Beiyang reactionaries

Since the outbreak of the Pacific War, except for the victory of the first naval battle of Midway Island, the U.S. military has basically lost consecutive battles.It is very passive in the Pacific Ocean, and even the current Pacific Fleet only relies on some escort aircraft carriers and destroyers to make up for it.If it weren't for the submarine force of more than 100 ships, the Hawaiian Islands would definitely let the Japanese navy run rampant.

There were other arguments within the U.S. military that Marshall was incompetent.But Roosevelt has always trusted Marshall very much, and believes that the current situation of the US military is not Marshall's fault.

"Yes."

"Can Hawaii survive?"

Roosevelt already had some ideas about whether to negotiate peace with Japan.But I'm not sure, I'm still a little hesitant in my heart.

Because negotiating with Japan has advantages and disadvantages.Roosevelt needs to consider the overall situation and carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of negotiating with Japan.But there is one thing Roosevelt knew, that is, the United States can be at a disadvantage in the Pacific Ocean, but it must not allow Japan to completely control the Pacific Ocean.

If the United States really loses the Pacific Ocean and Japan completely controls the Pacific Ocean, then the west coast of the United States will be the most dangerous place.Even once the Pacific Ocean is lost, the special status of the United States in the Americas may change.Because Japan can pass through the Pacific Ocean and affect those countries in the Americas.In other words, the Pacific Ocean is where the core interests of the United States are located.Even if you lose your interests in the Far East, you cannot lose the Pacific Ocean.

So he has to gather all kinds of information.

"can."

Without the slightest hesitation, Marshall immediately answered in the affirmative.

Then he explained: "We are indeed at a disadvantage in the Pacific battlefield, and these naval battles have also caused great losses. But we can defend Hawaii, and we will definitely not let Hawaii fall into the hands of the Japanese."

Roosevelt did not speak immediately.

Instead, he took out matches and lit Marshall's pipe.Both Roosevelt and Marshall were smokers, so they didn't pay attention at all.After lighting a cigarette for Marshall, he also lit a cigarette himself, and then Roosevelt said: "General Marshall, I want to listen to the truth, not slogans. Tell me the truth, can we really hold Hawaii?"

"President, I didn't shout slogans. I made an analysis based on the current situation. We can really hold Hawaii. We did suffer a lot in these naval battles and were at a disadvantage. But we have the most in Hawaii. We have perfect military fortifications, have deployed enough troops, and have enough aircraft. Although our surface ships have lost a lot, we still have eight escort aircraft carriers and three aircraft carriers, and we have enough destroyers. And Pearl Harbor Over there is our naval base, we have more than 50 submarines. If there is a battle in Hawaii, our land aircraft can fully support the naval forces. We have deployed so many naval aviation in Hawaii, we will never give the Japanese a chance. Even if the Japanese swarm out, we can hold Hawaii."

As long as we can hold on to Hawaii.

Roosevelt was most worried about things in Hawaii.Japan has already controlled Midway Island. If Japan takes over the entire Hawaii, the United States will really suffer a complete defeat in the Pacific Ocean.

America without Hawaii is really nothing in the Pacific.

"General Marshall, I will tell you the truth. Japan wants to negotiate peace with us. The first condition is to let our troops withdraw from Hawaii and ensure that Hawaii does not deploy troops. As long as we guarantee this, Japan is willing to stop the war with us." .”

"President, do you mean..."

"Aren't I asking for your opinion?"

"President, absolutely cannot agree. Japan already controls a large number of Pacific islands and has deployed a lot of troops on those islands. Especially the Marshall Islands, which is Japan's largest military base in the Pacific Ocean. The main force of the Japanese navy is in the Marshall Islands. Once we withdraw our troops from Hawaii, the Pacific Ocean is really what Japan wants. Hawaii is our barrier in the Pacific Ocean, and we cannot back down no matter what. President, I assure you, we will be able to hold Hawaii. And our aircraft carrier has been trained After that, we can start deploying to the Pacific Fleet. Half a year, as long as we are given half a year, we will be able to restore the size of the Pacific Fleet back then, even larger than the size of the Pacific Fleet at that time."

"Half a year?"

"Yes. Two of our 'Essex-class aircraft carriers' have been launched. After this period of training, they will soon be able to serve and be incorporated into the Pacific Fleet, which can greatly alleviate the current plight of the Pacific Fleet. And our shipbuilding The factory already has enough experience and is confident that it can mass-produce this type of aircraft carrier. I have communicated with the shipyard, and according to the current situation, we can produce at least seven 'Essex-class aircraft carriers' a year. So in half a year, our Pacific Fleet can recover enough strength. In one year, our Pacific Fleet can exceed its peak."

The American industrial machine can shock the world when it is in motion.

While the U.S. Navy lost a lot, the U.S. industrial strength was there.In order to resist the Japanese army in the Pacific, Marshall began to mass-produce warships that were easy to produce.It has been less than a year since the war broke out. The United States has already built 2 light aircraft carriers, 16 escort aircraft carriers, and 11 seaplane carriers. As for destroyers and transport ships, there are countless more.In less than a year since the outbreak of the Pacific War, the total tonnage of American ships has exceeded 700 million tons.There are more than 40 newly built shipyards of various types, and the number is still growing.

Compared with Japan this year, counting all the ships built, it is less than 100 million tons.Even including the warships and transport ships purchased from China, it is only about 150 million tons.

This is the gap, the industry gap.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor almost blew it into ruins.But in less than a year, the United States once again established a complete military fortification at Pearl Harbor.What is relied on is the strong industrial strength and the strong transportation capacity.Tens of millions of tons of transport ships are running back and forth, transporting so many troops, so many weapons, and so many planes to Hawaii.

Of course, because there are few large aircraft carriers and battleships in service, the confrontation on the battlefield is far inferior to that of the Japanese army.Warships such as light aircraft carriers, escort aircraft carriers, seaplane carriers, and destroyers are inferior to aircraft carriers and battleships in terms of combat effectiveness.Sunk by the Japanese a lot.

But as a temporary guarantee, their task is still very good.

If it weren't for the construction of a large number of these warships, it would be impossible for the United States to persist until now.It is precisely because of the large number of these warships that they can withstand the powerful Japanese navy.In fact, these warships are cannon fodder, and they were all built by Marshall to delay time.

After this period of time, large US ships began to be launched and began to be deployed on the Pacific Fleet.That's why Marshall is so confident.When those large aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers are deployed to the Pacific Fleet, there is no need to worry as much as now.

"General Marshall thinks we can't agree?"

"Yes."

Marshall nodded.

Said: "Mr. President, we have fought with Japan so far, and the death toll alone has exceeded 5, and the number of injuries has exceeded 10. The government should encourage our frontline troops, not discourage them. And Japan's They are very ambitious, no matter what their purpose is to negotiate peace with us, the confrontation between us and Japan in the Pacific Ocean will not end."

Marshall is not only a soldier, but also a very strategic person.

Roosevelt nodded slightly.

damn it.

If Japan's ambitions are not so big, and the United States and Japan have not fought this year's war, then peace talks with Japan are also a good choice.It is best to have China and Japan in their Asian nest against America's interests.

It's a pity that after fighting for a year, the United States suffered a lot.If you want peace talks, the public opinion in the United States will be very strong.Judging by Marshall's attitude, the U.S. military will not agree easily.

And Japan's ambitions are really too big.

All important islands in the Pacific Ocean were taken by Japan.In particular, Japan took the Gilbert Islands, Tuvalu Islands, and Solomon Islands, and controlled all important passages between the United States and Australia.This has completely separated the United States.

"I see."

Roosevelt nodded.

Said: "General Marshall, you restore the strength of the Pacific Fleet as soon as possible. Leave the negotiations with Japan to me, and I will buy you time."

"Yes."

"Tatata..."

Cordell Hull hurried in and said, "Franklin, General Marshall, something happened."

"what happened?"

"The staff sent someone to find General Marshall. The main force of the Japanese navy has been found and they are going to attack Hawaii."

700

"Chairman Su, you've worked hard these past few years. We haven't talked like this for several years."

Hideki Tojo is a ruthless man.

While sending people to the United States to express their desire for peace talks and showing enough sincerity, Roosevelt was hesitant.But on the other hand, preparations for war began again.After Hideki Tojo ordered the troops to concentrate their forces, on October 1941, 10, the second Battle of Pearl Harbor was launched.The main force of the Japanese navy was concentrated, part of it went south from Midway Island, and part of it attacked from the Marshall Islands.

Japan transferred all the main naval forces that could be concentrated.And in order to ensure the attack power, there are a large number of transport ships behind to provide oil and ammunition for the front-line offensive troops.

launched a fierce attack.

The United States did not dare to be careless at all.All the troops of the Pacific Fleet that can go up will go up, and all the naval aviation units on the Hawaiian side will also go to battle.Like the previous naval battles, the United States is at an absolute disadvantage, because the US Pacific Fleet currently has no large warships, not even a large aircraft carrier.In the face of the menacing main force of the Japanese navy, it is really only a parry.Light aircraft carriers and escort aircraft carriers can only be used as cannon fodder, and their combat effectiveness is far inferior to that of large aircraft carriers.Fortunately, the U.S. Navy still has more than 50 submarines at Pearl Harbor, and it has recalled all the submarines outside to join the war.

However, the loss of the US submarine is also staggering.

I thought Japan was fully prepared this time.This time Japan attacked Pearl Harbor with a large number of escort aircraft carriers, destroyers, and escort destroyers, which were designed to deal with American submarines.In order to deal with American submarines, Japan ordered a large number of escort aircraft carriers and destroyers from China.Hideki Tojo wanted to deal the final blow to the United States and severely damage the remaining U.S. navy in the Pacific Ocean, so as to force the United States to sit on the negotiating table.