My Italian: Chapter 138 Battle of Mara 3

However, the next attack did not start today, because reinforcements from the third regiment of the guards came up.

Facing the fact that the Italian army had changed from 500 to nearly 3,000, Menelik II, who led the team, suspended the attack. He needs more heavy firepower, and the artillery's performance was too poor before, and it needs to be rectified. In addition, he also needs to send troops to contain other directions, and the enemy must threaten him from the flank.

In addition, he has a task to surround the enemies of Mara City, but this task Emperor Johannes IV can help.

When Menelik II appeared in front of Mara's enemies with his troops, Johannes IV, the emperor, with a main force of 110,000 people, was passing through 20 kilometers west of Mara.

It is extremely barren and uninhabited, but there is a small stream known locally as Natam. Although it can't provide enough water for its own army, with the existence of several dark rivers, the army can barely get enough water.

Johannes IV, as Emperor, rode in a cart drawn by four horses and moved with the army. And the messengers who came in and out from time to time allowed him to get the latest news.

"Your Majesty, General Wärtsilä, has captured Caletta's outpost."

"understood."

As soon as Johannes IV finished speaking, he drew a circle with charcoal on a parchment map, and the location of the circle was a post called Caletta.

"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Menelik has surrounded Mara with his troops."

"understood."

"His Majesty……"

The constant news gave Johannes IV the latest control over the battle.

And these news did not let His Majesty the Emperor show any fluctuations in his expression, and he always had a serious expression on his face.

However, this situation continued until the evening. When the messenger came to report and the Moncale stronghold was also pulled out, his expression finally changed. Because on the parchment map, within 50 kilometers of Mara, there are no Italian strongholds.

"The first stage has been completed, we need to see the performance of Menelik and the reaction of Italy."

The performance of the Lord of Shaoa cannot be seen yet, but he has a chance to see the reaction of Italy.

Mendefera is located between Adiquara and Asmara, and it takes less than two days to get there. Of course, it was also thanks to the previous road construction army that it was able to reach the two places so quickly. But now the army has stopped building roads, and only the recruited natives and engineers are left to do it.

This town between the two is currently selected by Simone as his temporary headquarters. Because it gets him closer to the front without giving up control of the logistics, it's a good place to have the best of both worlds.

When news of the Abyssinian attack on Mara came, Simeone was instantly refreshed. The opportunity he had been waiting for had finally come.

"It seems that this Johannes IV can't sit still."

After seeing the news of Mara being surrounded, Simeone was still in the mood to laugh at the chief of staff beside him.

And Major General Bartlett said after taking a look at the telegram. "The Sudanese offensive has put this Johannes IV in a difficult situation. If they don't take the initiative, they are waiting to die, and they can only win."

Facing the explanation from the chief of staff, Simeone said with a serious expression. "He also brought it on himself. If he hadn't acted arrogantly and ignorantly against the Eritrean garrison, there would have been such an outcome. He had to suffer the consequences of our anger."

The commanders of the two expeditionary forces were not at all worried about Major General Wagman in Mara City, and they still had the heart to tease the Abyssinian emperor.

To make them so assured, in addition to the fact that Major General Wagman has 8,000 troops, there is also the reason why his various materials are sufficient. There is enough ammunition for two months, and food and grass for three months. Since there is no shortage of ammunition and food, there is nothing to worry about.

Since there is no need to worry about clearing the siege of Major General Wagman's advance team, Simeone and others are more concerned about another issue, how to seize the enemy's main force and not let it run away.

"Now we need to think about how to capture the main force of Abyssinia, don't let them run away, I don't want to start a pursuit battle on the plateau."

"Then what are you going to do?"

In the face of the chief of staff's question, Simone looked at the map in front of him for a burst of inspiration, so he opened the mouth and said. "I have an idea."

"What are your thoughts? Let's hear it?"

Simeone pointed to the map in front of him and said, "Marat is surrounded, and it is clear that the Johannes IV wants us to reinforce. He must be watching our every move in a corner, considering Abyssinia. People are more familiar with the environment there than we are, so we need to be a little more prepared."

Chief of Staff Bartlett agreed with Simone's words. Although they were not worried about the safety of Major General Wagman's advance team, their main task was to defeat Johannes IV and make the Abyssinians surrender, so what should they do? , which requires careful consideration.

"Then what do we do?"

The chief of staff's question made Simone's mouth twitched. "I think this way, if we are all overwhelmed, although it is safe and the siege of Mara can be lifted, it is possible for Johannes IV to escape. So my thinking is, reinforcements must be there, but the strength cannot Too strong and not too weak, it is best to control the number of people around 10,000."

Simeone's words made Bartlett feel a little dangerous. "10,000 people~www.mtlnovel.com~ Is this a bit less? The number of enemies has reached 160,000 or 70,000. Is it too dangerous to send reinforcements with 10,000 people? You must know that this is a marching state, not like a horse. Have a solid defensive position."

The words of Chief of Staff Bartlett are very reasonable, because the troops are not in combat mode during the marching state, which is very dangerous if they encounter an enemy surprise. Although the soldiers have their own rifles, the important support firepower of the army cannot be in a state of combat readiness.

Moreover, the ravines were staggered along the way from Adiquara to Mara, which lengthened the queue of the troops and made their reaction speed much slower. It can be said that if Bartlett commanded the Abyssinian army in the siege of Mara, if he did not attack the reinforcements, he would be sorry for his learning. That's why he voiced his concerns.

"I have also taken into account what you said. For this reason, I am going to strengthen this reinforcement in terms of firepower, so that it has enough firepower to block the possible surprise attacks of the enemy."

Facing Simeone's words, Bartlett was a little curious. "What equipment are you going to strengthen for them? Artillery can't counterattack quickly. Rifles are enough. Machine guns need preparation time?"

Facing Bartlett's words, Simeone replied with a smile. "It's the Maxim machine gun, but it's the Maxim machine mounted on the carriage."