Survive as a World War II Soldier - Chapter 99



Only Noblemtl

##099

When Elliot heard the news of Mitchell’s collapse, he was the first to run to him.

“Please send it to the Philippines.”

In fact, right after returning from Spain, Elliot had been strongly requesting to go to the Philippines.

To him, who had barely suppressed the desire to fly an airplane and get involved in actual combat in Spain, the Sino-Japanese War must have seemed like a land of opportunity to vent his suppressed desires.

But his request was immediately rejected. First,

“The Mitchell-Elliott combination is too dangerous in the Philippines, where even Eisenhower is not present.”

“Yes, even though Wainwright is very capable, this is a bit···.”

Secondly,

“Are you crazy? Do you really want to see this mother collapse?”

Eleanor Roosevelt’s fierce opposition.

Especially, Eleanor, who had recently come across the horrors of the battlefield through an anti-war film that I had seen, cried out in resolute opposition, and Elliot also could not defeat his mother.

“Why on earth did you collapse?”

“I have heart disease.”

“What? Sigh. That’s why I told you to drink less.”

“Who would pay any attention to such things?”

Marshall sighed with a complicated expression.

It was the same for me too.

The aftermath of the fallen Mitchell is important, but what is more important to us as the Secretary of War and the Chief of Staff of the Army is…

“Wainwright alone would be out of the question.”

“yes.”

Mitchell’s presence was essential to the Army’s goal and execution plan to defend the Philippines.

As an administrator, Mitchell was virtually nonexistent, but he had his own special talents.

When numerous figures from Asia began to gather in Manila, starting with the Provisional Government of Korea, it was clearly Manuel Quezon who served as their central figure.

But it was Mitchell who provided strong support behind Kezon.

They say opposites attract.

Mitchell, who fought fiercely for the creation of an air force that was crazy about the sky, had a lot in common with the Asian independence activists who longed for independence and fought for it their entire lives.

“The person who can replace Mitchell immediately is···.”

“Elliot is too young.”

Although Elliot was treated as Mitchell’s successor, riding on the glory of being the president’s son, he was only a field officer at the time.

My mother-in-law Eleanor, who hadn’t spoken a word to me since the last mission to Spain until Elliot returned, was also a bit scary. Even Eleanor’s health wasn’t very good at the moment.

Because of this, Anna, who had recently given birth to her third child, might end up taking on the role of acting first lady as soon as she finished recovering.

Anyway, given the circumstances, we couldn’t send Elliot to the Philippines.

First of all, the important thing is

“What’s Mitchell’s condition?”

“that is···.”

Heart disease is a disease that has different prognoses for each person and is not easy to treat, but if managed well, it is not impossible to survive for a long time.

A typical example was Mrs. Pinky.

She had suffered from heart disease before MacArthur went to Europe, but had remained healthy until recently.

Compared to Mrs. Pinky, Mitchell was still young. So if she was brought here and treated well, she would definitely live a long life.

“I won’t come.”

“what?”

If he were active duty, they would have ordered him to return home immediately, but unfortunately, Mitchell was a reservist by US military standards.

“Ha, really···.”

“He said he won’t return home, but he’s definitely not feeling well…”

It is said that he had requested that a person be sent to fill his position.

“Who did you want me to send?”

“No, I don’t need you to say anything. Eisenhower?”

“yes.”

Eisenhower.

One of the first things he did after taking office as Secretary of War was to review Eisenhower’s promotions.

They were preparing to promote him to lieutenant general and bring him back to the home country to be sent as commander of the European Expeditionary Force.

“You want Eisenhower? Or Wainwright?”

If Mitchell were to step down, Wainwright would be the commander of the Far East Command, responsible for Asia, including the Philippines.

“Director Wainwright also said he would be grateful if you would just send it to him.”

Well, does Wainwright have an eye for people?

Eisenhower was especially well-suited to fill Mitchell’s role, having spent a particularly long time in the Philippines.

The problem is,

“Isn’t there a separate role for Eisenhower?”

“yes.”

Marshall and I had already decided what to do with him.

And the reason Marshall and others accepted my decision without objection was none other than Mitchell’s presence.

“Eisenhower? He’s the best. If he’s my boss, I guess I have nothing to fear.”

I too had great praise for Eisenhower, but not as much as Mitchell.

“If he could do that under superiors like MacArthur and Mitchell, he would be an incredibly capable person.”

“Well, well. You’ve been under those two for over ten years? Then you can do anything.”

Others also said that Eisenhower’s ability could be seen just by looking at the years he spent working under Mitchell and me.

Does that mean that the Philippines was abandoned when Eisenhower was brought back to the United States? Of course not.

“If Wainwright can handle it, then Mitchell can handle it too, right?”

“You mean Brigadier General Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright?”

“okay.”

Wainwright, who rose through the ranks to become a cavalry brigade commander, was known for his abilities, but he was also particularly known for being a good person.

“Surely, if it were Brigadier General Wainwright···.”

In fact, that was the biggest reason for sending him to the Philippines. Only someone like Wainwright, who was known for being understanding within the US military, could handle Mitchell, who was like a thunderbolt.

And the combination of Mitchell and Wainwright was not bad in its own way.

If Mitchell is the awl, Wainwright is the shield.

If the two were together, it seemed like they could protect the Philippines, unlike in the original history.

In particular, Mitchell’s air force was a more reliable force than any other. In addition, more American volunteers were dispatched to the war zone all day long than in the original history.

But sending Eisenhower to the Philippines was another matter.

“Aside from Eisenhower, there are a few other people the General Staff has in mind…”

All the names on the documents Marshall handed me were familiar.

“Kruger, McNair, Bradley, Van Fleet, Clark, Stillwell···.”

“What do you think?”

“Wouldn’t Walter Kruger be a good fit?

“Kruger···.”

“Especially since they are of German descent, rather than sending them to Europe···.”

“This way is better.”

In fact, just before World War I, the French had a history of requesting Kruger’s return to their home country, citing his origins as an issue.

Of course, the redeployed 84th Division was sent back to Europe, crossing the Atlantic and serving in Europe even after the armistice.

“Come to think of it, this guy was also at the Naval Academy.”

“Yes. I also tried to transfer to the aviation department, but I failed due to an injury…”

Just looking at the resume, it didn’t seem bad.

“Hmm.”

Marshall hesitated for a moment as I pondered, then opened his mouth.

“Maybe we don’t have to ask Eisenhower?”

“what?”

“I know that you have long considered Eisenhower to be the commander in chief of Europe. I know he has the capabilities to do so. But is that what Ike wants?”

“!”

Marshall’s question was unexpected.

Why in history was MacArthur so obsessed with the Philippines?

And why am I obsessed with the Philippines more than any other place?

Yes, Europe was important too.

Because now I’m an American, and I want America to win, and America has to win.

But if you ask me who I would rather beat up, Jerry or Jabs, it would definitely be Jabs.

But I’m just holding on tight because I know I have work to do to beat up those fucking Japs.

“Honestly, Minister, if you could, wouldn’t you want to go to the battlefield too?”

Marshall’s words made me…

“Ask Eisenhower where he’s going.”

“If I say I’m going to the Philippines, you want me to go to Europe?”

“yes.”

I swallowed without realizing it when Marshall said that I should just come back and go since I’m not even 64 yet.

##

“Are you crazy?”

Naturally, Roosevelt, who had the final say on our idea, was furious.

“But you know very well that the most suitable person is you, Minister.”

Marshall looked straight at Roosevelt and did not back down from his position.

“In the last war, the first enemies of our American soldiers were not the Jerrys, but the Tommys and Baguettes. The British Marshal Haig and the French Marshals Pétain and Foch, all of whom only wanted to use our American soldiers as meat shields.”

“This time···.”

“Yes. I don’t know what the difference is. The Baguette guys are completely destroyed, and the Tommy guys are left penniless. But I still think that someone at least as good as the Minister should go to properly control them.”

“under.”

Marshall was right when he said that the place where I can perform at my best is at the front lines.

And then Roosevelt let out a long sigh and said with a tired face.

“Yes. I will remember my Chief of Staff’s advice. But the important thing right now is not to decide on the commander of the expeditionary force. We haven’t even declared war yet.”

That’s right.

Although it is said that anti-Germany and anti-Japanese public opinion is boiling over instead of anti-war public opinion, it is not yet nationwide.

This was because there were stark temperature differences depending on the region. And politics, as always, is not a field where opposition for the sake of opposition is taken for granted.

As during World War I, the Republican Party was vehemently calling for anti-war.

“First of all, I heard that Churchill will be coming from England soon.”

“yes?”

“That must mean the situation is not good.”

“iced coffee.”

At present, Britain is struggling to protect its homeland by any means necessary.

They were fighting a constant air war against the Luftwaffe, but the problem was that that was all they had left.

“They say we have nothing left because we barely managed to bring back people when we retreated last time.”

The British troops who returned empty-handed during their retreat from Dunkirk were in a similar situation to our American soldiers during World War I.

That’s why Britain was desperately appealing to us.

“Can you please take care of the trauma?”

Some businessmen who had been burning with the thought of devouring Britain with shining eyes upon seeing such a country were awakened by our father-in-law’s spicy taste.

“We are preparing a bill to properly support the UK, but···.”

Passing a bill is not something that can be done in a day or two. The reason Churchill came to England in a hurry this time was to receive support as soon as possible.

“Wouldn’t it be nicer to receive something in return rather than just handing it out?”

At my words, Roosevelt’s eyes lit up, as did the other ministers who attended the meeting.

“Our army is jealous of British engine technology. To be honest, Britain has the blueprints but lacks the materials, factories, and manpower to manufacture them.”

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy’s eyes lit up at my words.

“So, the United States is trying to become the world’s factory once again.”

“If we’re going to do it, wouldn’t it be better to look for something that can be licensed for production using the latest technology that the British have?”

Normally, they would be the ones making a fuss about patents and such, but now that the country is on the brink of ruin, how could they possibly have the presence of mind to do that?

Even if we hold out, the Churchill I know would beat him up and give us the license to produce it.

“And while it’s good to support China and the UK, shouldn’t we also impose export restrictions?”

There were still companies that continued to export, taking advantage of the fact that war had not yet been declared.

“We have already reached an agreement with the Republican Party on the legislation regarding that part.”

That was fortunate.

The Republicans didn’t seem to be as crazy as the businessmen who sold their souls for money.

So we had to hold meetings for quite some time about various things ahead of Churchill’s visit.

##

December 23, 1940.

Winston Churchill, who was appointed Prime Minister of the British War Cabinet, visited the United States secretly.

Leaving London in flames amid Nazi air raids, he risked U-boat submarine attacks and crossed the Atlantic in the middle of winter only to ask for help from the United States.

Churchill, who arrived in Virginia, boarded a Naval Air Service aircraft and arrived in Washington, D.C.

“Welcome to the United States.”

The flower girl who handed Churchill a bouquet of flowers as he got off the plane was none other than Mary.

“Oh. Thank you, little miss.”

Mary responded to Churchill’s greeting with a pout.

“I’m not a kid.”

“Huh? Oh. Can you tell me our lady’s name?”

“Yes. This is Mary Eleanor MacArthur.”

“Oh, you’re President Roosevelt’s granddaughter.”

Churchill smiled at the cute little lady and chatted lightly with her.

He must be ten years old now.

Judging by the red tip of her nose, it was clear that she had been waiting for quite some time to deliver the bouquet.

‘But seeing as he sent his granddaughter, I guess he doesn’t intend to treat me coldly.’

Thinking that he was lucky, Churchill asked the question without much thought.

“But does our lady know who I am?”

“Yes. I heard a lot about it from my dad.”

If this cute girl’s father was any indication, it would be the famous Douglas MacArthur. I wondered what he would have said about her.

“okay?”

“Yes, Mr. Gallipoli. Is that right?”

Even the reporters who were frantically taking pictures while listening to the conversation between the two stopped for a moment at Mary’s confident voice that was smiling brightly.

Whew.

The winter winds in Washington were quite bitter.

The Arsenal of Democracy