While China's military bosses are arguing over the distribution of military expansion shares, Washington, the White House, and U.S. President Roosevelt are sitting in a wheelchair listening to the report of Navy Secretary Knox. The Presidential Palace, Congress, and even the people of the country have high hopes.
A massive counterattack ultimately ended in failure, causing the U.S. Pacific Fleet to lose its combat effectiveness again. As Secretary of the Navy, Knox could not bear the blame. When the U.S. Pacific Fleet failed in the Battle of the Coral Sea, Knox's ability
He was questioned. Now, it is no longer possible for him to stay in this position. If nothing else happens, this will be the last time he meets Roosevelt to express his feelings.
"...I have carefully analyzed the difference between the Timor Sea Battle and the Vera Sea Battle. In terms of combat power alone, our fleet is actually stronger than the Chinese fleet. However, it is obvious that our front-line commanders cannot adapt to the Japanese.
It’s not that our soldiers are not brave enough or our generals are not smart enough, it’s that the Japanese’s fighting style is too oriental, so the Chinese, who are also Orientals, can defeat them easily, but we are passive everywhere... Your Excellency,
For a long-term plan, I suggest that young and promising officers from the front-line troops be selected and sent to China to study and gain experience from the Chinese."
Because the front-line troops were not fighting well, the commander-in-chief in the country could only take the blame and resign. For Knox, this was definitely a bitter cup of wine, but for a responsible person, even if he was about to leave the post of Secretary of the Navy, Knox
He feels that he is still obliged to contribute his final strength to the country's naval cause. In fact, deep down in his heart, Knox still does not believe that China's navy can be stronger than the United States. He insists that naval construction requires time and foundation.
There are no shortcuts in sea power, but facts speak louder than words. Even if he could point out the many shortcomings of the Pacific Fleet in marching and formation and even in battle during post-war analysis, he would still be able to win.
In the face of victory, his analysis was at most just talk on paper in the eyes of his political opponents, and was even maliciously criticized as being sour. "Perhaps the Chinese do have something special about them." I already had this understanding in my heart, but when it came to my mouth,
However, what comes out is still the somewhat general and vague excuse of "Orientalization".
After the Battle of Vera, Knox's resignation was irrevocable. At the same time, the U.S. Pacific Fleet would definitely be replaced. Roosevelt convened his think tank to seriously analyze the reasons for the failure of the Battle of Vera, and the answer he finally got was the same as Knox's.
The answer given by Knox was similar. Therefore, he sympathized with and regretted Knox's resignation. Therefore, he sincerely comforted Knox and said: "Those people in Congress do not understand war. General, you can
There is no need to belittle oneself. The failure of the Battle of Vera and the counterattack on New Guinea is indeed disappointing, but you should see that the United States will never be defeated by this failure." At this point, his tone improved: "The United States is still the world's most productive and powerful country.
As the number one industrialized country, our financial situation also allows us to continue to increase investment in military. The same thing can knock Japan down immediately if the same thing happens to Japan, but this kind of thing will never happen to the United States. We
Americans have always been humble and have the courage to recognize their own mistakes and actively improve and learn. Since the Chinese have expertise in this area, then we should learn from them. Once we have mastered the Chinese's methods of fighting the enemy, we will wait.
Our Pacific Fleet has regained its strength, and we can launch another counterattack, and this time, I believe that victory will definitely belong to us. General, you are familiar with naval affairs. If the Secretary of the Navy cannot do it, you can play a role in other directions. Since you send personnel
It is urgent to learn from the Chinese Navy. I will leave this matter to you. Well, I think a department can be set up under the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be responsible for this matter. Not only the Navy, Army, and Air Force, I think they should all
Learn from China..."
The counterattack on New Guinea and the failure of the Vera naval battle put Roosevelt under too much pressure during this period. Although the president of the United States commands the three armed forces, Congress has pressure on the president. Therefore, not only can the president not do whatever he wants, but he must also bear responsibility for every decision he makes. , because the counterattack on New Guinea involves the United States' return to Southeast Asia, the country's plan for the next century, so the U.S. Congress agreed to increase military spending again and again. Now, the huge investment has been in vain, let alone this It is directly related to the votes of members of Congress, and even from a personal emotional point of view, they will never be indifferent.
Members of Congress view the problem more realistically. The country has spent so much money to arm the navy, but the navy still suffers repeated defeats. Of course, the person in charge cannot escape the blame. At the same time, the president should also bear responsibility for the unclear appointment.
The Navy and Pacific Fleet will definitely need to be replaced, and the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army in the Pacific will also need to be replaced. For Roosevelt, losing a war is not just a matter of replacing people. He must also consider whether tactics, tactics and even equipment are appropriate." The equipment is no worse than the Japanese, and the morale is no weaker than the Japanese, so why can't they win?" This problem has been bothering Roosevelt for a long time, and now, he felt that it was time for him to face it head-on, so he Knox's visit, as well as the subsequent summons and military adjustments, considering that the Japanese army in Southeast Asia will definitely seize this opportunity to counterattack Australia, Australia's defense issues must also be considered. The US-Australia coalition has been newly defeated, and the Pacific Fleet He must take a rest. If he wants to defend Australia, he has to ask for China's support again. However, thinking that China has grown stronger because of the United States' repeated requests for help, Roosevelt felt a little unwilling to accept it. China's Foreign Minister Song Ziwen was very active during this period and frequently visited Hanoi and New Delhi. Roosevelt already knew that he was working on the preparations for the United Nations, which made him even more wary of China. Roosevelt was once very enthusiastic about the United Nations because he thought at the time With the strength of the United States, if the allies really establish the United Nations, then the United States will definitely gain enough say. But now, the strength of the United States does not seem to have weakened much, but because its military performance is so poor, it has to We are worried that in this era where fists determine everything, China will forcefully suppress the United States and take control of the United Nations.
"Perhaps we should follow Ouyang Yun's example and take this opportunity to blackmail the Chinese." When he was sitting alone in the office facing the huge world map, Roosevelt couldn't help but thought, and then his eyes fell on On the map of Australia, he could only smile and secretly say: "It's a pity that the army is not up to par, and Australia has to rely on the Chinese."