Chapter 209: The Bear at the End? (III)

"I'm asking you to tell everyone: the plan has changed, wait a little longer."

After listening to Kremov's report, Alexeyev suddenly changed his mind and immediately made Kremov stunned in his seat.

"Why? I thought you called me to order the action - everyone is ready."

"The situation has changed..."

Alexeyev paused and explained patiently.

"No, it should be said that compared with six months ago, our strategic situation has undergone a fundamental 'substance - from the end of the Battle of the Bay of Bengal to the return of external traffic conditions to near pre-war levels after the Battle of the Straits - which gives us the capital to fight for more decent peace."

"More decent peace? How decent is it?" Kremov frowned.

Alexeyev smacked his lips: "It depends on how long we can hold on."

"This is taking the whole of Russia!"

“We are taking risks every day.”

Kremov narrowed his eyes and shook his head and stood up: "It seems that I'm wasting my time."

Alexeyev immediately stood up: "No, you have done a good job. Now you just need to be patient and wait for my orders. Believe me, everything I do is for Russia."

Kremov sneered and stared at the other party's eyes. After a few seconds, he put on his military cap.

"I can't promise you anything, but I hope that next time I see you, we will have a chance to save Russia."

The door opened and closed, Alexeyev sat back on the chair, and the tea in the cup was still steaming.

"God testifies that I am saving Russia..."

...

The Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, the East Coast.

"A cowboy duel that both sides suffered."

After listening to the report of the Navy Chief of Staff General William S. Benson on the June 9 Battle of San Cristobal, President Wilson commented imaginatively.

"Mr. President, I think we have successfully defeated a carefully planned landing operation by the enemy." General Benson said.

Wilson smiled slightly: "I suggest you replace the word 'success' with 'against'."

"Mr. President..."

"Okay, I know, this is the first time we have blocked the Chinese from the front and are worth celebrating - but what I want to know most now is how do you plan to welcome the revenge of the Chinese next?"

Admiral Benson looked at each other with Lieutenant General Scott, the Chief of Staff sitting opposite him, cleared his throat, picked up the folder again, and continued to report according to the meeting minutes where the ink marks were still dry.

"In the joint meeting of the Army and Navy Staff, three plans were proposed: 1. Land on Guadalcanal and Tulagi Islands to implement the original combat plan; 2. Give up the original combat and stick to San Cristobal Island with all their might; 3. Withdraw from San Cristobal Island and shrink the defense line in full."

"According to British intelligence, the main force of the East Asian Joint Fleet is still cruising in the Persian Gulf to support the army forces that have recently landed on the Persian Gulf coast. Now the key areas along the Persian Gulf coast have been gradually lost, and the Royal Navy does not have enough power to launch a counterattack. As long as the Chinese are willing, the main force of the East Asian Joint Fleet can fully redeploy the Pacific battlefield within two to three months."

"This is exactly what I worry about the most," President Wilson emphasized.

Admiral Benson nodded: "Worry is inevitable. According to known information, the basic forces of the East Asian Joint Fleet will include: 6 to 8 15-inch main gun battleships, 10 13.8-inch main gun battleships, 4 to 6 13.8-inch main gun battleships, 3 to 4 12-inch main gun battleships, and 23 to 28 main battleships in total; in addition, there are at least 3 fleet aircraft carriers, several auxiliary aircraft carriers, and a greatly enhanced shore-based aviation force."

"Even if one-third of the troops are left in the Indian Ocean to prepare for the British army, the available basic forces are still 15 to 20 main battleships and at least 2 fleet aircraft carriers."

"Consequently, the maximum basic force that our Australian Combined Fleet can increase in three months is: 5 to 7 12-inch main gun fearless battleships, 1 to 2 fleet aircraft carriers, 1 to 2 large modified aircraft carriers, and 2 to 3 medium modified aircraft carriers.

"At that time, all basic forces will be only 7 to 8 14-inch main artillery battleships, 5 to 7 12-inch main artillery battleships, a total of 12 to 15 main battleships; they will be equipped with 2 to 3 fleet aircraft carriers, 2 to 3 large modified aircraft carriers and 2 to 3 medium modified aircraft carriers, as well as a shore-based aviation force with a maximum organization of nearly 800."

President Wilson frowned and held his glasses: "The main ship has an overwhelming disadvantage. It seems that the only thing we can rely on is the aviation force?"

Admiral Benson shrugged helplessly: "The number of aviation troops may be considerable, but the quality is hard to say... There is a gap in the 'performance' of the aircraft, and the pilot's training level and combat experience are even more different."

Wilson tilted his head: "So you have a conclusion?"

Benson nodded and said, "Yes... If Plan 1 is implemented and landing on Guadalam as planned, it is likely that the superior enemy troops who counterattack will be cut off from the supply line and fall into a desperate situation in 2 to 3 months."

"If Plan 3 is implemented and San Cristobal is abandoned, our army's ten-degree defense line in the south will immediately lose its significance: not only Port Moresby, but the Santa Cruz Islands will be threatened by the enemy, and the New Hebrides, New Caledonian Islands, and Fiji Islands, which were originally the second line of defense, will also become the front line soon, and the construction and defense deployment of these areas will take at least 6 months to improve."

"The rest is Plan 2 - sticking to San Cristobal Island. However, after consulting the frontline commander, we believe that the island is too far away from other bases and cannot be rescued in time, and the scale of troops that can be accommodated on the island is limited. Simply waiting for the enemy to come to the door will be detrimental to long-term persistence."

Wilson's lips tilted: "I knew that General Robinson would never be lonely. Sending him to Australia might not be the best choice, but it must not be the worst - so you are still planning to attack?"

"We hope to choose another suitable location and open an airport to move forward - this is originally the backup plan for the 'Flintlock' operation."

Benson leaned forward and his fingers passed through the map spread out in front of Wilson.

"This is our original landing location, the mouth of the Longa River in Guado, 230 kilometers from our army's Kirakira Air Base on San Cristobal Island, and 330 kilometers from the Monda Base on New Georgia Island in China."

"From here 120 kilometers east, Ulu Bay on the east coast of Maleta Island is our alternative landing point, less than 200 kilometers from Kirakira and 420 kilometers from Monda. It is closer to us and further away from the enemy."

"According to surveys, there are large plains suitable for building airports near Ulu Bay, with islands and sand embankments covering the entrance of the bay, and there are many small bays that can be used as temporary anchorages and boat bases. In addition, the eastern coast of Malayta Island is densely covered with coral reefs, and large warships are difficult to approach. The central and western Malayta Island is full of huge mountains and tropical rainforests, which provides natural convenience for the defense of Ulu Bay base..."

Wilson nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand to remind him: "Do it after thinking about it, be quick, and the Chinese will soon recover."

Benson's finger was drawn below the map: "The fleet is returning to Port Viagra to replenish the landing forces gathered in the New Hebrides for the Flintlock Operation, and they are still on standby. They just need to wait until the fleet is replenished and can immediately attack Malayta Island. General Robinson hopes to launch a landing before June 25, while Lieutenant General Schroeder requests to draw three 12-inch main gun fearless battleships from the Pacific Escort Command to make up for the lack of combat power caused by the injury of the Tennessee."

Wilson seemed not to care about these details and narrowed his eyes and said, "Let them do it, but not let them do it recklessly. We must rely mainly on the docking base aviation troops while preserving the main force of the fleet, and hold the current frontline defense for another six months or longer. With minimal losses, we have no choice before our brand new "Big White Fleet" sails out of the shipyard."

After saying that, he suddenly turned to Secretary of State Lansing with a serious expression.

"Now we have to talk about the Russian issue."
Chapter completed!