The British officers and soldiers on the "Boqu" aircraft carrier fought fiercely against the air, but desperately put out the fire and repaired the machine.

At this time, some British people showed rare courage. The master of the boiler room carried out repairs under the high temperature under the flames. During this period, he could only drink water to cool down, and barely allowed the warship to run at a speed of 14 knots.

The bombing of German fighter jets finally dropped the bomb in more than ten minutes, which allowed British officers and soldiers to temporarily breathe a sigh of relief and participate in firefighting and maintenance.

But the German attack did not end there.

Half an hour later, 30 "Junker" bombers of the German Air Force flew again under the cover of five fighters to the bruised aircraft carrier. At this time, no aircraft on the "Button" aircraft carrier could take off to fight.

Fortunately, more than a dozen British fighter jets came from the Malta base to reinforce and immediately launched air combat with German aircraft. This largely restrained the German bombing operation, but the "Unqu" aircraft carrier still suffered another three bombs and its power plant was seriously damaged. In the end, it could only be towed by three tugboats to the Pallatorio Pier in Malta.

During the entire battle, the USS "Urqu" aircraft carrier received a total of 10 bombs, causing serious damage. 83 people died and more than 100 people were injured on the ship.

At the same time, a battleship in the formation was injured and a destroyer was sunk.

However, compared with these war losses, what was even more shocking to the British was that the main force of the Luftwaffe appeared over the Mediterranean again.

Montgomery received the telegram at the first time, so he summoned all the main generals of the Eighth Army to hold a meeting.

"Gentlemen!" Montgomery said straight to the point: "The German bomber group appeared over the Mediterranean. So far, they have sunk two of our destroyers and injured several warships, including the "Unforcing" aircraft carrier!"

Montgomery's words immediately caused a big sensation in the conference room.

"This is not good news!" Abna also had concern on his face, and he whispered to Zhang Chi: "Our Air Force has no advantage on Malta Island!"

Zhang Chi nodded in agreement. The problem with Malta Island is that it penetrates deep into Germany and the heart of the Italian defense line on the sea. It is even attacked by Italy and Libya on both sides... Its position can indeed pose a serious threat to the German-Italy supply line, but it also puts itself in an unfavorable geographical location.

In addition, the island of Malta has no defense depth, and the aircraft and warships on it are vulnerable to attack.

What's worse is that just as Rommel's supply line was very long after he reached Egypt, the British army's supply line for Malta... Of course, the supply line on Malta would be much better than Rommel's African army, because the supply line of African troops was to cross the desert, while Malta was transported by sea.

But it is not much better, because once the sea transport thing loses its air superiority, it will almost be the target of enemy fighter jets.

"General!" A British officer soon suggested: "We should strengthen the air force of Malta!"

"No, general!" said another British officer: "I think... we should launch an attack on Rommel as soon as possible, and we can't wait any longer!"

It should be said that both suggestions have their own reasons.

The former means that the British army will continue to maintain the air superiority of the Mediterranean, so that they can cut off the German supply line as before and eventually drag Rommel's African army to death.

The latter did not have much confidence in the air superiority of the Mediterranean, so he hoped to defeat the African Legion before the German reinforcements and supplies improved.

So the British army in the conference room was quickly divided into two sides

"The key is to maintain air superiority. Only in this way can the African Legion be trapped in this desert!"

"The question is how much advantage can we maintain? Or how long? The German aviation main force has appeared in the Mediterranean, and they can always transport supplies under the escort of fighter jets! That is to say, Rommel's supply and reinforcements will improve! So we are going to attack now, taking advantage of their weakest time!"

"No, we cannot defeat the African Legion in a short time! The attack will consume our own strength!"

"Why can't we?"

"Did you forget the 88mm anti-aircraft guns used by the Germans to use against tanks?"

...

As soon as this was said, no one else could hear it.

In fact, the Commonwealth Army has tried to attack, but their attempts were destroyed by 88mm anti-aircraft guns again and again... This thing is not only a powerful attack weapon, but also a one-shot shot when defending.

Or it can be said that Rommel is not only a master of offense, but also a master of defense, at least for the Commonwealth Army, he is an unquestionable master.

Rommel deployed 88mm anti-aircraft guns in a secret bunker fortification. In order to deceive British fighter jets, he also arranged many fake targets... that is, he built 88mm anti-aircraft guns with wood to attract British air force and artillery bombing. At the same time, he also set up real anti-tank gun positions near anti-aircraft gun positions. These anti-tank gun positions often do not play any role in actual combat, but they always fired with 88 anti-aircraft guns.

So the British army could not tell which position was the real anti-aircraft artillery position, because dozens of bunkers on the opposite side were smoked at the same time.

The British army knew only one thing, that is, their tanks were always destroyed one after another at a long distance, and their infantry could only face the German tanks helplessly when they rushed forward.

Montgomery obviously didn't know what to do at this time, because both views seemed to be correct.

After thinking about it, Montgomery turned around and asked Zhang Chi: "Major General, I want to know, are your new division ready?"

It took only a dozen days before and after this. Could it be ready? Even if the squadron is experienced and familiar with the use of US tanks, it will take one month to train!

But then again, the troops sent to the battlefield were too inadequate during World War II, so it was understandable that Montgomery would ask this question.

only……

Zhang Chi asked strangely: "Why... everyone here thinks about the Eighth Army? No one thinks about the Island of Malta?"

"What are you referring to?" Montgomery asked.

"What else?" Zhang Chi replied: "Of course the safety of Malta Island!"

"You mean..." Montgomery looked at Zhang Chi in surprise: "Does the Germans want to seize the Island of Malta this time?"
Chapter completed!