BSI Chapter 63 He is Thorne
Chapter 63 He is Thorne
"Mine-clearing tanks." Churchill leaned back, lit a cigar, and looked triumphantly at Montgomery as the smoke rose.
"We started research and development last year, and now we have completed the combat-ready modification."
"We call it 'Scorpion,' and we've modified a total of 30 of them so far."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, General, because we're using it as a secret weapon against the Germans."
(The image above shows Britain's first standard-issue mine-clearing tank, a modified version of the Matilda tank. It was developed in 1942 and used in the Battle of El Alamein. When the tank was in operation, the front rollers rotated, driving a chain to strike the ground and detonate the mines.)
Alexander stood up and said to Montgomery, who was flipping through the documents:
"This type of tank can quickly clear a path through German minefields."
"With its support, coupled with the current morale of the Eighth Army Group."
"You still think we can't defeat the Germans?"
Churchill added, "And that's not all, there are also the newly equipped Sherman tanks of the 7th Armored Division!"
那是上个月送到第7装甲师的，一共52台M4A1，还有6台M4A2用于训练。
They were also regarded as "secret weapons" against the Germans and were not made public.
It was only then that Montgomery realized that they truly believed anyone could win the battle.
The mine-clearing tanks cleared a path through the minefield in a very short time, and then the high-spirited and well-equipped 7th Panzer Division broke through the German defenses.
With the German army severely lacking supplies and suffering repeated defeats, it was a chaotic massacre, and the battle ended without any suspense.
However, Montgomery knew that the real battlefield would not be so simple.
At that moment, Degangan came in carrying documents and whispered, "General, these documents need your personal signature."
Montgomery grunted in response, took the documents one by one, and mechanically signed his name, while wondering if there was still a possibility of refusing.
But after thinking it over, there's only one conclusion:
The 7th Armored Division had too great an advantage; the 10th Armored Corps was not even in the same league as it, and the latter could hardly achieve any significant results on the battlefield.
For this reason alone, Thorne, as a military advisor, cannot escape the blame.
Montgomery had no idea that two of the documents he was signing at that moment were Thorne's "lifeline" for turning things around.
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Twenty-five kilometers south of Alexandria, in the desert, lies a little-known experimental base.
Major Dalton is a weapons expert for Imperial Chemical Industries. His mission is to test a batch of newly developed equipment in the desert region.
(Note: Imperial Chemical Industries was the largest chemical company in Britain, formed by the merger of four chemical giants, including Nobel Explosives. In 1942, it cooperated closely with the military to support the North African campaign.)
However, Dalton was not optimistic about this batch of equipment.
"Nobody likes this kind of equipment," Major Dalton said dejectedly. "They don't even look like modern equipment; they're more like catapults from the age of cold weapons."
"This is none of our business, Major." Assistant Townsend waved the notebook filled with data. "We just need to complete the mission."
Just then, a jeep drove up to the gate of the experimental base, which caught the attention of the two men.
This experimental base is very secretive, and almost no one knows about it. They claim to be developing some kind of chemical equipment.
If anyone comes, they will be at least at the level of an army group commander.
The jeep had all the necessary documents, and after handing over its service weapon, it passed the inspection smoothly and drove in.
Major Dalton asked, puzzled, "An order has arrived?"
Townsend glanced at the equipment they had rejected displayed on the weapons rack, and asked skeptically, "Is that even possible?"
"Maybe our luck has turned, Townsend!" Dalton said excitedly, quickening his pace to meet him, while lowering his voice and speaking rapidly:
"The military is severely lacking in equipment and frequently suffers defeats."
"They may hope to change the course of the war with some new equipment."
"So, try to talk about the good points as much as possible, understand?"
Townsend nodded knowingly: "Understood, Major."
The jeep stopped in front of the two men.
The man who got out of the car was a captain. Dalton felt that he looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.
"Hello, Captain." Dalton stepped forward to shake hands.
Although he held a higher military rank, the other party might be his benefactor, so of course he had to be more enthusiastic.
"Hello, Major," Thorne asked. "You must be Major Dalton, right?"
Thorne checked the relevant information at the Industrial Liaison Bureau.
"Yes, Captain." Dalton stepped aside, revealing the testing range behind him. "I'd be happy to show you our company's new equipment..."
"No, not necessary." Thorne pulled out his identification from his pocket. "I'm from the Industrial Liaison Bureau. I'm here on behalf of the Army Group to purchase your equipment."
Then, he took a document from his briefcase, bearing Montgomery's handwriting and official seal, and handed it to Major Dalton:
"The first batch needs 300 units, each equipped with ten loads of ammunition, at a purchase price of £100, with shipping costs to be calculated separately."
"The only requirement is that it must be delivered here the day after tomorrow."
"Is it possible?"
Major Dalton's eyes lit up instantly; this was almost three times the cost.
"Yes, Captain," Major Dalton replied hastily. "We have 100 here right now. If you deem it necessary..."
Thorne nodded readily: "They can be used for our training, I'll pay extra. Also..."
Thorne glanced at the testing range: "It would be best if you could provide instructors."
"Of course." Major Dalton did not hesitate for a moment. "It is our responsibility. We can provide at least fifty instructors, and it is not difficult to use at all."
"And this too." Thorne handed over another document: "We need to order a batch of strip explosives. The specific requirements are all in the document: 500 units, at a price of £150, to be delivered the day after tomorrow."
Major Dalton took the document and flipped through it, finding it not difficult, in fact, quite simple.
"You made a wise choice in contacting us, Captain." He immediately agreed, "We're a chemical company, specializing in explosives and blasting. You can rest assured!"
"Very good." Thorne nodded. "It's a deal."
Then, as if remembering something, she said, "You all know this needs to be kept secret, right?"
"Of course, Captain," Major Dalton replied confidently. "We know the rules; no one except the buyer and seller will know about the transaction."
Just kidding, if you don't keep business with the military secret, and something goes wrong, the entire company will be held responsible.
Only after the jeep had driven far away did Major Dalton slap his forehead: "I remember who he is, God, it's Thorne!"