Chapter 139 Volume 4, Chapter 29, Back to Cairo

The king's letter comes to the rescue of Malta with the cornerstone campaign plan A fierce battle Costly but decisive victory Malta regains control of the Mid-Mediterranean Gort comes to Cairo The crisis in India Arrests Gandhi and others Epp's heroic efforts and serious loss Strength reconnaissance valuable lessons Air support to the Soviet southern flank Handed over Persian railway to American management Gift to Australia to compensate for loss of HMS Canberra Another visit to the desert front on August 19th Alexandria and Montgomery in command of Rommel's imminent attack The importance of maintaining freedom of maneuver for the Eighth Army Inspecting the future battlefield at Bernard Freiberg's New Zealand division headquarters August 21st My report to the War Cabinet in Cairo In the last days of strict measures to defend the Nile front flew back to the motherland.

When I returned to Cairo, I received a congratulatory message from the king. His Majesty the King to the Prime Minister August 17, 1942 I am very pleased that your meeting with Stalin has ended in a very friendly atmosphere.You are the messenger of unwelcome news, and your task was an unpleasant one, but I congratulate you on the skill with which you accomplished it.The personal relationship you have established with Stalin will be extremely useful in the days to come; I am convinced that your long journey will be totally worth it. I hope you're not feeling overly tired, and that you're more at ease with things now.

I wish you a safe return home after your work. I replied the next day as follows: prime minister to king August 18, 1942 The humble Churchill is greatly encouraged by His Majesty's gracious letter. 2. Mr. Churchill hopes to deal with some important and urgent issues here within this week.He is healthy and doesn't feel tired at all.Your Majesty is always so merciful, and this new compliment of your confidence pleases him greatly. I also had a call from General Smuts. General Smuts to Prime Minister August 19, 1942 I read your telegram from Moscow with great interest and wish you a truly great success.Your skill at dealing with the psychological situation of others is superb, and in the end I get the impression that you have achieved even more than you realize, at least you have finally put Russia firmly on the same side in the Great War. We are connected.Having admitted that the Torch Program was better than the Bash, Stalin's controversial episode was clearly a clumsy way of saving face for himself.Your proposal to provide air aid to the Caucasus is a shrewd move, and it is worth doing together with Roosevelt.After reading your report on the talks, I will say that I now have a much better opinion of Russia than I did before.Hitler would have to spend another winter in the Russian quagmire, which now looks promising;

And we can clear the entire Mediterranean Sea and build a solid base for the Second Battlefield next year.At present, everything depends entirely on Alexander's victory, and also on the torch operation plan that needs to be implemented as soon as possible based on the confidence of victory.We cannot allow this plan to fail, on which our victory depends in large measure. I hope you are resting well after your recent toil.You can't keep working at the intense pace you're doing now.Heed the advice of Charles Wilson, because you want the nation to heed your advice. During my visit to Moscow, several very important matters of great concern to me came to a head.The failure of the transport convoy to the island of Malta in June showed that the fortress of the island of Malta can only be preserved with a large and rapid rescue.After the catastrophe of the Russian Northern Transport Fleet in July, it was at a standstill, and the Admiralty was obliged to draw large numbers of ships from the Home Fleet.Admiral Severett took the Nelson, led the Rodney and three giant aircraft carriers, seven cruisers and thirty-two destroyers into the Mediterranean on August 9 to participate in the cornerstone operation plan.Furious was also added to allow the aircraft to fly to the island of Malta.During this time, the enemy also strengthened their air forces in Sardinia and Sicily.

On August 11, Admiral Severette's fleet escorted fourteen fast merchant ships loaded with munitions from Algiers.The aircraft carrier Eagle was sunk by a submarine, but Fury managed to fly the ship's Spitfires to the island of Malta.The next day, the expected enemy air strikes began.A merchant ship and a destroyer were sunk, and the aircraft carrier Intrepid was also damaged.Thirty-nine enemy planes and one Italian submarine were destroyed.When the convoy approached the strait that night, Admiral Severett led the battleships to retreat as planned, leaving Rear Admiral Barr to continue with the transport fleet.Attacks from enemy submarines and fast torpedo boats intensified the next night, and by morning seven merchant ships had been sunk, along with the cruisers Manchester and Cairo.Two other cruisers and three merchant ships, including the USS Ohio, which was carrying vital supplies, were damaged.

The surviving ships bravely marched on to Malta.Daytime raids continued on the 13th.The Ohio was hit again and was immobilized; so was another merchant ship.By this time the rest of the convoy had come within support of the Maltese defenses, and so that night three ships, the Port Chalmers, the Melbourne Star, and Fort Rochester, finally entered up the port.At this point a heroic effort was made to tow back the three mortally wounded ships which were still afloat.The Star of Brisbane successfully sailed into port the next day.The towed Ohio became increasingly difficult to control under continuous air raids, but was finally successfully towed into the harbor on the 15th.So at last, out of fourteen merchant ships, five gallant ones reached their destination with precious supplies.The loss of three hundred and fifty officers and soldiers, as well as so many of the best merchant ships and escort ships of the British Royal Navy, is extremely regrettable.But the rewards are more than worth the price.Malta regained strength after being replenished with food, ammunition, and other vital supplies.The British submarines returned to the island of Malta, and with the support of the Royal Air Force assault force, they regained control of the Central Mediterranean.

The enemy is fully capable of completely destroying this transport fleet, and they are obviously very interested in it.When the convoy was badly damaged and dispersed, two squadrons of Italian cruisers sailed south of Banterella on the morning of the 13th to intercept it.The fleet needed strong air support to enable them to operate close to Malta, so Admiral Vian's influence on the Italian fleet's initial operations in March had its consequences here.The Luftwaffe was no longer willing to cooperate with the Italian Navy and insisted on attacking alone.So the headquarters caused a fierce dispute.According to a German admiral's account, they lodged a complaint with Mussolini, who intervened, so that the Italian cruisers withdrew before entering the Sicilian Channel.While returning to harbor, two of the warships were torpedoed by British submarines.The German general went on to write that a great deal of fighting power was needlessly wasted, and the situation was too bad to be called the acme of perfection.The British naval operations, for all their losses, were not routs, but only due to strategic errors in the initial Axis attack, the repercussions of which would one day be found.

On August 17th I sent the following telegram: Prime Minister to Admiralty and First Sea Lord August 17, 1942 Please convey my respects to Admirals Siflet, Barrett, Lister, and all who participated in the glorious battle of the surprise delivery to Malta.This battle is bound to have a major impact on the recent war situation in the Mediterranean region. 2. The newspapers here reported that thirteen enemy aircraft were shot down, but only by the Maltese forces; I have not seen the news that another thirty-nine aircraft were shot down by aircraft from the aircraft carrier; the aircraft carrier has changed the situation in the air battle.

The safe arrival of the convoy made it possible for me to invite Lord Gott to Cairo.I should like to hear from him all things about the island of Malta.Gort and his aide-de-camp, Lord Munster (who had been a minister when the war began but insisted on going to the front) arrived safely.They were both very thin and looked haggard. The general and his staff strictly followed the subsistence food rations of ordinary soldiers and civilians.The embassy is very careful to provide them with nutritious food.We had a long conversation; at parting I had a clear idea of ​​the situation in Malta. During my absence from London, there was a crisis in India.The Congress Party pursued a policy of provocation in the form of sabotaging the railways and creating chaos and riots.Mass riots spread throughout vast rural areas.This situation put India's entire war preparations in great jeopardy under the threat of Japanese attack.The Governor's Executive Council, attended by only one British member, unanimously recommended the arrest and imprisonment of Gandhi, Nehru and key members of the Congress Party.This drastic policy was immediately approved by the War Cabinet after hearing the advice of the Indian Affairs Committee.After the news of the arrest was announced, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek sent several lengthy letters of protest to the President, who in turn forwarded them to me;

At that time, the United States considered Chiang Kai-shek to be the greatest fighter for freedom in Asia.I am not satisfied with this kind of interference from China.I wrote to the President that no matter what the Indian National Congress may say or do, as long as its own power is not undermined, the Indian government is definitely capable of maintaining order, administering effectively, and maximizing India's contribution to the war effort .The President gave the following reply, which was very helpful to me. President Roosevelt to former Navy personnel (in Cairo) August 9, 1942 In view of your letter, I have written to Chiang Kai-shek to say that it does not appear at this time for me to consider any of the steps suggested in his letter.I emphasized that at this critical juncture we certainly do not wish to pursue any course of weakening the power of the Indian Government.I told him, however, that I would welcome his close contact with me on this and other matters affecting the vital interests of the United Nations, because I thought it best to make him feel that the advice he gave me was being considered in good faith .I am afraid that if I do not do so, he will take more initiative; and I know you will agree that such initiative may be dangerous at the present time.I have left room for him to make any new suggestions which he thinks of later or when he thinks it necessary.

To the Viceroy of India I have pledged my strong support; he replied as follows: Governor General of India to Prime Minister August 20, 1942 I am very encouraged by your kind call.Our situation is very difficult, and I don't think it is the most difficult.But I fully hope that we can clarify the situation before the Japanese or Germans put direct pressure on us. A series of crises erupting at the same time is not enough to increase the difficulty of dealing with them.One unfavorable situation may offset or even completely eliminate another unfavorable situation.Due to the relationship between the war against Japan, public opinion in the United States remained silent on the Indian issue.Measures proposed by the Governor and approved by the War Cabinet are about to come into force.They prove that the influence of the Congress Party among the masses of the Indian people is only superficial. The Indian people are deeply afraid of Japanese aggression and hope that the Emperor and Emperor of India will protect them.Throughout the direct contest with the Congress leaders, thousands of new volunteers came to join the Indian Army.We feared for a moment that this would lead to the worst rebellion since the Indian Mutiny of 1857,[1] but it failed within a few months with little loss of life. [1] Refers to the uprising of soldiers which began near Derry on May 10, 1857.translator On the seventeenth I received news of the attack on Dieppe, the plans for which had been begun after the heroic and brilliant attack on Saint-Nazaire in April.On May 13 the outlines of this plan (Operation Horse Plan) were approved by the Chiefs of Staff Committee as the basis for the detailed operational plan of the Commander of the Armed Forces.There will be more than 10,000 soldiers used by the three armies.This was, of course, the largest military operation we have attempted to attack the German-occupied coast of France.According to the information obtained, the German army defending Dieppe consisted of only a battalion of soldiers with poor combat effectiveness. Together with its supporting troops, the total number was less than 1,400.The attack was supposed to begin on the Fourth of July, with troops already embarked in port on the Isle of Wight.Because of bad weather, the attack date was postponed to July 8th.The concentrated ships were attacked by German aircraft, and the troops disembarked and landed.It was then decided to call off the military operation altogether.General Montgomery, who had been supervising the execution of the plan, now urged that the operation should not be carried out, since the troops concerned had been ordered to separate and disembark. However, I think it is most important that a large-scale military operation should be carried out in the summer of the year, and there seems to be a consensus in the military that until a military operation of that magnitude is carried out, the generals concerned are no longer in charge of planning. The main plan of attack. It became clear from my discussions with Admiral Mountbatten that there was not enough time in the summer months to arrange a new, large-scale military operation, but Dieppe's military operation (the new code name is Celebration plan), which can be implemented within a month if extraordinary measures can be taken to preserve secrecy. It is for this reason that no record is now available; but after the approval of the plan by the Canadian authorities and the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, I personally spoke with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Admiral Mountbatten, and Commander of the Naval Forces, Hughes H. Colonel Leetee co-reviewed the plan.We are well aware that nothing substantial has changed between the Celebration Project and the Warhorse Project, except that commandos replaced the airborne troops to blow up the flanking coastal batteries.The celebration plan was now possible because two more infantry landing craft were available to transport the commandos, and the absence of airborne methods made it much less likely that the celebration plan would again be abandoned by weather conditions.In spite of an encounter between a landing craft carrying a commando and a German coastal convoy, we had completely destroyed one battery, and the other was no longer able to hinder our military operations very much, so we can say, The change in plan did not affect the outcome of the operation in any way. After the war we checked the German files and knew that they had not been specifically warned of our intention to attack through leaks of intelligence.However, their general assessment of the threat to the Dieppe area led to the reinforcement of defenses along the entire front. They had issued orders that special vigilance be exercised on days when the moon and tide were favorable for landing, such as between August 10th and August 19th.A division in charge of the Dieppe area was reinforced in July and August, and was indeed on the daily alert when attacked.The Canadian Army stationed in Britain has been eager to fight for a long time, and the main part of the landing force is composed of them.This historical fact has been vividly described by the official history of the Canadian Army [1], and it is also recorded in other official publications, and there is no need to repeat it here.Although all the armed forces, the British commandos, the landing craft and their convoys performed with great valor and devotion and performed many honorable feats, the results were disappointing and our casualties were very heavy.Eighteen percent of the 5,000 soldiers of the Second Canadian Division that crossed the sea were killed and nearly 2,000 were captured. [1] Colonel C.P. Stacy: The Canadian Army, 1939-1945. Looking back at this important battle, the casualties seem to have been greatly disproportionate to the results, but it would be a mistake to judge the operation by only this one criterion.The Dieppe Landing has its own place in the history of warfare, and we must not regard it as a failure just by looking at the terrible number of casualties.It is costly but not fruitless reconnaissance by force.Tactically, it is a treasure trove of experience.It clearly illustrates many of our shortcomings in judgment.It tells us to build all kinds of new ships and equipment in time for future use.We also learned the value of heavy naval artillery in support of landing forces during landings in front of the enemy; our naval and air bombardment techniques have since been improved.Above all, it shows that individual skill and heroism are useless without thorough organizational and joint training; collaboration is the secret of success.This can only be achieved if the land and sea amphibious forces are well trained and organized.I take all these lessons to heart. Strategically, the attack made the Germans more aware of the danger facing the entire coast of occupied France.It relieved the pressure on Russia by allowing the Germans to maintain troops and supplies in Western Europe.Glory to the fallen warriors.Their blood was not shed in vain. While in Cairo, I insisted on raising the issue of air force support for the Soviet Union's southern flank. Prime Minister (in Cairo) to Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, General Ismay and Chief of Air Staff August 19, 1942 I agree that it is impossible to influence the situation in the next sixty days.I also agree that no action is possible until a decision is made here (which will certainly be reached within forty days, perhaps sooner). 2. This must be seen as a long-term policy: deploy a strong British air force on the Russian southern flank, and later add the American air force.the purpose is: (1) for the general strengthening of the Russian Air Force; (2) To erect a forward barrier to our interests in Persia and Abadan; (3) To add moral weight to our friendship with the Russians far outweighing the force employed.We must try to make an act of friendship towards the Russians, especially since our convoys will be in difficulty after September; (4) For this is not a dispersal of forces, but a concentration of larger forces against the main air objective, that is, daily engagement with the Luftwaffe to wear down its strength.We can do more to fight under the normal conditions of the front than to look for trouble in the English Channel.Fighting on the front line, we can put planes together one by one. 3. In my talks with Stalin, it was agreed that His Majesty's Government would take responsibility for this policy, so I must ask for the support of the Cabinet.I invite you to read the minutes of the military talks in Moscow when they arrive, as well as my correspondence with President Roosevelt on this issue.The President attaches great importance to this issue. 4. The Chief of Air Staff should draw up a plan of action in accordance with the outline drawn up by Air Force Admiral Ted. I can first send this draft plan to the President with an explanation.If his answer is satisfactory, I should firmly recommend to Stalin that although it cannot be carried out before November, it will enable us to start surveying immediately, prepare the airfield, and enable us to start from Persia and the Caucasus. Approaching Russian territory.If all goes well, we shall advance together with the southern flank of the Russian army; if not, we must at any rate place the forces of this order of battle in northern Persia.I wish to telegraph President Roosevelt before leaving here.After we hear his opinion, we can make the final decision at home. 5. If we are to sacrifice Russia for our own respite, this is something that anyone can easily do, but the important problem is to maintain good relations with this huge army that is fighting hard.It's hard for me to believe that the kind of combat action Ted mentioned would interfere with Project Torch. I also conclude our discussions at Teheran on the important matter of transferring the Persian Railways to American management. Prime Minister to Deputy Prime Minister, General Ismay and others concerned August 21, 1942 After our talks in Tehran and Cairo with Harriman and American railroad experts, it was agreed that I should accept the President's proposal that the United States take over the Trans-Persian Railway and the port of Khorramshahr.Unless the United States provides 60% of all required personnel, we will not be able to do a good job in management.They proposed to take over as a task and take over the entire transportation work for us; but in accordance with the policy of the United States, use American military and civilian personnel to manage it.The handover will be gradual and will take place over many months.By the time the handover is complete, around 2,000 British Rail personnel will be available; these personnel are desperately needed by other parts of our military rail system.My telegram to the President, which you will see when it is circulated. former navy personnel to president roosevelt August 22, 1942 The reply is delayed, as I cannot reply until I have studied the situation of the Trans-Persian Railway myself.In Tehran and Cairo I have made inspections, studies, and conferences with Ayer, General Maxwell, General Spaulding, and their railroad experts.Freight traffic on the Trans-Persian Railway is expected to reach 3,000 tons per day before the end of this year.We all agree that it should be increased to 6,000 tons per day.Only in this way can we secure increasing supplies to Russia, and only then can we send troops to northern Persia to build up a military force against a possible German attack. 2. In order to achieve a higher freight volume, it is necessary to greatly increase the railway personnel and supply more wagons and technical equipment.And it will take the enthusiasm and hard work of the railroad men and the priority of the railroads in getting the supplies they need, if this goal is to be achieved in due time. 3. I therefore welcome and accept your most helpful suggestion in your telegram that this railroad should be taken over, developed and operated by the United States Army.Along with the railway, two ports, Khorram Shahr and Shahpur Port, were handed over.Thus, your personnel have the great task of opening up the Persian Corridor, which is mainly used to transport your munitions to Russia.All of us here believe that we will benefit from your approval of this proposal.We cannot think of any other way but your help; our heavy burden in the Middle East can be eased when we transfer the British Forces men who are now working on the railways to other duties.Although the British military authorities still retain the task of dispatching transportation (this railway is an indispensable communication arteries for the British army), the railway and its port will be completely managed by your personnel.In my opinion, there will be no hindrance in the joint efforts of both parties. The Australian cruiser HMS Canarya was sunk by the Japanese on the night of 9 August near Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Prime Minister to Admiralty and First Sea Lord August 23, 1942 Australia had lost the cruiser Canberra with its eight-inch guns. If we handed over one of our ships of the same type to the Royal Australian Navy immediately and at no cost, it would have a long-lasting effect on Australian sentiment. Please consider this plan with great sympathy, and be ready to advise me when I return.In the meantime, I'm not going to mention this to anyone. This suggestion was later adopted and HMS Shropshire was presented to the Australian Government. On August 19, I visited the desert front again.Alexander and I set out in his car from Cairo, passed the pyramids, and traveled about 150 miles across the desert to Abusir by the sea.He told me all kinds of situations, which really cheered me up.In the evening we arrived at our headquarters in Montgomery, Burj Arabia.Our later famous desert safari stopped in a sand dune, not far from here, and the waves were rolling and shining by the sea.General Montgomery lent me his own railroad car, which contained offices and bedrooms.After a long drive, we all had a nice shower.As we stood up wrapping around our towels, Montgomery said: Troops are bathing by the sea right now.He waved his arms westward.Three hundred yards away, about a thousand of our soldiers lay on the beach.I asked knowingly: Why does the War Department pay to make white swimming trunks for soldiers?This money can be saved completely.They were actually quite tanned except where they wore their underpants. The mood has changed!When I marched to Omdurman forty-four years ago, our rhetoric was that the African sun must not tan our skin at all costs.The regulations are very strict.Our khakis had special back pads nailed to the back, and it was against military regulations to go out without a Napoleon.We are advised to obey the thousand-year-old Arab custom of wearing thick shirts and drawers.But now, in the middle of the twentieth century, many white soldiers work every day without hats, or naked, with only a piece of cloth around their waists.This apparently did no harm.Although it takes several weeks for the skin to change from white to copper, and the time increases day by day, heat stroke is rare.I don't know how the doctor explained these conditions. We were dressed in less than a minute and I zipped up and went to dinner. Assembled in Montgomery's map car, he explained the whole situation to us with a mastery that showed he had it all in a matter of days. question.He accurately estimated Rommel's next attack, and introduced his response plan. He talked well, and then he talked about his own offensive plan.However, he had to have six weeks to get the Eighth Army ready.He was going to convert the divisions into full tactical units, and we had to wait until the new divisions went to the front and got acquainted with the handling of Sherman tanks.There would then be three corps, each commanded by officers of good combat experience whom Montgomery and Alexander knew well.The most important thing is to make the artillery play the power that it has not been able to play in the desert theater in the past.He said that the implementation of this plan will have until the end of September. I'm a bit disappointed with this date, but even this date depends on how Rommel moves.Our intelligence indicates that he is about to attack.I myself had received a great deal of information that he was going to try to make a huge roundabout on my desert flank to get to Cairo, and that this movement would be fought on Rommel's lines of communication, which was exactly what I was looking for. At this time, I often think of Napoleon's defeat in 1814.Napoleon also wanted to fight on the lines of communication, but the Allied forces went straight to his almost empty Paris.I think it is most important that Cairo should be defended with strong soldiers that the Eighth Army does not need to call on. This alone would give the field army full freedom of maneuver, and risk the withdrawal of one of its flanks before an attack could be made.I am relieved to see that we have all agreed.As impatient as I am for an early attack, I welcome Rommel swooping down on us before we launch the main attack.But is it too late for us to organize the defense of Cairo now?There are many indications that the daring commander who confronts us only a dozen miles away will launch a major offensive before the end of August.Any day these days, my friends say, he could strike to keep the advantage going.A delay of two or three weeks would be of great help to us. On August 20th, we set off early in the morning to see the future battlefield and the heroic troops defending it.I was taken to the main position southeast of Ruweset Ridge.Here, among the hard, undulating, and curving deserts, our large armored forces are scattered here and there, disguised and yet tactically integrated.Here I met young Brigadier General Roberts, who was then in command of our entire armored corps on this principal position.Our best tank units are under his command.Montgomery explained to me the disposition of the various artillery pieces. Every desert crevice is packed with camouflaged artillery.Before our army attacks, three or four hundred cannons will violently bombard the German armored forces. Although the army could not concentrate due to the constant reconnaissance of the enemy air force, I saw many soldiers cheering and saluting me that day with smiles on their faces.I was reviewing the 4th Hussars in which I myself had been, or the fifty or sixty men of that regiment who had dared to muster near the field graveyard.In this cemetery, they have recently buried many comrades in arms.All of this is moving, but these sentiments of grief are turning into ardent and uplifting sentiments that pervade the Eighth Army.Everyone said everything changed when Montgomery became Commander.I feel with pleasure and joy that this is the real case. We're going to have lunch with Bernard Freiberg.I recall a similar scene when I visited him twenty-five years ago in Flanders[1] at his camp on the Scape River.He was then in command of a brigade, and he was very happy to accompany me to his outpost, but I did not go, because I knew him and the line.Things are different now.I certainly hoped to see at least the forward observation post of the elite New Zealand division, which was facing the enemy five miles away.Alexander thought that he would accompany me to see it, so that he would not refuse to go.But Bernard Freiberg flatly refuses to accept this responsibility, and this is not a matter for ordinary orders, or even orders issued by the highest authorities. 【1】The name of the ancient country, in present-day Belgium, the south of the Netherlands, and the north of France.translator We were obliged to dine in his sweltering shed, and the lunch was more sumptuous than I had had at the Scape.It was an August noon in the desert. One dish was New Zealand canned oyster broth, which I had to politely touch.In an instant, Montgomery, who had left for a short time, came back again.Freiberg went out to salute him and told him that there was a table for him and that he was expected to come to dinner.But it seems to have become customary for Monty to say that he does not accept entertainment from any of his subordinates.So he sat in the car outside the door, as usual, eating his bland sandwich and drinking his lemonade.In order to facilitate discipline, Napoleon also emphasized aloofness.It is one of his maxims to put dignity in austerity (Durauxgrands).But of course he will have a delicious roast chicken prepared from his own covered wagon.Marlborough often enjoyed drinking with his subordinates, and I think Cromwell did the same.Techniques vary, but all seem to work well. We spent the whole afternoon in the Eighth Army.It was past seven o'clock when we returned to the parking place and saw the happy waves on the beach again. Excited by what I saw, I never got tired, and we sat till late into the night.Montgomery usually went to bed at ten, and before going to bed he asked me to write a few words in his private diary, which I did; and on several similar occasions during the long war, I wrote In this case: May Brunning Day, which marks the opening of a new theater of war, bring the honor and happiness that the Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Army and his troops deserve. I sent the following report to the country: Prime Minister to Deputy Prime Minister, and War Cabinet, General Ismay and others concerned August 21, 1942 I just returned from a two-day visit to the headquarters of the Eighth Army in the western desert.Brooke, Alexander, Montgomery, and I inspected the 44th Division, the 7th Armored Division, the 22nd Armored Brigade, and parts of the New Zealand Division.I saw many soldiers and all the principal field commanders of the Thirteenth Army, and Lieutenant General Corningham, who was in the same headquarters as General Montgomery. 2. I dare say that if we continue with the former system, we will encounter disaster. The Eighth Army was by then fragmented, frustrated and unstable.As soon as it came under heavy attack, it was evident that it would retreat eastward into the delta of the Nile.Many looked left and right to see if there was a seat for them in the truck, and the troops were not aware of a clear battle plan or the command fortitude of their superiors. 3. Because of this serious situation, Montgomery advocated immediately taking over as commander-in-chief of the Eighth Army after inspecting the front line.Now, by Alexander's decision, all command of the Middle East has been handed over on the thirteenth. 4. From what I have seen of the army and what I have heard from the commanders since then, things have been very different.Alexander ordered Montgomery to prepare to attack while holding all positions; Montgomery issued a morale-boosting instruction to his command staff, the full text of which I will circulate to you on my return.There is a vibrant scene everywhere.The position is strengthened; Those who have overdue their service have been selected and reorganized into hardened units.The 44th Division and the 10th Armored Division have moved to the forward area.The roads were busy transporting troops, tanks and artillery to the front.霍羅克斯將軍指揮第十三軍，拉姆斯登（Ramsden）仍任第三十軍軍長，赫伯特‧拉姆斯登（HerDbertLumsden）將軍正把第十軍組成為機動的集團縱隊，以配合九月底的進攻。為此，又擬定了一個勇敢而全面的計劃。 五‧然而，隆美爾似乎有可能在八月底之前，在有月光的日子裡進行襲擊。他已損失了他所指望的極有價值的運輸物資，而且，他低估了我們的力量，可是，我們一定不要低估他的力量。我們必須估計到敵方將進行一次很廣泛的迂迴行動，參加這次行動的，可能有德軍二萬人、意軍一萬五千人，其中包括兩個裝甲師和四五個軸心國摩托化師。即將來臨的戰鬥是艱苦而生死攸關的，但我對亞歷山大和蒙哥馬利極有信心，我確信第八集團軍一定會奮勇作戰。假如隆美爾不在八月分攻擊我們，他自己將在九月間受到攻擊，那他就處於更不利的地位。這情況正好與火炬作戰計劃配合一致。 六‧為了應付八月分的戰役，我們在前線應有坦克七百輛和後備坦克一百輛，可作戰的飛機約七百架，野戰炮五百門，發射六磅炮彈的防坦克炮約四百門，發射二磅炮彈的防坦克炮約四百四十門。但因我方僅有中型炮二十四門，我們在這方面的力量肯定是薄弱的。我們必須預計到敵人將大規模空降傘兵，而且隆美爾會對此寄予很大的勝利希望，所以第八集團軍將盡可能地疏散開。 七‧為了使第八集團軍在下星期遇到攻擊時能有最充分的機動力量，我們正在從亞歷山大港到開羅的尼羅河三角洲地區增加一條堅強的防線。第五十一（高地）師正在那邊駐防。 明天我將去訪問他們。我已促使亞歷山大將軍注意兩年前所擬定的水淹計劃，並已在各處採取了行動。 八‧總之，我和其他人員由於看到我們的力量在不斷增長，因此贊成在九月而不在八月進行戰鬥。同時我感到滿意的是，我們所指揮的是一支充滿活氣、信心十足、堅韌不拔的部隊，他們在具有最高軍事素質的領導人員指揮下，配合得宜，好像一個極好的運動比賽隊伍。凡是能辦到的事都已完成或正在完成中；我現在應該歸國了，因為我在實際的戰鬥中起不了什麼作用，戰鬥必須由我們所信任的人員去主持。我還有許多事情急待處理。你將從其他電報中了解到，戈特已在此，普拉特明日可到。帝國總參謀長和我打算在星期日夜間出發，你將在另一份電報中知道我們的飛行路線。如果國王陛下願意，我希望能在星期二同陛下舉行每週的中午聚餐。 九‧我對於慶典計劃（迪埃普登陸）的總印象是：所得的結果足以抵償重大的代價。僅僅這次大規模的空戰已足以證明這次襲擊是值得的。 十‧我衷心感謝大家在我執行這些令人焦急、而不很愉快的任務時所給予我的支持。 八月二十二日，我訪問了開羅附近的都拉洞，那裡正進行著重要的修理工作。過去金字塔所用的石塊就是從這些山洞裡鑿來的。現在開採石塊很方便了。讀者已經看到，我一直埋怨我們的飛機和坦克修理得又慢又不好。在現場看來，一切都好像出色而有效力；大批技工日日夜夜地做了大量工作。但我有我的圖表和數字，我依然感到不滿意。規模太小了。最早的過錯在於埃及的法老沒有造出更多更大的金字塔。但是其他責任就難歸之於別人了。這天的其餘時間，我們從一個機場飛到另一機場，檢查機場設施情況，並對地勤人員講話。 在一處地方，集合著的空軍人員有兩三千。我也一旅一旅地視察了剛剛登陸的高地師。我們很晚才回到大使館。 在我進行訪問的最後幾天裡，我的全部思想都放在如何應付即將到來的戰鬥。隆美爾隨時會用能使廬舍成墟的大批裝甲車輛發動一場進攻。他可能通過金字塔附近打進來，除了他進抵尼羅河它寧靜地流過總督府草地前邊時會遇到一條運河的障礙以外，幾乎是一無阻攔。在棕樹林裡，蘭普森夫人的小男孩笑嘻嘻地坐在嬰兒車上。我向尼羅河對面望去，那邊是廣闊平原。一切都是寧靜和平，但我對這位母親暗示，開羅的氣候很悶熱，可能對孩子們不相宜。為什麼不送孩子到外地去，讓他在黎巴嫩涼風中吹吹呢？可是她未接受我的勸告，也無人能說她對軍事局勢的推斷不正確。 在亞歷山大將軍和帝國總參謀長同我的意見完全一致的情況下，我著手規定一系列的防衛開羅和北流入海的那些水道的非常措施。戰壕和機槍陣地建築起來，橋樑下敷設地雷，兩端佈置電網，並放水淹沒了廣大的前線地區。開羅的數千名參謀人員及部隊職員，全部都用步槍武裝起來，並奉命在必要時沿設防的水道佈防。第五十一高地師尚未被認為能適應沙漠作戰，但這些精銳的部隊現在已受命去防守尼羅河新戰線了。由於尼羅河三角洲一帶運河密佈，易受水淹，而橫越該區的堤道較少，因此該處陣地為力量較強的地區之一。 阻止裝甲部隊沿堤道衝進，看來是不成問題的。開羅的防務通常是由統率埃及軍隊的英國將軍擔任，他的全部隊伍也已嚴陳以待。然而我認為，如果發生緊急情況，最好使梅特蘭｜威爾遜將軍瓊博負起防衛的責任，他已受任主持波斯｜伊拉克戰區，但在這幾個危急的星期裡，他的總部正在開羅建立中。我已對他發出一個指示，要他充分了解整個防衛計劃，並應在亞歷山大將軍通知他開羅已處於危急狀態時，立即負起防衛的責任。 現在我必須在戰爭的前夜回國，去處理更為廣泛而且同樣具有決定性的事務。我將給亞歷山大將軍的指示，內閣已經批准。他現在是處理中東事務最高負責人。蒙哥馬利和第八集團軍歸他指揮。同樣，在必要時，梅特蘭｜威爾遜和開羅的防務也歸他指揮。亞歷克斯我這樣稱呼亞歷山大已好久了本人和他的總部業已遷往金字塔附近的沙漠地區。他鎮靜、愉快，了解全面情況，到處鼓舞人們要沉著應戰，具有深刻的必勝信心。 我們在八月二十三日下午七時半從沙漠機場起飛，我安然入睡，直到天明後好久方才醒來。我在C｜四十六型飛機中沿著炸彈艙爬到座艙時，我們已飛近直布羅陀。我必須說，這時飛行情況看來很危險。四周籠罩著晨霧，看不到前面一百碼，我們飛行不能高出海面三十呎。我問范德克路特，情況是否良好，我說我希望他不會碰撞直布羅陀的巖壁。他的答覆並不特別使人放心，但他對他的航線很有把握，既不會高飛，也不會飛出海面；看到他這樣飛，我很高興。我們繼續飛行了四五分鐘。然後突然飛到晴朗的天空，翱翔在雄偉的直布羅陀懸巖之上，它在這道地峽和狹長一片的中立土地上閃閃發光。這塊中立地帶把直布羅陀同西班牙和一座叫作西班牙王后寶座的山連結在一起。在濃霧中飛行了三四小時之後，范德克路特還能精確地飛行。我們飛過了令人悚然的巖壁正面數百碼，沒有改變航線，就平安降陸了。我仍然認為，如果能再飛高些，再迂迴飛行一兩小時，就會更好了。我們加了汽油，時間還有富余。這實在是一次漂亮的飛行。 這天上午同總督在一起，下午乘機返國；黃昏時分，我們走馬觀花地領略了一下比斯開灣的風光。