The United States also considers that the North African battlefield is of great importance, because the terrain of North Africa is very special. The Suez Canal is on the west side and the narrowest part is only 13 kilometers. It can be said that it can be blocked with cannons.

Once North Africa falls into Germany's hands, the Mediterranean will be controlled by Germany, so almost the entire Europe is the thing in Germany... They are isolated from the outside world and have no other choice but to surrender, which is obviously not in the interests of the United States.

So after thinking about it, Roosevelt asked, "What can we do to help you?"

"Tank!" Churchill said: "We need more tanks, and artillery, if possible!"

Of course, the United States had it. At this time, he had not participated in the war and had some weapons and equipment. However, Roosevelt did not want to let "Stuart" lose face in the United States again. So Roosevelt discussed with Marshall and decided to agree to Churchill's request to give more, stronger support and prepare immediately.

General Ochinlek was also busy.

Regarding the large-scale attack of Germany and Italian troops, Major General Richie formulated two plans:

The first plan is to use the fortifications in the border area to cooperate with the mechanized troops and air force to deal with the German army to consume the German army's vitality and ultimately block the German offensive.

This plan may be possible, because the disadvantage of the German army is that it has few troops. If the British army can use favorable terrain to flexibly fight and consume the German and Italian forces' live power, then the offensive of Germany and Italy will be easily resolved.

But this plan was denied by General Ochinlek as soon as it was proposed.

"God, doing this is simply suicide!" General Ochinlek said: "Don't you know that mobile combat is what the Germans are good at? Except for the more than 200 Stuart tanks that have just been transported to the front line, our armored troops are all crawling on the ground like turtles! They will be divided and surrounded by the Germans and then wiped out all!"

"Then we have only a second plan!" Major General Rich said: "We can form a high-speed mobile force, which is mainly equipped with the 'Stuart' tank. This tank is faster than the German tanks, so it can fight and walk to delay the Germans to buy time for us. The main force of the Eighth Army retreated to Matru and build a defensive position and buy time to rectify the team's situation, and launch a counterattack on the enemy whenever there is a chance!"

General Ochinlek frowned when he heard this: "Matru? No, it is too close to the border, only more than 200 kilometers. The Germans are likely to arrive within three days, and there is no time to build positions and rectify the troops in three days!"

General Rich's face changed: "What the general means..."

"We must continue to retreat!" General Ochinlek replied: "Give up Matru!"

"But General!" Major General Rich said anxiously: "There are large oasis nearby, if you leave it to the Germans..."

Although Major General Rich had not finished speaking, General Ochinlek had already understood why Rich used Matru as his defense line.

Major General Rich is right. Matrude has more than 2,000 springs and a large amount of freshwater resources. In addition, local residents have also planted wheat, beans, olive trees, date palm trees, etc., making it a rare treasure land in the desert.

If it is left to the Germans, it almost means that the Germans can no longer transport fresh water and food, which will undoubtedly greatly reduce the pressure on German logistics supply.

Thinking of this, General Ochinlek could only sigh and nodded, "Just build a defense line in Matru and order the 13th Army to seize the time to rectify. As for the counterattack... I think I'd better forget it!"

Obviously, General Ochinlek had lost confidence in the combat effectiveness of the British Eighth Army after a series of failures.

"Yes!" Major General Ritchie responded and conveyed the order.

General Ochinlek was misled at this point. His original idea was correct. Three days were not enough for the British army to build fortifications and were not enough to rectify them.

This is mainly because most of the tanks equipped by the British 13th Army were "Matilda" and "Valentine". They were too slow. Many troops were even on the way to Matru when General Ochinlek issued the order.

On the other hand, the African Legion's advance speed was much faster than General Ochinlek imagined... The journey of more than 200 kilometers did take three days according to the normal marching speed, but Rommel ordered the troops to force more than 100 kilometers a day and arrived at the city of Matru in two days.

So the British army had only one day to prepare for Matru.

What's worse is that General Ochinlek issued an order to make them build fortifications fortifications for the three days to prepare for battle, so everyone thought there were three days... As a result, the German army suddenly appeared in front of them and caught them off guard.

Both plans proposed by Major General Rich were insufficient, but if the two plans were combined... that is, to use the "Stuart" tank to form a fast mobile unit and harass and block the German armored forces, so that the British 13th Army had time to form a line of defense in Matru, it was not impossible to defend Matru... Matru had rich freshwater resources, which could also reduce the supply pressure of the British army.

However, as mentioned before, General Ochinlek had been beaten to the point of psychological shadow by the German armored division, so he did not dare to send the "Stuart" tank to do anything anymore. He took it for granted that it was to die.

Of course, this was a good thing for the Germans.

The 15th Armored Division of the Germans arrived at Matru the next night and then launched an attack without stopping.

Unexpectedly, the 13th British Army, who arrived so quickly, was unprepared and was defeated all the way. Fortunately, there was an army similar to the 6th Australian Infantry Division in the 13th Army, that is, the 2nd Division of the New Zealand.

The 2nd New Zealand Division is also a unit that participated in World War I. Similar to Australia, New Zealand also has a high recognition of Britain... There are only a few Aboriginal Maori people in the New Zealanders, and most of the others are European immigrants, especially the British.

This unit used fortifications to block the offensive of the 15th Armored Division of the German Army, allowing the troops of the 13th British Army to be rectified and reorganized a line of defense.

General Ochinlek breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the news and thought to himself that the British army finally looked like a soldier, otherwise he would lose no matter what battle, no matter how many advantages he had... General Ochinlek really didn't know how to command such an army to fight.
Chapter completed!