805 Admiral's Decision VI Seduction

Washington, White House. The night of November 14, 1938, was another sleepless night with the lights on, as usual.

When the new Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General MacArthur, walked into the building, which symbolized the supreme power of the United States of America, he felt a sense of depression and frustration. Everyone he saw, whether it was an official, a secretary, or a security guard, had a gloomy face, frowning, and looked like a national crisis. Indeed, the news from the front was bad, that the Pacific Fleet had been almost completely wiped out, and that the main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago were being lost one after another. Even Oahu, the most heavily defended main island, was already in jeopardy, and a dozen urgent telegrams from Lieutenant General Short, the Hawaiian Army's top commander, were now in the purse the Army Chief of Staff was carrying.

However, the elder Mai did not come to the White House to ask President Roosevelt for help. As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, MacArthur knew all too well what the U.S. Army was like. The army, which is similar to the militia and does not have many people, will not be able to be brought to the battlefield if it is not properly expanded and trained! Besides, even if the U.S. Army were able to fight a war, there might not be a way to send them to Hawaii right now......

And the reason why he came to the White House at this moment is the same reason why he can become the chief of staff of the US Army, that is, the China problem! Because of his teacher-student relationship with Luo Yaoguo, as well as his several years as a Pepsi adviser to the General Staff of the Chinese National Defense Forces, this Admiral MacArthur can be regarded as a well-known expert on China in the United States! Moreover, as soon as this Mai University expert took office, he lived up to expectations and gave President Roosevelt a clever plan -- it is the issue of "selling the Philippines" that is plaguing Luo Yaoguo at this moment!

At that time, Lao Mai pointed out to the president that the essence of the current US-Japan war is a contest between China and the United States for control of the Pacific Ocean! Driven by an unpredictable mentality, Japan has consciously acted as a thug for China. And it was precisely because of Japan's crazy actions that China had the upper hand in this contest. If Hawaii is finally lost, the United States will likely fall into total passivity! Because as long as Japan has China to transfuse blood for it, it will most likely be able to firmly hold Hawaii, while the United States will not be able to take Hawaii back...... Naturally, it will be impossible to further get involved in the Asia-Pacific region, and of course it will be impossible to hold the Philippines!

Therefore, if the United States wants to reverse the current unfavorable situation, there are only two ways: first, hold Hawaii and repel the Japanese Combined Fleet. 2. Do everything possible to divide Sino-Japanese relations. Of course, MacArthur had no illusions at all about the United States staging a shocking reversal in Hawaii! He even believed that Japan's delay in seizing Oahu was mostly a conspiracy to lure the main force of the US Navy to Hawaii. As for dividing Sino-Japanese relations, MacArthur believed that it was entirely possible. Because China and Japan have been hostile to each other since the First Sino-Japanese War, especially after the Battle of Shandong and the September 18 War, the people and high-level leaders of the two countries regard each other as a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh. And Marshal Luo Yaoguo, who actually held the power in China, always revealed his disgust and wariness of Japan. On the contrary, there are many people in China who have a favorable opinion of the United States. If the United States can make good use of this trend of thought, it may be able to achieve the miraculous effect of surrendering without a fight. Giving up the Philippines, which is destined to be undefensible, to China is the best means to win over pro-US forces in China and divide the "potential alliance" between China and Japan.

"Mr. Admiral, please follow me." A fat U.S. Navy colonel didn't know when he appeared in front of Old Mai, and on the fat colonel's right shoulder, there was still a gold and blue trim, MacArthur knew that it was the mark of the American presidential aide-de-camp.

"I'm Colonel Caton," the fat man said to himself, "come with me, the President is waiting to see you." After saying that, the fat man gave a military salute to Lao Mai, and then turned around and took Lao Mai to the president's oval office. After entering the door, MacArthur found that he was not the only one who the president was going to meet today, but also Assistant Secretary of Army Marshall, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Leahy, and of course, the president's chief thinker, Harry. Hopkins.

Roosevelt waved at him from behind his desk. "Hello, Doug, I'm waiting for you!" The president's mood looks good, as if there is some good news to announce. Sure enough, as soon as MacArthur sat down, Roosevelt picked up a document from his desk and handed it to Old Mac. "Secretary Hull has been to China, and President Luo Yiqun and their Foreign Minister Wang Jingwei have met with him, and both of them have shown a high level of interest in the Philippines."

"Of course, Mr. President, there is no way for the Chinese to refuse this pie in the Philippines." MacArthur smiled and said, "But the United States can't quickly hand over the Philippines, and we should try to delay it for a while." ”

"Oh?" Roosevelt was stunned for a moment, then raised his head and laughed: "Is it to lure Japan to fight for the Philippines?" Will the Japanese be tempted? ”

"Japan is not alone." MacArthur said: "Although Senior General Nagata Tetsuyama, who is currently in power in Japan, is inclined to cooperate with China, there are many people who oppose this idea. If General Nagata refuses to attack the Philippines, he is likely to pay a heavy price for it, and the one who comes to power will inevitably be the ** faction. Contrarily...... Sino-Japanese relations are likely to break down. ”

Roosevelt nodded with satisfaction, and then sighed slightly, "It's a pity that this trick won't work immediately, otherwise Hawaii might have been saved." ”

Hearing Roosevelt's words, MacArthur was secretly taken aback and hurriedly turned his attention to Chief of Naval Operations Raisi. Admiral Leahy shrugged his shoulders and said with a wry smile: "The new commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Nimitz, believes that with the current state of the US Navy, it is impossible to defeat the Japanese Combined Fleet, so the plan to rescue Hawaii is an impossible task. ”

"So, are you really going to give up on Hawaii?" Although MacArthur himself had made such a suggestion, he still had the feeling that the sky was falling when he said this sentence at this time.

Admiral Leahy sighed softly, "Admiral Nimitz still decided to take a risk, the Pacific Fleet decided to send all three aircraft carriers to the waters near Hawaii to engage the Japanese Combined Fleet, if they can win, of course, it would be best, otherwise they will retreat to the northeast." He shook his head. Subsequently, a fleet of 1 aircraft carrier, battleship, light cruiser and destroyer would approach Pearl Harbor from the other direction...... We need naval personnel and pilots there. Of course, if possible, Oahu's Army could also retreat partially. ”

MacArthur basically understood what Admiral Leahy meant. Nimitz intended to use 3 aircraft carriers as bait to divert the main forces of the Japanese Combined Fleet from the waters off Hawaii, and then another fleet would suddenly break in and rescue the naval and aviation personnel at Pearl Harbor! Of course, this arrangement is not unreasonable, and although the United States has a strong industrial power and can build warships faster than any other country in the world, it is impossible for the naval personnel who fly them to be trained in a short period of time.

"U.S. military personnel in the Philippines and the Asian fleet must also be evacuated as soon as possible." MacArthur knew that most of Oahu's 20,000 troops were cannon fodder, but this was not the time to care, he thought for a moment and said, "The Philippine troops should retreat to Papua New Guinea." I estimate that the next phase of the operation will likely revolve around Australia...... The key points in the defense of Western Australia should be Singapore and Java, where the British were left to defend, while the defence of Eastern Australia should be in Papua New Guinea. Troops should be transported as soon as possible, especially by planes to get there. ”

"What about the West Coast of the United States? Will the Japanese land there? Roosevelt hesitated: "If we want to defend the West Coast, then there are no extra troops to go to Australia." Doug, do you think it is possible that Marshal Luo of China supported the Japanese landing on the West Coast? Or, instead of the Chinese themselves to land? ”

"No, it's not possible." MacArthur shook his head directly without much thought, and said: "The Chinese and the Japanese do not have much ocean-going transportation capacity, and it is simply impossible to send enough troops to the other side of the Pacific and ensure their logistical supply." In addition, they are currently eyeing Nanyang and Australia, for fear that the other party will strike first. I estimate that once Japan succeeds in occupying Hawaii, it will immediately move south, either to seize the Philippines or Papua New Guinea. ”

Roosevelt nodded and agreed with MacArthur's suggestion, "Well, the Army and Navy should work out a plan to reinforce Papua New Guinea as soon as possible." Then he said to Hopkins: "Harry, please fly to London again to discuss with Prime Minister Chamberlain the plan of the two countries to defend Eastern Australia." ”

"Mr. President, is it just Eastern Australia?" Hopkins asked rhetorically.

"Yes, it's just East Australia, and the U.S. ** team will not enter Western Australia because we don't have extra troops." Roosevelt winked at Hopkins and replied, "And the number one enemy of the United States at the moment is Japan!" ”

……

"We, the British Empire, must not allow Germany to encroach on Norway's neutrality! We should shoulder the responsibility of defending Norway! The British Imperial Navy will prove to the whole world with another brilliant victory that it is the supremacy of the entire sea......"

In Whitehall in London, in the meeting room of the British Admiralty, there was another rumor of the First Admiralty Winston. Churchill's majestic, majestic, imposing voice. This voice will bring a lot of courage to fight to this weakened empire for a long time to come. And now, the senior admirals of the British Navy and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain who listened to his speech have sad faces one after another, and they really can't lift much spirits.

In fact, the Admiralty, who was impassionedly mobilizing before the war, was not very sure of defeating the powerful Sino-German combined fleet. During an inspection after his second ascension to the post of Minister of the Navy, he openly stated: "Strict military discipline, fine style, majestic posture, and ceremonial conventions have not changed." But a completely different generation put on the military uniform and went to work. Only the vast majority of the warships were built during my tenure, and none of them were new. Not only is the equipment outdated, but there are not enough of them! ”

However, knowing that the British Navy was a bit of a foreign power, Churchill was working with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and First Sea Secretary Dudley. After Sir Pound's consultations, it was decided to send a "strong" British home fleet to the aid of Norway. It's not that these leaders of the British Empire are fools, but that Norway's strategic position is too important! Thanks to Sino-German cooperation, Germany's aviation technology was revived ahead of schedule, and so far, it is a generation ahead of the UK. According to British intelligence, the BMW-801, the most advanced air-cooled engine owned by Germany and China, has been introduced with the latest modification with a maximum output of 1,600 hp. The FW-190 and A-4 Thunderhawk dive bombers equipped with this engine would pose a huge threat to Scapa Bay, the home port of the British Home Fleet, if they were based in Bergen, Norway.

As soon as Churchill's "speech" ended, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain anxiously asked: "Winston, has the Home Fleet found a way to fight the Luftwaffe?" ”

Churchill glanced at Pound, the First Sea Lord, who was actually in charge of the operation, and Pound replied: "The Home Fleet has drawn up a plan to lure the enemy deep into the North Sea." For this reason, the home fleet was to be divided into two, with 4 battle cruisers and 2 aircraft carriers forming a decoy fleet to make a feint towards Bergen. At the same time, the main forces of the home fleet were ambushed in the depths of the North Sea. If the German High Seas Fleet discovers our decoy fleet, it is likely to be lured deep into the North Sea, as long as the German fleet enters the combat radius of the Hurricane fighters, the British Air Force will go all out to provide air cover for the home fleet, so that the victory or defeat of the sea will be determined by the number and power of the battleships of both sides! ”

After listening to Pound's plan, Chamberlain's spirit looked slightly better, and he nodded and said, "Well, it's good!" I am confident that the British Navy will be able to do a good job of supporting Norway. But...... The 6 battleships of the Germans also seemed to be very powerful. ”

There are some inconsistencies in this statement, and it is obvious that the prime minister is still a little weak-hearted, after all, those battleships of the British Imperial Navy are really old. Even the newer two Nelson-class ships performed poorly during the exercise because of the strange layout of their main guns.

Churchill took a puff of his cigar and said confidently: "Neville, please rest assured, the two 'Richelieu' classes of the French have secretly left the port of Toulon, these two super battleships and our two 'Nelson' classes can offset four 'Zhenyuan' classes, and the remaining dozen battleships and battle cruisers should have no problem besieging the two 'Dingyuan' classes." Therefore, the home fleet is 100% sure that it will win this battle! ”

Chamberlain sighed softly and nodded, but only a few seconds later, the prime minister, who looked like he was suffering from depression, had his face elongated again. "Winston, the French' Richelieu is dispatched, does that mean that the Anglo-Indian troops stationed in the Malay Peninsula are also being transported to French Indochina? I don't think I've heard Chinese attacking there...... Aren't they going to attack Singapore in the first place? ”

Hearing this, Churchill's round and fat old face twitched a few times, and his eyebrows were tightly twisted. I don't know what happened this time, but Chinese imperialism, which has always been quick with its hands and feet, has become sluggish when it comes to aggression! Hundreds of thousands of troops arrived at the "Sino-French" border early in the morning, but they did not move, and even the Nanyang Fleet slept in Guangzhou Bay, so that the British Empire had to grit its teeth and transport the British and Indian troops from the Malay Peninsula to Saigon in order to fulfill the agreement reached with France.

……

At a time when the imperialist powers of the world are trying their best to win this world war. An ordinary-looking and even somewhat dilapidated Russian-flagged freighter quietly arrived at the wharf at Dagukou in Tianjin. Although it is already winter, and the cold north wind and cold rain and snow sweep over the docks and sea, the port is still busy. The wharf was bustling with merchants and workers waiting to load and unload goods, and taxis to pick up and drop off passengers lined up at the entrance of the wharf. Shouts from the south and north rang out, interspersed with a few words of Japanese, Russian, and German. It seems that there are still many merchants from the countries of the East and the West, and the ongoing world war does not seem to have much impact on the prosperous commercial port of this imperialist country in the East, at least there are no armed military and police patrols back and forth, and every foreigner who arrives is strictly checked.

Seeing the lax vigilance here, Georgy with a handsome Slavic face and a passport of the Russian Empire. Comrade Dimitrov breathed a sigh of relief. He arrived here from faraway Basra on this dilapidated Russian freighter, and since China and Britain had not yet declared war when they left Basra, the British did not block the east-west shipping lanes, which allowed Dimitrov, who had a special mission, to reach Tianjin without any problems. Moreover, by the light of the "prostitute empress" whom the GCD people hated the most, the Chinese customs officers at Dagukou were also very friendly to the "Russian" businessman Mr. Nikolayevich (Dimitrov's pseudonym), and only checked his passport a little, found nothing wrong (in fact, it was true, the NKVD obtained it through special channels), looked at the salute again, and found no contraband, so he waved his hand and let him go.

On the other side of the wharf, a Ford car with a Tianjin civilian license plate was parked, and there were several people standing around the car, all dressed as rich people in suits and leather shoes. Their faces were slightly nervous, and their eyes nervously watched the flow of people disembarking from the ship. When they saw Dimitrov come out, the expressions on their faces were relaxed at the same time, and a middle-aged man in his 30s in the lead immediately greeted him, walked up to Dimitrov, and spoke fluent Russian: "Welcome to China, Mr. Nikolayevich, I am Zuo Q, and it was Boss Zhou who sent me to pick you up." ”

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