managed to reach the wire barricades and negotiated them. Then they were stopped by mines. We laid there for the rest of the day, tantalized by the heat and the presence of snipers. We had nothing to eat, nothing to drink. We only prayed for the night to come. Finally it came, along with it came the Australians. They drove us back. We had high casualties, the Italians had even higher. We renewed the attack at the next day, this time supported by about 20 German tanks. Several were shot by artillery. Then the British sent tanks, Mathildas! After 20 minutes our tanks retreated. There was only a handful left. Rommel sent us some 8,8s. They brought the guns into position and started to eliminate the Australian bunkers. The British replied with artillery fire and soon most of our guns were destroyed.
These attacks went on for several days. Then our battalion was annihilated. 18 comrades and I are all that is left. All of our commanders are dead.”
The man shook his head. “I cannot understand these Australians. I hardly understand what we are doing here. Good god, what are they doing here? You know at France, when the tanks came, the enemy gave up. Not so these Australians. They just keep on fighting. “


In the afternoon of April 27th the German and Italian commanders meet again. Rommel gives a short summary of the situation:

“Our eastern detachment, currently consisting of the 5 Tank Regiment, the AA3, one infantry battalion of the 15. PD and parts of Ariete has conquered the area around Solumn, Capuzzo and Bardia. The Australian succeeded in defending Halfaya. The enemy is trying to push our forces back and attacks Capuzzo and Solumn. Lately, he received more tanks. We suppose it is the 7. Armoured Division. We know that the British also increased their number of airplanes.

At Tobruk we haven’t managed to break through the Australian lines. However, we estimate that they run out of supply and hope to break the resistance soon. The 15.PD arrived almost completely.”

Then the generals discuss the situation.

A What is the right strategy at Africa?
1) Rommel plans to reinforce the eastern detachment with the rest of Ariete and Brescia and to assault Halfaya. There the divisions can repel any British invasion. In the meanwhile, the 15. PD together with Trieste, Trento and Bologna can go on with the siege of Tobruk. Rommel wants to make another assault as soon as possible.
2) Hoth thinks that the situation is alarming. He wants to retreat the divisions to Gazala. This is the right place to wait for more planes and the promised pioneer regiment. Here they should be able to repel a Britsh invasion and then assault Tobruk.
3) Cambara thinks that it is best to dig in where the divisions are. The Axis forces should be able to stop British invasions coming from the east and to keep besieging Tobruk. However, he thinks that it is not useful to make another assault.

B) What about the British activities against the supply for Africa? Make proposals!

C) What about Crete?

[Stig]

I would say A3, let the division stay where they are

I'll come back for the others. Tho I would say it's best to leave Crete for now, atleast untill we have Tobruk.

[Kagemusha]

May i ask,where is our own artillery? We should have enermous artillery compared to the British in Tobruk? We cant take the city,without necessary artillery support. If its stuck in the desert i suggest we use Hoth´s plan and lure the British out where we can destroy them by retreating a bit and gathering our forces and supplying them. So A:2

[Franconicus]

We have artillery, however, the Brits really concentrated a lot and have currently more shells to fire.

We have:

from the 5.Light: 155. Art.Reg
from the 15.PD: 33rd Art Reg.
and of course art from the Italian divisions

[SwordsMaster]

I have to agree with Stig, A3. We are uncapable of further advance, and retreating would mean a moral victory for the brits. What we should brush up on is urban attack and defence. For the future. Stalingrad and such.

Oh, and concentrate the artillery on antitank fortifications and minefields and such. If our tanks get to the streets, it'll all go smoother.

[Franconicus]

B) What about the British activities against the supply for Africa? Make proposals!

C) What about Crete?

[SwordsMaster]

B) What about the British activities against the supply for Africa? Make proposals!

C) What about Crete?

Crete should be considered, planned and charted for when the FJ finish their re-equipment, retraining and resupplying. But it should not happen yet, at least for as long as Greece and Tobruk are in enemy hands.

We must convince the italians to give us more escort. And increase our air presence in the area in both bombers and reconassaince planes to make sure we know whats'a crackin'

[King Kurt]

I would go for A2 - Rommel's head long dash has left us in a dangerious position. Let us fall back a little, dig in and wait for the counter-attack - that puts us at an advantage to hit them when they are worn down. Also Hoth needs to exhert his authority.

Our supply problems - more Italian naval support, bigger, better supported convoys and use all those Italian submarines to support our convoys. Finally what about bringing some German submariners to man the Italian boats - use the german commanded boats - with their more aggresssive tactics and better skill - to mount an aggressive submarine cordon around Alexandria.

Crete - is it worth the potenial casualties? Malta has shown our ability, so we do not need the Crete operation to prove our worth - let's wait for a better target. The only advantage that Crete will bring is the potential of inflicting casualties on the Royal Navy if they have to evacuate English troops - and we have to win for that to happen. Malta showed the strengths and weaknesses - we should not waste our valuable weapon of the airbourne arm.

[Stig]

Just leave Crete. Once we have Tobruk we will have a short supply route. Then with the FJ we can make a dash for Alexandria. We should convince the German high command that we need more troops in Africa, and since we're only here to help the Italians we should ask them as well for obvious reason (they might be insulted if we take over again).

Plus I think it might be well to send U-boats into the Med to support our convoys ... as I said before.

[Franconicus]

There are already two other German tank divisions on the way, the 3. and the 4.. Both are excelelent units. And you will get an extra pioneer regiment. I think your problem is not how to get more divisions, but how to ship them and how to supply them.

We already asked Dönitz about subs. He said he could not send some before fall.

[Stig]

Then visit Hitler himself, convince him that Africa is important for more then 1 reason.
1. Oil.
2. Palestine.
3. Possible new route into Russia.
4. Possibly Muslim allies once we get there.
5. Very possibly a route into India.