Because of the high-level meeting of the military of the four countries to be held tomorrow morning, the chat between the people at Goering's table did not last long, nor did they have an in-depth conversation, it was purely a matter of getting acquainted with each other, and this unexpected dinner party was soon over. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

After returning to the room, Marshal Badogglio walked into Goering's room, and after the three of them conspired, Marshal Badogglio figured out the details of the plan and found his place in the plan, so he excitedly took his own initiative to take his leave and return to his room to rest.

At nine o'clock in the morning of August 25, in the spacious and bright conference room of the Palace of Westminster in London, the meeting that decided the direction of history was officially opened.

At the head of the table was British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who was also the presiding officer of the military conference.

Attlee himself presided over the meeting, and it was only natural for the British Prime Minister to be present at such a meeting, which was also the Secretary of State for Defence, and Attlee was joined by War Secretary Eden and Admiral Pound, First Sea Secretary of the Admiralty.

After greeting the participants from all over the world, Attlee said: "Now that the military situation is urgent, the sooner the war to destroy Japan, the common enemy of mankind, ends, the people in the Japanese occupation zone will be relieved from their suffering, and we have a great mission." Field Marshal Goering, General Rosen, Germany decided when and in what way to send troops to fight against Japan? ”

Goering said to Chen Dao: "Heinz, you come to answer the question of Mr. Prime Minister. ”

Chen Dao got up and walked to the wall opposite Attlee, pointed to the oversized world map on the wall, and said, "Our army will be divided into two lines and engaged in the war against Japan in two battlefields. ”

Chen Dao pointed to Australia on the map and said, "I'll talk about the land war first. We would send the German Marines, a corps-sized combat unit, to Australia, under the command of General MacArthur, to fight on islands in the Pacific until we reached the Japanese mainland. At the same time, we will send an army group to India, under the command of Field Marshal Waveville, commander-in-chief of the British forces in India, to counterattack Indochina, open the Yunnan-Burma road, and, if necessary, enter China to fight and destroy the main forces of the Japanese army entrenched there. ”

Chen Dao paused, and seeing that everyone in the conference room had no opinions, he continued: "As for the specific time of sending troops, it will be at least three months later, and it will be in the winter of this year and the beginning of next year. ”

"Why three months later?" Attlee asked.

"Because the German Marine Corps is a new branch of the army, it is still in intensive training, and the training time, plus the time of sea transportation, will not be able to go to Australia for at least three months. Also, with regard to this force, I would like to make a request to General Marshall and General King. ”

"What requirements?" Marshall asked.

"In order to increase the operational efficiency of this force and at the same time reduce the logistical pressure, I propose that Germany arm this force with American equipment after sending its personnel to the United States. As I remember, the United States also has marines, and they can equip the same equipment as the U.S. Marine Corps, and as for the cost of equipment, we can discuss it again. Chen Dao said.

"General Rosen is very thoughtful, and I personally agree with your proposal, and I will send your request back home. If the German marines had used American-style equipment, they could have saved a transport distance across the Atlantic. Personally, I agree in principle. Admiral Kim said.

Chen Dao nodded to Marshall and Admiral King, and then said to Attlee: "There are a large number of troops going to India to fight, and we will use German weapons, and we don't need to be provided by the British." As for the ・・・・・・ of time, this is the reason why the current Soviet Union is not the tsarist Russia of the past. The Soviet Union far surpassed Tsarist Russia in terms of mobilization, industrial capacity, and the will and skill of the troops, and I can even responsibly say that Bolshevism was the most suitable system for war. To counter the Soviet Union, Germany committed 4.8 million troops, 18,000 tanks, and 21,000 aircraft on the Eastern Front, a figure that did not include the troops of other Axis member states. ”

After hearing Chen Dao report a series of figures, Goering's face did not change and his heart did not beat, Marshal Badoglio took a sip of coffee on the table, and suppressed the smile in his heart.

These figures are clearly exaggerated, strategic deception ・・・・・・ no, commercial deception has now begun.

"The main forces of Germany are now engaged in a decisive battle with the Soviet Union, and are currently engaged in a decisive battle with the Soviets in Leningrad, which is the former St. Petersburg, and in order to ensure the victory of the battle, in addition to investing a large number of troops in the front, we must maintain a considerable reserve in the rear. After three months, when these two battles were over and the Eastern Front was switched to winter defense, we could send troops to India. Although the time is a little late, we will send a group of elite troops fighting on the Eastern Front to India, so that the scumbags of the Japanese Army know what the real war is. ”

Attlee nodded and said, "I see, we can wait three months." We will pay close attention to the situation on the Eastern Front, and when the fighting on the Eastern Front is over, Mr. Eden will discuss the specific time of sending troops with your country, and I will let Marshal Wavell make preparations in advance. ”

After Attlee finished speaking, he turned his head to look at Admiral Marshall: "General Marshall, can you accept this result?" ”

"Yes, three months, we can wait. As an ally, the United States could also send troops to India to coordinate a counteroffensive against Japan. Admiral Marshall said.

Marshal Badoglio continued: "Italy can also send an army group to India, and it can send troops at any time. ”

Seeing the smile on Attlee's face, War Minister Aiden lamented in his heart, sure enough, these guys are trying to infiltrate their forces into India and Indochina.

There is no such thing as a lunch without money, and once this group of people enters India, it will be very difficult to get rid of it.

"That's all for the Army, General Rosen, please continue." Attlee said.

Admiral King and Admiral Pound cheered up at the same time, knowing that the key to the theme of this meeting was the movement of the Axis navies.

"What I'm going to talk about next is the navy, and the combat mode of our navy has not yet been determined, but no matter which way it participates in the war, it will have to wait until three months later. Before making a plan to send troops, I need to understand the Pacific Theater and the Indian Ocean Theater, which battlefield is the main battlefield of naval warfare? ”

Admiral Kim looked at Admiral Pound, who hesitated for a moment, but still answered truthfully.

"In terms of naval warfare, the Indian Ocean theater is dominated by escort warfare, and the Pacific Ocean is the main battlefield against Japan."

"I understand that the Pacific Ocean is our main theater of operations against the combined Japanese fleet. So, General Kim, what exactly does your country's Pacific Fleet need in the Pacific theater? For example, what mode is the main mode of the battle there? ”

"After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway, we confirmed that aircraft carriers are the main force in the Pacific theater and that we urgently need more aircraft carriers to operate in the Pacific," Admiral King said. ”

"We need to first figure out the balance of forces between the warring parties, Germany is currently able to commit two aircraft carriers, Zeppelin and Strassa, Marshal Badoglio, how many aircraft carriers can your country provide?"

"No, the Italian Navy has two aircraft carriers converted from cruise ships, and two newly started fleet aircraft carriers, but those two converted aircraft carriers will not be able to enter combat until next summer at the earliest."

Chen Dao's gaze turned to Admiral Pound.

"We now have only three Tejas class aircraft carriers ready for combat. Other aircraft carriers are under construction. Admiral Pound said.

Seeing Chen Dao looking at him, Admiral Jin said embarrassedly: "At present, our country only has one aircraft carrier for pilot training, but by the end of this year, we will have a new aircraft carrier put into service." ”

"Is it a light aircraft carrier or a fleet aircraft carrier?" Chen Dao asked.

"It's a light aircraft carrier."

"As far as I know, the Japanese currently have at least five fleet aircraft carriers, including the Akagi and Kaga, and light aircraft carriers are not counted. We are five against five in terms of the number of aircraft carriers of the fleet alone, we do not have the upper hand, and this is good news for us. Chen Dao said.

Admiral Kim said: "I need to remind you, General Rosen, the Japanese now have the initiative in the war, and they can all go out to attack our Indian Ocean, or fight a naval battle with us in the Pacific Ocean, while our fleet is separated by two oceans, unable to form a joint force, and can easily be broken by each of them. ”

Chen Dao returned to his seat and asked modestly: "This is indeed a trouble, but we really can't send the navy out of Europe for three months, or we can't let the navy go too far away from Europe." ”

"Why?" Admiral King asked.

"That's right, we need our aircraft carriers to cooperate with the army, to destroy the Baltic Fleet that the Russians are hiding in Leningrad, and to complete this task at least from September to October, and then the fleet will go south into the Mediterranean, possibly through the Turkish Straits into the Black Sea, cooperate with the army to attack the Crimean peninsula, and wait for the opportunity to destroy the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and we are currently negotiating with the Turks. After these two tasks are completed, it will take at least three months to six months. ”

After Chen Dao finished speaking, there was an unusual silence in the conference room.

Marshal Badoglio suddenly asked, "General Pound, what are the three aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy currently doing?" ”

"They were just carrying out routine maritime escort operations to protect the convoy to India from the Japanese Navy," Admiral Pound said. ”

"I have a suggestion that may solve the current problem, please consider it." Marshal Badoglio said.

All eyes turned to Marshal Badoglio.

"My personal suggestion is to let the main force of the British Royal Navy send a fleet with three aircraft carriers as the core into the Pacific Ocean to cooperate with the US Pacific Fleet. The escort tasks on the Indian Ocean route were entrusted to the German and Italian navies. ”

Marshal Badoglio's suggestion caused a lot of thought, and Admiral Pound asked: "Why do you do this?" ”

"First of all, in terms of combat efficiency, the United States and Britain are both English-speaking countries, and you will fight together together, and there will be no communication problems in language, but Germany and Italy are different, if our navy goes to the Pacific, there may be a language barrier, and a lot of translation must be needed, this is the first reason, what do you think?"

Admiral Kim was the first to agree: "Mr. Marshal is very thoughtful, I agree. ”

Admiral Attlee and Admiral Pound also nodded in agreement with Marshal Badoglio's analysis.

"My second reason is that Germany and Italy, and in the future other Axis armies will have to send troops to India, and we will also send naval escorts, and British transports will be able to follow our navy between India and Europe. In addition, if Turkey agrees to open the straits, the German Navy needs to enter the Black Sea to operate, whether this year or next, the return to Europe from the Indian Ocean route will take much less time than the return to Europe from the Pacific Ocean, and if it will delay the operation against Russia, it will not be delayed for too long. ”

"Mr. Marshal's proposal makes sense, but I need to go back and consult with the Führer." Chen Dao said.

"I think that Marshal Badoglio's proposal is best suited to deal with the current situation of the war, and I ask you to consider it, Mr. Prime Minister."

Attlee asked, "What are the current movements of Japan's Combined Fleet?" ”

"They have the intent to attack Pearl Harbor, so we urgently need to strengthen the Pearl Harbor garrison." Admiral Kim said.

Attlee looked at Admiral Pound.

Admiral Pound nodded.

"I think Marshal Badoglio's proposal is pertinent."

"Alright then, just wait for the German Navy to participate in the escort, and then we will send the Royal Navy into the Pacific to fight."

"Since the Japanese have the intention of attacking Pearl Harbor, when we return home, we will persuade the Führer to put the attack on the Crimean peninsula until next summer. After the Battle of Leningrad was over, we immediately sent an aircraft carrier group south to join the Pacific escort battle. If necessary, I will personally go to Leningrad and try to bring the Battle of Leningrad to an end in September. Chen Dao said.

"On behalf of President Roosevelt, I thank you for your help." Admiral Kim said.

Seeing that the question of sending troops was discussed, Goering broke his silence and said to Admiral King and General Marshall: "I have come to this meeting today to discuss with you not only the war against Japan, but also a more important matter to discuss with you. ”

Attlee and Admiral Marshall secretly raised their vigilance.

"Since 1939, Germany has been fighting, especially after the start of the war against the Soviet Union, it has invested an unprecedented number of troops, and the monthly consumption of materials and military expenditure is astronomical, and now it has to go on expeditions to Australia and India, Germany's national strength is really difficult to support. We need the Allies to give us material and financial assistance. ”

Attlee was the first to shirk: "The British Empire is also in financial difficulties right now・・・・・・"

"I know, all I have to ask my American friends for help." Goering smiled and looked at Admiral Marshall.

"President Roosevelt did not delegate to us the authority to deal with this matter of state, but I can convey to Mr. President the request of our allies."

Admiral Marshall found a way out for himself in advance, and Goering did not seem to hear what Admiral Marshall meant, but continued: "We do not want, but rent." As I recall, the U.S. Congress once approved a bill called the Lend-Lease Act. Germany needs to pass the Lend-Lease Act and ask the United States for financial and material help, and when the war is over, we will repay it with interest. ”

"How many do you need?" Admiral Marshall asked.

"We need as much as the United States gives to the British Empire, and of course, the interest repaid is the same." Goering said.

"Winter is just around the corner, and I think everyone here knows how terrible it is in Russia. The Führer did not want to be the second Napoleon, so Germany's limited supplies had to be given priority to the Eastern Front, and the importance of the other fronts had to be ranked after the Eastern Front. We really desperately need the help of the Allies, and ask General Marshall to convey to President Roosevelt our difficulties. Chen Dao said.

Admiral Marshall frowned slightly, and said calmly: "I will convey to Mr. President what Germany needs." (To be continued.) )