About two hours later, at the White House, President Roosevelt was preparing to review some documents after dinner. White House Chief Marvin McIntyre suddenly knocked on the door and walked in to report: "Sir, General Marshall, Chief of Staff of the Army, wants to see him."
After the Japanese combined fleet attacked Pearl Harbor and achieved a wild victory, Roosevelt's already irregular life became even more chaotic. Senior army and navy officers, including senior government officials, as well as plenipotentiary representatives and even leaders of some countries, walked in and out of the White House like a revolving door. Slowly, Being used to this kind of life, Marshall came to see him at this time, which did not arouse Roosevelt's surprise. He said calmly: "Oh, please invite him in."
"Yes, sir." McIntyre nodded. When he turned to leave, he took a few steps but turned back and said, "Sir, please forgive me for my words. General Marshall seems to have a very bad look on his face."
Because of his words, more than ten seconds later, when Marshall walked in, Roosevelt looked up and saw that his face was indeed very ugly. He couldn't help but asked with concern: "Chief of Staff, are you feeling unwell?"
The war in the Philippines is intense, and Marshall cannot get enough sleep during this period. It is reasonable for him to look ugly, but at this time, his face is more gloomy, and his mind should still be immersed in something. , and even failed to hear Roosevelt's words clearly, and looked a little demented. Then, after Roosevelt frowned and asked again, he came to his senses, stood at attention and saluted: "Your Excellency, I'm sorry, Mr. President."
Roosevelt was taken aback and asked eagerly: "What happened?"
A look of pain appeared on Marshall's face, and he said in a low voice: "Commander MacArthur called and said that our Far East troops were attacked by the Japanese army on their way back from Mindanao to the Visayas." At this point, he said: He took a deep breath, then gritted his teeth and continued: "Including Gunat and Hart, the entire army was destroyed."
"What, oh." Roosevelt was so anxious that he forgot about the fact that his lower limbs were disabled. He wanted to stand up, but he sat down heavily with a cry of pain.
Marshall was shocked. He took a few steps forward and asked with concern: "Your Excellency, are you okay?"
Roosevelt's face also became extremely ugly. He firmly held the armrests of his wheelchair with both hands and asked in a trembling voice: "I remember that MacArthur sent a telegram before that there were a total of five divisions participating in this retreat."
Marshall nodded sadly,
"Hatton's combined fleet was also completely destroyed."
"Yes."
"Oh my God, there are a total of 70,000 troops, of which 20,000 are our American boys alone." After Roosevelt finished speaking, he breathed heavily, and accidentally looked into Marshall's eyes and asked: "Marshall, what are you doing?" Tell me truthfully, MacArthur, do they still have the ability to continue fighting?"
Marshall gritted his teeth: "If the Pacific Fleet is still there and can provide timely support, then..."
"This assumption is not valid, Pacific Fleet." At this point, Roosevelt shook his head heavily, and then gritted his teeth and said: "The Japanese are so cruel. The sunken ship actually exploded again, and it had to be blown into pieces. If you are willing to let it go, then even if the Pacific Fleet needs to be reorganized, it will take two years or even longer. Marshall, tell me truthfully what you think. Don't worry, I can bear this blow."
"Your Excellency, I think that under the current circumstances, we can only give up on the Philippines. You know, our army strength is too weak, and the army aviation force cannot provide long-range support. With the Japanese ambitions, they will never just If we are satisfied with occupying the Philippines, we may then use troops against Australia. Let MacArthur and others withdraw to Australia in time. On the one hand, it can reduce the losses of our army, and on the other hand, it can strengthen Australia's defense strength. What do you think?"
Roosevelt pondered for a while and said: "The situation forces us to do this, but what should we do with the Xuebing Army? They are reinforcements, but we are retreating now."
"Of course they withdrew to Australia together with MacArthur and the others. Australia's defense force is weak, but the combat effectiveness of the student army is indeed not weak. It can just fill in the gap. At worst, we can provide more financial aid. I think with the Chinese By nature, they shouldn’t refuse.”
Roosevelt shook his head: "Marshall, you have never dealt with General Ouyang Yun, the commander-in-chief of the Cadet Army. You don't know this person's temper. I thought that even if we were willing to provide financial compensation, he would not agree to let him go." The Second Expeditionary Force was transferred to Australia. As for our L-19, if it flies directly from the mainland to Australia and then provides support to the front line from Australia, is it possible to change the situation of the war?"
The U.S. Army's L-19 was developed together with the Xuebing Army and was the predecessor of the Flying Fortress. After this type of aircraft was developed, the U.S. Army and Navy currently have a total of about one hundred aircraft. This type of fighter aircraft is in the United States to support the United Kingdom. It was used as a transport aircraft in the operation against Germany and played a decisive role. Roosevelt was deeply impressed by this type of fighter. When the war in the Philippines fell into an extremely unfavorable situation, he couldn't help but think of this method of support.
Marshall shook his head and said: "We have studied this plan, but there is no possibility of implementation. Your Excellency, the Americans have newly developed a Zero fighter. Its maximum air limit is enough to threaten the L-19, so I think that in Until our military launches a fighter aircraft capable of suppressing the Zero, it is better not to directly use our L-19s on the battlefield against Japan."
An L-19 is expensive to build. Even though the United States has strong financial resources, it has only equipped about 100 of them so far.
Roosevelt pondered for a while and said, "Can we just retreat?"
"Yes, if we retreat voluntarily, our losses will be much reduced. If we wait for the combined fleet to return to Asia and then directly blockade the waters around the Philippines, the losses will be too great."
Roosevelt pondered again for a while and said softly: "But the Xuebing Army will not agree."
Marshall glanced at him and said, "What if the Chongqing government puts pressure on Ouyang Yun? After all, the Chongqing government is the central government. Didn't Madam invite Madam Chiang to visit the United States? I think this is a good opportunity."
"But that was a private visit, and it was Gu Lianyun, the representative of the Xuebing Army in the United States, who facilitated this matter. I'm afraid it won't be that simple."
Marshall breathed out lightly and said: "Sir, there is actually something I have wanted to discuss with you for a long time. I think that for us, a disintegrated China is undoubtedly more conducive to our maintaining our presence in the Far East. Moreover, we The army is extremely short of troops. As far as I know, the Chongqing government has several million troops. Maybe we can try to deal with the Chongqing government."
"Your suggestion is good, but it is very relevant and needs further discussion. Well, you should go and deal with the evacuation to Australia first. As for the Xuebing Army, I will ask Hull and Gu Lianyun to communicate and listen to their opinions first.
Comment later."
"Okay, Your Excellency, I'll take my leave now."
Marshall left, and Roosevelt sat in his wheelchair, chewing the words "a disintegrating China" in his heart, frowning, and fell into deep thought.