Chapter 631: 20,000-Kilometer Expedition (Part 2)
Admiral Jin was the last one to arrive at the venue. When he saw the scene, he said, "It's broken!" Everyone had gloomy faces and the atmosphere was depressing. President Roosevelt’s brows were even more furrowed. He thought everyone was worried about the battle situation of the Pacific Fleet. Just when he was about to say a few words of comfort, Marshall already said: "Now the meeting, first. I want to inform you of some important information."
"Four days ago, the German army occupied Leningrad." Marshall was afraid that their geographical location was not good, and he explained incidentally, "Leningrad was originally called St. Petersburg and was the capital of the Russian Empire. After the founding of the Soviet Union, Moscow was designated as the capital and St. Petersburg was renamed Leningrad." Grad - this is one of their most important cities. The fall of a city is not the key. The key is that this city has been under siege for 2 years and has been resisting, but it was suddenly occupied not long ago. "
"Well, the Russians have done something wrong again! Who is Stalin going to shoot this time?"
"This is not a big trap, this is a danger signal." Marshall took out several telegrams and said worriedly, "Losing a city is originally insignificant, but the conspiracy behind it is huge. Our observers in Moscow received secret information—— This was part of Stalin’s secret deal with Hitler.”
Hull's tone was both sad and indignant: "Hitler offered to postpone the attack and absorb Russian refugees in exchange for Stalin giving up Leningrad and releasing German prisoners of war. We have sufficient evidence to show that the German army watched the Russians retreat from Leningrad. Without interference or pursuit, after the Russians completely retreated, the German army took over the city and obtained more than 20,000 Axis prisoners of war who had been transferred and resettled by the Red Army.”
Smith Tingson was shocked: "They exchanged prisoners of war? Sud wanted to make a secret peace?"
"It was an exchange of prisoners of war and refugees, euphemistically called humanitarianism, but intelligence showed that the Soviet Union and Germany were indeed negotiating secretly. The specific conditions were unknown. There were two very prominent signals: First, the frontline battle situation between the Soviet and German armies was very complicated - from After the large-scale German offensive ended in late July, for a month and a half, except for mobilizing supplies and settling refugees, the German army was at a standstill on the front line and did not launch a large-scale campaign. This is very suspicious. There were no problems with the German offensive in all aspects. The conditions are also there. If the Soviet Union and Germany did not have a tacit understanding, why did Germany not launch an offensive in the summer when the conditions were suitable? In 1941 and 1942, Germany launched a powerful summer offensive campaign, and we all know that Russia’s ice and snow are not easy to deal with; secondly, observers We are keenly aware that the Soviet Union's domestic attack propaganda against the Russian People's Liberation Army and various Eastern countries is rapidly decreasing, and the tone of Germany's domestic attack on the Bolsheviks has also been much lowered. It has almost stopped promoting the slogan of completely wiping out the Bolsheviks for a long time. We think this is not A simple coincidence..."
Everyone couldn't help but fell into deep thought: What could make the German army give up the favorable weather conditions and not attack must be enough profit temptation, so that they would not think that the German head of state was insane - even if he was really insane, there were many others below. Staff Officer. What benefits would make Germany give up the offensive? Then there was only Stalin's surrender, or another euphemism - an armistice.
Roosevelt's face was very gloomy: "Although we have tried hard through diplomatic channels to ensure that the Russians stay in the Allied camp, Stalin and his close comrades also vowed that Russia will never surrender and will persist to the end. But we all know that the Russians The credibility level is very low. Even if Stalin is not sincere, in order to consolidate his own power and the Bolsheviks' rule, he may agree to Hitler's armistice conditions - anyway, it is common for them to tear up the treaty. What will we do once the Soviet-German armistice comes?"
Taking the Soviet-German armistice as the premise, everyone quickly deduced and came to the unanimous conclusion that once the Soviet Union and Germany really made peace or armistice, the German army would withdraw the millions of troops currently on the Eastern Front, even if not all of them were withdrawn. Two million is no small deal - the plan to land in England can be carried out in an orderly manner. The peace talks within the UK are getting stronger and stronger, and once faced with a substantial threat of German landing, they are likely to collapse immediately.
"The worst-case scenario is that with Russia and Britain withdrawing from the war, and China also flirting with Japan, the United States may be forced to fight alone." Li Hai said hesitantly, "Perhaps Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa can also stand on the side. Our side, but they themselves need help, so..."
Thinking of the terrible prospect of fighting alone, everyone couldn't help but panic: Even if the United States is the only country in the world in terms of economy and national power, the pressure of fighting alone is still too great, and the terrain of the two oceans may not be favorable.
Admiral Kim suddenly figured out why the President turned a blind eye to the quiet impact of his "Europe first, Asia first" policy last night. He must also be thinking about this crucial issue.
"Are we forced to make a peace proposal to the Axis?" Hull said after hesitating for a moment. "As Hitler repeatedly preached on the radio, there is no essential conflict between Europe and the United States, and both sides can gain respect for each other's interests... The people may We have reached an understanding with Germany, but obviously we will not forgive Japan for attacking us.”
Although Hull's suggestion was very obscure and euphemistic, none of the big shots here were smart, and they immediately understood the subtext behind it: Germany and the United States can achieve a balance of interests and a terrifying confrontation, but for Japan, the Secretary of State seems to have a different idea. idea.
Is this a change in the policy of putting Europe first, Asia second?
Admiral Jin was stunned. Of course he understood the significance of this strategy. "Europe first, Asia then" is the United States' strategy to seize global hegemony. Although "Asia first, Europe" is also a war strategy, it is more like being helpless against Germany. The most concessions it can make can only gain regional hegemony in the Americas and the Pacific. Retreating from global hegemony to regional hegemony is obviously an unspeakable pain for politicians.
"I think that based on the current reality, we cannot defeat the two enemies of Japan and Germany at the same time. At the same time, the support and Lend-Lease Act for the allies, both Russia and the United Kingdom, have exhausted our little strength. And they have not prepared for the counter-axis at all. "It is completely reasonable for us to choose a breakthrough point. I think we should first adjust our focus to Asia and contain the Japanese army." offensive, on the other hand, to build Australia and New Zealand into the Allied forces' bridgehead in the Pacific, and then..."
He only had time to say half of what he said, when suddenly someone stumbled in and reported a piece of news. It was as if a bombshell had been dropped on the entire venue, and everyone was silenced:
British news: Early this morning, the Falkland Islands defenders reported that they were attacked by superior German and Italian fleets and aviation. They were in danger and were about to lose their protection...