Germany: The Thousand Year Empire

Meanwhile, the same strategic discussions were unfolding inside the German Ministry of Defense in Berlin.

Senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force occupied both sides of the square conference table.

At its head sat Jörg, quietly sipping black tea while his gaze drifted toward the enormous world map hanging directly opposite him.

Nearly all of Europe and the Middle East had been colored in Germany's black and red.

Small flags marking critical strategic objectives had been planted across Soviet Russia and Egypt.

Heinz Guderian, serving as Deputy Commander in Chief, opened the meeting.

"Rommel, begin by reporting what we have gained in the North African theater over the past few months."

Rommel sat beside Manstein.

Fine grains of desert sand still clung to the brim of his cap, proof that he had come directly from the front.

"Yes, Herr Deputy Commander in Chief."

Rommel rose and inclined his head slightly.

The world map was replaced with a detailed military map of North Africa.

Taking up a pointer, Rommel began his report.

"Over the past several months, we have secured effective control over all of Morocco."

"One week ago, the North African Army Group committed its armored forces and broke through the Free French defensive line in western Algeria."

His pointer tapped several important cities along the Algerian coast.

"Komar has already fallen."

"At the same time, our assault on Algiers is underway. Based on the current assessment of the General Staff, I estimate that the port city will be captured within three days."

"Once Algiers falls, the French Army will be completely driven out of western Algeria and forced to retreat toward Tunisia and Libya."

Heinz Guderian asked, "Can they establish an organized defensive front in Libya?"

He did not even mention Tunisia.

The territory was too narrow and lacked sufficient strategic depth. Even if the Free French attempted to organize a defensive line there, it would achieve little.

He did not believe De Gaulle would waste precious time defending ground that could not absorb a German offensive.

The officers' attention shifted toward Heydrich, who had been observing the meeting from the side.

After a moment of thought, Heydrich answered.

"Libya was previously governed by Italy."

"After the collapse of Mussolini's government, the French Army exploited the situation and entered the colony. Some of the remaining Italian garrison units were absorbed into their ranks."

"However, Italian rule in Libya was exceptionally cruel, and local resistance remains intense."

"Judging from public sentiment alone, I do not believe the French Army can organize a stable defensive line there."

Rommel nodded slightly.

"I agree."

"My assessment is that once the Free French completely lose the initiative in Algeria, they will withdraw toward western Egypt, particularly the Oasis Province, and establish their defenses there."

"At the same time, Commonwealth nations such as Australia and India will likely dispatch reinforcements at any cost to defend the Suez Canal."

"They cannot allow the lifeline connecting the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean to fall into our hands."

Jörg placed his teacup on the table.

"Egypt is the key to everything."

"Whether we seize the Suez Canal will directly determine whether we can execute our subsequent operations against the British colonies."

His gaze shifted across the table.

"Bock, what is the situation in the Middle East?"

Bock had also spent months fighting among the sands of the region.

He immediately stood and delivered his report.

"The Free French forces in Lebanon have been completely defeated."

"Because we lack sufficient troops for permanent garrison duty, some border security responsibilities have been transferred to Vichy France."

"In the south, Saudi Arabia has dispatched troops into Yemen and captured the country."

"The remaining British forces are now concentrated in Oman. We are currently drafting an operational plan to pacify the Middle East in a single campaign."

Jörg shook his head.

"Oman is not our present priority."

"The Suez Canal is."

"There is no need to organize a large offensive against Oman. Its vast deserts would greatly increase the time and resources required for transportation and supply."

"Detach two infantry divisions to conduct a feint alongside the Saudi Army."

"The main force will concentrate in Jordan and strike Egypt's rear through the Sinai Peninsula."

He looked between Bock and Rommel.

"From this moment onward, the Middle Eastern Army Group and the North African Army Group will conduct joint operations."

"The capture of Egypt will be your highest military objective."

Both commanders immediately straightened.

"Yes, sir."

The initial enthusiasm of the Army officers was soon dampened by Raeder.

"But Commander in Chief, the British Mediterranean Fleet still retains considerable strength."

"If we launch a land campaign against Egypt, the operation will consume enormous quantities of supplies."

"Transportation throughout North Africa depends heavily on the Mediterranean."

"Once a major offensive begins, the British Navy will inevitably attack our transport convoys."

Raeder's expression was grave.

"My recommendation is simple."

"If we intend to capture Egypt, we must first destroy the British Mediterranean Fleet."

After considering his words, Jörg nodded.

He had always encouraged the different branches of the Wehrmacht to contribute their own professional judgments rather than simply approve whatever the Army proposed.

"Continue."

Receiving permission, Raeder proceeded.

"I recommend deploying the 1st and 2nd Carrier Fleets alongside the French Mediterranean Fleet and the Greek Mediterranean Fleet."

"Together, they will launch a concentrated attack against the British Navy."

"Once the British Mediterranean Fleet has been completely destroyed, we can safely begin the transfer of supplies and then launch the large scale land offensive."

Raeder's concerns were comprehensive.

The supplies supporting Rommel's earlier advance through North Africa had traveled across the short sea routes from Spain.

Because the distance was limited, logistical difficulties had not yet become obvious.

But if the front continued to extend eastward, the difficulty of transporting fuel, ammunition, spare parts, and food would increase dramatically.

Resolving the naval threat now was the prudent choice.

Some traditional Army officers did not see it that way.

To them, the Navy was attempting to seize control of the campaign and diminish the Army's role.

One Army staff officer, who had little confidence in naval operations, voiced his objections.

"But that would alert the British and French."

"And the difficulty of transporting supplies may not be as severe as Admiral Raeder suggests."

"We can rely on our usual operational methods."

"Launch the offensive before the British colonial reinforcements complete their deployment."

"Once their ground forces have been defeated, the British Mediterranean Fleet will become an empty shell and fall into our hands as spoils of war."

Rather than humiliating the officer with a blunt dismissal, Jörg answered by calmly laying out the facts.

"Staff Officer Ral, what is the prerequisite for blitzkrieg?"

He did not wait for an answer.

"Supplies."

"Tanks require fuel."

"The Air Force requires bombs."

"Soldiers require food, ammunition, medicine, and replacement parts."

"I understand your reasoning. You believe our armored forces can sweep through North Africa just as they swept through France."

"But military problems must be judged according to the ground on which the war is fought."

"North Africa does not possess France's geography."

"Nor does it possess France's roads, railways, ports, or industrial infrastructure."

Jörg's gaze hardened.

"We are fighting Britain and France across a desolate land."

"In such a place, victory does not belong merely to the man who throws the first punch faster and harder."

"It belongs to the man who can absorb a blow without falling, then still possess the strength to throw a second."

The Führer's personal explanation caused Ral's face to flush instantly.

Grateful that Jörg had corrected him without publicly crushing his dignity, the staff officer lowered his head.

"Yes, Commander in Chief."

Jörg looked around the table.

"Does anyone else have an opinion?"

The relatively open atmosphere he maintained allowed several naval representatives to propose another idea.

"Commander in Chief, Greece and Italy both control a considerable number of islands throughout the Mediterranean."

"We believe these islands can be developed into transshipment bases."

"The French Army will not be foolish enough to leave high capacity ports intact for us. They will inevitably destroy them before retreating."

"Island supply bases could support the reconstruction of captured ports while shortening our transport routes and reducing the burden on frontline logistics."

Jörg considered the proposal, then nodded.

"Proceed with it."

He shifted his gaze back toward the great map.

"We have discussed North Africa sufficiently."

His eyes settled on the vast lands to the east.

"Now, let us discuss Soviet Russia."

....

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