It would never arrive.
Part XI
Taking Stock
“Take chances, be crazy. Don’t wait, because right now is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be again.”
― Nishan Panwar
Chapter 31
All that week the British planes kept coming in to harass the retreating German columns. Even though German air cover was good, some planes inevitably would get through to make attacks. They seemed to select one segment of the front each day and concentrate their effort there. One day they would attack between Agheila and Agedabia; and on another between Agedabia and Benghazi, particularly against thin skinned vehicles, the vital trucks that would move supplies and petrol needed to sustain operations. Other times they would strike the long roads from Benghazi to Derna where the slower Italian infantry divisions that had been investing Tobruk slogged along on foot. The attacks were not heavy, but nonetheless effective.
British Hurricanes were now able to land at Tobruk and El Adem as good forward refueling bases, and conducted low level strafing attacks, always against moving columns, as it was learned that stationary vehicle parks would put up much heavier AA defense. The doughty Blenheim twin engine fighter bomber was very useful in the latter role. While it could easily carry 250 to 500 pound bombs, the air crews had modified it to use racks of much smaller bombs as light as 20 pounds, with HE fragmentation loads that would be thick on shrapnel in the hopes of penetrating any containers being used to transport fuel. Particular attention was given to the port of Benghazi, where strings of small incendiaries would be used against ships.
The supply situation was far from satisfactory, thought Paulus. Tripoli is all of 1100 miles behind the front, the distance from Hamburg to Rome! Benghazi is of limited use, as the British themselves learned when they held a brief lease on that port after O’Connor’s first successful advance. Concentrated attacks there by enemy aircraft made it unsuitable as a functioning supply port. Now that we have it, it seems they have decided to return the favor, and Benghazi is visited day and night by enemy bombers. Until these interdiction campaigns were dialed up, the port had been useful for delivery of between 1500 and 1700 tons per day, and the engineers believed they could improve facilities and operations there to increase this to 2000 tons per day. I am aware of the Führer’s order to hold this port, just as the British stubbornly held on to Tobruk. At its root, the order underscores the need for viable port facilities to move supplies, but Rommel believes any attempt to hold Cyrenaica is foolish, and said as much to me when I came to assess the situation.
“Benghazi is not Tobruk,” said Rommel. “It has no major fortifications in place, and can be approached from all directions. Anything we leave there is as good as lost. Our only chance of holding any line is here, between Agheila and Agedabia. The position at Mersa Brega is a bottleneck, with bad ground for mobile operations to the south. It is one of the best defensive positions in Libya. That is where I will make my stand.”
Paulus smiled. “That is where you were told to set up your division as a blocking force last month! What possessed you to disobey the Fuhrer and go charging off to Tobruk?”
“The British were off balance. They were worn out and easily beaten. You saw how they retreated east when I moved. That would have continued, whether or not they held on to Tobruk. It was not until this new force suddenly appeared on our deep right flank that everything went to hell. We were right in the middle of an enveloping movement that had every prospect of breaking their last line of defense. Then I had to pull out of that attack and redeploy to the south, and the defense was too hasty.”
Paulus was silent for a time, thinking. “I spoke with Cramer,” he said in a low voice. “He said the British deployed new armored vehicles unlike anything he had ever seen—massive new tanks that make their old Matildas look like children’s toys! He said the Matildas were trouble enough, even for the 50mm gun, but these new tanks are fearsome. He engaged and found his own armor was completely overmatched. They were able to see and strike our own tanks at ranges well beyond the effective firing radius of even our best Panzer IIIs.”
Rommel’s eyes had a haunted look in them now. “I heard this, but did not believe it—until I went forward to see for myself. I was looking for Streich, but heard he was dead. I hate to say it, but good riddance. The man was a thorn in my side from the very first. Kircheim will take the division now until I can find someone else. I requested Ravenstein.”
“He’s coming,” said Paulus. “Too bad for Streich.”
“Yes, his position was one of the first to spot and engage this new British force with a small battery of 150s. Unfortunately, he received direct counter-battery fire in a matter of minutes. My god, Paulus, everything Cramer said about these new British tanks is true! They are enormous! I saw a company sized unit lead their attack, and the Pak 37s and 50s in the forward screen were no more effective than throwing gravel at the damn things! Fortunately, I had ordered the flak batteries to set up a Pakfront west of that hill. It was a good position. A wadi channeled the enemy advance right toward the hill where Streich died. I had twelve 88s covering that defile, and that should have been enough to end the matter.”
He stopped, clearly bothered now, a desperate expression on his face. “But it wasn’t enough, Paulus. They hit those gun positions with artillery and took out three or four 88s in a matter of minutes. The others returned fire, and I saw them getting hits, but could not believe it. The tanks just kept coming! I saw one hit three times, and it sustained no significant damage. Then they returned fire and took out three more guns. We were lucky to get the remainder out and retreat north. Do you understand what this means? Those were 88s, and they could not penetrate this new British tank armor! They were completely useless! We have no anti-tank weapon in the army that can better the performance of that gun. For all intents and purposes, these new British tanks are invulnerable, and if that is so…”
He did not have to say anything more, leaning heavily over the map, the weariness of many sleepless days of fighting very evident now. “So now you know why I have no intention of trying to hold Cyrenaica. It can’t be held by a mobile force. I could order infantry into the Jebel country, but once the British push through to Beda Fomm as they did before, they will be completely isolated. If the Führer wants us to stand at Benghazi, then let the Italians hold the place. I will not leave my troops there.”
“We’ll have new reserves very soon.” Paulus tried to encourage him. “The 90th Light is already arriving at Tripoli and will be heading east to join you. There will be more troops coming soon. A few weeks ago OKW moved 1st Mountain Division and the Grossdeutschland Regiment from Spain to Italy. They were the troops that broke the Rock of Gibraltar. I thought they were heading for the new front along the southern border near Ukraine, but I was wrong. They are coming here, and another Panzer division is being assigned to your Korps as well.”
“Another Panzer Division? I can certainly use it, but we can barely support the two mobile divisions I already have. Add the 90th Light and we’ll be lucky to get water to the men, let alone fuel and ammunition!”
“The supply situation is at the top of my list,” said Paulus. “That and the trucks to move it. You are correct in what you say concerning Benghazi. Tripoli is the only port we can rely on in the short run, but we are speaking with the Vichy French about Tunis and Bizerte.”
“Tunis? It’s 1400 kilometers from here to there!”
“Yes, but there’s a decent rail line from Tunis south—almost all the way to Mareth. That will cut the distance to a thousand kilometers. It’s farther than that from here to Alexandria. You didn’t seem to think that was a problem when you started east, did you?”
“Believe it or not, Paulus, I have learned a few things about operations in this desert in the last few weeks. It was going to be difficult to extend real force to the Nile even without the appearance of these new reinforcements for the British. Two divisions will si
mply not be enough. Five might do, but the British would match them in time, and supplying them that far east would be a nightmare. No. What we must do now is fight the British on ground of our own choosing, and beat them—decisively. We can only advance east again if we have that victory in hand, and destroy the British Army here…. Before they destroy us!”
“You are beginning to see things clearly now my friend,” said Paulus. “No more joy riding with inadequate force, and even less gasoline. You may have had trouble with Streich, but I’ve read his reports, and he was often correct. Logistics, Rommel, that is the key. I will advocate that we press the Vichy French hard for immediate use of Tunis and Bizerte. It is only 500 kilometers to good ports in eastern Sicily, or to Naples from Tunis, and only three hundred kilometers if we can use Palermo. A supply convoy can make that in one overnight trip, unload by day, and be ready to sail back again the following night. From there we use the rail line to Mareth, and begin extending it east as well. Engineers, Rommel. Trucks, quartermasters and good engineers! That is what we need now as much as another battalion of tanks. Your force will soon see a dramatic buildup in strength and material. And with this scaled up supply strategy, we will sustain these new divisions. It will take time, and the shortage of transport is the main problem, but between the French and OKW, we will get you the trucks you need. My only question now is this—what do we do here? A drive east again is out of the question.”
“For the moment,” said Rommel. “And if these new tanks are delivered to the British in numbers, it will be out of the question entirely.”
“Exactly how large was this new British force?”
Rommel gave him a grim smile. “Large enough,” he said dejectedly. “I saw no more than ten or fifteen of these new tanks, but they had at least two mechanized infantry battalions in support. It could have been no more than a brigade, but it hit like a sledge hammer! They were enough to smash right through that Pakfront and nearly decimate my infantry. I had 2nd and 8th Machine gun battalions in good defensive ground. It was a hasty defense, but the men were in position when the attack came. The British also have an new infantry carrier—fast, and with a decent gun. It sounded like a Bofors. In fact, I thought they were tanks until I saw the infantry deploy. They put accurate suppressive artillery fire on us, moved up like lightning with these new vehicles, and shot the position to pieces. The infantry only deployed to mop up, because by that time our men had had enough, I ordered the retreat soon after, and if the Führer wants me to stop and defend this useless desert in Cyrenaica, he’s a fool. Until we find a way to stop these tanks there will be no more good news from North Africa.”
Paulus nodded. “And no more medals for Herr Rommel. Well, don’t fret about it. This is merely a setback.”
“Don’t put such sweet icing on the cake,” said Rommel. “I can do that with my letters home to Lucie, but we were soundly beaten, and for the first time in this war. If I had left my divisions in place they would have been destroyed. Casualties were heavy, and I will be lucky to have material for one good division between both 5th Light and 15th Panzer. We left the rest in the desert south of Bir el Khamsa. That’s what they’re calling it now—the Battle of Bir el Khamsa. I suppose I will have to live with it, our first major defeat.”
Paulus folded his arms. “You thought we would win every battle, did you? That seldom happens in war, Rommel. A good defeat can actually be healthy for an army, as long as morale is strong and the officers and men learn from the loss they suffered. I will speak with the Führer and get him to understand why Mersa Brega is the best defensive line now, but learn a good lesson from this. You will have to re-think your tactics here. We were masters of maneuver warfare, but this new enemy armor has changed the whole balance. You may have to rely on defensive tactics until we can better assess this situation. This position at Mersa Brega looks strong. Dig in, Rommel. No more dashing off on the southern flank. Dig in behind mines and wire, and site your artillery well. I don’t care how thick the armor is on these new British tanks. They won’t like a hit from a 150mm HE round. The concussion alone will knock the men senseless.”
“True, if they hit anything. They are not the most accurate weapons, Paulus, as you well know.”
“I understand, but you will have to use saturation fires at the point of the enemy attack. I’ll see about getting you some good heavy nebelwerfers. We have rocket munitions too. Pre-register your guns! Think like an infantry division commander now. Infantrie Greift! Did you not write such a book? You cannot resort to blitzkrieg tactics with your tanks now.”
“At least not against those heavy tanks I saw. We might be able to hurt their infantry carriers.”
“Yes? Well, if the 88s cannot stop their heavy tanks, then use your artillery and infantry. Scissors, paper and rock, my friend. In war there are always alternatives. You cannot use the sharp, cutting scissors in your Panzer Divisions against this new British rock, so use paper—Infantry! I will see about getting better air support from Goering, which reminds me, he has also offered to send his brigade to bolster your forces here. It’s in Italy as well.”
“The Goering Brigade? Good. Tell the fat oaf to come along as well, and I’ll put him right on the front line. The British will take one look at him and run the other way!”
Paulus smiled. “You are too hard on the man. That brigade has some tough men in it, good equipment, and we will need Goering’s cooperation to make certain you get the air support. With his own brigade here, I can assure you he will be more than willing to send the Stukas our way. There is your answer to these new British tanks—500 pound bombs and good artillery, minefields in well prepared defensive positions. Mersa Brega is a narrow place. Dig in there, and if they try to push through, we’ll see how things go this time. As for the supplies, I will get you everything I possibly can.”
Rommel shrugged. Think like an infantry commander! His stock in trade had been that of the dashing Panzer leader, but he knew that Paulus was correct. He would have to adapt his methods and tactics to face this alarming new enemy armor. It could not be a very large force, and how they managed to get it positioned there on his deep right flank was yet another mystery, but it might be solved by tactics like those Paulus suggested.
“What about the Italians?” Paulus moved to a new subject. “You don’t really mean to leave them in Cyrenaica, do you?”
“The Italians… Yes, they are another problem,” said Rommel. “Those that manage to get east will be little more than mouths to feed here. If I had my way I’d have them all shipped back to Italy. I can use a few of their motorized divisions—or at least use their trucks, but the infantry is useless. If the Führer insists I hold Benghazi, then I’ll post the Italian infantry divisions there and we’ll see how long they last. O’Connor rounded up over 30,000 the last time he came west. Our best strategy might be to send them all the rest, and then let the British feed them!”
“Very well, defend Benghazi. The British will take it, but it will delay them and buy us some time to bring up fresh German divisions. Then, when they do take it, we can blame it on the Italians. If the Führer asks why no German troops were posted there, I will tell him we had to secure our main supply line back to Tripoli. That is the prize for the moment. Hitler sent you here to stop the British from invading Tripolitania and capturing Tripoli! Lose that and the Italians may soon lose their stomach for this war. After what happened in that naval engagement off Malta, Mussolini is on pins and needles. They lost several battleships!”
“That’s Raeder’s watch,” said Rommel. “I hear Hindenburg is in the Mediterranean now, so he had better be careful. It seems the British have more than these new tanks to bedevil us. What is this business about naval rockets?”
“Another surprise,” Paulus frowned. “I heard the rumors, but was never really briefed on the matter. Raeder is having fits! Thank God Hindenburg made it safely back to Toulon. I also hear Hitler was none too happy about the damage to the ship. In fact, he’s beginning to questi
on this whole strategy in the Mediterranean again, and looking east at Kirov’s Soviet Russia. You were too quick with your boast about taking the Suez Canal in 90 days, Rommel. Be more realistic.”
“You heard about that?”
“Who didn’t? Tell the Führer things like that and he will actually believe you! That was a mistake. The British have proven to be a stubborn and resourceful foe. They will not give up easily, and we may have a long slow grind of it in the months ahead. I know that doesn’t suit you, but you will have to adapt. This war here will be won by the supply columns, on either side.”
“And the tanks,” said Rommel darkly.
“True, but considering logistics, we have two birds in hand now, both Gibraltar and Malta. That dramatically improves our prospects for supplying you here. To bend an old maxim, those two birds are worth more now than that single bird in the bush you were running after—Suez. Take your time! We had no idea the British weapons programs were so advanced—new naval rocketry, new heavy armor that can stand up to an 88. At the moment these new weapons do not seem to be widely deployed, or reaching the front in any great numbers. Doenitz will have to concentrate heavily on the convoy routes south. That is the only way the British can send Wavell any more of these tanks, eh? Time in battle, wear and tear, maintenance issues will all take their toll. So do not be so crestfallen. This is a new rock in the stream for the moment, nothing more. If we can solve the logistics problem, we’ll get you the troops to sweep right over this new British armored brigade. Just you give us the time. Be stubborn now! Fight a good delaying action and get on that defensive line you’ve chosen. Then dig in. Your war of maneuver is over for the moment—understand?”
Grand Alliance (Kirov Series) Page 27