Chapter 1463 America's Choice

The "Essex-class" aircraft carrier is the aircraft carrier that the U.S. Navy decided to mass-produce, and it is also their main aircraft carrier in this war. Even the U.S. Congress has approved the construction of 32 aircraft carriers of this class. Compared with the 12 aircraft carriers built by the German Navy at the first level, it is undoubtedly much more.

Now, however, war is imminent. Therefore, when the number of "Essex-class" aircraft carriers is seriously insufficient, the U.S. Navy has to use "Independence-class" light aircraft carriers instead. However, compared with the "Essex-class" aircraft carrier, the performance of the "Independence-class" light aircraft carrier is much worse.

"How many carrier-based aircraft can the 'Independence-class' aircraft carrier carry?" President Roosevelt asked.

"Each 'Independence-class' aircraft carrier can carry 24 carrier-based fighter jets and 9 Avenger torpedo attack aircraft." Admiral Harold Stark said.

President Roosevelt nodded. Calculated in this way, the nine "Independence-class" aircraft carriers in service have the combat effectiveness equivalent to three "Essex-class" aircraft carriers. In this case, the U.S. Navy can be roughly equivalent to having 18 aircraft carriers.

"The Germans have 16 aircraft carriers in the Atlantic Ocean. They also have 4 aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean. That is to say, after the war broke out, we have to face the Germans' 20 aircraft carriers! We still have no advantage in this regard Ah!" said President Roosevelt.

The expressions of all the admirals are quite serious. Indeed, judging from the number of capital ships and aircraft carriers on both sides, the U.S. Navy has no advantage at all. This is also the reason why the German Navy has deployed a fairly powerful fleet in the Pacific Ocean. Without the restraint of the navy of the island country, the U.S. Navy would not have the strength to confront the German Navy.

"What about carrier-based aircraft?" President Roosevelt then asked.

The number of aircraft carriers is an important factor. But the performance of the carrier-based aircraft is undoubtedly a more important factor.

"Your Excellency, the performance of our Destroyer dive bombers and Avenger torpedo attack aircraft is not much different from that of the German Navy's dive bombers and torpedo attack aircraft. However, in terms of carrier-based fighter jets, our F4F fighter jets may be in terms of performance. It is not as good as the carrier-based BF-109 fighter of the German Navy. The F4U fighter is in mass production. However, it will take time to completely refit the navy. The more advanced F6F fighter is under development. In addition, according to According to the information obtained, the German Navy already has some carrier-based aircraft on aircraft carriers, which have been replaced with more advanced carrier-based FW-190 fighter jets. We have to admit that there is some gap between us and the German Navy in this respect .” Admiral Harold Stark continued.

President Roosevelt's face became a little gloomy. Although they have achieved the same number of aircraft carriers as the German Navy through their strong industrial strength. However, in terms of carrier-based aircraft, they are at a disadvantage. This is also impossible. Who made the U.S. Navy have a big gap with Germany in terms of cutting-edge technology? Even with the full support of the British side, it cannot be compared with Germany.

"Gentlemen, it seems that our navy is also facing great difficulties in defeating the German navy!" President Roosevelt sighed.

"Yes, Your Excellency. However, there are many unexpected factors in naval battles. If we are lucky, we may be able to defeat the Germans." Admiral Nimitz said with a smile.

The corners of the mouths of the other admirals could not help but rise slightly. After all, in naval battles, luck is also a very important factor in winning. If you are lucky, it is not impossible to defeat powerful enemies.

Of course, the hope of winning cannot be pinned entirely on luck. In that case, it would be impossible to defeat a powerful enemy.

"Gentlemen, everyone is very clear about our military strength now. Then, considering the current situation, what do you think we should do?" President Roosevelt looked at a group of generals.

The generals of the US military frowned and kept silent. They had already guessed President Roosevelt's intentions. That is, when Russia and the island countries are very unfavorable in the war, the United States may need to join the war as soon as possible. Especially Russia, if they lost the war, then the United States would have to face Germany's elite troops in the millions. In that case, the United States will be under great pressure. It will be even more difficult to defeat Germany.

However, with the current military strength of the United States, they all doubt whether they can defeat Germany. If it loses in the war, the United States will be completely finished. It is precisely because of this that these generals are not easy to speak. After all, it's fine if you win, but if you fail, you may have to bear the responsibility.

"General Marshall, what do you think?" President Roosevelt asked.

"Your Excellency, if Russia can continue to persevere, I hope we can have more preparation time. In that case, our military strength will be stronger and the possibility of victory will be higher." Admiral Marshall Said.

President Roosevelt nodded: "Gentlemen, of course I also hope to have more preparation time. But the problem is that the Germans simply don't give us that much preparation time!"

"Your Excellency, if war is inevitable, then go to war with Germany as soon as possible. Even, in order to win, we can resort to undeclared war and attack the German navy. In that case, our chances of winning will be higher." Ni Admiral Miz said.

President Roosevelt's eyes lit up, and he seemed very interested in this proposal.

"General Nimitz, you continue to talk." President Roosevelt said.

"Your Excellency, there is a certain gap between our naval strength and the German Navy. However, it will take time for the German Navy's Mediterranean Fleet to reach the Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, the German Navy's Home Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet are stationed differently. If If we can take a sneak attack and directly attack the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet, we may be able to succeed. As long as the sneak attack is successful, then our strength in the Atlantic Ocean will not be weaker than that of the German Navy, and we may even have an advantage. In this case , our chances of winning will be greatly improved." Admiral Nimitz expressed his opinion.

Although, undeclared war and sneak attack seem a bit despicable. But as long as you can win, it seems worthwhile to bear the infamy.