“I have spoken to Raeder on this,” said Paulus quickly. “Yes, these new naval rockets the enemy uses have become a real problem, but he has ideas on how to deal with that. The British fleet also took heavy losses in the recent engagement, and we did prove one thing that Goering will certainly agree with-air power trumps naval power, particularly in narrow, confined waters like those of the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea. This is why we took Malta-to prevent the British from using air power to interdict our naval supply lines to North Africa. Now that we have that in hand, we can build up a strong force behind Rommel, and the British will have to answer that. They are scraping up every division they can find-Indians, Australians, South Africans. Yet here we sit with 150 divisions twiddling their thumbs when a decisive move now in the Middle East could secure your right flank for the planned drive against the Crimea. Everything you have planned is correct, my Fuhrer, entirely sound. But to succeed we must make certain the British cannot interfere as I have described, and the time to do that is now, before we open the war against the Soviets.”
“Yes, yes, I have heard all of this from Halder and Keitel. They have been talking to Raeder as well, and now they both believe Crete should be the next operation, but I am not so sure.”
“It is not a question of either or,” said Paulus. “Crete was always a target of your overall strategy.” He continued to present everything as Hitler’s own personal plan. “Goering says he has over 1100 planes in Greece. The British have fewer than fifty on Crete. Now is the time to strike there, while our superiority in air power is overwhelming. You saw how Student’s Fallschirmjagers took Malta. They were able to do so because the British did not have time to build up defenses there. But you know they will on Crete-particularly if we do not keep the pressure on them in North Africa. Attack Crete now and it may fall easily. Then we can contemplate a move against Cyprus and Palestine-by air, my Fuhrer. We can use our overwhelming air power to land troops by air. Once there, the Vichy French in Syria can help supply them. It is either that or the British will take the whole region in time. You know this as well as I do.”
Hitler narrowed his eyes, thinking deeply, remembering those terrible battles against the dogged British army in the last war. Paulus was correct. The British were a rock that would sit stubbornly on his flank if it was not smashed and destroyed… or buried…”
“Very well,” he said slowly, standing upright and nodding his head. “Get Rommel the troops and supplies he needs. Use any forces that seem practical. But get rid of the British, Paulus. Understand? I will give you until Summer. After that…”
He said nothing more.
The time had finally come for Fedorov to return to the ship, and the KA-40 lifted off in a whirl of blowing dust. He looked out as they gained altitude, seeing the elements of Kinlan’s brigade in company sized positions on the desert below. He knew it would not be long before the Germans were over-flying them as well. Kinlan had only so many air defense missiles in train.
He turned with a heavy heart, seeing Troyak sitting stolidly with the Marines, and realizing that he had neglected them for some time. He gave the Sergeant a long look, apologizing.
“Sergeant Troyak, I want to thank you for your patience and conduct in this situation. I know it was not easy for you when I ordered the men to stand down, but it was necessary to save what could have become a very serious situation.”
“I understand, sir. No problem here.”
“But I know you and the men didn’t like it.”
“No Marine ever wants to put his weapon down in the face of a threat,” said Troyak. “But I could see what was happening. I handled the men, and we had good treatment from the British-most of them.”
“Oh? There was a problem?”
“Just a Sergeant that thought he was too big for his trousers.”
“Right,” said Popski. “It almost came to blows.”
“I see… Well I hope you understand that is the war we’re trying to prevent. Fighting it here won’t help us do that. The British must be seen as our allies now. Understand?”
“I do, sir.”
“Very good. I want to thank you, and all you men as well. I realize it must have been a dull ride for you, and not nearly the mission you were up for.”
Popski spoke up again. “They didn’t get a chance with those Desert Witches,” he said, and Troyak smiled.
