GBP Chapter 130 Meeting with Nimitz
Chapter 130 Meeting with Nimitz
Despite several months of sea training, the soldiers of the new 113th Division were exhausted by the bumpy journey.
Aboard the USS Yorks, Admiral Nimitz listened to his aide's report with a look of frustration, thinking, "I really don't understand what the Washington leaders are thinking. They insist on sending these Chinese, who are clearly unsuited to the ocean, to participate in the island-taking campaign. What role can they play? Even as cannon fodder, their current condition is clearly unfit for ocean warfare."
Nimitz also despised their equipment. Was Washington short of weapons? He wanted to make these Chinese use light tanks and armored vehicles captured from Japan, Germany, and Italy, as well as grenade launchers and Type 92 infantry guns, which he considered antiques. If it weren't for their uniforms, some US Navy officers and men might even mistake them for Japanese.
However, this unit was filled with a large number of elite American soldiers. Almost every platoon had a US sergeant. Judging from their expressions, these US sergeants were clearly battle-hardened, completely different from the rookies of the US 2nd Division. Most peculiarly, these US sergeants were very happy to accept orders from the Chinese commanders at all levels, as if they could lead them to victory.
According to orders from Washington, the rank of this Chinese army is equivalent to that of the US military. In other words, the ridiculously young lieutenant general commander currently sitting in front of him is only one rank lower than his own. It makes him feel uncomfortable to think that he has skipped directly from major general to become the commander-in-chief of the Pacific Navy and was promoted to admiral. Otherwise, this guy would be one rank higher than him.
When Yang Hong met Nimitz, the future famous five-star general of the US military, he did not seem very excited. He saluted the commander politely as a subordinate would do when meeting a superior, then sat down opposite him naturally and frankly asked him for the support he needed.
Nimitz was also somewhat familiar with this new generation of Chinese generals. From battles like Yenangyaung and Imphal to the Indira Gandhi Tank Battle at Silchar in East India, which Allied propaganda dubbed the turning point of the Far East, Yang Hong's name, along with several other equally renowned Chinese soldiers, had become a household name in the United States. Nimitz had no doubt that his rank of Lieutenant General was indeed earned through hard work, which was one of the reasons he personally met with this Chinese officer.
Nimitz obviously did not realize that Yang was not at all restrained when he saw him. Instead, he quickly got into the role and proposed maritime support, which even a senior naval officer like himself could not find any fault with.
Nimitz knew some secrets. It was said that he was the inventor of the Navy's current landing fire support ship. The fire support ship encountered the Japanese heavy battleship Musashi at sea, severely damaged it, and finally sank it. This is a battle example that the US military relishes and will surely go down in the annals of world naval history!
Nimitz did not dare to look down on the Chinese general in front of him, and agreed with his request for support. However, he was thinking in his heart: What role can this guy play if he does not continue to use his expertise in the Southeast Asian mainland and comes to the Western Pacific islands?
Seeing that Nimitz did not answer his request or make any other response, Yang Hong was somewhat confused. In order to break the deadlock, Yang Hong had to continue: "General Nimitz, I think you may be doubting whether the Chinese are adapted to island warfare. This is nothing, just like the British initially doubted whether the Chinese army could fight against the Japanese. We will soon let you know that the Chinese army will attack the Japanese regardless of whether they are inland or on islands. If China had a navy as powerful as the United States, it would have launched a counterattack against the Japanese mainland long ago!"
Nimitz felt that Yang's statement was a bit too much. He and other commanders at all levels of the US Pacific Theater had not yet figured out how to break through the Japanese defenses, let alone directly attack the Japanese mainland. However, as the theater commander, Nimitz was not in a position to directly refute his subordinates' remarks.
So, Nimitz asked in a tactful way, "General Yang, how do we think we can break through Japan's defenses and attack the Japanese mainland?"
Yang Hong was very clear about the significance of the island-hopping campaign that the US military finally implemented. He did not hesitate at all and said calmly: "Relying on naval ship-to-ship attacks on Japan is obviously not advisable. The Allied forces have powerful air power. Wherever the air force can reach, it is the range of attack on the Japanese army. We don't need to engage in ship-to-ship confrontation with the Japanese army, nor do we need to seize islands one by one. As long as the Allied forces occupy the main islands and expand the attack range of the bombers, the Japanese army will inevitably take the initiative to seek a decisive battle. With the powerful navy and air force of the Allied forces, it is inevitable to defeat the Japanese Combined Fleet. Finally, we use the occupied islands to build airports, which will inevitably deal a fatal blow to the Japanese army's absolute defense circle. If necessary, we can even seize Iwo Jima and Ryukyu Island and bring the war to the Japanese mainland!"
Nimitz was shocked and jumped to his feet. This was the battle pattern he and MacArthur had discussed in a small group but hadn't yet finalized into a comprehensive plan: island-hopping. This Chinese soldier had hit the nail on the head, truly shocking Nimitz!
Yang Hong knew that he had revealed Nimitz's secret, so he stopped exaggerating and looked at him quietly, waiting for him to give him a way out.
Nimitz also realized that he had lost his composure, and quickly calmed down. He said ambiguously: "General Yang's proposal is very novel. It is a good way to resolve the war situation."
Nimitz was a little unwilling and asked again: "General Yang, how do you think we should conduct such a battle?"
Yang Hong laughed inwardly. "You, Old Ni, brought this up yourself. Don't blame me for taking all the credit from you, Mao, and MacArthur." So, Yang followed the trajectory of history and recounted the entire South Pacific island-seizing campaign.
Nimitz listened with growing astonishment. He no longer dared to underestimate this incredibly young Chinese general. His every word struck a chord with him, somehow perfecting the vague plan he and MacArthur had been working on until it was practically perfect. Nimitz even felt an urge to meet MacArthur immediately and finalize the entire battle plan according to Yang's ideas.
Nimitz suddenly realized that he couldn't reveal his plan in front of this Chinese man. He quickly returned to reality and said to Yang Hong calmly, "I will consider General Yang's suggestions. Thank you very much for providing valuable advice to the US Navy. Your request for support is very reasonable. I will ask General Frank Fletcher to make arrangements immediately. I believe that everything will be ready when the 113th Division lands on Guadalcanal."
Nimitz did not try to keep Young. After he left, Nimitz could not wait to share his meeting with Young and Young's suggestions with MacArthur. The Allied Pacific Campaign's operational plan was thus perfectly implemented.