Into the Desert
4
1100 January 25th 1946.
18. Armee Headquarters. Mellila, Morocco.
Von Rundstedt now had more than forty divisions of Heeresgruppe West in Morocco with more arriving daily. The kriegsmarine was still encountering no opposition to its ferrying activities and the forces in Morocco were quickly regaining organisation.
Model and Reinhardt were both recovered sufficiently to continue their advance. Von Rundtsedt gave the orders they required and Model executed them.
He was to head south, down the Afrikan coast, towards the captured Spanish territory of El Aauin. Auchinleck would try and stop him but had little chance. The American garrison was soon captured and the British commander moving away from Casablanca.
0600 January 26th 1946.
Panzerarmee (Italy) Headquarters. Nasariyah, Iraq.
The arrival of Barckhausen and XLVII. Armeekorps in Karbala had given Rommel the forces he required for the next advance. Orders were sent to Barckenhausen and von Kuchler to begin an attack on the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Nineteen German infantry divisions proceeded to advance towards the twelve Syrian divisions defending the province.
Von Kuchler had the numerical advantage and at 1300 hours he achieved a tactical advantage by encircling part of the defences of Damascus.
Seven hours later, at 2000, he ordered an assault to keep the pressure on the defenders overnight.
The battle would continue all night and over the next day, with von Kuchler slowly overcoming the stubborn defences.
0600 January 27th 1946.
The Skies Above Southern Persia.
Air General Milch was currently providing air cover over southern Persia when he encountered enemy bombers.
The British Strategic bombers were not happy to see him and suffered for their entry into his airspace.
1400 January 27th 1946.
18. Armee Headquarters. Mellila, Morocco.
Von Rundstedt had a small problem that he needed dealt with. He asked Saalwachter if he was confident that he could traverse the west African coast. Saalwachter offered no guarantees but would do what von Rundstedt asked of him.
Model was heading towards El Aauin but von Rundstedt was not sure he would arrive before Allied forces did. He tasked Saalwachter with transporting General Straube and V. Armeekorps to the province. Saalwachter safely delivered the troops before heading back to Malaga for more troop transfers.
1400 January 27th 1946.
Panzerarmee (Italy) Headquarters. Nasariyah, Iraq.
The battle for Damascus raged on during the 27th with von Kuchler making slow but steady progress.
By 1400 hours it was clear the defenders could not hold for much longer. The defenders had fought bravely nonetheless.
At 1600 hours von Kuchler had amassed enough desert combat experience to be singled out as above average in the execution of such combat.
The Syrians still held their defence at 0300 hours on the 28th but would retreat with the new dawn sun barely risen in the east.
2300 January 27th 1946.
IV. Panzerarmee Headquarters. Mashhad, Persia.
Von Manstein was recovering in Mashhad when he received news from Nehring of his arrival in Chah Bahar.
The British immediately counter attacked the advance with the inital reports indicating an even battle.
Daylight proved that the battle was a little less even than previously thought. By 0600 hours Gort found himself outnumbered and outgunned by Nehring, von Hubicki and Steiner.
By 0900 hours the results of the battle were becoming obvious and Gort chose to break off his attack. Persia was now sealed off from British forces in India.