The capture of aircraft carriers is only part of the battle.

The 3rd Battalion, which attacked the Japanese underground fortifications, also presented a big gift...... They seized two full-fledged underground arsenals in the tunnels, arsenals that could produce bullets and shells. Of course, the reason why it was able to be completely captured was also because most of the coolies working in the arsenal were coolies from other countries, otherwise the arsenal was full of gunpowder, which could be blown up if ignited casually.

But those coolies wouldn't let the devils do this, even for the sake of their own lives.

When all these seized things were reported to Halsey, Halsey couldn't believe it.

This is especially the two underground arsenals...... This arsenal was of little use to the American army, and the guns and cannons used by the Yankees were different from those of the Japanese army, and they did not use them and disdained to use the Japanese army's ammunition.

But......

The U.S. military originally planned to blockade Rabaul and wait for the Japanese troops on Rabaul to run out of ammunition and food, but now they know that the Japanese have even moved the arsenal to the island, so if they really want to blockade Rabaul and wait until the Japanese run out of ammunition and food, I don't know when they will have to wait.

Halsey then sorted out the results a little, and sent them to Nimitz with some hesitation.

The reason why Halsey "hesitated" was that he even wondered if the result of the battle was Chinese lying about his achievements...... Of course, it was not that he did not believe in the Chinese army, but that the results of the battle were beyond his imagination.

As Halsey had expected, Nimitz quickly sent him a telegram: "Are you sure you sent me what the new 1st Division captured on Rabaul, and not the wrong list of transports?" ”

"Of course, General! I'm sure! Halsey replied: "Actually, none of the shipping lists are so long......"

This caused an uproar in Nimitz's command.

"God!" At a meeting of admirals organized later, Nimitz said: "They captured enough equipment to equip an army, and even an aircraft carrier!" ”

"But...... What's the use of these things for us? Lieutenant General Smith looked at the list and said, "I mean to say...... A Japanese aircraft carrier, more than a hundred intact fighters of all kinds, countless Japanese equipment, and even an arsenal...... Even if we study the advantages and disadvantages of the Japanese army's equipment, we only need one plane and a period of time! What's next? ”

As soon as Vice Admiral Smith said this, the admirals were all stunned.

Although Smith's words are not explained, everyone understands what he means...... You must know that the equipment of the Americans is much more advanced than that of the Japanese, and even aircraft carriers are no exception. So...... Who will use these aircraft carriers and fighters and equipment? Do you want to destroy them all?

This is especially the aircraft carrier, you must know that the US Navy has tried to sink the Japanese aircraft carrier "Xianghe" several times but has not been able to, and at this time it has even captured it, but it has to destroy it?!

"Can you modify the aircraft carrier for my use?" There are admirals who propose.

"I'm afraid it's very difficult to modify!" Nimitz, who had a little knowledge of aircraft carrier construction, replied: "Because it is obvious that the communication systems, weapon systems, and radar systems used by the Japanese are different from those used by our army, and if they want to be renovated, they will basically have to replace all of them, and the time and money consumed may exceed the time spent on building a new aircraft carrier......

Nimitz is not exaggerating by this, because by this time, the United States had already decided to concentrate its efforts on mass production according to the standard design of the Essex-class aircraft carriers, which allowed shipyards to operate on an assembly line. In addition, a high degree of standardization has been implemented in areas such as steel molds and plates, ship equipment, machinery and weapons. The production and equipment of anti-aircraft weapons were also completely unified, so the construction period and construction costs were greatly shortened, and several Essex-class aircraft carriers even took only 14 to 16 months.

This is also one of the important reasons why the United States has the upper hand in the Pacific theater...... Strong industrial capabilities.

Although only a few aircraft carriers could be used by the US military in the early days, and even once there were no carriers available because of battle damage, the senior admirals of the US Navy never thought that they would lose the war, because they knew one thing clearly...... The aircraft carriers built in the factory will soon come out, and they will be in batches, this is the Essex-class aircraft carrier, 24 were built in just two or three years, and if it were not for the war until 1944, the United States estimated that the number of aircraft carriers in service would have been enough to defeat Japan and dominate the Pacific, and its number would have increased to 32.

Therefore, the refitting of the "Xianghe" is a very cost-effective task for the US Navy, and even if it is successfully refitted, it may be difficult for the "Xianghe" to be integrated into the US military's combat system.

"I have an idea!" Vice Admiral Smith said: "Why don't we give this aircraft carrier to the Chinese?" ”

"For the Chinese?" One of the admirals laughed and said, "Are you crazy? Not many of them even know how to sail ships, let alone aircraft carriers! ”

"Besides, they don't have pilots yet!" Another admiral added: "Even if there are fighters and aircraft carriers, they will not be able to form combat effectiveness!" ”

"We can get them to be sent from China!" Smith said: "I heard that our Flying Tigers have trained a group of Chinese pilots in China! As for the crew, I believe that the Chinese still have talents in this area! ”

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but be stunned.

"But...... What reason do the Chinese have to send their pilots and crews to help us fight the war? Nimitz asked.

"General, they're not fighting for us!" "On the one hand, if we can defeat the Japanese quickly in the Pacific, it will also be of great benefit to the Chinese, which can reduce their pressure," Smith explained. On the other hand, we can say that we can give these captured aircraft carriers and planes to Chinese, and we can even send them a few more escort warships......"

"Makes sense!" Nimitz said: "In this case, the Chinese side has no reason to refuse, because they will not only gain political and military benefits, but also easily have an aircraft carrier battle group!" Nimitz said. ”

"Yes!" Smith added: "Moreover, because the Chinese have no experience in using aircraft carriers, they can only fight with us for a long time." So, we put this aircraft carrier to good use! ”

"Without modification, it can form combat effectiveness in a short time!" Nimitz nodded, "I agree." ”

(To be continued.) )