Former Iraqi Prime Minister Rashid hurried back to the Middle East from Germany on the 27th. Considering his more pro-German anti-British position and the experience of Iraqi troops fighting side by side with the German and Italian troops in May last year, German senior officials generally believed that Rashid was more reliable and has more support potential than Egypt's Mahir, so he was treated well. Not only did he arrange special planes and escort crews to fly from Germany to the Middle East, but he even equipped him with a platoon of SS soldiers.

After in-depth communication and negotiation with Rashid on the spot, Rommel, Gauss and others broke out in a cold sweat. They now realized that they had made a big mistake: Basra is an important town and transportation hub in southern Iraq, and its location is very important. However, the oil fields being mined around Basra are not currently large (the world-famous Rumaira Oilfield has not been developed at this time). The reason why aircraft reconnaissance and judgment of large oil fields near the city is completely misunderstood - those oil fields are either from Kuwait or belong to the Avas oil field group in Persia, and Basra and Abadan in Persia are more like transit cities. If the paratroopers were dropped according to Rommel's plan, they would not only not be able to grab the large oil field group, but they might also be surrounded by the enemy.

"Of course, Kuwait should also be regarded as part of Iraq. During the Ottoman Empire, they belonged to the Basra Province, which was just a county in the province. In Iraq, in order to curb us, the British split Kuwait and became the British protector alone - this is a shame for all Iraqis. In addition, the Saudi Kingdom was not innate. They are now loyal lackeys of the British. The American Mobil Company has a large amount of investment and oil field exploration blocks in Saudi Arabia..."

Rommel heard the feeling. Rashid tried to annex Kuwait, and at the same time he had ideas about Saudi territory. To put it in the latter's words, Iraqi people are the orthodox heirs of ancient Babylonian civilization. These requirements are something Rommel dared not accept. When discussing the situation in the Middle East, Hoffmann once clearly told him: the smaller the Middle East countries east of the Suez Canal, the better, the more the better. Germany should play the arbitrator in it, and must not favor which country too much. And it cannot support a regional power to avoid losing its weight. Egypt's influence must be strictly limited to the west of the Sinai Peninsula.

He talked perfunctorily for a few words, only saying: "The Head of State and Marshal Kesselin will communicate with you in-depth. They have unified arrangements for the situation in the Middle East. We must first drive away the British and American forces, and then respect the freedom of all ethnic groups and tribes on this basis."

Rashid's words just now were also tempting. Seeing that Rommel had no clear answer, he changed his subject and talked about the oil field: "You don't have to worry about crude oil. Although the oil field in Basra is not large in scale, I can provide your country with the oil field you want - in Kirkuk in southeastern Mosul, in addition to some of the oil fields that are now mined. During my tenure, I also found several high-yield oil wells with a large output, with an oil layer depth of about 400 meters. Later, due to various reasons, there was no large amount of mining."

"Why?"

"Because the British controlled too much oil, and mining would drive down prices too much, and capitalists would have no motivation."

Gauss was indignant: "The British have too much oil, but our Germany has too little oil. Britain and the United States have been blocking us. The country has to force it to use coal to make oil."

"With Iraqi oil fields, your country's oil shortage can be greatly alleviated." Rashid is very familiar with Iraq's oil situation. "Originally, my country expected that the crude oil exploitation volume could reach 4.5 million tons in 1943, of which the oil field group near Mosul could reach more than 3.5 million tons. If Kirkuk's oil fields are effectively developed, I think it can exceed 6 million tons, and some oil fields in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will have a total output of at least 8 million tons."

"Where is the Persian oil field?"

"Persian oilfield development was earlier than Iraq, and there are more blocks and oil wells that have been explored than us, and the total output should be more than 12 million tons."

After hearing this series of numbers, Rommel and Gauss looked at each other, with desire all over their eyes: as commanders of armored forces, they knew how important oil is to combat. After taking Persia, the oil in the area could meet all the needs of Germany, even if they could not take Persia. Having Iraqi oil fields and Romanian oil fields is almost enough to fight.

"How is it? Are you two interested in investing in an oil field? You can tell me what block you are interested in in advance. I'll keep it for you."

"This..." Faced with Rashid's familiar business practice, Rommel couldn't bear it and smiled embarrassedly, "Look, I just led troops to fight. I don't understand politics and business matters. This has to be discussed by diplomats and industrial giants."

Rashid smiled: "Marcedes-Master, I know you are trusted by the Head of State, so you don't have to worry about any adverse consequences for doing so. Iraq has many oil fields. Your head of state and generals have paid a lot to help the Iraqi people's freedom. We should express our gratitude. Besides, we also have many places that we have sought out for your country: such as arms, military instructors, industrial technology, etc. I heard that your country has a lot of seizures in Egypt and is willing to help the Egyptian people form a national defense force. Iraq also hopes to form a strong and powerful national defense force. If you can get the guidance and teachings of His Excellency the Marshal, it will be even more honorable."

"I will convey your requests and wishes to the Head of State."

At about 7 o'clock in the morning, the Prime Minister, who was in a state of great enthusiasm and energy, could not help but go to rest first. While alone with Gauss, Rommel wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "Today I finally saw the politician's ability to corrupt and win over. It was obvious that he could say so bribes, and he was so proud of himself. By the way, those giants in our country would not make a fortune like this, right?"

"This...you can think of Marshal Gorene - he just shouldn't have taken too much of the things he shouldn't have."

When talking about this, Rommel remembered the dark days of staying in the basement of the Army Hospital, and said with emotion: "Gauss, you have to remind me more that I can't be confused about small things."

Just as they were waiting for the news of the Italian paratroopers' airborne, the adjutant came in and reported: "Sir, an Iraqi plane was forced to land at the airport - he said it was on the order of Prime Minister Rashid to report the situation."

The two were overjoyed: "Please come in immediately."

The visitor was a pilot of the Iraqi Air Force, flying a Cr42 fighter from Fiat, Italy. Fortunately, he chose the Italian fighter, and the Luftwaffe, who was not sure about the purpose of the visit, did not shoot it down.

Although the garrison map provided by the other party was very badly drawn, Rommel listened very carefully to the situation:

1. Habania, a town less than 97 kilometers from Baghdad, has a Royal Air Force base with a total force of about 2,000, including a battalion of British infantry (nearly 500), 1,200 Iraqi, Assyrian mercenaries, and 300 were flight cadets and instructors, with about 70-80 aircraft, most of which were trainers (including Gladiator biplane, Oxford trainer, Felley Gordon trainer and Odex trainer), and only a small number of hurricane fighters;

2. There is a brigade of British infantry in Baghdad. This was the one who stayed in Baghdad after the suppression of the Rashid Revolution last year. There are estimated to be 24 tanks, the models are Crusaders or Matildas;

3. There are 2 Iraqi infantry brigades, 2 mechanized battalions, and 1 mechanized artillery brigade around Baghdad, with a total force of about 20,000. Both middle and senior officers are held by the British, and their firepower is roughly 18 6-pound cannons, 12 17-pound cannons, 4 25-pound cannons, and 12 armored vehicles. They may also have some anti-tank cannons, with unknown number;

4. There is an Indian brigade in the direction of Mosul, with unknown numbers and two Iraqi infantry brigades;

5. There is an Indian division and a British infantry division in the direction of Basra, with more than 100 aircraft, most of which are Wellington fighters. The Iraqis suffered a great loss during the war last year, and there may be some naval forces.

Based on the enemy situation information in the Persian direction, Gauss easily judged the overall deployment of the British 10th Army:

The British 10th Army has a total of 2 British divisions, namely the 5th and 56th Infantry Divisions (forming the 3rd British Army); the 5 Indian divisions are the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 31st Indian Infantry Division and the 10th Motorized Division (forming the 21st Indian Army). The main force in Iraq is the British 5th Infantry Division and the 10th Infantry Division of India. There are 2 Indian divisions at the junction of Iraq and northern and southern Persia. The remaining troops are distributed in Persia, and there are also some naval and air force forces.

"If we destroy the British Air Force Base in Baghdad, can Iraqi troops turn against each other?"

"This...maybe." said the Iraqi pilot hesitantly, "but I don't have enough qualifications and prestige, so I can't go."

"Where is Prime Minister Rashid?"

"The Prime Minister should be fine. He has many supporters in the army, but this is too dangerous, right?"

"I'll go!" Rashid also received a notice at this time, "Marson, I have no choice but to liberation of Iraq and reduce losses as soon as possible."

"We will send troops to protect you. You are Germany's most important partner." Rommel explained the protection of Rashid and quickly issued a combat order. "After the Mosul airborne group returns, please ask General Student to lead the paratrooper brigade to be dispatched. Now let the air force fighter planes be dispatched to seize air supremacy over Baghdad and eliminate the aircraft of this air base in one fell swoop..."

"As for the second step..." He looked at Gauss with his eyes, who understood it. Rommel was going to use his usual serial killer moves - he often used them against the British in the North African desert, and the effect was extraordinary.
Chapter completed!