RPAGF Chapter 54 "Desert Rats"
Chapter 54 "Desert Rats"
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The base office area of the 1st Armored Regiment was an adjacent abandoned warehouse.
The middle room was chosen by Ramsden as the temporary command post.
Since it hadn't been divided into smaller rooms yet, the huge warehouse was bustling with people, and the sounds of telegrams and shouts were constant. There were even trucks that brought in supplies directly.
"This is your desk," Lieutenant General Ramsden said to Thorne, pointing to a desk against the wall. "They've chosen a good spot for you, Captain."
He then noticed that the tables and chairs were covered in dust, frowned, and glared at the soldier following behind him.
The soldier understood and hurriedly stepped forward to wipe the dust with his sleeve. He found the dust to be too dry and hard, and even spat on the table in the process.
Ramsden looked at Thorne with an embarrassed expression: "You know, that's how armored soldiers are..."
"It's alright, Lieutenant General," Thorne replied. "I understand."
Spending all day in a smelly cockpit, it's hard to expect much from them in terms of hygiene.
Major Cross painstakingly rummaged through a pile of recently arrived documents and pulled out a notebook, handing it to Thorne: "Captain, this is our organizational chart."
Thorne took it and placed it on the table. He casually flipped it open and frowned.
Ramsden and Major Cross looked at each other, both puzzled as to what had gone wrong.
Before they arrived, they had discussed the plan many times and thought it was close to perfect, but Thorne seemed to see the problem at a glance.
After a long pause, Thorne asked, "Are the accompanying infantry from the Australian 7th Regiment?"
"Yes, Lieutenant," Major Cross replied.
Thorne glanced at Ramsden, assuming that after their previous discussion, Ramsden should understand the importance of accompanying infantry.
So why were Australian infantrymen allowed to accompany the infantry?
They were colonial soldiers, willing to do their utmost, even at the risk of their own safety, to provide cover for British tanks.
Seemingly seeing through Thorne's thoughts, Ramsden explained, "They are already the most trustworthy accompanying infantry we have, Captain."
Major Cross moved closer and whispered, "British infantry often disobey orders at crucial moments, while the Australian army is far superior in this regard."
Thorne understood instantly.
It seems counterintuitive that the Australian army is more valiant than the British army.
However, this makes sense.
If it were British infantry accompanying the tanks, and they encountered danger and needed to provide cover for the tanks, they would think: We are all British, we are equal, why should we sacrifice ourselves to save the tanks?
But the Australian military doesn't think that way.
They were British colonial soldiers who had always considered themselves inferior to the British.
Therefore, it is only natural and there is nothing wrong with rushing to the front lines to protect the nobler British during wartime.
Simply put, it's a colonial mentality; they are often more loyal, more capable in combat, and easier to command and manage than the British.
Once Thorne understood this, he stopped objecting, since that's exactly what the battlefield needs.
Thorne flipped through the organization chart again and said, "One 'Grant' armored company, two 'Crusader' armored companies, and one 'Stuart' armored company."
(The image above shows the American-made Stuart light tank, which was heavily reinforced to the British army during the North African campaign and served as the main reconnaissance force for the British army.)
"Yes, Captain. Is there a problem?" Ramsden noticed Thorne's serious and inexplicably nervous expression, like a student waiting for their teacher to grade their homework.
"No, there's no problem, General," Thorne replied. "I think you'd say they can all use high-octane fuel, so there's no issue with supply disruptions."
"Yes." Ramsden nodded repeatedly, his face full of pride at being praised by his "teacher".
However, Thorne's next sentence was:
"But have you thought about the maintenance issues?"
"Equipping the 'Stuart' was a last resort; the troops needed light tanks for reconnaissance missions."
"But does mixing the 'Grant' tank with the 'Crusader' tank mean we have to carry spare parts for both types of tanks at the same time?"
After glancing at the speechless Lieutenant General Ramsden, Thorne continued:
"There are also maintenance personnel."
"We may need to bring maintenance personnel for both types of tanks, or require them to be able to repair both types of tanks."
"Commanders required them to fully understand the performance of the two tanks so that they could leverage their strengths and avoid their weaknesses on the battlefield and know how to coordinate them."
Thorne glanced at Ramsden, then at Major Cross.
Do we possess these conditions?
Ramsden shook his head blankly.
Major Cross replied, "We don't, Captain."
"So," Thorne said, "I guess you think like Montgomery, treating tanks as disposable items, is that right?"
Only if it is treated as a disposable item will there be no need to consider maintenance issues, nor will there be a need to carry spare parts or maintenance personnel; it can be discarded directly when it malfunctions.
Ramsden and Major Cross nodded in acknowledgment.
"That's reality, Captain," Major Cross said. "You know, tank casualty rates are high, therefore..."
"But not in the future," Thorne interrupted Major Cross.
Thorne's tone turned stern:
"I'm not exaggerating, Major. This is the beginning of confidence, morale, and trust."
"If we're all prepared for high casualty rates and don't bring replacement parts and maintenance personnel, do you think the soldiers are all fools or blind?"
"Do you think they can't see or understand why?"
Major Cross suddenly realized.
If the troops still didn't bring maintenance personnel and spare parts as before, the soldiers immediately understood that the officers were still prepared for "high casualties" and were ready to abandon the tanks at any time.
Therefore, they will continue to use the same combat methods as before, and even intentionally cause the tanks to malfunction.
Ramsden nodded emphatically. "You're right, Captain. So, what do you think we should use: 'Crusader' or 'Grant'?"
Thorne answered without hesitation, "Of course, it's 'Grant'."
Despite its many problems, it was still capable of fighting against the German "Number 3" and "Number 4".
The "Crusaders" were simply suicide missions.
Therefore, the historical "Crusaders" will be completely phased out next year and relegated to the second line for training or retrofitting anti-aircraft firepower.
But Ramsden frowned:
"This is a problem, Captain."
"First of all, we don't have many people who know how to repair 'Grant'."
"I think you remember Captain Thea and her men; they were the only maintenance crew on the northern front who knew how to repair the 'Grant'."
Thorne was quite surprised, not expecting that Yaya's group of people were such rare technical talents.
Ramsden continued, a look of helplessness on his face:
"Secondly, we are a ragtag army."
"The real main force of the armored corps was the 7th Armored Division, nicknamed 'Desert Rats,' which was deployed in the southern section of the defensive line."
"All the advanced equipment, including the Grant tank, was first issued to the 7th Armored Division, and then to us."
(The image above shows the insignia of the British 7th Armoured Division, the elite main force of the Eighth Army's armored units.)