Iron Cross

"You want to withdraw from the election?" When senior leaders in the party heard Truman's statement, they were all shocked - this was something that had never happened in history.

"This is the last resort and the most ideal choice." Truman sighed, "The South Atlantic Battle failed. No matter how many enemy ships we sunk and how many enemies we claimed to destroy, we still failed to achieve our original goal: to defeat the enemy's forces. Before the main fleet arrives, destroy or severely damage the enemy fleet while preserving our own. At best, both sides will suffer losses, and we may even suffer some losses. "

"Aren't there a large number of warships on the slipway?"

"It's useless, it's too late. The German main fleet may arrive in ten days, and our other two Essex-class ships will not be available until October to fight, and we will not have five aircraft carriers until December, which is comparable to the enemy's The strength is equal - who knows whether the Germans will bring out new aircraft carriers in the next few months." Truman shook his head and sighed, "General Nimitz did not make any major command errors in this battle, and the officers and soldiers did their best. "It makes me feel a little desperate - I don't know who can win, if it works."

Everyone felt helpless. Truman did not have to use the combination of Generals Lehi-Marshall-King, nor did he have to use Nimitz-Halsey-Spruance or Eisenhower-Patton-Crackley to command the troops. , but he could never find a hero who could turn the tide, and no one dared to recommend a commander who could change the situation.

"So it's not unreasonable for Dewey to attack us for being 'busy and unclear about employing people'. He doesn't have to say who is good, he only needs to say who is bad..." Truman sneered, "I want to change places with him and let him experience the fear and fear of others." The feeling of walking on thin ice.”

The big guys were silent for a while. After a long time, someone asked: "Harry, have you thought about it? This is not good for your reputation. They will label you as a coward, incompetent, cowardly, etc."

"Reputation?" Truman laughed. "They can't defeat me. It's not Dewey or the Republicans who determine my reputation. It's the people! It's public opinion! As for coward...well...it's not enough to give Dewey this title."

After Truman’s explanation, everyone finally understood his plan: In the upcoming third debate, Truman will sing a high profile, persist in resistance and war, and will never make peace with the Axis, even if the war lasts for 20 years and results in 10 million casualties. No compromise...

"The people and public opinion will definitely bombard me and call me a lunatic... But no one dares to say that I am a coward. I have planned to fight for 20 years and die 10 million, what else do I want?" Truman's tone was cold and infuriating. Feeling the biting chill, "Our party's line is of the same origin. Starting from Mr. Roosevelt, we have been highly vigilant against German fascism and Japanese militarism, and resolutely opposed them to change the world order through war or the threat of force. However, because of British and French appeasement Politicians’ connivance with the Axis, due to the constraints of domestic Republicans and isolationism, has prevented this correct approach from being implemented. As Mr. Roosevelt’s successor, I will defend rather than oppose his political line.”

The tone of Truman's words makes people feel very uncomfortable - it does not sound like the system of a democratic country, but more like a symbol of some totalitarianism. Isn't the concept of "inheritance, advancement, continuity, and consistency" a routine only found in centralized countries? ? When did the American people understand this? In the United States, today it is the Democratic Party, and tomorrow it can be the Republican Party. No one will say that you rebel against the party. In the Soviet Union or Germany, would you try to rebel against the party? You will be sent to a concentration camp in a matter of minutes.

"If the war is not fought well, I bear the responsibility and I am responsible! But if the war is not fought well, is it because Americans do not know how to fight and are not suitable for fighting? Obviously not, it is because our war preparations are insufficient, our national defense is not perfect, and our command is The system is not independent because political struggles and politicians are too restrictive. When Germany used a large number of armored forces to attack Poland in 1939, the United States was still a small military country. Let alone compared with the Axis, even Czechoslovakia’s armed forces exceeded ours; when Germany When the people and the Japanese are borrowing money to build new military weapons and develop various military technologies, we are still worrying about balancing the budget." Truman spread his hands and said, "If you can dominate the world with economics alone, why do you need an army in this world? ?”

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement: The United States has always been an economic hegemon, not a military hegemon.

He continued to denounce: "It is precisely the politicians represented by the Republican Party who did not pay attention to war preparations before the war, opposed the improvement of the status of military personnel, and opposed the strengthening of the military command system. Every bit of military budget must be bundled with other policies, which led to this situation. I will call for nationwide mobilization at the election debate, implement a wartime mechanism, comprehensively strengthen supervision, and coordinate all industrial production and national defense forces to deal with this war. Do you think this bill is likely to be passed?"

Everyone shook their heads in unison: Are you kidding me? Some people are accusing the current state of emergency of infringing on citizens' freedoms and engaging in general mobilization similar to that of Germany and the Soviet Union or Japan's militarization. Is there still a term "free world"?

"Well, if you don't want general mobilization, just surrender obediently... Anyway, the Germans didn't say they wanted to invade the United States." Truman showed a half-smiling expression, "Let Dewey object, I expect him to veto my suggestion on behalf of the people. Anyway, I, Harry Truman, believe in firing until the end. I would rather die standing than bow before the axis! Whoever wants to do this president will do it, or will you nominate another candidate?”

By this time, the top leaders of the party still did not understand Truman's scapegoating method. They had spent so many years of political struggle in vain.

Truman's consideration of withdrawing from the election was obviously based on the next presidential election. It is not easy to be the next president: not only must he bow down and reconcile with Germany, but he must also find ways to pay endless costs to defeat Japan. So far, the United States has lost 1 million people in the war. According to the estimates of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defeating Japan will require at least 2 million casualties and at least 5 years. He does not think Dewey can last that long.

"So let Dewey make peace if he wants to... I can tell you responsibly that Germany is much more dangerous than Japan. Japan only made the United States lose face. Germany is the key factor that truly prevents the United States from becoming a world leader." Truman concluded, "After peace, the freedoms so beloved by the American people, the free movement of capital and the free play of commercial opportunities, will cease to exist. Europe, South America, Africa, and much of Asia will be brought into the Axis system, and the United States will We can only retreat to the North American continent. Sooner or later, the people and capitalists will not be able to bear it and will fight against the Germans again. Maybe there will be a third world war. It is Dewey and the Republican Party who lead the war. "

"After becoming the opposition party, we have much more freedom. We can criticize Dewey's peace negotiation conditions - humiliating and surrendering is like betraying the country; we can criticize the war if it is not fought well - it was not our command anyway; we can boycott the economy and budget - anyway We can do what they did before..."

"We need to discuss this."

Truman nodded: "Tell me the results as soon as possible. If you want to elect a new candidate, look for it as soon as possible. I will cooperate with his campaign strategy. In addition, you can blame me for the recent unfavorable situation. This is As president, I have an unshirkable responsibility as a candidate.”

After Truman left, a group of big shots immediately had a heated debate, and reached a consensus on one thing: it was impossible to change candidates, not to mention that there was no better or more suitable candidate. Even if there was, it would be too late to rush out at this time.

The second point of consensus is also easy to reach: Truman's election prospects are bleak, and if there is no strategic turning point in the war in the next few months, the campaign cannot be won. To save face, withdrawing from the election is a good idea.

The only difference was whether or not to take a high-profile stance - to follow the "military line" under a liberal democratic system. After three hours of debate, a consensus was finally reached.

Harry Truman can apply this label to himself, but the Democratic Party cannot apply it yet. If this label works, Truman is the next presidential candidate - he is a Democrat. If it doesn't, well... then what should everyone do...

On August 9, Nimitz, who had learned the hard way in South Africa, suddenly received a telegram informing him that he had been promoted and took over the post of General King - the latter retired due to physical reasons.

Even after losing the battle, you still get promoted? Nimitz didn't know what to make of this scene?

Smith advised him: "The country didn't say it was a defeat. It thought we were a disastrous victory, a disastrous victory that achieved the expected goal..."

Nimitz shook his head. Smith could comfort others with these words, but comforting himself felt a bit self-deceiving.

"What about the Atlantic Fleet?"

"You will still take on the concurrent role, but Lieutenant General Mitchell will be responsible for the day-to-day work..." Smith smiled bitterly. "There are not many warships anyway. It is said that Admiral King still prefers General Spruance to be the commander of the Atlantic Fleet, but At least wait until he recovers."

Nimitz nodded slightly: Although Mitchell is a little less capable, he is still stable and his qualifications are not bad. Spruance was seriously injured last time, and he was almost 60 years old, so it was a bit difficult to recover. He had just been sent back to China to recuperate, but fortunately, he was not seriously ill, and everyone thought he was still alive. Able to resume command positions.

"How many days will it take for emergency repairs?"

Although the Franklin was not fatally damaged, the deck was hit by a 400-kilogram bomb and many near-misses. A complete repair would have to go to Hawaii. South Africa could only provide emergency repairs.

"Five more days."

"Then we will set off for Australia on August 15th, and then hand it over to Halsey as quickly as possible." Nimitz said worriedly, "I have always had a bad feeling recently."

"Sir, the Germans are out, and all the main forces are attacking." At this moment, someone sent an emergency message.

Nimitz sighed and said nothing more. The situation in South Africa was also very tense, and there was an atmosphere of an imminent storm. Army commander Lieutenant General Bradley's face was always tense. South Africa is more dangerous than South America. Enter strategic defense status early...