Chapter 2015: Ask one
"Don’t try to figure this out. We have buried him in the tomb of history and put a lock on it. You can go head-to-head with your opponent politically, but you must never have ideas about the military. Questions that your head can think about. The Germans emphasize that military matters should be entrusted to the soldiers. Although it is completely contrary to the idea that politicians guide the army, the Germans have proved this with their martial arts to a certain extent. That's correct. Okay, General Benson will tell you the rest. Remember my words. If you have any questions, we can contact you by telegram." After speaking, Roosevelt closed his eyes and told the other party. Can leave now.
Two days later, Taft, accompanied by General Benson, the undersecretary of the U.S. Naval Operations Department, embarked on a warship to the Netherlands. Yes, it is a warship. This time, the Americans sent their most advanced super-dreadnought ship, the New Mexico. And the newly commissioned light cruiser Omaha, accompanied by four 1500-ton destroyers. Of course, such a fleet's external propaganda certainly cannot be said to bring the US Vice President to negotiate with the Germans. Obviously, the foreign propaganda of the Americans is a friendly visit to the Netherlands. During the visit, the US government and the Dutch government will discuss "some issues in the Dutch East Indies."
"General Benson, although I am a politician, the issues we are going to discuss this time involve military affairs and the possible future military operations of the United States in the Far East. Then there are some questions I need to ask you, and I hope you can A fair answer." In Taft's cabin, the American vice president began to make up for his military common sense. And he was counseled by Admiral Benson, the highest commander in charge of operations in the US Navy.
"General Benson, if the United States is allowed to face Japan independently, what chance do we have to win?" Taft asked the first question.
"If we travel across oceans to fight the Japanese under the current situation, there is a 60% probability that we will fail, and a 30% probability that we may win a certain degree. We may win the former German colonial islands occupied by Japan. And finally 10% is to drive the Japanese out of New Guinea with God on our side. This is our best result. The Japanese will continue to occupy important islands such as Kalimantan." Admiral Benson replied Quite simply.
"In other words, in the best case, we can't achieve the lowest result we want? Do we put all our hopes on the Germans? Is our navy so weak?" Taft said dissatisfied.
"In fact, it is true. According to our deduction, with the help of the German Navy, we will not fail at least, and how much we can always gain some benefits. As for the weakness of the United States Navy? I can only say that the lords in the Parliament are more responsible than ours. It’s even bigger. I don’t have money to build a navy?" General Benson said grimly: "In the final analysis, the domestic masters want to use the most economical means to gain benefits, so they chose to help the Germans win the war. Let the Germans help us regain the island. Of course, they can also make a fortune by providing war supplies and loans to the Germans. I think this issue is the most important. The United States is a country controlled by capital."
"Well, let’s not talk about funding for the time being. Let’s talk about the acquisition of the Navy. I want to know why the speed of the main fleet of the US Navy is generally around 21 knots, while the speed of the German main fleet is mostly around 25 knots. Above? Since the Germans have a better fighting philosophy, why don't we learn from the Germans?" Taft said.
"First of all, all the performance, speed, defense, and firepower of warships are piled up with money. Therefore, any problem with the navy can't get around the problem of money. This is the first point! The second point is what the navies of both sides face The environment is different. The main force of the German Navy is only used in North Sea operations, and the requirements for endurance and logistics are not high. Therefore, they can equip battleships with small water tube boilers. In terms of unit weight, small water tube boilers are more efficient, but the disadvantage is cleaning. It’s more troublesome, and replacement is more frequent."
"And the U.S. Navy? Even if we control the Panama Canal, the fleet transfer from the west coast to the east coast is also very troublesome. If you want to go to Pearl Harbor and Midway Island, it will be even further. So, the maintenance cost of using small water tube boilers And the time cost is very large, we can only use ordinary boilers that are easy to maintain, which makes our warships slower."
"Of course, if you have a hard pile of weight, it is okay, but that lengthens the defense area of the warship, which requires an increase in structural weight and defense armor weight, which will greatly increase the tonnage and cost, and this kind of water will increase the surface. The situation of adding more water will always meet the upper limit, thus limiting the performance of the battleship to a very embarrassing range ~ www.wuxiaspot.com ~ Benson replied.
"Well, I don't understand the technical problem, so let's talk about something else. For example, tactical arrangements, strategy or other aspects." Taft said.
"We need the German fast fleet, which will be the core of some of our tactics. This fleet must be able to entangle the Japanese fleet and fight alone when necessary. Because the distance from Hawaii to the East Indies is too far Now, we need a high-speed fleet to defend against possible sneak attacks by the Japanese fast fleet." Benson said.
"This President Roosevelt told me that we need at least one German battleship detachment. If I remember correctly, such a fleet should have 4 fast battleships." Taft is now selling.
"Actually, 4 ships are not enough. The Japanese have built 6 of the Fuso class alone. Considering that the British might sell their capital ships after the war, I don’t need at least one German battleship detachment. They are all at least at the level of Helgoland-class battleships and we want eight! Four of them are at least Bavarian-class!" General Benson said in a serious tone.
"Such a fleet is enough to destroy the French navy or the German navy's dreadnought fleet before the war." Taft said in a sigh: "If we buy these ships and replace them with our people, will it be better? Some? Bavarian-class battleships are not expensive even if they are worth 3.5 million pounds. Parliament can pass them during the war. I don’t trust the Germans, and Mr. President thinks so.”
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