Iron Cross

As soon as the meeting ended, Turner got into Admiral King's car, completely unaware that the president himself had fallen down from exhaustion. In the next room, the doctor had been waiting for a long time. In order to maintain his energetic, smart and capable image, Turner Roosevelt categorically refused the proposal to adjourn the meeting for treatment, insisting on it until the last minute, and even watched everyone leave the venue with a smile.

"What should we do now?" Turner said in a frustrated tone, "The president refuses to give up on the fat man on the island of Great Britain. Now I feel that the United States is not supporting and assisting the British, but fighting this war for the British. "

Admiral Jin said in a sarcastic tone: "Didn't you listen to Clark just now? The Germans won the African campaign for Italy..."

"Those are the Germans." Turner shrugged. "Does the Army have this ability? We ourselves are in a mess. Nimitz is looking at us helplessly, but the Navy has to throw its few essence and equipment into the fire pit. push."

Admiral Jin sighed: "We are the ones to blame. We cannot blame others."

Everyone approved the Overlord plan that Turner was responsible for (even though he objected to attacking so quickly). Marshall said that the content was very good and well thought out, and he hoped to make it more detailed in the landing battle - he authorized Eisenhower to participate in it.

Turner understood what Admiral King meant: Plan A, Plan B and even Plan C were proposed one after another, but now they have become self-defeating. Of course, Admiral Kim was a very courageous figure, and he would not accuse Turner of having a "bad idea," just as he clearly hinted to Nimitz not to act rashly, but after the latter made trouble, Admiral Kim was still willing to take the blame.

Admiral Jin is such a person. He appreciates you, likes you, and thinks highly of you. You can do whatever you want. Any achievements are yours. If you have problems, he will help you solve them. In layman's terms, it is called "unprincipled protection of shortcomings." This is why the Navy unanimously supports Admiral King. Even Nimitz is respectful, not to mention Turner. He and Admiral King have a completely mutually beneficial relationship.

Li Hai, who also holds the rank of admiral, is "politically correct". Unfortunately, this is of no use. The navy does not welcome officers who can only point fingers. If something goes wrong, they will blame themselves and even reprimand you. That's not cute at all - I'd rather be a real villain than a hypocrite!

Therefore, no one hugged General Li Hai's lap. Everyone still felt that there was a future in working with a true-tempered boss like General Jin. Even Fletcher, who General Jin had always disliked, tried every means to build a good relationship with General Jin. Not to run into the arms of Lehi. The same was true for the army. Everyone felt that following Marshall had a future. Even Patton, who had always been fearless, behaved himself when meeting Marshall.

"Ignore the president and Hull, I will figure it out myself."

"What?" Turner was startled and stammered, "Are you going to..."

What followed was a "coup". Turner had never thought of such a thing. It was Fatty Qiu who inspired him and made him understand that there are other ways to achieve his goals besides democratic decision-making in the world.

"What are you thinking about?" Admiral Jin glared at this subordinate who could get the wrong meaning.

"I will do whatever you say." Turner immediately patted his chest to show his loyalty, and just said, "If you want to stage a coup, I will make the plan."

"Things are not that simple..." General Kim laughed as he thought about it. Just kidding about the "coup". The United States does not have such soil, and General Kim does not have such big political ambitions. His mind just turned around. I had to go fast and think about a lot of things.

"Let's not talk about whether Operation Overlord can succeed. There are at least 50 days between now and Operation Overlord, and it may be more than 60 days or even longer. Do you think the Germans will stay in the Falkland Islands foolishly?"

"Of course not."

"If the Argentinians turn against the Germans, then the Germans will be greatly assisted. What will happen next?"

Turner gasped: "That means not only the situation in Brazil is dangerous, but the route to South Africa is cut off, and the whole of South America will be in chaos."

"After the chaos in South America, will the Army still have the heart to fight against the Azores?"

Turner shook his head, but immediately asked: "I'm afraid... is this difficult?"

"It's a bit difficult, but it's not impossible." A sly smile appeared on Admiral Jin's lips, "We have transferred back the two battleships we originally planned to go to Argentina for armed demonstrations for two reasons: First, the execution of Operation Overlord requires concentration. All strength; secondly, in the face of the threat of the German main fleet, it is extremely dangerous for this squadron to continue to wander in Brazilian waters..."

Admiral Kim is an out-and-out patriot and holds a high position. Of course, he will not betray the interests of the United States by leaking information or leaking secrets. But he has many ways to mess up the matter - such as withdrawing these two items. A battleship.

This decision is undoubtedly correct militarily. Turner believes that both navy and army generals will agree with Admiral King's approach - the two battleships are not an opponent of the German army at all, and continuing to stay in Brazil will only increase the results for the Germans. In the United States When the navy encounters successive setbacks, any warship is too valuable to be thrown away in vain.

But the reason why Turner was favored and reused by General King was that his mind was never that simple. He immediately understood its profound meaning - at least three detours: the Germans came and occupied the British The Falkland Islands cut off U.S. transportation lines, and the U.S. Navy was cowed—not only did it not dare to attack, it also withdrew its warships deployed in South America. What would you think if you were a Brazilian or an Argentinian? How to choose?

Although Hull kept saying that he would manipulate the British to return the Falkland Islands to Argentina, as long as Argentina agreed to join the alliance, would Argentina accept this obvious tactic of sowing discord? Britain and the United States both retreated in the face of the German threat, and the Argentines rolled up their sleeves to fight the Germans for the Falkland Islands? Don't make an international joke. The British and American Atlantic Fleet did not dare to say that they were sure to win against the Axis Fleet, let alone the pitiful navies of the three South American countries.

"I will give the order immediately, and the fleet will return to the east coast as soon as possible, the faster the better!" Turner easily added fuel to the fire-the faster the retreat, the more embarrassing the scene!

"Operation Overlord continues to proceed as planned, and all aspects of consideration must be more mature, detailed, and complete..." Admiral King said with a smile, "Even if we go to fight the Falklands, we still need fleets, marines, aviation and various supplies..."

After the bait is released, it depends on whether the Germans and Argentines cooperate.

While Admiral King used the method of hitting the bull from behind the mountain, Secretary of State Hull went to London urgently to coordinate the ownership of the Falkland Islands, and Director Donovan went to Brazil to carry out subversion operations, in a manor outside Buenos Aires, Argentine Minister of Labor Juan Peron was holding a secret meeting, planning of course a great event.

"Leader, the Germans have contacted us. They have completely occupied the Malvinas Islands and almost wiped out all the British garrisons without bloodshed. General Marshal expressed the hope that we will act as soon as possible. Germany not only supports you to become the supreme and only leader of Argentina, but also actively expressed its willingness to return the Falkland Islands to us. The time you have been waiting for has finally come..."

Peron nodded: "What are those good-for-nothings in the city doing?"

"They are all secretly arranging, hoping to take the initiative. The American ambassador is very active, jumping up and down, trying to bring them together, but one thing is certain, no matter what opinions they have among each other, they are unanimously against you, and the crime has been thought of: populist , public enemy, dictatorial fascist!"

"Everyone wants to be a running dog of the United States!" Peron laughed, "You continue to connect according to the plan. I believe that the eyes of the vast majority of workers, farmers and ordinary officers and soldiers in the army are sharp. Who really represents their interests?"

"What about your safety?"

"They can't catch me!"

On September 13, senior German officers led by Machar inspected the military situation on the Falkland Islands. After occupying the Falkland Islands, the German army quickly deployed positions and unloaded supplies. After just a few days of hard work, the airport facilities, radars, and air defense systems of the Falkland Islands have been rapidly expanded on the basis of the original British ones, and ground fortifications are also under construction in full swing.

In order to smoothly promote the "Peace Pearl" project and avoid interference with the 20,000-kilometer transportation line, the Axis Fleet brought a total of 23 transport ships full of supplies and arms-all will ships. At the same time, Madagascar Island, as an important transit base, also began to stockpile supplies and reserve personnel. In addition, the German army successfully took over everything left by the British on the island, including the nearly 20,000 tons of fuel oil that was very valuable.

Looking at the surrounding scene, Marshal was full of imagination, and recalled the scene when the Royal Navy encircled and suppressed the Graf Spee. The Graf Spee, which was carrying out the mission of breaking up the trade, was forced to South America by the British, with no way out and was forced to sink in Uruguay. Now the situation is reversed. Most of the Royal Navy's battleships that were showing off their might were sunk in the Atlantic. These old cruisers in South America are no match for the Axis main fleet.

"Sir, Mr. Peron and his supporters are here..."

"Welcome, ask him to come over immediately. No! We will go to greet him."

"General Marshall, it's great to see you again. I didn't expect that you would lead such a majestic fleet to visit Argentina after not seeing you for a few years."

"Mr. Peron, I am also very happy to see you. I deeply admire your contribution to the Argentine people. The head of state of my country and the leader of Italy have entrusted me to convey their greetings to you."

"Thank you very much!"

"Is the ceremony ready?" Marshall turned his head and asked his adjutant.

"Everything is ready, sir."

"What ceremony?" Peron was a little puzzled. "Let's not do these red tapes, just start the talks directly."

"You will know when you come. The head of state said he would give you a surprise!"

Marshall almost dragged Peron to the scene. There was only a bare flagpole with the Union Jack of the British Empire drooping on it...