My Italy

Chapter 280 Sabha Iron Mine (Part 1)

Carlo's wedding is a big event in Italy. As the governor of Libya, Howard Georgi was naturally very happy, but compared with several other governors, he did not go to Rome to attend the wedding in person, and he was also the only one with the governor of Borneo, Antonio. The Governor did not attend the wedding.

Unlike Antonio, who is too far away, Haward Georgi's Libya is only separated by the Mediterranean Sea. Of course, there are enough reasons for him not to participate. A new round of clean-up work in Libya is in full swing. As one of the main planners, Governor Georgi simply cannot leave.

This clean-up operation can be regarded as the third clean-up operation in Libya. Moreover, Governor Qiaoji was also very ambitious in this purge operation. He plans to reduce the number of local tribes in Libya to 10% in this operation, which means that more than 200,000 tribal people will be driven out this time.

Deducting the nearly 100,000 people already captured in the first and second sweeps, this means that the Italian army needs to capture at least 100,000 people in this sweep.

It seems that this cleanup task is very heavy, more than the previous two cleanups combined, and it seems difficult to complete. In fact, according to Governor George's estimation, it may seem difficult, but in fact it is not too difficult.

Although this cleanup operation is demanding and the tribes are extremely vigilant after the previous two operations, Qiaoji still has a way to find them. Perhaps it is more appropriate not to find out, but to force it out.

Although the harsh environment of dryness and lack of rain poses great difficulties for the development of Villa, it can currently become its ally.

During the two campaigns, the Libyan Governor-General has mapped water sources in the entire region. In the two consecutive clearing operations, the Arab nomadic tribes did not have enough time to raise livestock. Now as long as they guard the medium and large water sources and leave mobile troops, they are not afraid that those tribes will not come out unless they want to give up all their livestock. Starving to death, we won’t survive next year.

Of course, just for this alone, other costs such as time and personnel are not low, but in any case, although Italy's national strength is far behind that of other powers, it has no problem at all in dealing with the small Libyan region.

In addition, as Italy's cleanup operation in the Balkans comes to an end, its support for the Libyan region is increasing. At present, Governor George has nearly three cavalry divisions and two infantry regiments with a total strength of 26,000.

It needs to be explained here that an Italian cavalry division has three to four cavalry regiments. The cavalry regiments adopt a small regiment and large company system. Each regiment has four to six cavalry companies. Plus the machine gun company, the strength of a cavalry regiment is between 1,000 and 1,000. Between 1,400 people. The strength of an Italian cavalry division fluctuates between 4,000 and 6,000, mainly based on the needs of the garrison.

The clearing operation mainly relied on cavalry troops, while the infantry of the two regiments were responsible for guarding key points in the city.

Governor Georgi also put a lot of effort into this clearing operation. He and General Brenin worked together to improve the problems that occurred in the previous two operations. At the same time, the gradually improving map was also used to clear up those tribes around the grassland and water sources.

In this cleanup, Governor Qiaoji divided his troops into four groups. In addition, there were three advance teams that went deep into the vast desert, intending to find the hiding Arab tribes.

Sabha is located east of the Obari Desert, more than 500 kilometers away from the coastline. It is considered an extremely inland city. In addition, it is one of the driest areas in the world. However, although there is no rain here all year round, the Obari Oasis formed by relying on groundwater makes it a stop for travelers and caravans crossing the desert. They replenish food and water here for the next leg of their journey. Therefore, although Sabha is located in the desert, it is also a city that relies on trade for its livelihood.

Of course, like other desert cities, Sabhaqi has a small population, with only more than 4,000 people. Most of them are Berbers.

However, a big event happened in Sabha a few days ago. An Italian army entered Sabha. They dissolved the Council of Elders and declared that Sabha was now under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General of Libya, and local residents must pay taxes to the Governor.

Facing the ferocious Italians, the local residents could not resist at all and could only accept it silently. Nearly five hundred fully armed Italian cavalry were no match for the small Sabha residents. And these people not only had guns, they also towed four cannons. The power of this cannon is staggering, and the city walls of Sabha cannot withstand the bombardment of this cannon.

In fact, the cavalry that broke into Sabha was one of the three advance teams sent by Governor Jogi. Since the commander of the team was Major Carlson, it was also called Carlson's advance team.

They came to Sabha not only because it is a transportation hub in the Sahara Desert, but also because the Obari Oasis can support the lives of four to five thousand people. They planned to come to see if there were any Arab tribesmen hiding in the area.

As for the Berbers living in the desert, they are not included in the purge. The main reason is that the desert is too barren, and these Berbers are very few, with a total of only ten or twenty thousand, and they are also relatively sensible. , dare not offend the majesty of Italy at all. So let these Berbers live here, as long as they are willing to surrender to the government and pay taxes.

This is not because the government is interested in their camels and dates. Only by collecting taxes can we see whether the region is truly willing to surrender.

As the captain of Karlsson's advance team, Major Yann Karlsson had tried this method in several oases before, and the Berbers paid taxes to them.

Of course, Karlsson is also measured, and the taxes he requires are basically not too much. They are basically stuck at the point where the other party can pay, but will not feel any pain. After all, these Berbers who have been living in the desert are very useful to them, but they can't lose the big for the small, so these days the advance team has been keeping their peace. Not to mention the criminals, there was no counter-offer even when buying things, because Karlsson had warned his team members that if he did anything excessive to the Berbers, he would do it in accordance with military law.

There is no choice under the military law during wartime. It is either to shoot or to be sentenced. No one wants to test the law personally. Therefore, in the face of strict military law, everyone will think twice before doing anything.

In the temporary headquarters of Sabha, Karlsson was looking at the map and he needed to consider his next move. However, his actions were quickly disturbed.

"Sir, Lieutenant Steele outside the door said he has something urgent to ask you."

The guard's report made Karlsson look up.

He knew who this Lieutenant Steele was. He was one of the four cadets assigned to the regiment last year. He seemed to have studied geological prospecting and became an officer because of the war call. What is the matter with you this time, or is it an emergency?

"Call him in."

In the end, Carlson asked the guards to call Lieutenant Steele in. After all, he needed to know what was making the lieutenant so anxious.

After receiving permission, Lieutenant Steel walked in excitedly with a dark red stone.

"Major, look what I found here?"

Lieutenant Steele placed the dark red stone in his hand in front of Karlsson as if announcing good news.

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