“Perhaps,” said Kinlan, “and I understand what you are urging us to do now, Captain Fedorov, but war is not often so tidy. Military contingencies might compel me to render close support to existing British or Commonwealth units here, and in time, I will need their support as well. My brigade has limited supplies of food and water in train, not to mention ammunition. I’m not sure anything can be done about the latter, but we’ll need other supplies, including fuel for our vehicles, and it will have to come from the existing logistics network here.”
“I might suggest we establish a dedicated forward depot to support your troops with these necessities,” said O’Connor. “I can arrange this for you. I’m not sure how your men will handle bully beef tins and biscuits, but I think we can keep you fed. Hauling fuel and water south into this desert is another matter, particularly if you move further west. It will take some planning, and the trucks of course, but it could be done.”
“How is the fuel situation?” asked Fedorov through Popski.
“We have the Challenger IIE, here, the upgraded model with the improved 1500hp Europack powerplant. It’s very efficient and left room for much more fuel in the tank. Our range is about 550 kilometers. We’ve come about 150 kilometers north from Sultan Apache, so I’ve plenty of fuel in the tanks still, and the supply train has fuel enough to refill all our vehicles one time. After that we need diesel to keep moving.”
They hovered over the map and Kinlan began to point out a plan he had been considering. “You hold the oasis at Siwa, do you not?”
“We have men there, but remember that Italian division we observed. They’ve relieved Giarabub, but don’t seem interested in doing anything more for the moment.”
“Then I propose to move them out of Giarabub directly. That was what your Aussie battalion was wanting to do, but it’s clear they won’t have the force. Once I do that I can establish my main supply hold at Giarabub. You wouldn’t have to move supplies for me all the way to the west. If you can run supplies from Mersa Matruh down to Siwa, then my trucks can pick them up there and move them west to support my move to this position…” He pointed to the edge of the Great Libyan Sand Sea that stretched west to a point above the Jalu oasis.
“If I move along the edge of that desert, we can secure Jalu for an additional source of water, and then that will be built up to a new forward supply base. Once I settle in north or northwest of Jalu, I’ll be in a position to bushwhack any move the enemy makes on your southern flank, and also free to operate with the intent of threatening the enemy flank as well. My force is capable of standing against anything they throw at us, at least as long as our munitions hold out. So if you can move supplies to Siwa, principally fuel, I’ll handle the rest.”
“Excellent. I think we can manage that, General Kinlan.” O’Connor was very excited now, but did have a question that needed asking. “Yet you’ve mentioned ammunition on more than one occasion. How long can you operate before you’ll need replenishment?”
Kinlan looked at Fedorov as Popski translated for him, then folded his arms. “Sergeant Major!” he looked over his shoulder, and the Sergeant was quick to attention.
“Sir!”
“Fetch me a Charm round from the Brigade HQ troop stocks.
“Right away, sir.”
When the man returned, Kinlan could hand O’Connor something tangible by way of answering his question. The round was an Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot, with a bright orange base that narrowed to a thin molded frame. That eventually widened to a silver rimmed base from which a long, black spike projected, the business end of the penetrating round. It used both Tungsten and depleted Uranium to make it the lethal weapon it was, and its unorthodox shape and configuration immediately answered one question.
“I don’t suppose your people have any of those lying about,” said Kinlan. “That round uses materials your industry will not have at the moment, and I’m afraid there is no way it could be duplicated. So this is a come as you are party for us, General. Once we fire the last of those little devils, the show is over. My tanks have a mix of various munitions, but I’ve no more than 150 rounds per tank. That said, if we make them count, each one of these demons can put one of Rommel’s tanks out of business, and then some. He’s already seen what they can do, and that has everything to do with why he’s headed west now. That and some precision artillery fire from our long range 155s.”
“I understand,” said O’Connor, hefting the round and handing it back to the Sergeant. “And I don’t suppose we would be much help with your maintenance issues either.”
“I’m afraid not. No General, you can send us food, fuel, water, and perhaps small arms munitions. I’ll put my people on it and we’ll see what, if anything, we can use.”
