The German positions on the island of Pantelleria were deployed in accordance with the famous German model of "elastic defense". Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

That is, the defense system is composed of three parts: (1) the outpost area, which is equipped with a small number of eyelines to warn of the enemy's attack and patrol between the depths; (2) Deploy the main combat area in a depth area of 1500-1300 meters, and at the same time arrange a complex trench system (different from a mesh trench covering the entire area) based on the terrain, with the purpose of delaying the enemy's attack; (3) Placement of artillery and reserves in the rear.

And after Gotthard Heinrich established the latest front-line intelligence, he also developed a new tactic based on the situation and reconnaissance on the front, that is, in the step of "elastic defense", and then improved it.

He demanded that the depth be increased and that another zone be added in front of the original three zones, that is, light combat vehicles; the area where the infantry and artillery reach out, as this would split the enemy offensive; It also forces it to form a combat formation as soon as possible, and at the same time, the combat units in the forward area can also join the reserve after retreating.

In addition to these defensive system deployments, he also allowed the extensive use of anti-tank barricades and mines in the four theaters that had just been deployed; As well as the deployment of anti-tank guns in the rear of the main theater of operations, while also concentrating most of their tank clusters in the rear to support the counteroffensive.

At the same time, he also paid more attention to and improved many details of the defense problem: for example, the distance between the observation posts should not be too far, and the defensive support points must be established on the high ground, as well as the establishment of net-like trenches, and the distance between the positions should be 2~4km.

At the same time, it is necessary to establish 2~3 communication trenches, concealment stations, ammunition stations and cat ear holes between the main trenches; and the arrangement of the assembly positions of the reserves, as well as the level of fire continuity and survivability of each fire point; There are also infantry pits, trenches, machine-gun pits, grenade firing bunkers; Deployment of open-top bunkers such as infantry artillery bunkers and tank gun bunkers......

In particular, it is necessary to pay attention to the problems of anti-tank defense in the treatment of German panzergrenadiers:

For example, soldiers are equipped with anti-tank weapons such as Iron Fist 30 anti-tank rocket launchers, and 3 kg of magnetic mines, as well as smoke grenades, mines, and incendiary grenades or grenades. The question of whether there is enough replenishment, and the situation of deployment, as well as the amount of reserve storage of these weapons and equipment......

The Iron Fist 30 anti-tank rocket launcher was used by Chen Yanlong to exchange 300 energy points for Heinrich for 150 expenditures.

Although the Iron Fist 30 anti-tank rocket launcher could be officially put into production in Germany in August 1943, it was now in May 1943; Production has not yet begun, only at the stage of R&D improvement.

In Gotthard? While Heinrich was busy deploying his resilient defensive positions, Hermann? The commanders of the Göring Panzer Division and the 15th Panzergrenadier Division were also in their own units, conducting pre-battle command operations.

As for the 16th Panzer Division, it was sent back to Sicily by Heinrich in the evening for training.

Because there are so few islands in Pantelleria, it is really not suitable for too many troops to be stationed and engaged in defensive warfare.

On the various positions, most of the scaffolding of the German fortifications was built with thick tree trunks; These trunks are usually placed horizontally, and they are slotted at the ends.

The wooden walls built with horizontal trunks need to be fixed with vertical piles, and the walls inside the fortifications are made of wood. Bundles of firewood, and woven branches, as well as stones and sandbags, were made in case the fortifications collapsed after shelling.

"Quick! Hurry up your movements, the enemy troops have already come to our plane, what are you doing slowly! Do you all want to die on the battlefield? ”

In one place at the forefront, Herman? A battalion commander named Goray of the Goering Paratrooper Division was roaring loudly at his soldiers with light and heavy machine guns.

"Tell me who, if he is able to perform well in this battle, will return to Sicily after the battle; Not only will they be promoted to prominence, but they will also receive the Knight Cross of the Order of the Iron from our great Führer, as well as the latest weaponry for the Army! If you are not pigs, you should know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with a bright future; You should cherish it and perform it well! ”

"Otherwise, such a great opportunity will be allocated to the Waffen-SS who are about to be deployed to Sicily!"

"If you think we're Herman? The Göring paratrooper panzer division, not as powerful as those Waffen-SS words; Then you can continue to work slowly as you do now, or you can wait and fight the enemy later, because of your poor performance! ”

When all the soldiers were stunned when they were scolded,

Battalion Commander Gorey's voice was even more deafening, and he continued to roar unscrupulously.

By what he said, those Hermans? The soldiers of the Goering Paratrooper Division were silent, their eyes glowing.

"If you perform well now, will you really be able to get promoted and make a fortune, and get new weapons and equipment to use?"

At this moment, a soldier named Herman suddenly raised his hand excitedly and asked.

"Of course! This is what the Führer said to our division commander on the phone when he sent us here! And it was personally confirmed by Commander Kesselring, and now Commander Heinrich, who is about to direct our operations! If you don't believe me, you can ignore my words and work slowly! But when you die in battle, or watch people get promoted and get rich, and get new weapons and equipment, don't tell me that you regret it! ”

"Otherwise, whoever says a word, I will kick him and expel him from my battalion!" Because I don't need such a wreck to be my comrade-in-arms! ”

Battalion Commander Gray stared at each other sharply, and finished speaking in one breath.

"Yes! Sir! I'm definitely going to do a good job! ”

Hearing this, the soldier Herman immediately trembled with excitement and responded loudly with excitement.

"Good! That's right! And what about the others? Do you all understand for me? Did you hear me clearly? ”

Battalion Commander Gray nodded in satisfaction, and after scanning the crowd with a sharp gaze, he shouted loudly with a serious face.

"We've all heard clearly, we understand!"

All the soldiers shouted in unison, deafeningly, and with a deafening voice.

Who is not tempted by such a good welfare, who doesn't want to be able to get promoted and make a fortune, and to be able to get the latest weapons and equipment to fight and save their lives on the battlefield?

"Good! Is this the kind of performance that we Herman? The best soldiers of the Goering Paratrooper Panzer Division, now you have to arrange these positions and defenses for me, and we will let the British and American allies know who is the strongest force! We want them to know that even if we lose Africa, and Tunisia; But in terms of combat strength and psychological quality, we still have to beat them and throw them off the street! ”

Battalion Commander Goray continued with blazing eyes.

"Yes! Sir! ”

All the soldiers shouted in unison with excitement.

"I'm grass for you mud horses! What are you doing here? The enemy fleet is already approaching the vicinity of our island of Pantelleria, are you talking loudly, wanting them to know of our presence? Dead stupid pig! ”

"You guys should all shut up and arrange the defensive line well, if anyone doesn't seize our limited time to work, I will let them be cannon fodder and intercept the British and American troops!"

In this moment of agitation, before the spirited battalion commander Gorey could continue his incendiary speech, his regimental commander, Rene Steck, was silent; Suddenly appeared behind him, and hit him in the head hard, and scolded in annoyance.

"Yo! Regiment...... Head! Why did you come here all of a sudden, and you don't have a sound like a ghost! ”

The beaten battalion commander Gray wailed as he stroked his aching head.

"Grass you mud horse! Keep rambling me, go work for me! Otherwise, when you are promoted to become rich and get the new weapons and equipment given by the Führer, I will die on the battlefield first! ”

Hearing this, the head of the regiment, Rene Steck, kicked him viciously without thinking about it, and continued to scold.

"Ouch! Be! Head! ”

Battalion Commander Gray stroked his hot ass that had been kicked, and was extremely depressed and gloomy.

"Hahahahaha......"

Seeing this, all the soldiers couldn't help but laugh.

At this time, the Anglo-American forward fleet had also reached the outer waters of the island of Pantelleria and bowed out of the battle array; Prepare for artillery coverage of the anti-aircraft positions on the islands, as well as the landing strips.