“Dear Lu… We’ve hit a bit of a setback today, a force of British reserves that we had not expected. It seems they have been reinforced with new tanks, and I can only wish I could say the same thing! The men are tired, with a long month of fighting in these harsh desert conditions laying heavily upon them, but they are still good soldiers. The worst of it is that we have no fuel. I have had to leave many non-essential vehicles behind, siphoning off their gasoline so the lorries and tanks can move, and I can get my flak batteries and artillery to better ground. I can see now that until this situation is cured, I can make no further move to the east.
“Perhaps that is for the best, Lu, as it will give me time to meet with Paulus and make my case. I smell a little intrigue here from the General Staff, most likely Halder again, but Paulus is a good man, and above most of that. You remember him, my good friend from the early days. We were both Company commanders together at Stuttgart. He’s been sent over to take stock and see what might be done to better the supply situation. I am told that I’ll get another division soon, the 90th Light, but what I really need now is another good Panzer Division, and the gasoline to keep the tanks running! I’ll write more later, once our position is secure. For the moment, it’s a few steps back to Libya, that is all. Then we’ll dust ourselves off and see about Tobruk. Perhaps I was unwise to bypass that fortress and leave it to the Italians.”
Yes, he thought, very unwise…
The British advance was equally disorganized. O’Connor had stayed with the 7th Brigade during the attack, working hand in hand with Kinlan, advising him on desert conditions, and what he would be likely to encounter from the Germans.
“They’re tough, professional troops,” he said. “The shock must have hit them very hard, but they are far from beaten. If I were in Rommel’s place I would be doing exactly what he’s up to now-a good fast retreat to El Agheila and Mersa Brega. I’ve seen that ground, and it is very strong terrain for defense. What we need to do now is get General Wavell out here and see what we can muster for an advance.”
“And go through the show and tell again with him?” said Kinlan. “I’m still pinching myself, General, and I have no doubt you are too.”
Fedorov came in with Popski, congratulating them both on the quick victory. “It was as I expected,” he said, “but I would not become complacent here. The Germans will learn and adapt.”
Fedorov knew that the Germans had suffered a similar shock in Russia when they encountered the Soviet T-34 and heavy KV-1 tanks. They were nowhere near as capable as the Challengers, but they did shock the Germans when they realized that none of their existing tanks could penetrate the armor on a T-34, let alone the KV-1. But the Germans adapted their tactics and were able to cope until they could field better tanks in the Panzer IVF, Panther and Tiger models.
“They will be discussing new tactics down on battalion and company level even now. The next time you will meet a much more prepared defense.”
“What we need now is good intelligence,” said O’Connor. “From reports I’ve heard, our own boys don’t really know the whole story on this brigade yet. All they know is that the 7th is back, or so I’ve heard on the radio.”
“And that is all they need ever know,” said Fedorov. I can understand that General Kinlan will eventually have to present the reality of this situation to all of his men, but the inverse would not be wise. General knowledge of the real origin of this brigade must remain a secret.”
“Well,” said O’Connor, “Wavell will want to know what in bloody hell the men are talking about, because he knows damn well the 7th Armored Division is still at Alexandria. That hat will fly off in the wind in due course.”
“Wavell will be briefed, but that doesn’t mean the rank and file must know everything. Most would have a good laugh at the story, and not believe a word of it. It is simply too fantastic to explain what has happened-I’m sure you understand this General O’Connor. What they will believe, however, is that Great Britain has a new unit here in the desert, a highly secret unit. Men of war inherently understand the need for secrecy in battle. That is the card we must play here. This is very important-critical in fact.”
“Agreed,” said O’Connor, but if these men are to fight alongside our boys, it will certainly get chins wagging when they see this equipment.”
“General Kinlan’s brigade can operate independently,” Fedorov suggested. “Perhaps it could secure the extreme southern flank as you move west again. That is the flank Rommel will always need to use should he attempt another mobile battle. Placing the 7th Brigade there would serve to check that and confine any renewed German offensive to the coastal region.”
