The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 654 Truman and the Super Bomb

In a small oak-paneled conference room in the White House, the new President Harry Truman sat at the head of a long table, his dark suit neatly ironed, his hands folded in front of his abdomen, and occasionally he raised his right hand to adjust the round-frame glasses on his nose.

The eyes behind the lenses cautiously scanned the Pentagon generals with shining epaulettes sitting at the table.

These were faces that would have seemed unattainable to him just a few months ago.

"Everyone, please begin." Truman's voice was steady, with the unique nasal tone of Missouri.

But there were undercurrents in his heart.

Before Commander Luo's sudden death, he, the deputy commander, was like an invisible man on the political stage and had no chance to even see the core military briefings.

Now sitting on this chair that symbolizes the highest power, I feel a sense of pride, but also a hidden anger for the past contempt, and even a hint of confusion for suddenly shouldering a heavy burden.

He needs to absorb everything quickly and make his own judgment.

Admiral William Leahy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke first, his tone solemn:

"Mr. President, the Battle of Okinawa essentially ended on the 22nd of this month.

"From the landing on April 1st, the war lasted for eighty-three days. Our casualties totaled nearly 35,000, including over 7,000 killed in action. Our Southeast Asian allies also suffered nearly 20,000 casualties."

Truman frowned slightly:

"I noticed in the war report that the Nanyang Army recruited quite a few... Southeast Asian natives to participate in the attack?"

“Yes,” Leahy confirmed, “mostly tribes from the Malay Peninsula and the native rainforest areas of Bago.

They are extremely well adapted to Okinawa's mountainous terrain and hot and humid climate, and their fighting spirit during tunnel clearing and nighttime infiltration is impressive."

Truman nodded thoughtfully and motioned to continue.

Lieutenant General Holland Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, continued his report, his tone somewhat low:

"This time, the Japanese completely abandoned the traditional beachhead decisive battle and instead used those damned limestone hills in southern Okinawa to build a dense spider web of underground tunnels and fortresses.

Our naval gunnery and air superiority were severely weakened, and the Marines were forced to fight inch by inch in dark caves with flamethrowers and grenades, which was extremely costly.

He paused, his voice deeper:

"At the same time, the Japanese air force launched ten large-scale 'Kikusui Special Attacks.' In particular, their manned, rocket-powered suicide planes, called 'Sakura,' were extremely fast and difficult to intercept, causing severe damage and psychological shock to our fleet."

"You mean," Truman leaned forward and tapped the table with his fingertips, "if we were to land on the Japanese mainland, we would face even more frantic resistance than in Okinawa?"

"There's no doubt about it, Commander-in-Chief," Smith affirmed. "It will be an even more brutal, hellish war with incalculable casualties."

"Tell me about the specific plan." Truman leaned back in his chair and folded his hands again.

Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall took over and unfolded a huge military map:

"The overall plan to attack Neon's homeland is codenamed 'Operation Downfall'.

The two-phase "Operation Olympic" is planned to be implemented this year, mobilizing 55 troops to land in southern Kyushu and establish a forward base.

The second phase, Operation Little Crown, is expected to establish a forward base and mobilize 120 million troops to directly attack the Kanto Plain in Honshu, with the goal of attacking the Japanese capital of Edo.

"120 million?" Truman repeated subconsciously, his eyes widening slightly behind his glasses. "We didn't use this number when we landed in Normandy or attacked the Third Reich in Europe, did we?"

Several generals exchanged glances, and finally Marshall spoke in a heavy tone:

“The situation with the devils is different, Your Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.

They promoted the "one hundred million people die together" policy, and almost everyone became a soldier.

According to intelligence, all civilians of working age, including women and teenagers, could be issued weapons and become our enemies."

Truman raised his hand and rubbed his temple, feeling tired:

"So, we, the Allies, who are here to end the war and liberate the people, might actually be...unwelcome invaders on the devil's land?"

Admiral Leahy's voice was cold, bringing Truman back to reality:

"At least that was the case until the Japanese civilian class suffered enough losses from the continued bombing and blockade that their fear of death finally overwhelmed the hatred incited by militarism."

Truman was silent for a moment, then waved his hand: "I understand."

The meeting ended in a heavy atmosphere.

-----

A few hours later, in a smaller, more private office in the White House, Truman met with Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves, the Army Corps of Engineers' deputy chief of construction and commander of the Manhattan Engineering District.

"General Groves, please tell me now..." Truman stared at the burly former civil engineer in front of him, "What exactly is this so-called 'super bomb'?"

Groves explains atomic fission, the enormous energy release and devastating shock waves, thermal radiation and nuclear fallout, in as simple terms as possible.

As Truman listened, the expression on his face gradually changed from confusion to shock, and finally to disbelief and solemnity.

"You mean... a single bomb can wipe out a city? Oh my God..." he muttered, loosening his tie subconsciously, "The test was successful?"

"Not yet, Commander-in-Chief. But the finished product will be put into live-fire testing soon..." Groves took out a document and handed it to Truman. "Scientists have expressed great optimism about the prospects of live-fire testing..."

Truman took a deep breath, walked to the window, and looked out at the Washington Monument in the twilight.

"The Potsdam Conference is going to start next month..." He seemed to be talking to Groves, but also seemed to be talking to himself. "This is really... shocking news."

"Of course, it would be even better if we could successfully test-explode it before the meeting begins."

-----

A few days later, at Truman's home, a private dinner was taking place.

There were no waiters, just Truman and his wife Beth, and their only guest, Yegorov.

"Honestly, Yegorov." Truman personally filled a glass of bourbon for his friend, his tone relaxed. "You are one of the few friends I can tell the truth to in this damn political vortex."

Beth Truman smiled and pushed a plate of nuts toward Yegorov: "Harry always talks about you, saying that without your support, he wouldn't be where he is today."

Yegorov, the business tycoon who played a key role in Truman's political rise with his keen political acumen and strong financial resources, raised his glass and smiled sincerely and appropriately:

"It is my pleasure, Mr. President."

After a few glasses of wine, the atmosphere in the study became more harmonious.

Truman waved his wife away and his expression became serious again.

"Yegorov, regarding the final battle against the Japanese mainland, I'd like to hear your opinion, from the perspective of an outsider strategist."