BlairWitch749
Banned
We must do something about this (chapter 5) Good soldiers, bad officers; however don't forget that without them we would not have any Civilization - Erwin Rommel on the Italian Army
Tripolitania February 1941
Manstein was watching a small unit battle sitting in his armored command vehicle. His first battalion from the 5th light division had arrived in Tripoli a couple of days ago. He paraded them through the city then sent them off to the front were they were currently embroiled in a fight with the King's Dragoon.
That jackass Ribbentrop had provided the men with a pamphlet describing which of Tripoli's many brothel's they should visit. Having to command men who had never served together or couldn't stand the sun was one thing but having to deal with intense VD was something Manstein wanted no part of. He made a mental note that if the opportunity ever arose he would punch the foreign minister in the mouth.
The British troops seemed to be green and his troops were performing well. Through his field glasses Manstein saw a company group from the Brescia division come under attack by a British motorized group. The Italian company was a good one who had been through Balck's armored warfare school a couple weeks before. They held on for ten minutes and then it appeared they ran out of ammunition and had to retire. The British did not pursue. Manstein was speechless he had seen that company have a full war load of ammunition crates with them. He instructed his chief of staff Gause to have the commander of that Italian company brought to him immediately.
Manstein thanked god this macaroni spoke pretty good German
Tell me what happened in your battle herr Major
The British came at us with their armored cars and infantry. We defended as GeneralMajor Balck told us to trying to suppress the infantry and separate them from the armor. We then ran out rifle, anti tank and machine gun ammunition and were forced to retire.
Explain to me how you ran out of ammunition Major. I saw your company with a full war load of ammo enough for a 3 day pitched battle. You were even carrying back ammunition boxes as you retreated I saw?
We ran out of ammunition for a majority of the men's weapons. Unfortunately my company has 6 types of rifles and 4 types of machine guns so ammunition distribution especially at night or under fire is almost impossible sir.
Mein Gott and many of your companies are like this?
All except the Bersaglieri and the engineers yes sir
The old quartermaster within Manstein kicked in; a certain amount of waste within a very large military was to be expected; his late uncle Hindenberg had said so himself but this was absolutely insane; for whatever his political opinions of the Italians were, this was easily correctable if someone took the leadership by the horns; and he intended to do so.
This cannot be allowed to continue. Something must be done about this. Herr Major you will accompany me back on my trip to Berlin tomorrow.
Two days later at Hitler's military HQ
My Fuhrer and Il Duce thank you so much for seeing me. Herr Todt your presence is also greatly appreciated at this meeting.
I have brought with me Major Borroni of the Italian army. I have allready sent in writing the tale of his battle with British.
The lack of small arms coordination in the infantry divisions in Libya is a big problem. Major Borroni lost 19 experienced men because his company couldn't organize their ammunition supplies. I propose we stop trying to pretend we can wage parallel war and form a real coalition. Herr Todt informs me that licenses for German small arms may be granted and he could lend out a few hundred workers and engineers to help tool up Italian factories. After a few months I would hope all of our troops would have 1 type of rifle, 1 type of machine gun, and 1 type of sub machine gun greatly reducing the complication of ammunition supply. This way our men could fight together cohesively
I also witnessed the death of the Italian fighter ace Marcello as he dueled with a Gladiator fighter three days ago. I wish also to request that licenses be granted for German aircraft engines and armored vehicles be given to the Commando Supremo as soon as possible. Our window of victory is at hand if we strengthen our selves. Herr Todt has the men available it would only require your approval my fuhrer.
What you say has great merit. I know this has been discussed before and the money for the licenses was an issue. Senior Mussolini how about we grant you the licenses for the remainder of the war and we come up with a fee after our great victory.
I would be happy to accept any technology that could improve our effeciancy.
Good Herr Todt follow up with this in every way possible like General Manstein said. You can loan out the engineers as long as our friends need them.
to be continued...
Tripolitania February 1941
Manstein was watching a small unit battle sitting in his armored command vehicle. His first battalion from the 5th light division had arrived in Tripoli a couple of days ago. He paraded them through the city then sent them off to the front were they were currently embroiled in a fight with the King's Dragoon.
That jackass Ribbentrop had provided the men with a pamphlet describing which of Tripoli's many brothel's they should visit. Having to command men who had never served together or couldn't stand the sun was one thing but having to deal with intense VD was something Manstein wanted no part of. He made a mental note that if the opportunity ever arose he would punch the foreign minister in the mouth.
The British troops seemed to be green and his troops were performing well. Through his field glasses Manstein saw a company group from the Brescia division come under attack by a British motorized group. The Italian company was a good one who had been through Balck's armored warfare school a couple weeks before. They held on for ten minutes and then it appeared they ran out of ammunition and had to retire. The British did not pursue. Manstein was speechless he had seen that company have a full war load of ammunition crates with them. He instructed his chief of staff Gause to have the commander of that Italian company brought to him immediately.
Manstein thanked god this macaroni spoke pretty good German
Tell me what happened in your battle herr Major
The British came at us with their armored cars and infantry. We defended as GeneralMajor Balck told us to trying to suppress the infantry and separate them from the armor. We then ran out rifle, anti tank and machine gun ammunition and were forced to retire.
Explain to me how you ran out of ammunition Major. I saw your company with a full war load of ammo enough for a 3 day pitched battle. You were even carrying back ammunition boxes as you retreated I saw?
We ran out of ammunition for a majority of the men's weapons. Unfortunately my company has 6 types of rifles and 4 types of machine guns so ammunition distribution especially at night or under fire is almost impossible sir.
Mein Gott and many of your companies are like this?
All except the Bersaglieri and the engineers yes sir
The old quartermaster within Manstein kicked in; a certain amount of waste within a very large military was to be expected; his late uncle Hindenberg had said so himself but this was absolutely insane; for whatever his political opinions of the Italians were, this was easily correctable if someone took the leadership by the horns; and he intended to do so.
This cannot be allowed to continue. Something must be done about this. Herr Major you will accompany me back on my trip to Berlin tomorrow.
Two days later at Hitler's military HQ
My Fuhrer and Il Duce thank you so much for seeing me. Herr Todt your presence is also greatly appreciated at this meeting.
I have brought with me Major Borroni of the Italian army. I have allready sent in writing the tale of his battle with British.
The lack of small arms coordination in the infantry divisions in Libya is a big problem. Major Borroni lost 19 experienced men because his company couldn't organize their ammunition supplies. I propose we stop trying to pretend we can wage parallel war and form a real coalition. Herr Todt informs me that licenses for German small arms may be granted and he could lend out a few hundred workers and engineers to help tool up Italian factories. After a few months I would hope all of our troops would have 1 type of rifle, 1 type of machine gun, and 1 type of sub machine gun greatly reducing the complication of ammunition supply. This way our men could fight together cohesively
I also witnessed the death of the Italian fighter ace Marcello as he dueled with a Gladiator fighter three days ago. I wish also to request that licenses be granted for German aircraft engines and armored vehicles be given to the Commando Supremo as soon as possible. Our window of victory is at hand if we strengthen our selves. Herr Todt has the men available it would only require your approval my fuhrer.
What you say has great merit. I know this has been discussed before and the money for the licenses was an issue. Senior Mussolini how about we grant you the licenses for the remainder of the war and we come up with a fee after our great victory.
I would be happy to accept any technology that could improve our effeciancy.
Good Herr Todt follow up with this in every way possible like General Manstein said. You can loan out the engineers as long as our friends need them.
to be continued...
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