Chapter 2617 After the War 3
"According to the agreement between our two countries, your country should always maintain a certain military presence in the Pacific. Therefore, you cannot leave until your new fleet is in place. Of course, we will do our best to maintain the fleet, and We will meet all the requirements of you and your fleet." Marshall said immediately.
"Okay. I believe that your country will do its best, but I want to say that in tonight's battle, our fleet had more than 700 wounded people. Well, now the question is, what are your country going to do? Do you have enough manpower for us?" Su Xiong asked.
Yes, the German fleet suffered heavy casualties in tonight's night battle. There were more than 300 wounded on the Weimar alone. After all, more than two dozen were hit by various 15-inch and 14-inch shells. These personnel were not just cooks and Personnel such as stokers can be replaced at will. To put it in perspective, the parts, steel plates and even artillery and turrets needed for the maintenance of the German fleet can be shipped directly from Germany, but what about the personnel? Now that the German Navy is reducing its size on a large scale, we can't just pull the personnel of other battleships over quickly. After all, they are now a carrot and a pit! As for retired personnel who were recruited before, they must also undergo adaptive training before they can take up their posts after returning.
To be honest, Su Xiong really doesn't want to continue fighting anymore. On the one hand, he has no ability, and on the other hand, Su Xiong is worried that he will be tricked again. Yes, it is a trick! To be honest, tonight, the US Army is the biggest victim, and the Su Xiong Fleet is the second victim! If it weren't for the sake of face, Su Xiong really wanted to say to the US Navy, please change your commander-in-chief!
"I agree in principle that the fleet will return to Pearl Harbor for repairs. The Weimar will return tomorrow under the escort of destroyers, but the remaining three warships cannot. We must ensure that the Japanese fleet also leaves this sea area." Sim Si said.
"What if the Japanese fleet is partially evacuated?" Su Xiong asked.
"As long as the number of Japan's main fleets staying here does not exceed 5, then your fleet can return to Pearl Harbor for repairs." Sims thought for a while and said. In fact, letting the Su Xiong fleet stay is just trying to keep the scale of the fleet to frighten the Japanese. In terms of combat effectiveness, the Su Xiong fleet really doesn't have much. If the Japanese also choose to dodge, then the U.S. fleet will naturally also We need to go back for repairs, not to mention the Su Xiong fleet. In fact, the main force of the U.S. fleet is about to be unable to hold on anymore, and it has to be rotated back for repairs.
"I hope you can keep your word." Su Xiong stopped arguing. Because Su Xiong knew that after this battle, the Japanese also suffered heavy losses. The main fleet continued to be here just to maintain a sense of presence, and they would definitely have to go back for repairs! In a short period of time, no one will be able to attack anymore.
"Okay, next, General Benson, what do you mean?" Pershing asked. Obviously, this time, he was asking about the attitude of the U.S. Navy. This question put Benson in a dilemma. Because Benson doesn’t know whether this battle can continue!
You must not fight emotionally. If you continue recklessly, you will only end up losing more and more! For example, the Battle of Dardanelles in history and the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II...
Benson has been thinking about this issue. In fact, if the United States wants to stop now, then it will still be a problem for hundreds of thousands of U.S. Navy and Army officers and soldiers to successfully withdraw under the cover of the fleet after discarding "unnecessary" equipment. No. But if we do this, where will the face of the United States of America be? When news of such a disastrous defeat spread back to China, should the United States continue to fight? What would the other world powers think? How can Americans still mess around on this earth?
And if you leave at this time, wouldn’t everything you have put in before be in vain? This sunk cost is a bit high. And if the war continues, what will happen to the supply and reinforcements of the US Army in the short term? Who is responsible for safety at sea? Benson has no confidence in himself at all.
If Pershing had given Benson a little longer, Benson and his staff could still work out a plan. But today, Pershing directly expressed his stance, and if Benson did not express his stance, then the gap between the navy and the army would But it's too big. After all, what happened to the Army today is rooted in the Navy!
The scene was very quiet for a while, with only the sound of people breathing. Pershing stared at Benson, and Benson looked down at the documents on the table. Ma Jifen was a little restless, and Sims frowned. Su Xiongruo, who was opposite him, He was thinking about something, and Redel seemed to be in a daze.
"As long as I am the commander of the United States Fleet, I will do my best to ensure the smooth flow of the army's supply lines and the safety of the sea." Finally, Benson raised his head and said decisively. After careful consideration, Benson decided to side with Pershing. Of course, this was a decision made before he was dismissed, and it will be difficult to say after a new commander is appointed.
Benson also believes that it is unlikely that the Japanese fleet will continue to attack. Although the main fleet is relatively intact, according to intelligence descriptions, the light cruiser detachment of the Japanese main fleet has been almost wiped out. The destroyers that followed the main fleet to evacuate may not even have 10 ships. No more. In this case, even the most basic anti-submarine and anti-lightning operations of the large fleet are not enough, and the possibility of continuing to fight is not high.
On the other hand, Benson also believes that the United States has paid enough for this war, and the Army is slowly opening up the situation. It absolutely cannot stop at this time, both in terms of military morale and politics!
"You finally did something right." Pershing nodded. In fact, today's meeting can be over at this point. The Americans have at least understood the entire battle process, and the attitudes of the navy and army are also consistent. As for what to do next? This is a matter that requires long-term consideration. Some matters cannot even be decided by them and need to be discussed by Washington. The largest maritime battle that broke out after the end of the world war had a huge impact. It had just ended, and many of the impacts were still fermenting. What arrangements the top management made would depend on the situation.
What if, after the war, the first meeting of senior leaders at the front ended like this. Everyone got busy immediately. The U.S. Army needed to quickly sort out the supplies left by the Japanese. It was estimated that they would have a hard time for a long time, and the U.S. Navy needed to rebuild its defense system. The easiest thing to do is probably the Germans. In addition to taking care of their own affairs, most people just wait to evacuate. Of course, Su Xiong and Redel are the exceptions, because they are also preparing to send a battle report to the crown prince! And this battle report will largely determine the relationship between Germany and Germany for a long time to come!
The third update today, and the extra 10,000 rewards for book friends Zuo Jing Youliang will be updated tomorrow~~~! Please subscribe and reward~~~!