Ramp-Rat
Monthly Donor
The British are advancing along the North Africa coast much faster ITTL, far faster than they did in ours. This brings with it advantages and disadvantages, it sets the British/Commonwealth forces to be in a much better position in regard to the Germans if they decide to intervene. But it also has the problem that the British are now in an extended logistics position, that could see them facing serious shortages. The British now have to concentrate their efforts on improving their logistics, and that means grabbing the port of Benghazi, and improving it as much as they can. With the Port of Benghazi in British hands, the extended supply line can be shortened, and a major forward series of bases developed. The various minor ports such as Tobruk and Bardia, once the large numbers of Italian POW’S have been evacuated to the Delta, can effectively be abandoned, and only left with a small holding garrison. The holding garrison can be supplied by sea, with their food, fuel and what little military equipment they need, while drawing water from the port supply. This will free up the majority of motor transport to support the advance beyond Benghazi, and reduce the strain on the transport system.
At the same time the troops that have been working to extend the railway, can be transferred to Benghazi. And put to work improving the port and any Italian airfields, along with establishing various base facilities. This will enable the RN to provide a convoy/convoys to Malta that sail under near continuous air cover, thus reliving the present siege. And the RAF can reenforce the air defence of Malta with aircraft flown in from Benghazi, as its only a short hop away. Benghazi can also be used to move the Italian POW’s captured during the fighting in and around Benghazi and the area to the east, back to the delta. It should be noted that between Benghazi and Tripoli a distance of over 1000 km/622 miles there isn’t a significant port at this time. While the British can establish the Inshore squadron out of Benghazi, and transship supplies between larger ships and coastal craft. Without any major ports to unload at, or craft that can be beached, such as the old X-lighters if any still exist, transferring cargo from ship to shore, will present major difficulties. However because of the geography the British if they don’t capture Tripoli, have to advance to a position where they can establish a defence line, between the shore and high ground inland, such as around Buerat. Which will prevent the Italians or Germans if they intervene, from throwing a right hook around any defence line. And force them into a more direct attack on the British positions, thus nullifying the perpetual weakness of most defensive lines in North Africa, a completely open flank.
RR.
At the same time the troops that have been working to extend the railway, can be transferred to Benghazi. And put to work improving the port and any Italian airfields, along with establishing various base facilities. This will enable the RN to provide a convoy/convoys to Malta that sail under near continuous air cover, thus reliving the present siege. And the RAF can reenforce the air defence of Malta with aircraft flown in from Benghazi, as its only a short hop away. Benghazi can also be used to move the Italian POW’s captured during the fighting in and around Benghazi and the area to the east, back to the delta. It should be noted that between Benghazi and Tripoli a distance of over 1000 km/622 miles there isn’t a significant port at this time. While the British can establish the Inshore squadron out of Benghazi, and transship supplies between larger ships and coastal craft. Without any major ports to unload at, or craft that can be beached, such as the old X-lighters if any still exist, transferring cargo from ship to shore, will present major difficulties. However because of the geography the British if they don’t capture Tripoli, have to advance to a position where they can establish a defence line, between the shore and high ground inland, such as around Buerat. Which will prevent the Italians or Germans if they intervene, from throwing a right hook around any defence line. And force them into a more direct attack on the British positions, thus nullifying the perpetual weakness of most defensive lines in North Africa, a completely open flank.
RR.