This can also be seen the depth of MacArthur's intentions, he actually quietly sent Roosevelt a big gift, and it was even difficult for Roosevelt to refuse this big gift...... Because it can lead the army to victory and win the political interests of the country, the political interests of this person are rightly hidden in it. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

Nimitz may have seen this, but he couldn't tell it in front of Roosevelt, so he could only sigh softly, knowing that the naval attack on the Maria Islands might be completely overturned.

MacArthur simply got up and walked to the side of the map and said, "Gentlemen, let me be more specific about my plan...... See, if we recover the Philippines, it will not only block Japan's transportation lines from Burma and Vietnam, but also the oil, rubber, and rice that Japan is extracting from the South China coast that it is currently occupying......"

"But!" Roosevelt interjected at this time: "It will take a great sacrifice to recover the Philippines, and we may not be able to afford it!" We don't have enough troops, don't we? Don't forget that we still have to deal with the Germans in North Africa! ”

This suggests that Roosevelt had favored MacArthur's advice, otherwise he would not have asked the question at all.

MacArthur was so angry that he immediately replied, "Mr. President, our losses will not be worse than they have been in the past. Once the U.S. forces control the Philippines' sea and air supremacy, Australia's First Army will launch a ground operation against the Philippines, and the Allies will land and attack from the rear of the islands occupied by the Japanese. The era of frontal assault is over, modern infantry weapons are so fierce that only mediocre generals take frontal attacks to achieve victory with large casualties, and a wise commander will never do such a stupid thing again! ”

Zhang Chi couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, and it was a shame that MacArthur could say these words, you must know that MacArthur took a frontal attack on the Australian battlefield, and the progress was still very slow.

"Hmm!" Roosevelt nodded: "This plan looks feasible!" ”

Halsey couldn't help but turn his gaze to Zhang Chi, who knew what Halsey meant...... Until now, Zhang Chi hasn't said a word!

In fact, Zhang Chi didn't want to say anything, because he was hesitating.

If the Navy had intended to fight in the direction of the Mariana Islands, it would obviously make the course of the battle smoother...... The reason is very simple, the United States' naval and air superiority is too strong, even if MacArthur said a thousand things and ten thousand, and said that the recovery of the Philippines is heaven and earth, but after all, he did not face one thing, that is, the US Navy at this time has an absolute advantage over the Japanese Navy, especially after being equipped with "Hellcat" fighters.

In this case, if you choose to attack the Philippines, it will obviously weaken this advantage...... Of course, aircraft carriers and warplanes can maximize their combat effectiveness in the vast Central Pacific. If you enter the Philippine Islands, which are full of islands, you will be afraid that the aircraft carriers will be in danger of being attacked by Japanese fighters, and at the same time, it will be difficult for the fighters to play their role because of the vegetation of the Philippine Islands.

In other words, if you hit in the direction of the Philippines, the US military is likely to get into a quagmire.

Originally, there was nothing to think about, just express the right opinion.

But at this time, Zhang Chi hesitated, is it better to let the US military fall into a quagmire? Wouldn't this be more beneficial to the Chinese troops?

This is also the reason why Zhang Chi has not spoken.

However, after thinking about it for a long time, Zhang Chi still didn't dare to easily bring the US troops into the ditch...... The connection between the US military in the Pacific theater and the Chinese theater is too close, and it is no exaggeration to say that the victory or defeat of the US military is directly related to the victory or defeat of the Chinese battlefield.

So in the end, Zhang Chi decided to "help" the US Navy.

"Mr. President!" Zhang Chi said, "Can I ask you a question?" ”

"Of course!" Roosevelt nodded.

MacArthur cast a wary look at Zhang Chi...... MacArthur knew the admirals Nimitz and Halsey, so he was very confident that he could deal with them, but he was very troublesome to this Chinese.

"First of all, I have to admit that General MacArthur has a point." Zhang Chi said: "But...... I just want to know how Mr. President intends to force the Japanese to surrender in the end. You know, as president, you should think a little further! ”

These words couldn't help but make Halsey secretly give Zhang Chi a thumbs up under the table...... Zhang Chi is actually alluding to MacArthur's only immediate interests.

"Uh-huh!" Roosevelt nodded, hesitated, and then replied, "Perhaps...... Occupy the Philippines and cut off the supply lines of the Japanese! This will put a certain amount of pressure on them, Japan is a resource-poor country, and then they will be short of food, oil, etc.! ”

"Just like the Germans did with Britain, right?" Zhang Chi said: "The Germans also hoped that Britain would surrender because of this, but it seems that Germany did not succeed!" ”

MacArthur interjected: "That's because Britain has our aid, and we have given away warship escorts!" ”

"That's right!" Zhang Chi replied: "Japan's situation may be much worse than that of the British, after all, they have no assistance from other countries. But...... The general hasn't forgotten Guadalcanal! The Japanese are not British! ”

"Yes!" Halsey also understood the meaning of Zhang Chi's words: "Mr. President, the Japanese have unimaginable endurance, which is evident on Guadalcanal, and some of them can even live for a week or more with just a cookie. If we want to force the Japanese to surrender by means of a blockade...... I'm afraid I'm too old to walk by then! ”

Zhang Chi couldn't help laughing, Halsey, a brute bull, was still quite humorous sometimes.

None of the others laughed, for they were in a nervous-for-tat exchange or thinking about the issue of relaxation.

"So......" Roosevelt asked Zhang Chi, "how do you think we can force the Japanese to surrender?" ”

"Air strike!" Zhang Chi said.

"Raid?"

"Yes, it's an air raid!" Zhang Chi walked to the map, pointed to the location of the Mariana Islands and said: "Attacking the Mariana Islands, although it cannot cut off the supply lines of the Japanese army and cannot rescue prisoners, it has an irreplaceable advantage, that is, our heavy bombers can take off from the Mariana Islands and directly bomb the Japanese mainland and even Tokyo, do you know what this means?" ”

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but be silent, of course they knew what it meant, in the past, the US military had taken off from an aircraft carrier to attack Tokyo with bombers in order to avenge Zhengang, but today it only needs to occupy a few small islands to do it.

(To be continued.) )