klisemfg Chapter 238 Mutation
Chapter 238 Mutation
After listening to this, Kuang Zhengqi thought for a moment and then said to Li Mo'an, "Commander Li, immediately mobilize the Engineer Corps and the engineers from each division to quickly build fortifications at a suitable location along the frontier of our garrison. Remember, this is a desert area, and it's also on the coastline. We must dig deep and reinforce it."
He turned to Pu Zhengsong and said, "Commander Pu, you are more familiar with the US military. Take the 6th Army's Quartermaster General to the US military and try to get some engineering machinery troops over to assist them. Also, try to get back as soon as possible and gather those people who can drive British tanks over here. Hurry!"
He then ordered the Chief of Staff of the 6th Army: "The first batch of tanks and armor provided by the British Army should not be distributed by division. Concentrate them in one division. You will make the specific arrangements yourself and do everything possible to familiarize yourself with the equipment. What we need most now is time, time!"
Pu Zhengsong's hasty departure imbued the Sixth Army's officers with a sense of impending war. Li Mo'an and the others, including him, hadn't yet realized they had been betrayed by the General Staff. Kuang Zhengqi, without hesitation, had the Sixth Army's Chief of Staff unfold a map of North Africa. While detailing the current battle situation, he also taught them the key principles of desert warfare, particularly the core elements of tank warfare.
After saying this, he sighed and said, "It's one thing for some in the General Staff to be ignorant of tactics, but also indifferent to current affairs. This will affect the fate of the country and the lives of tens, even hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Commander Wang YW (74th Group Army) was very clever. He used excuses and connections, and ultimately this command fell on your 6th Group Army."
Kuang Zhengqi was also blaming the main leaders of the 6th Army in disguise by quoting others. War is no joke and we must always remain highly vigilant. As commanders, we must have foresight, especially be clear about which aspect of the battle we have been assigned to, and pay close attention to the ever-changing situation in the theater.
Kuang Zhengqi didn't bother to understand their thoughts and continued, "I predict Rommel's fast column will raid Tunisia in the next few days. They can't currently destroy the besieged British 8th Army. To avoid multiple attacks, he must find a way to break through in one direction and destroy part of the US and British forces, thus creating the most favorable opportunity for himself."
"As for Rommel's North African Corps, now that his strength has been exposed, he must do his best to defeat his opponent before they can respond. Now, as long as he defeats or drives the US 2nd Army in Tunisia into the sea, he will have won the opportunity. Our presence is a threat to him, and he will never give us time to complete training and deployment!"
Kuang Zhengqi's explanation made the commanders of the 6th Army suddenly realize the situation and start to face up to the huge crisis they faced. They gathered around the map and worked hard to find a way to avoid the crisis.
Kuang Zhengqi called Li Mo'an aside. As the commander, he needed to wait for his staff to come up with a first-hand plan before making his own judgment. Although Li Mo'an was dissatisfied with Kuang Zhengqi's explicit and implicit criticism, he had to admire his judgment. Although he had not yet fought Rommel and the German army, he believed that a great military commander would never give up such an opportunity.
Li Mo'an looked at Kuang Zhengqi and said with emotion, "Chief of Staff, your explanation has really opened my eyes. I never thought that we would be plotted against by our own people before even going to the battlefield. Do the US and Britain really think that we are all pawns at their mercy?"
Kuang Zhengqi shook his head at Li Mo'an. "Commander Li, the iron must be hardened before it can be forged. Our country does have a certain gap compared to them. But this war is our opportunity. Likewise, they won't let us catch up easily. We must redouble our efforts and hone our strength. Only in this way can we gain a firm foothold in this world where the strong prey on the weak."
"Now, even though we know they are using us as cannon fodder, we must forge ahead bravely and carve out a world of our own. We are willing to give up solving the problem of domestic invasion first and throw ourselves into the world war, just to use our status as cannon fodder to build an iron wall for ourselves." There was a firm light in Kuang Zhengqi's eyes.
He continued, "However, we cannot be cannon fodder like soulless puppets. Just like on the Soviet battlefield, the reason we were respected and able to fight flexibly and independently was precisely because we relied on ourselves, on the courage and daring of the flower-growing soldiers who fearlessly sacrificed, on our overwhelming momentum, and on our invincible spirit. These are our foundation and the backbone of our future!"
Li Mo'an was deeply inspired by Kuang Zhengqi's words. He straightened his back and said, "Chief of Staff, you are right! We cannot be led by others by the nose. We must control our own destiny. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles we face, we must remain firm in our beliefs and forge ahead courageously!"
Kuang Zhengqi nodded vigorously. He had a private conversation with Li Mo'an to persuade him to abandon the frontier. He believed that as long as everyone was united, they would be able to win the war and win dignity and honor for the flower growers and the people.
At this moment, a communications staff officer rushed in, saluted and reported to Kuang Zhengqi and Li Mo'an, quickly handed over a telegram, and shouted: "Report, urgent telegram from the theater headquarters!"
Kuang Zhengqi grabbed the message and took a closer look. "The German rapid column broke through the Tripoli defenses an hour ago and is heading towards Gabes. I order your troops to deploy as quickly as possible and hold Gabes for 24 hours!"
Li Mo'an saw Kuang Zhengqi's expression suddenly change, and he immediately snatched the telegram and read it, then shouted, "What? Hold on for 24 hours? I have nothing, how can I hold on?"
His words drew the generals gathered around the map. Chief of Staff Gao was the first to take the telegram, reading it silently and passing it to the others. Everyone read it, feeling both deep sorrow and suppressed anger. A division commander couldn't help but erupt in rage, "Fuck him! We'll just withdraw!" The others were immediately enraged, and a flurry of arguments erupted.
"Enough!" Li Mo'an shouted, calming everyone down. After seeing everyone calm down, he turned to Kuang Zhengqi and said, "Chief of Staff Kuang, we will follow your instructions!"
Kuang Zhengqi was very pleased with Li Mo'an's calmness. Without saying anything, he quickly walked over to the map, quickly measured it with his hands, and calculated the speed of the German army. He gave orders in a tone that left no room for questioning.