I decided to write a little something in tribute to Remble's great work on this aar (with my favorite country in game and irl) along with a lingering curiosity. I have been wondering what the Allied (or a least American) reaction to the sudden return of Japanese good fortune would be. Obviously the AI is putting up a somewhat lackluster performance in comparision to a human, but not all to far of I think from, perhaps, what humans would have done if things turned pear shaped for the Allies in 1944-5 in the Pacific Asia. In OTL, we are just luck that China is not as easy to conquer as it is in HOI, even in Gotterdammerung.
With that said, I present my little interlude, set in the safety of Washington DC, far way from the blood cover jungles of Burma and the littered seas of the Pacific.
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0900 April 9th 1945
Washington D.C. - The White House, Oval Office
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, President Harry Truman, and Gen. Curtis LeMay meet to discuss how to renew the hope of Allied victory in the Pacific War
“So this will win the war, General?”
President Harry S. Truman was asking an honest question, since the military tactics and science of the matter truly puzzled him. All he needed to know was if the project would end the thousands of deaths occurring in the Pacific every month… sometimes everyday. That would be peace of mind enough.
“Yes indeed, sir! By God, the Japs will regret ever starting this war once Dr. Oppenheimer completes the project and we get two or three operating bombs,” replied Maj. General Curtis LeMay, formerly head of XXI Bomber Command, and recently made Supreme Allied Commander of Air Corps. It was LeMay that had come up with the new bombing campaign against the Marianas and had strengthened Allied air power in the Burma theater by bring in South African and Canadian squadrons freed up by the end of the war in Africa and Europe.
“How soon will we have these bombs and, furthermore, what do we do in the meantime, General? The American people want righteous vengeance for Pearl and all the other atrocities, but how much blood will we have to spill to gain that.”
LeMay coolly pointed to an aide to bring in a map of the Pacific while the usually more verbose Douglas MacArthur finally chimed in.
“Sir, Dr. Oppenheimer has only completed 20% of the preliminary research, as President Roosevelt only approved the project shortly before his untimely passing.” MacArthur smirked at the President and continued. “Therefore, it might be two years before everything is ready, but I and General LeMay already considered this prospect.”
Pointing to the red lines on the map, LeMay interjected, touting as always the importance of air power. “As of now, amphibious invasions of all the islands in the Jap defensive line have failed, except for New Guinea, and that was only because they gave it to us after failing to take Port Moresby. Why did the other assaults fail? Lack of air superiority! So, we have begun a campaign to break Japanese air power in the Marianas by attacking their bases and fighting them in the air when they dare to challenge our bomber fleets. When we break them, both their navy and their garrisons will be defenseless…”
“And then we can invade,” MacArthur briskly interrupted. “With air cover, the navy will actually be able to defend and support our landings. I have planned for a two pronged assault once this situation comes about; one force will proceed from New Guinea to retake the Philippines while another force will strike from Midway to take the Marianas.”
LeMay looked at the General, wondering if he was finished and then went on. “With these missions accomplished we will be able finally to rain destruction on the Home Islands and the coastal Chinese cities. The industrial base of the entire country will be destroyed and Jap fighting power will have sunk to nil even without the conclusion of the project!”
“Well gentlemen, this sounds like a fine proposal, but I come from Missouri. We always say one thing to fine sounding promises…
show me.”