bookrandom Chapter 246 6th Tank Army
Chapter 246 6th Tank Army
A day later, Eisenhower rushed to Gabes. After arriving, he immediately went to the temporary headquarters of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in Gabes. At the mourning hall of General Li Mo'an, Eisenhower met with Kuang Zhengqi and other Chinese military commanders who were also in the mourning hall.
At this time, Pu Zhengsong was temporarily appointed acting commander of the 6th Army. Chief of Staff Du Weihan politely declined Kuang Zhengqi's request, knowing he was unable to lead the troops out of the gloom and quell the growing anger within the ranks. Kuang Zhengqi, forced to push Pu Zhengsong to the forefront, unexpectedly, the entire 6th Army eagerly accepted the appointment. Commander Pu's bravery, decisiveness, and fearlessness in this battle served as a banner, deeply imprinted in the hearts of the middle and lower-ranking officers and the majority of the enlisted personnel, earning their sincere admiration. Their only request was that Chief of Staff Kuang and Commander Pu lead them to find an opportunity to avenge their fallen comrades and inflict a crushing blow on the German army!
Following Chinese tradition, Eisenhower reverently paid tribute to General Li Mo'an, the highest-ranking Allied general to fall in North Africa. After this battle, no one, American or British, dared to question the rank of the Chinese army. A high-ranking general who dared to die on the battlefield must have held unquestionable rank. King George of England even sent a direct message of condolence, posthumously awarding Li Mo'an the lofty title of Lord Great Britain.
Regarding flower cultivation, at Sun LR's suggestion, the General Staff issued a new order appointing Kuang Zhengqi as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Second Front Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, acting commander. At Kuang Zhengqi's request, the 6th Group Army was temporarily reduced to a corps, comprising the 29th and 34th Divisions and the 11th, 13th, and 17th Independent Brigades. Kuang Zhengqi had already discerned the flaws in the Expeditionary Force's organizational structure during the battles in southern Egypt and Tunisia. He was discussing with senior officials the formation of the Expeditionary Force's first tank corps, using the 6th Army as a breakthrough point. Eisenhower's arrival presented Kuang Zhengqi with a rare opportunity. He needed to have a frank conversation with the Supreme Allied Commander of the European Theater, a different time and space, and earn the full support of this five-star general.
Eisenhower felt deeply guilty. The sacrifice of the Sixth Army not only saved Tunisia and the Second Army, but also saved the reputation of the US military, at least avoiding the fate of the British Eighth Army, which had to be hastily evacuated by sea. This deeply angered Britain, and Montgomery was recalled to the UK. Rumors circulated that Mountbatten, who had defeated the Japanese in India along with China and the US, would be promoted to Field Marshal and become the commander of the British North African Theater. According to new US-British negotiations, Eisenhower himself would be officially appointed commander of the Allied Forces in Africa, with General Weidmann as Chief of Staff. This would put the US in sole control of the Allied command in Africa. This was a historic event.
Eisenhower had several plans for meeting with Kuang Zhengqi. One was to have Kuang Zhengqi assume command of the Southern Theater Command, unifying the Chinese, American, and British forces in southern Egypt. The series of battles in southern Egypt, including the Battle of Gabes, had demonstrated the young Chinese general's wisdom and exceptional command abilities. Eisenhower was well aware that no one in the African theater could match Kuang Zhengqi's commanding prowess. Even the rebellious George S. Patton was impressed. Privately, Patton told Eisenhower that if the opportunity arose, he would be willing to serve under General Kuang and seek his guidance.
Another objective of Eisenhower's visit was to implore Kuang Zhengqi to allow the fallen soldiers of the 6th Army to be buried in Gabes, Tunisia. This was not only a sign of respect for these brave warriors, but also a sign of Allied justice. Eisenhower said to Kuang Zhengqi with deep affection, "General Kuang, please convey the Allies' earnest request to your government. We sincerely hope that you will allow these heroic fallen soldiers to remain. I solemnly promise you that the Allies will use the finest materials to build a mausoleum for them, so that they can be forever remembered and admired by the African people."
Kuang Zhengqi had been pondering this very issue. Even cremating and repatriating nearly 3 fallen soldiers would be a monumental undertaking. Furthermore, according to Chinese tradition, most families would not wish for cremation. Burying them all together here was a wise choice, making it easier for families to pay their respects in the future. Kuang Zhengqi had a greater wish: to bury these heroically sacrificed soldiers together here. Years from now, they would serve as the most powerful testimony to the Chinese people's fight for justice.
Kuang Zhengqi did not directly respond to Eisenhower's request, but instead used the excuse that he needed to communicate with his country. However, he agreed that the Allies could make preparations in advance. After all, the climate in Africa is hot, and it is not appropriate for the fallen martyrs to be left outdoors for a long time.
Eisenhower understood that Kuang Zhengqi's words implied he had politely accepted his request, which delighted him greatly. He eagerly inquired if Kuang Zhengqi had any other needs, and Kuang Zhengqi had been waiting for this very moment. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and said, "We need tanks and artillery. The more the better, the newest, capable of competing with the German Tiger tanks!"
Following Eisenhower's order, numerous military transport ships bound for the Middle East, Australia, and the United Kingdom changed course, laden with the latest American M6 and M4 tanks, tank destroyers, M2 series armored vehicles, and new anti-tank artillery. This advanced equipment was urgently transferred across the Red Sea, ultimately arriving at Port Sudan and Bandar Alam in southern Egypt.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Sixth Army in Tunisia, North Africa, boarded ships and headed for southern Egypt, with the exception of a guard force guarding the cemetery and disabled soldiers who needed to return home for recuperation. They would receive comprehensive training in Sudan and be reorganized into China's Sixth Tank Army.
根据种花家最新的命令，第二远征军暂辖第2集团军，第二集团军正式编制为第6坦克军、第28装甲军，第114装甲军。其中：第6坦克军辖11坦克师、34坦克师和13、17机械化旅；第28装甲军辖29坦克师、34坦克师、28、82机械化旅；第114坦克军辖第1坦克师、第2反坦克炮兵师和82、83机械化旅。全军共计18万人。第二集团军这次的变革，标志着中国远征军正式与盟军军制接轨。