This year's Christmas, because of the sudden changes in the European battlefield, more than 100,000 US troops are in danger, Washington's top brass is in a very uneasy state, canceling most of the original holiday celebrations, and important federal departments only leave work two hours earlier in the afternoon, which is considered this year's holiday benefits.

After getting off work early, Li Junhao sent someone to pick up Ayres and Mrs. Brown, and took the people around him to Baltimore Manor by helicopter.

After the meal, Li Junhao and Ayres drank tea and chatted around the fireplace. Because there has been enough talk about military affairs in the past few days, the two are now talking about other things.

As he spoke, Ayres suddenly sighed: "Time flies so fast, I'm about to be sixty-six years old, really old." Ogy, I've decided to retire, and when Franklin takes the oath of office again, that's when I retire. ”

Li Junhao was not too surprised, he had found out that the old man had this meaning before, but he still asked: "Nelson, I want to know, are you because of physical reasons, or do you really want to retire?" ”

"Both!" Ayres said, "But it's really a little strange to say, Franklin's physical condition was already very bad some time ago, but he soon got better again, and now his physical strength and energy are actually better than mine!" ”

Li Junhao smiled secretly in his heart, and said: "I know about this, I have a magical oriental medicine, which will enhance my physique after taking it, and there are no side effects...... Would you like to try it? ”

"Haha!" Ayres burst out laughing, "Og, you're really funny with this joke!" ”

Li Junhao looked at him seriously, stretched out his right hand, and a small crystal bottle appeared in his palm, with a little red liquid inside......

Well? Ailes was stunned and said in surprise: "Og, what you said is true?" ”

"Of course, I never lied to you." Li Junhao said, "Take it, even if you want to retire, having a good body is the most important thing!" ”

Ailes subconsciously took it, saw that Li Junhao was not joking, looked at the red liquid in the vial, and without hesitation, opened the bottle and poured it into his mouth!

After only a moment, he felt the changes in his body, looked at Li Junhao again in surprise, and got an affirmative look......

The next day, when the two returned to Washington together, Ayres said happily: "Og, your Oriental medicine is really amazing, I feel twenty years younger...... Well, I've decided that I'm not going to retire and I'm going to stay with Franklin for another ......."

Li Junhao smiled: "Of course it's good, with you, I can feel at ease!" ”

Ayres laughed and said, "Og, don't worry, we old guys will protect you, you can boldly move forward!" ”

——

After Christmas, with the continuous increase of Allied forces in the Ardennes, the situation on the battlefield was basically stabilized, but the American troops who were attacked suffered heavy losses; And the British troops, who were supposed to support the American forces on the northern front, hesitated......

There is even a situation that is unacceptable to the US side - British Field Marshal Montgomery, who had been explicitly asked to withdraw from the Allied order, was still in the position of commander of the British Expeditionary Force!

The Joint Chiefs of Staff immediately questioned the British General Staff and the Allied Expeditionary Force Command, the former saying that Montgomery was the most suitable commander of the British front, and that he was used to ensure victory in the battle;

In reply, however, Eisenhower admitted that Montgomery had taken office in mid-December and that he was aware of it, but that he had not reported the information so as not to cause too much controversy......

At the joint staff meeting, seeing this, I don't know what others are doing, but Li Junhao feels: This Eisenhower is not as wise and loyal as rumored!

Because it was in the middle of the battle, the Joint Staff Committee did not immediately pursue it, but everyone knew that this matter was not over! ——

New Year's Day in 1945 arrived, and at noon, Li Junhao delivered a speech at the New Year's dinner of the Navy and Army Command, and in the evening attended a cocktail party at the White House, celebrating the victory in the war in advance with enough champagne.

During the reception, Li Junhao got along well with the military generals and exchanged opinions with the army generals led by Marshall, but he and the army Stimson still didn't speak, just said hello, and others also saw that the two did not deal with each other.

President Roosevelt's state surprised those who cared about him, and he attended the entire three-hour reception without a trace of fatigue, indicating that he was in excellent health!

Li Junhao also met the new Vice President Truman, who was waiting to take office, and the other party came over with a wine glass, and the two also touched the glass and said two polite words that were not painful. No matter what the other party thinks, he is vigilant enough against this guy, but the other party is unlikely to make big waves now, so he just needs to pay attention to it! ——

On January 3, on the European battlefield, the Allies launched a large-scale counteroffensive, and the US 3rd Army of Lieutenant General Patton and the US 1st Army holding the Ardennes attacked at the same time. On the 28th, the battlefield situation returned to the position before the launch of the Ardennes Campaign, and the Ardennes Campaign ended.

More than 600,000 German troops and nearly 650,000 Allied troops participated in the battle.

The Germans suffered about 120,000 killed, wounded and missing, lost 600 tanks and heavy artillery, 1,600 aircraft and 6,000 vehicles;

The U.S. Army suffered 81,000 wounded, 19,000 killed, and lost 733 tanks and anti-tank guns;

The British suffered 1,400 wounded and 200 killed.

Although the German counteroffensive caused heavy losses to the US troops, it seriously weakened its defensive strength on the Western Front and its mobile forces on the Eastern Front.

——

As soon as the Battle of the Ardennes ended, the American generals who could not bear it anymore broke out, and the commander of the 12th Army and the commander of the 1st Army, Lieutenant General Bradley, the commander of the 3rd Army, Lieutenant General Patton, and the commander of the 18th Airborne Army, Lieutenant General Ridgway, angrily accused the Allied commander-in-chief, General Eisenhower, that the British army had neglected its duties as allies with his connivance......

White House Chief of Staff Admiral Leahy, on behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sent a sternly worded inquiry to the Allied Expeditionary Force Command, asking Eisenhower to explain three important issues:

1. Why was the domestic intelligence department not taken seriously when it provided information on the movements of the German army before the battle?

2. After the German offensive began, why did the British army delay in taking action and ignore the fact that the American army was attacked by the enemy?

3. Why did Montgomery, who was the commander-in-chief of the British army at the front before the war, not notify the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

(End of chapter)