Halsey nodded again, what Zhang Chi said is true, and there is indeed a lot of luck that the seventh detachment can come back alive in this battle. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

"So ......," Zhang Chi continued, "I don't think that the Chinese Navy can perform any tasks or play any role on the battlefield in future wars, and its combat capability is even inferior to that of escort aircraft carriers!" ”

On the surface, this sounds true, four Fletcher-class destroyers have more firepower than twelve Clemson-class aircraft carriers, and the escort carriers have "hellcats" capable of suppressing Japanese fighters.

But in fact, Zhang Chi knew that at this time, the Japanese Combined Fleet could almost be said to have collapsed, and the combination of the "Pinghai" and Clemson-class destroyers could already go sideways in the Pacific Ocean.

Of course, he wouldn't tell Halsey.

"I see what you mean, Colonel!" Halsey replied, "But you know, it's not up to me to decide. I will report your situation to Washington, and I am sure that they will give you a satisfactory answer! ”

"Thank you, General!" Zhang Chi replied.

In fact, Zhang Chi just had the mentality of giving it a try, if it works, then it would be best, if it doesn't work, then forget it, after all, at this time, the "Hellcat" fighter is still the most advanced fighter of the US military, and they will not easily give these fighters to others to use.

But Zhang Chi was wrong on this point.

Halsey did report the situation of Zhang Chi's reaction to Nimitz and Washington, and the incident caused a heated debate among the US military and leaders.

On the one hand, they believe that the Chinese army at this time has already stolen the limelight and even compared it to the US military, so it is absolutely impossible to provide new equipment for the Chinese army, which will only affect the reputation of the United States in the international community.

This faction was dominated by MacArthur, and even Nimitz himself had a somewhat similar mentality.

In fact, at this point, it is Nimitz who has the pain of the skin...... Because the Chinese army is fighting in its own troops, the US Navy's performance is mediocre and even makes mistakes repeatedly, while the Chinese army, which has always been despised by the world, has turned the tide again and again, which makes others feel that the US Navy is actually not very good at fighting, or that the US Navy relies on equipment and the help of the Chinese army to win. This was unbearable for Nimitz, even if the presence of Chinese troops made the US military overwhelming in the Pacific theater.

As a result, Zhang Chi's hopes can basically be said to have been dashed at this point, because MacArthur can basically represent the army in the Pacific theater, Nimitz can represent the navy, and neither the navy and the army are on the side of the Chinese army, so who can speak for the Chinese army?

But there are ......

This man was Lieutenant General Patton, then of the U.S. Seventh Army.

"Gentlemen!" "I hope you will seriously consider the current situation of the Allies," Barton said. Although we have defeated the Japanese in the Pacific direction, our situation in the European direction is not optimistic. In this case, I think we should think better about what the Chinese colonel said. ”

Hearing this, the others couldn't help but be silent.

Patton's statement was true, and the Germans were investing heavily in the African theater of war and trying to control Africa's energy and access ...... The war relied on energy, and it can even be said that even industry relied on energy, and once the German army was allowed to control Africa's energy, then the Allies would eventually be doomed even if they had Britain and the United States, the two largest industrial powers.

"We need a quick outcome of the war in the Pacific direction!" "The sooner the better, so that we can put more human and material resources into Africa," Barton said. On this premise, I doubt your opinion. What's more, what can the Chinese army do? That's just an army! Do they have industry? Is there a machine? Is there a technology? ”

After a pause, Barton continued, "No, they don't. In other words, we don't need to worry about this army, or about China, because it's not strong enough to compete with us. What if we provide them with advanced fighters? As long as we stop supplying them with parts and maintenance personnel, their fighters may be grounded in a few weeks. In other words, they are troops under our control, and I think at least at this time, we should think more about how to make them more useful on the battlefield! And not to let such a well-calibby army be helpless in the face of the Japanese on the battlefield! ”

Patton's remarks left the senior American officers at the meeting speechless.

So within a few days, Halsey called Zhang Chi.

"You know what? And they agreed! ”

"Agree to what?" Zhang Chi hadn't reacted yet.

"I'm getting you new equipment!" "They have decided to replenish the Chinese Navy with eighteen Hellcat fighters and six Fletcher-class destroyers," Halsey said. ”

"What you said is true?" Zhang Chi couldn't believe his ears.

"Of course it's true!" Halsey replied: "As long as you agree, the warships and warplanes will be delivered to Rabaul in two weeks, and the personnel will also be trained!" ”

"Of course, of course I agree!" Zhang Chi couldn't help but be overjoyed.

Then Zhang Chi quickly informed Zhang Junhua and Liu Guangzhong of the news, and the two naturally cheered after hearing about it...... the combat effectiveness of the "Hellcat" and Fletcher and the destroyer They saw it with their own eyes on Tinian Island, especially the "Hellcat" fighter, which almost used the arrogant "Zero" fighter of the Japanese as a toy, which not only shocked the Japanese during the naval and air battles of Tinian, but also shocked the Chinese pilots...... You must know that the "Wildcat" fighter must also pay attention to the tactic of not fighting with it with one blow when facing the "Zero Battle", otherwise it is likely to be shot down by the "Zero Battle", but the "Hellcat" can easily defeat the siege of the "Zero Battle" several times, which will also leave a deep impression on the Chinese pilots in any case.

So, now that they know that they are about to be equipped with this god-like fighter, they are not ecstatic, which almost means that they will be invincible in the face of the Japanese army in the Pacific Ocean in the future.

However, Zhang Chi always felt that something was missing.

In fact, Zhang Chi's thoughts are similar to Barton's...... What is important now is not how much advanced equipment there is in hand, but that the expeditionary force and even China have never had their own relatively independent military-industrial system, which will undoubtedly be controlled by others.

But Zhang Chi believes that one day the expeditionary force will get out of this predicament. (To be continued.) )