Chapter Two-Hundred-Fifty-Seven : Recovering - 24.3.1941 To 26.3.1941
A Gentleman’s War : A Middle-East Command
(HoI3 TFH - UK AAR)
Chapter Two-Hundred-Fifty-Seven : Recovering - 24.3.1941 To 26.3.1941
(HoI3 TFH - UK AAR)
Chapter Two-Hundred-Fifty-Seven : Recovering - 24.3.1941 To 26.3.1941
By the morning of the 24th the Field Marshall found a report from Major General Blackadder next to his dish of tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, baked beans, crumpets, and bangers.
It turned out the 6th Infantry Division, along with the other divisions of the 1st ME Corps, would be ready pretty soon. At least in their organization. Their numbers, on the other hand, would take some time to recover.
It heavily depended on how fast reinforcements could be shipped.
At the same time the Mediterranean Fleet had been ordered to patrol the Gulf of Taranto.
In other words under the ‘boot’ of Italy.
The rest of the news was somewhat mundane. The USSR broke a bunch of trade agreements, suggesting it was having economic troubles, while the Chinese Nationalists and the Chinese Communists had signed a trade agreement with each other. Suggesting they REALLY hated the bordering Japanese Empire more than each other. For now.
On the morning of the 25th the Mediterranean Fleet, on passing Malta, spotted a Italian Fleet which It was ordered to chase down.
By noon Italian naval bombers, likely trying to protect the Italian Navy, attacked the Med. Fleet.
Of course the CAGs, and the Malta fighters, reacted to protect the British Navy. A air clash the British won.
Sadly the Mediterranean Fleet failed to find and engage the Italian ships and was told to continue their patrol.
Funny enough the CAGs found a lone ship at the ‘boot’, bombed it, and radioed the Fleet. Which of course, joined in.
The naval battle was a British victory and the lone Italian warship was sunk.
While on patrol the Med. Fleet did report a lot of movement in Italy itself. It looked like the Axis forces were preparing to try to take Sicily again.
By evening the CAGs found more Italian warships to bomb. And of course they called in the Fleet.
The British battleships were eager to engage. The Italian ships were of lower tonnage and the British Captains wanted more kills to their names.
An hour before midnight the Field Marshall was drinking his third glass of goat milk while glaring at his teddy bear.
Teddy was on his enemies’ list because of all the nasty things the bear had said during the last few days. Mostly in the form of criticism against Jeeves’s skills as a commander. Or lack of skills, in this case.
When the Captain came in the room that night, for the ‘Seventh Day’ briefing, he found a large pitcher tjat USE to be full of goat milk, the teddy bear sitting in one of the corners of the room, and a grumpy Field Marshall.
“Tell me the bad news first, Captain,” said his superior with a sigh.
“Not really any bad news,” remarked the Captain. “The Germans bombed Dover but our fighters attacked them and won the air clash. We are attacking German warships that get too close to the homeland and Norway is still holding out.”
“And all reports suggest the Italians have moved all units out of Greece,” he added. “Likely due to our try at their Capital. An overreaction to be sure but it may help us.”
“Also reports from within the US suggest the public see Germany as the greatest threat to them and their way of life,” he continued. “Not Japan. Which means they could join the Allies even if Japan does nothing in the Pacific Ocean.”
“Interesting,” remarked the Field Marshall. “Well, turn off the lights on the way out Captain. We have a lot of planning to do.”
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