Canteen System Assistance Notes

Although at the same time, Roosevelt also sent invitations to another "orthodox party" in China and the "democratic party" that was mainly there to play soy sauce, anyone who puts these three invitation documents together can easily find that the institutions that sent invitations to the Eighth Route Army are not only more numerous and more powerful, but also have closer ties with the American power institutions in the war, and some of their wording is slightly different -

To the preserved fruit, it was a "visit," to the democratic parties, it was an "exchange," and in the official document to the Eighth Route Army, it was written "...sincerely invite you to visit and attend a meeting." In short, the Americans were getting a little impatient.

Wars are made up of campaigns, and campaigns are made up of countless battles. Among these, some key battles can affect the outcome of the entire campaign, and thus have a crucial impact on the entire war - and in naval battles where capital ships are few and far between, this impact seems to be even stronger.

However, the strategic impact of a naval battle itself is inseparable from a great deal of preparation and quantitative change. For example, the Battle of Midway in the original time and space was able to become a turning point in the Pacific theater. The underlying reason was the contradiction between the United States' rapidly rising industrial capacity and Japan's limited ship replenishment capabilities.

However, sometimes, at some critical junctures, a small naval battle, with the help of other battlefield, political, diplomatic and decision-making factors, can also have an impact beyond its own size. For example, the Battle of the Sunrise Islands happened at this critical juncture in September 1942.

Due to its vision for the postwar landscape and its own tangible national interests, China, which at this point represented less than a fraction of Anglo-American trade, was clearly not the United States' primary focus. "Europe first, Asia second" was precisely the strategy President Roosevelt had envisioned since the beginning of the war. To this end, he actively engaged in Lend-Lease operations with Britain, coordinating group escort and anti-submarine operations with Britain in the Atlantic, and promoting Operation Torch, a flanking landing of German troops in North Africa.

This was a massive amphibious operation, the success of which could strategically alter the situation in North Africa. Consequently, coordination and preparations had begun as early as the summer of 1942, with both Britain and the United States investing substantial resources. With supplies, shipping schedules, and operational plans practically complete, the entire operation was poised for imminent launch.

And at this moment, the situation in the Pacific battlefield was beginning to become uncontrollable.

one-------

Leaving aside the naval battle at the Sunrise Islands, the Japanese Army on the Papua Peninsula in the South Pacific, after months of preparation, suddenly launched the "First General Offensive at Port Moresby." They pressed the entire 17th Army forward, consuming manpower and long-stockpiled ammunition, and relying on Kuribayashi Tadamichi's meticulous, minute-by-minute plans to execute a cascaded attack. They even frequently relied on close combat and night battles to negate the US-Australian coalition's firepower advantage.

This tactic allowed the Japanese to successfully break through the Allied defenses and enter the city. They successfully captured Jackson Airfield northeast of the city, destroying the Cactus Air Squadron that had been providing air cover there, reversing the balance of air superiority over the battlefield and even seizing a large amount of supplies that the US and Australian coalition forces had painstakingly transported.

Overjoyed at their initial victory, Hyakutake Haruyoshi and Taketamiya Tsunesuke immediately ordered their Japanese troops to launch a reckless offensive. Under this deadly Banzai offensive, the US-Australian coalition forces finally collapsed and retreated, being driven back to the island on the peninsula where Port Moresby is located.

At this critical moment, the US military in northern Australia assembled its last B-17 and B-26 bombers and various Australian attack aircraft including the Handsome Warrior, Beaufort and Hudson, and launched a devastating carpet raid on the Japanese troops in Moresby. This round of semi-suicidal air raids created several aces for the Japanese army in a short period of time, but they still destroyed the US and Australian military logistics supplies stored at Jackson Airport, cutting off the Japanese army's local source of ammunition, food and medicine.

At the same time, the US-Australian fleet that was originally carrying out the "Australian Express" risked staying inside Mo Port, using naval guns to blast a wall of fire on both sides of the battle line, and blocked several "board charges" of the Japanese army. Although they were repeatedly attacked by Japanese attack aircraft and were all injured, the situation in Mo Port was finally saved from the brink of collapse.

However, because the highly cautious Kuribayashi Tadamichi still retained a certain number of reserve troops, and there were many newly recruited Frog Island laborers to assist in the rear, the US-Australian coalition forces were still unable to recapture the vital Jackson Airport in a short period of time. The future of Port Mo was still shrouded in fog and illusory.

Because the principle of "Europe first, Asia second" is unshakable, we must focus on advancing operations in Europe and promoting the amphibious landing operations of "Operation Torch";

Because the Japanese army inflicted heavy losses on the US military in both the Central Pacific and the South Pacific, and had clear offensive intentions, the situation in the Pacific became unstable again and unsustainable, so it was necessary to attack the Japanese army and stop its offensive.

However, even a nation as powerful as the United States, the world's leading industrial nation, couldn't simultaneously launch two offensives on both oceans at that point in time. "So, in the end, the Americans came to us."

Because of this official American letter, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee finally reunited after a long absence. The CPC Central Committee held an emergency meeting specifically for this matter to thoroughly analyze this "imperialist sugar-coated bullet." However, after extensive analysis, cutting the bullet in half and putting it through X-ray machines, no one could determine what kind of bullet it was.

After the meeting, the standing committee members and the other members present relaxed. Some lit cigarettes, others ate peanuts on the table, and Zhou Gong looked at Liu Helian, who was packing up the projection equipment, and made a little joke.

"Xiao Liu, you always say that President Roosevelt is a 'good man,' and this time I feel that way. It's like Mr. Roosevelt came to our house with a huge plate of food, telling us it's a token of his love and we have to eat it. But we were actually shocked, worried that this American had poisoned the food."

Everyone laughed, and "Comrade Special Advisor" Liu Helian also joined in the conversation:

"The landlords are running out of food. While the US may be powerful, it's incapable of dealing with so many attacks simultaneously." He unplugged the video cable from his laptop. "The facts are clear. If the Americans want to strike the Japanese as quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively as possible, their best bet is to assist us. So, this time, they're most likely trying to coordinate with us to launch an attack on Japan as quickly as possible and help contain them."

"Moresby may appear isolated, but as long as the Japanese navy and army can't cut off the American air and sea transport, they won't be able to effectively control the port. Just like how we dealt with some large strongholds in 38 and 39, as long as the railway is connected, the Japanese won't be afraid. Even if we repel them, they can quickly counterattack."

"As for the Central Pacific battle, comparing the results of the battle with the public battle reports, we did lose a battleship, a light aircraft carrier, and a heavy cruiser.

but...…"

Recalling the deduction and analysis of the strategic situation just now, General Zhu couldn't help but sigh.

"Naval battles of this scale would occur on the Coral Sea at least once every two weeks, if not once a week. Losing the battle at the Sunrise Islands wasn't an unacceptable loss, much less a strategic failure. How can you lead an army into battle without losing?

"The Pacific Ocean is a vast strategic depth, and the Japanese Navy can't possibly bombard Hawaii or the West Coast. The worst that can happen is that the Americans can just ignore the Japanese Navy there and use a small number of troops to hold it back defensively, allowing them to focus on dealing with the situation in the Atlantic Ocean and wait until their new ships are launched and in full force before launching a counterattack..."

"In short, my opinion is that the Americans lack strategic fortitude, which has given us this opportunity."

"But, since it was Japan that made the mistake of being too impatient, and the Americans that lost their patience, they put this peach in front of us..." Chairman Mao put out the cigarette in his hand, opened the curtains, and looked out the window.

The venue for the temporary meeting was in the conference room of the Fushi Canteen headquarters. Looking out from the window here, through the disguise of the canteen headquarters, one could see the Yan River and the West

The water from the Sichuan River is slowly converging and flowing downstream.

Once, this place consisted of nothing but fields, dirt roads, shacks, and a few cave dwellings. Though the people passing by were in good spirits, their clothes were shabby and their figures were thin. Now, chimneys have been erected, electric poles have been erected, and paved roads have been built. Powered carts hauling grain slowly pass by, workers on vacation shop in stores, and students after class argue loudly and spar with each other...

“Opportunities come to those who are prepared.

"Now, it depends on whether we have the ability to pick up this 'peach'."

Chapter 732: The Pacific Heroes (2) The King of Hell and the Little Devil

During World War II, visiting the United States was somewhat like paying a visit.

After all, as the largest producer of power in the Allied camp, the other four of the original "Five Permanent Members" all received some form of US aid. So, according to the "rules of the game," there was nothing wrong with paying respects to the great king.

The list of delegates for the US trip was quickly finalized. After a democratic vote at an impromptu meeting, the Central Committee decided to send a delegation headed by Zhou Gong to represent the CCP in the US and attend conferences. Dong Xiancong, already stationed in the US, participating in the Lend-Lease Act committee and inter-theater coordination meetings, would also join Zhou Gong as a member of the delegation and attend the relevant meetings.

Because the plane had to pass through the Soviet Union, the Eighth Route Army delegation said hello to Xiongsky, the Russian representative stationed in the border area, and then boarded the Boeing 307 passenger plane of Sino-British Northern Airlines, flying to the United States along the China-Soviet-US route, starting their journey.

Interestingly, while the Eighth Route Army ignored the KMT's outcry, they did consult with members of the Democratic Party Alliance in China before departing, suggesting that the fastest and most convenient way to reach the United States at this time was via the Sino-British joint venture, Northern Airlines, and that the CCP was willing to coordinate and arrange a special flight for them. However, aside from Ms. He Ruijian, representatives of the democratic parties, such as Zhang Junli, Zhang Bojun, and Shen Bingfu, politely declined the Eighth Route Army's offer, stating that "U.S. Army Air Force Commander Magruder had already arranged for military aircraft to transport them" for this exchange trip, and therefore would not bother the Eighth Route Army.

Well... after all, the democratic parties at that time were still considering an independent, self-reliant third line... there was nothing that could be done. Since they themselves were unwilling, the CCP could not force them to drink water, so they could only respect their own wishes. So, one day in early October 1942, as a huge Boeing 307 landed at the airport in Washington, the CCP delegation's visit to the United States officially began.

Compared with the Eighth Route Army, which was temporarily trapped in a dilemma after encountering Okamura Yasuji's "Three Alls" in 1942, the CCP at this time obviously had more sufficient capital, more solid confidence, and a more equal exchange status to sit down with the United States to discuss war.

After all, the record of beating the Japanese army in a land nearly the size of Germany, the action of sending troops to Iran to protect the transportation lines and cooperate with the Allies in combat, and the regular exchange of intelligence are all real. Even if the Americans still adhere to the policy of "Europe first, Asia later", they have to treat the Eighth Route Army, a very critical ally in the war against Japan, seriously.

However, as one of the people who knows the current situation in the United States best at this time and space, Liu Helian, the "master key" of the Central Committee, repeatedly reminded the members of the delegation and the comrades of the reception office stationed in the United States before the trip.

"The American leadership is now somewhat respectful of us, so it's easier to see the King of Hell now. However, at the grassroots level, there are still many young people clinging to the Yellow Peril ideology and filled with racial discrimination!" He emphasized repeatedly in his telegram, "When we travel, we must be neither humble nor arrogant. If we need to spend foreign currency, we should spend it. If we need to use the tiger's skin, we should use it. If we are bullied, we should fight back. Don't be afraid of making things worse - don't let our comrades be humiliated by a mere train station director or hotel manager!"

This wasn't groundless worry or overreaction. In 1942, Chiang Kai-shek dispatched Xiong Shihui to lead a Nationalist Army delegation to the United States to secure American aid. However, despite the American leadership's complete reception preparations, the young captain who arrived to receive them actually managed to sabotage the Nationalist Army delegation's arrangements: he booked hard seats on the West Coast to East Coast train, prevented Xiong Shihui from purchasing a soft sleeper compartment out of his own pocket, and delayed the delegation's itinerary, ultimately causing unwarranted delays to the delegation's schedule and forcing the cancellation of the scheduled meeting with Marshall.

In addition, there were many other such incidents, such as being verbally insulted, being refused service by barbers, etc. Xiong Shihui even recorded that a Jewish hotel owner openly declared "I don't serve you people of color" when the delegation wanted to check in, almost forcing the entire delegation to sleep on the streets.

So, what was the Republic of China Embassy in the United States doing at this time?

Oh, at that time, the Republic of China Embassy in the United States was busy helping young men from China hold wedding ceremonies!

Not only did these Republic of China insects fail to react to what happened to the delegation, they also failed to negotiate with the Americans, nor did they fight for equal rights and treatment for the delegation members, at least in form. They didn't even care about the delegation's itinerary or help renegotiate the meeting with General Marshall. As a result, the entire delegation ended up returning home with a lot of anger in the United States.

However, when the Northern Airlines Boeing 307 landed at the airport in Washington, what was waiting for the Chinese Communist Party delegation was not an "old white man" captain wearing racist glasses, nor some stupid bosses who said "you are Jewish too". Even the vehicle that Dong Xiancong contacted through the Joint Committee Reception Office under the "Lend-Lease Act" was not used.

When Zhou Gong led the delegation members out of the cabin, a man in formal suit and tie came forward and shook hands warmly with Zhou Gong, who was wearing a Zhongshan suit and windbreaker.

It was the American Secretary of State Cordell Hull who came, and with him was Brigadier General Albert Coty Wedemeyer - he was the representative of the US Army Chief of Staff, George Catlett Marshall, and was responsible for coordinating the war cooperation between the US military and other allies.

Compared with Zhou Gong, who served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Chairman of the War Workers' Union (in preparation), they can basically be regarded as equals.

The US side also rolled out a red carpet in front of the boarding stairs and prepared a Packard "scissor boat" limousine (not a convertible) for receiving senior military officials in front of the terminal. The limousine's tires were white-rimmed. The delegation felt like they had just punched a pile of cotton with their clenched fists—oh well, so this is how you, the "King of Hell," put on a show when you get serious!

"General Zhou, 13 years ago, my wife and I traveled in the Gyeonggi region, learning Chinese and experiencing the beauty of that ancient civilization."

After walking along the carpet from the tarmac into the terminal, the ceremony entered its second half, with the leaders exchanging brief words while waiting for the plane to unload their luggage. The Washington National Airport terminal wasn't particularly crowded with media, but there were a few Associated Press reporters and the CCP's own recorder. After Secretary Hull offered some standard welcome and pleasantries, and Zhou Gong expressed his gratitude, Wedemeyer, representing the US military at the ceremony, approached Zhou Gong.

Under the spotlights of several reporters, he enthusiastically shook hands with Zhou Gong and began his speech in northern Mandarin with a Tianjin accent: "Files shared via Baidu Netdisk: 500 Historical Military Books, etc…

链接:https://pan.baidu.com/s/14V6X4c1IALlypl9XF9_g9Q?pwd=j3ut

Extraction code: j3ut Copy this content to open

"Beyond its long history of civilization, what I felt even more was the Chinese people's yearning for and transformation towards civilization under the leadership of the government. Everything was changing: new schools and churches were being built, and politics embraced democracy, moving away from the ancient, ignorant ways of ruling. Everything was getting better. I've always held the view that the period from 1937 to 1937 was modern China's 'Golden Decade.'"

He expressed it accurately and sincerely, expressing his praise from his perspective:

I believe it's not just me; every American like me who has visited China shares the same sentiment: Over the years, China's courage and speed in embracing civilization have been remarkable, difficult for any other nation to surpass. But now, the hateful, brutal Japanese have interrupted all of this. Japanese fascism has stormed into beautiful China, ravaging it with their violent military boots and attempting, with foolish lies, to recreate a so-called 'Greater East Asian New Order.'

"However, I believe that the Chinese people have never lacked the courage to resist aggressors. Amidst the atrocities committed by the invaders, some bravely fired the first shot at Lexington. With unimaginable courage and perseverance, you have single-handedly declared war on the Japanese fascist empire and continue to fight to this day. The American people share the countless sacrifices you have made in the fight against Japanese fascism.

"And at this moment, we join hands across the Pacific Ocean to discuss a matter of vital importance to all members of the human race: to fight fascism and Nazism with the spirit of freedom, and to fight barbarism and brutality with civilization. In this matter, both we and you will have common aspirations, show common efforts, and pay common sweat and blood."

Ah, the Tianjin accent mingled with hopes for civilization, an enlightened future, and the American Revolutionary War... It was indeed an American perspective, and indeed the most sincere compliment an American general from Tianjin could offer. It's just...

Zhou Gong showed a polite expression. In this occasion, it was inappropriate to discuss in what capacity and in what manner the Americans appeared in front of the Chinese territories more than a decade ago; telling him that an American's feelings about the golden decade would be fundamentally different from those of the Chinese was not the right thing to do in this occasion; not to mention that in a sense, from the perspective of Europe and the United States, Japan was probably the first "excellent student" in Asia to "embrace civilization."

Duke Zhou only thought about it for a moment, and soon came up with a draft in mind. He smiled, nodded, and said:

"General Wedemeyer, I was also studying in Tianjin in 1917. The changes you described are something our generation has personally experienced.

Back then, 400 million Chinese people struggled in turmoil and poverty. My teachers, classmates, and comrades-in-arms all worked to change this. They failed and made mistakes, but they were not entirely without success and progress. In our struggle, we understood that without freedom, there can be no prosperity and strength; without democracy, there can be no independence.

Just like today's fight against fascism and militarism: the journey was tortuous, the achievements were great, and all the sacrifices made before victory will never be forgotten. At this moment, the Chinese and American people are linked by a common goal; and after achieving this goal, the Chinese and American people will also work hand in hand towards a better future.

"Because the enemy's cruelty, brutality, and heinous crimes have taught us in an incomparably profound way the value of unity and the urgent need to join hands in resisting aggression and oppression - and these ongoing atrocities will be a reason for people with a sense of justice to fight and strive to prevent them from happening again.

"I know that many American friends have already sacrificed their lives for China's independence and freedom. The American people's sacrifice for China's freedom will be forever remembered, and all the help the Allies gave to China will be recorded in history. The Chinese people will always remember the friends who extended a helping hand.

"I believe that we will ultimately triumph, and that this ultimate victory will be meaningful: the friendships forged in battle will ensure the continuation of peace and prevent tragedies from happening again."

Chapter 733: Pacific Twins (3) Isn’t it just about money?

(Update)

On the diplomatic level, when visiting the United States during World War II, in addition to going to the White House to talk with the giant in the wheelchair and chatting with a rare high-level president of the United States, the most important thing is to build good relationships in the three systems and pay them a visit.

The first is the military-political system headed by the U.S. Department of War and the Department of the Navy: this system is responsible for the ultimate leadership of the U.S. Army and Navy, and is responsible for supporting the United States' confidence in being often called a "strong enemy." In World War II, negotiating with this agency often meant mutual cooperation at the three levels of sea, land, and air, the lease and counter-lease of specialized materials, and even meant the "ballast stone" of diplomatic relations with the United States.

The second is the military command system represented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff: this system brings together almost all the countries that have a say in the Allied system - except the Soviet Union, which has an independent delegation in the United States, and the KMT, which is always busy organizing weddings. If you have something that needs to be coordinated and resolved within the traditional "Western powers" and "European and American brothers", or if you want to watch the various Free French representatives engage in a very interesting fight between the left and the right, you have to come here.

The third is the Wartime Intelligence Agency and the White House Press Office, which controlled the "black gloves and mouthpieces" of the Allied forces in World War II. Through them, you can exchange war intelligence and coordinate intelligence operations with other members of the Allied countries - the Eighth Route Army previously shared the "Oriental Bird" intelligence with Britain and the United States in Ceylon through here - you can also use the Allied propaganda system to launch propaganda operations against the enemy and yourself, and briefly experience the feeling of "the whole world is speaking for you."

Of course, of course, none of this is free, and there is a price to pay. Even a "good Samaritan operation" like the Lend-Lease Act is not a free lunch.

But in other words, if something is not free, then it is often not the most expensive.

As a pragmatic regime, the Chinese Communist Party delegation's actions during the war were characterized by a strong sense of pragmatism. Upon arriving in Washington, the Eighth Route Army held no press conferences or large-scale public relations activities, at most visiting with representatives of patriotic Chinese and overseas Chinese. After meeting and coordinating with the Dong Xiancong delegation originally stationed in Washington, the Chinese Communist Party's diplomatic corps immediately began intensive communication and negotiations with the three major US military systems.

This pragmatic approach was welcomed by both the US military and the White House. In the Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting, the two sides quickly engaged in a back-and-forth negotiation of core demands and payment terms, without much back-and-forth salami. The US military, as a whole, took the lead in articulating its demands.

Whether it is the navy or the army, the US military hopes that the Eighth Route Army will launch an offensive campaign against Japan - and it cannot be the kind of battle that the Eighth Route Army does on a daily basis, attacking county towns, encircling and annihilating battalion-level Japanese troops. It must be a large-scale, large-scale, and large-scale battle that can wipe out several divisions in one go.

Next, the US Army staff spoke, using a map of China, to explain their thinking regarding launching a ground offensive. In short, the US Army hoped that the Eighth Route Army's offensive would break the Japanese "final line of defense" along the Pinghan Line, expel Japanese troops along the Longhai Railway, and establish a railway link from the "Red Rear" to the "Red Outpost"—the base in Shandong Province.

"For example, the two offensives you launched in 1941 and 1942 dealt a heavy blow to the Japs. That was pretty good."

William Daniel Leahy, Roosevelt's immediate Chief of Staff and the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated bluntly that on matters of this magnitude, the US Navy and Army would likely prioritize and undermine each other. Therefore, even though Admiral Laahy was a full-fledged Navy man and the head of the US Navy 39 years prior, he was willing to speak on behalf of the Army.

According to our observations, it usually takes you about half a year to prepare for a campaign like this? In this respect, it's very similar to the navy—except that this year, you're busy saving lives from a rare drought, so you're temporarily unable to launch an offensive."

Bomb, bomb, bomb.

The first three sentences he spoke were all about "massive bombing." To be honest, this simple and crude method is indeed the fastest and most convenient way for the US military to "strike" the Japanese mainland.

Even if not everyone in this time and space had read "Document No. 0," the Eighth Route Army was naturally aware of the formidable power of strategic bombing. Take, for example, the B-24 bombing raids currently being conducted by the US military in China: if a battalion-level bombing raid could be conducted once a week, then all targets within the Japanese mainland within the B-24's range would be reduced to ash within a year. If a wing-level bombing raid were conducted once a week, then, provided Japan's interception capabilities did not significantly change, targets within range could be completely destroyed in about half a year.

This does not include the Eighth Route Army's small but highly accurate strategic bombing squad.

"In short, if you can launch the next campaign as soon as possible, and if this campaign can, like the previous one, drive out the Japanese from an area as large as half of Nazi Germany, then building a railway to Shandong Province will not be a problem. As long as the railway is built, we can provide you with a large amount of supplies and equipment, accelerate the construction of the Shandong base, and quickly establish a larger-scale bomber maintenance capability..."

"Yes, that's right. Now, after entering from your northwestern border, there's over 2,000 kilometers of road transport, which is indeed a long distance. We will also help you build higher-grade roads and provide more trucks - believe me, the British trucks are far from enough for this kind of high-intensity transportation.

"We can even build another railway."

Admiral Lacey clapped his hands and concluded, "After all, for the Navy, this is nothing more than a transport fleet. If one fleet isn't enough, two can be used. Just go for it... In short, if we can sustain a bombing wing per week, no, a squadron per week, we can bring hell to the Japanese and end this war."

Damn...

Although everyone had anticipated the arrogance of the United States in this matter, the statement that "if one fleet is not enough, then two" still slightly shocked everyone present at the CCP meeting.

However, no matter how shocked they were, the landlord's things were not theirs after all. The members of the Chinese Communist Party delegation began to adhere to the negotiation strategy. While stating that China would indeed continue to attack Japan, they also objectively and truthfully reflected their own difficulties.

For example, transporting supplies from the industrial areas behind the Liberated Area to Shandong Province not only required transferring by rail to road, but also had to cross at least one blockade. This was especially true after the Shanxi Campaign, as the Japanese army had less territory to defend and some reinforcements arrived, and the blockade along the entire Pinghan Line was even tightened.

For example, the industrial chain in the liberated areas still has flaws. Many key, high-tech industrial products do not yet have the manufacturing capacity, and some materials and equipment that can be produced have insufficient production capacity. After all, if you want a heavy bomber to drop one ton of explosives over Japan, it may require three or even five tons of materials to support it. This involves many categories of aviation fuel, ammunition, maintenance spare parts, and support personnel operations, which is very complicated.

For example, the supplies transported from the rear to Shandong Province, in addition to supporting the construction of heavy bomber airfields, were also needed to support the ongoing construction of submarine supply bases, coastal defense facilities, mining machinery factories, and large-scale grain and livestock production facilities. The uses of the supplies were relatively scattered...

"In addition, bases such as Rizhao and Rushan in Shandong Province are restricted by the surrounding meteorological and topographical environment, making expansion more difficult. Areas such as Jiaoao and Weihai are heavily defended by the Japanese army, and are protected by naval vessels. A large-scale aircraft cluster would inevitably be detected by the Japanese army in advance.

"Furthermore, we are currently unable to produce some of the maintenance equipment and materials needed for the American heavy bombers. They would need to be transported via the Northwest Passage, a long and expensive journey... Furthermore, anything could happen on the battlefield. I suggest not setting a specific time limit, but rather using a dynamic schedule to regulate this."

Air Force Commander Tang Lingyun, who participated in the visiting delegation, said, "We will proceed with subsequent construction and expansion work only after achieving specific campaign objectives, such as successfully eliminating surrounding Japanese strongholds."

Be neither humble nor arrogant, seek truth from facts, be organized, you may not tell the whole truth, but you will never lie; you need to maintain independence, but you will not refuse all assistance for fear of choking, and you will not deliberately take on too much in order to show your "independence".

However, just after the CCP finished this round of "two-pronged approach" speech, General Leahy of the Joint Chiefs of Staff did not immediately express clear agreement or opposition. He nodded in agreement when he heard that "the existing bases in Shandong Province are restricted by many factors and there are Japanese strongholds." When he heard that "the journey is long and the freight is high, which may even exceed the transportation of materials itself," he showed a strange smile.

Finally, after the Chinese representative had expressed their commitments and concerns, he nodded to the army staff officer on the other side. The latter then handed the previously bound plans to the Chinese delegation members. "While we haven't fully anticipated the situation you mentioned, we do have some strategies in place."

He also picked up a plan, revealing the confidence, or arrogance, that was unique to Americans at that time.

Zhou Gong, the leader of the delegation, was actually quite familiar with this expression. He had seen it before when the Americans came to China to negotiate Lend-Lease supplies, and he had also seen it in Comrade Liu from the future. The former, however, had a certain condescending pride, while the latter was more of an innate trait, tinged with a simple yet rare kindness.

In the current situation and circumstances, if Americans show such an attitude, it means they are bound to activate their favorite "superpower".

Indeed, Shandong Province is hilly and has a complex climate, and Japanese troops are currently stationed nearby. Since the outcome of the future battle is still uncertain, we might as well base our actions purely on the current situation and select a location that is absolutely safe but as close to the front lines as possible, with excellent weather conditions and open terrain. We can then construct a frontline air base from scratch as a backup for our base in Shandong Province.

"Based on the available information, we have selected several possible base sites. You may also select your own based on your own knowledge, or propose a base site. As for the transportation costs, labor costs, and materials and equipment required to build the base..." Admiral Leahy glanced at the army staff on the other side, who nodded to him. Then he turned to the Eighth Route Army and nodded again.

“It’s just a matter of spending a little more money and adding another transport fleet.

"As long as we can kill the Japanese, everything will be worth it."