Iron Cross

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Rashid hurried back to the Middle East from Germany on the 27th. Considering his more pro-German and anti-British stance and the experience of the Iraqi army fighting side by side with the German and Italian troops in May last year, senior German officials It is generally believed that Rashid is more reliable and has more support potential than Egypt's Maher, so he is treated well. Not only did he arrange a special plane and escort crew to fly from Germany to the Middle East, he was even equipped with a platoon of party members. Guardsman.

After in-depth communication and negotiation with Rashid on the spot, Rommel, Gauss and others broke out in a cold sweat. Only now did they realize that they had made a big mistake: Basra is an important town and transportation hub in southern Iraq, and its location is very important. This important point is completely true, but the current output of the oil fields being exploited around Basra is not large (the world-famous Rumaila oil field has not yet been developed at this time). The reason why the aircraft reconnaissance concluded that there are large oil fields near the city is a complete misunderstanding—— Those oil fields are either from Kuwait or belong to the Ahvaz oil field group in Persia. Basra and Abadan in Persia are more like transit cities. If the paratrooper brigade had been airdropped according to Rommel's plan, not only would they not have been able to seize large oil fields, they would have also been surrounded by enemy forces.

"Of course, Kuwait should also be considered a part of Iraq. During the Ottoman Empire, they both belonged to the Basra Province. Kuwait was just a county in the province. When Iraq became independent, in order to contain us, the British abruptly split Kuwait out. , became a British protectorate alone - this is a shame for all Iraqis. In addition, the Saudi Kingdom is not born. They are now loyal lackeys of the British. The American Mobil Company has large investments and oil field exploration areas in Saudi Arabia. piece……"

Rommel sensed that Rashid was trying to annex Kuwait and also had thoughts about Saudi territory. To paraphrase the latter, the Iraqis were the orthodox successors to the ancient Babylonian civilization. Rommel did not dare to comply with these demands. When discussing the situation in the Middle East, Hoffmann clearly told him: In the future, the Middle East countries east of the Suez Canal should be divided as small and as large as possible. Germany should In its role as an arbiter, it must not be too biased towards any country, let alone support a certain regional power so as not to lose its tail - Egypt's influence must be strictly limited to the west of the Sinai Peninsula.

He exchanged a few perfunctory words and only said: "The head of state and Marshal Kesselring will have in-depth communication with you at that time. They have a unified arrangement for the situation in the Middle East. We must first drive away the British and American forces, and then on this basis respect the ethnic groups and Tribal independence and freedom.”

Rashid's words just now were also a test. Seeing that he couldn't get a clear answer from Rommel, he changed the topic to the oil field: "You don't have to worry about crude oil. Although the oil field in the direction of Basra is not large, I can do it for you." Your country provides enough oil. In addition to some of the oil fields currently being exploited in Kirkuk, southeast of Mosul, several high-yield oil wells were discovered during my tenure. The output was very large, and the depth of the oil layer was about 400 meters. , but later it was not exploited in large quantities due to various reasons.”

"Why?"

"Because the British control too much oil, any further exploration will drive down prices too much and capitalists will have no incentive."

Gauss was indignant: "The British have too much oil, but we in Germany have too little oil. Britain and the United States have been enforcing a blockade on us, and the country has no choice but to use coal to make oil."

"With the Iraqi oil fields, your country's oil shortage situation can be greatly alleviated." Rashid knew the oil situation in Iraq well. "Originally, our country's crude oil production volume was expected to reach 4.5 million tons in 1943, including the oil fields near Mosul. The group can produce more than 3.5 million tons. If the oil fields in Kirkuk are effectively developed, I think it can exceed 6 million tons. Adding some oil fields in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the total output will be at least 8 million tons. "

“What about the Persian oil fields?”

"Persian oil fields were developed earlier than Iraq, and more blocks and oil wells have been explored than ours. The total production should be more than 12 million tons."

After hearing these numbers, Rommel and Gauss looked at each other, their eyes full of desire: as commanders of armored forces, they knew how important oil was to combat. After taking Persia, the oil there would be enough to satisfy their needs. All Germany needs, even if it cannot win Persia, owning the oil fields in Iraq and the oil fields in Romania is almost enough to fight the war.

"How about it? Are you two interested in investing in the development of an oil field? Let us know in advance which block you like, and I will keep it for you."

"This..." Faced with Rashid's familiar business experience, Rommel couldn't bear it and said with a smile, "Look, I just lead troops to fight. I don't understand politics and business. This requires diplomats." Let’s talk to the industrial giants.”

Rashid smiled: "Marshal, I know you are trusted by the head of state, so you don't have to worry about the adverse consequences of doing this. There are many oil fields in Iraq, and your head of state and generals have made a lot of efforts to help the Iraqi people become independent and free." , we should express our gratitude. Besides, we also have a lot to ask for from your country: such as arms, military instructors, industrial technology, etc. I heard that your country has captured a lot in Egypt, and is also willing to help the Egyptian people form a national defense force. Iraq I also hope to build a strong and powerful National Defense Force, and I would be even more honored to receive guidance and guidance from the Marshal."

"I will definitely convey your requests and wishes to the head of state."

At about 7 o'clock in the morning, the prime minister who was busy talking and full of energy finally couldn't bear it anymore and went to rest first. When he and Gauss were alone, Rommel wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said: "Today I finally saw how powerful politicians are in corrupting and coaxing. It's obviously a bribe, but he can speak so high-sounding and righteous. I'm really ashamed of myself - —By the way, that’s how our domestic giants got rich, right?”

"Well... you can think of Generalissimo Göring - he just took too many things that he shouldn't have."

When Rommel talked about this, he thought of the dark days in the basement of the Army Hospital and said with emotion: "Gauss, please remind me more that I can't be confused about small things."

While they were waiting for news of the Italian paratroopers' air landing, the adjutant came in and reported: "Sir, an Iraqi plane made an emergency landing at the airport - he said he came to report the situation on the order of Prime Minister Rashid."

The two of them were overjoyed: "Please come in immediately."

The visitor was a pilot of the Iraqi Air Force, flying an Italian Fiat C.R.42 fighter jet. Fortunately, he chose an Italian fighter jet, so the German Air Force, which was unsure of its intentions, did not shoot it down.

Although the garrison map provided by the other party was poorly drawn, Rommel listened very carefully to the briefing:

1. Habbaniyah, a small town less than 97 kilometers away from Baghdad, has a Royal Air Force base with a total strength of about 2,000 people, including a battalion of British infantry (nearly 500 people), 1,200 Iraqi and Assyrian mercenaries, and 300 people are flight students and instructors, and they own about 70-80 aircraft, most of which are trainer aircraft (including Glasgow's "Gladiator" biplane, "Oxford" trainer aircraft, Ferry "Gordon" trainers and Hawker Ortex trainers), and only a small number of Hurricanes;

2. There is a brigade of British infantry in Baghdad, which was stationed in Baghdad after the suppression of the Rashid Revolution last year. There are an estimated 24 tanks, models of Crusader or Matilda;

3. There are 2 Iraqi infantry brigades, 2 mechanized battalions, and 1 mechanized artillery brigade around Baghdad. The total strength is about 20,000. The middle and senior officers are all British. The firepower is roughly 18 6-pound guns and 12 17-pound guns. guns, 4 25-pounder guns, 12 armored vehicles, and possibly some anti-tank guns, an unknown number;

4. There is an Indian brigade with an unknown number in the direction of Mosul, and two Iraqi infantry brigades;

5. There is an Indian division and a British infantry division in the direction of Basra, as well as more than 100 aircraft, most of which are Wellington fighter jets - the Iraqis suffered a big loss during last year's battle, and there may also be some naval forces.

Combined with the enemy situation information in the direction of Persia, Gauss can easily judge the overall deployment of the British 10th Army:

The British 10th Army has a total of 2 British divisions, the 5th and 56th Infantry Divisions (composing the British 3rd Army); 5 Indian divisions, namely the 6th, 8th, 10th, 31st Indian Infantry Division and the 10th Motorcycle Chemical Division (composing the 21st Indian Army). The main forces in Iraq are the British 5th Infantry Division and the Indian 10th Infantry Division. There are 2 Indian divisions in the border areas between Iraq and Persia. The rest of the troops are distributed in Persia, and there are also There are some naval and air forces.

"If we knock out the British air base in Baghdad, will it make the Iraqi troops switch sides?"

"This...maybe," the Iraqi pilot said hesitantly, "but I don't have enough qualifications and prestige, so I can't go."

“Where is Prime Minister Rashid?”

"The Prime Minister should be fine. He has many supporters in the military, but is this too dangerous?"

"I'm going!" Rashid also received the notification and hurried over at this time. "Your Excellency, Marshal, I have a duty to liberate Iraq as soon as possible and reduce losses."

"We will send troops to protect you. You are Germany's most important partner." Rommel explained the protection of Rashid while quickly issuing combat orders. "When the Mosul airborne group returns, please ask Studen The special general led the paratrooper brigade to dispatch, and now let the Air Force fighter jets dispatch to seize air supremacy over Baghdad and eliminate the aircraft at this air base in one fell swoop..."

"As for the second step..." He glanced at Gauss, who understood clearly. Rommel was going to use a commonly used serial killing move - he often used it against the British in the North African desert, and the effect was extraordinary. .