Survive as a World War II Soldier - Chapter 147



Only Krnovel

#147

-You’re the commander of the European Expeditionary Force. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything about the Pacific, right?-

I’m getting the general idea.

“Do you know about the Tokyo air raid?”

“What do you think, Marshal, about the merciless bombing that is taking place on the Pacific front?”

“I would like to know the difference between the bombing of Tokyo and the bombing of Dresden.”

As soon as I set foot on the London docks, I was immediately greeted with questions from the reporters who surrounded me, confirming my predictions.

Plus, I could see that Lemay had baked Tokyo very hotly, just as I thought.

Finally, I thought I knew what my brother was asking of me. But just because I knew what he wanted didn’t mean I would do whatever he said.

Because hiding behind someone and pretending not to know wasn’t my style.

“Of course I know. I was the one who selected LeMay to be the commander of the bombing operation.”

I could see some of the people standing behind me holding their foreheads as if they couldn’t stop me from answering, but I don’t know what it was.

“I am glad to hear that the Army Air Corps’ operation has been concluded very successfully. I would like to express my deepest gratitude and congratulations to the Air Corps soldiers who overcame many difficulties and achieved excellent results during this operation, as well as to those who supported the operation.”

All the reporters raised their hands at my answer. Just as they were about to point out one person, a guy came out and started yelling without even following the order.

“They say that Tokyo was reduced to ashes by this bombing. They say that a lot of civilians living there died. Do you have anything to say about this?”

I could tell by the accent that it was Tommy. I wasn’t the only one who frowned at the attitude of the guy who had eaten up all manners. However,

“I would like to hear your thoughts on civilian casualties, Commander.”

“yes.”

I snickered at the sight of everyone urging me to answer quickly, then opened my mouth while looking at the reporter who had asked the first question.

“Have you ever been to Japan, or Asia, as the reporter asked the question?”

“Does that matter?”

“yes.”

After giving a firm answer to the quirky reporter, I began to explain in detail.

“Asia is different from Europe or America in many ways. You and I make everything in factories, and there is a strict separation between residential areas and factories. But Asia is different. It has its own history and traditions. One of them is home-based crafts.”

“We don’t want a geography class.”

“Yes. I don’t intend to give you a boring lesson either. However, in order to understand correctly, you need a certain level of prior knowledge. That is, if you don’t want to do something like drinking the water you used to wash your hands with.”

“···So what about that cottage industry?”

The reporters’ tone began to sound nervous, as if they didn’t like me for not saying a word.

“Do you know how many parts go into an airplane? About 3,000. Do you know how they make them in Japan? Mr. Nakamura, who lives next door to the factory, makes screw No. 1, Mr. Tanaka, who lives next door, makes screw No. 2, and Mr. Takao goes around the neighborhood, collects screws and parts made in each house, and delivers them to the factory.

This is the traditional cottage industry of Asia. So Tokyo itself is a giant arms factory.”

“but···.”

“Yes. However, there are still some innocent victims. Our US Air Force is the best in the world, but it is not easy for people to be perfect in what they do.”

“Yes, so about those civilian victims···.”

“All responsibility lies with me and the Army leadership.”

With those words, I took off my military cap and bowed my head in a respectful manner. The other American officers and soldiers around me also took off their hats in response to my actions.

“I express my deepest condolences and gratitude to the soldiers who did not return from the operation and their bereaved families. I also wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Finally, I also express my condolences to the innocent victims.”

The reporters who had been noisy due to the solemn attitude also became quiet. But not everyone was like that.

“Are you saying that you will take responsibility for the innocent victims?”

It was the same Tommy who had been yelling at me in the first place with such rudeness. I could see other American reporters glaring at him, upset by his remarks.

“Yes. As I said before, all responsibility will be borne by me and the leadership. Because, if necessary, I will give the same order at any time. Inhumane? Demonic? Yes, you can curse me as much as you want.

“If I, and the commanders including myself, could become the devil and end this damn war as soon as possible, so that one more of our American sons who were dragged into this fucking war could return to their families safely and as soon as possible, then I would be more than happy to become the devil.”

I know what my brother and Marshall are thinking.

A strategy that is sure to cause controversy.

I wish he would just say he didn’t know and take a step back. But that wasn’t MacArthur’s way. And it wasn’t the American way.

I didn’t know, I didn’t know anything. So who likes a coward who hides behind someone and says he’s not responsible?

Even my country wouldn’t elect such a coward as president.

Above all, the best way to win people’s hearts was not to be sloppy, but to be honest. And one more thing, aren’t reporters citizens?

They too had patriotism.

##

It was a rather brutal video.

The video and photo materials distributed by the Army Public Relations Department to reporters ahead of the press conference were quite brutal.

But while the press room would normally be filled with criticism and advice on military operations and their results, today was different.

“I knew our 6th Marine Corps was good, but it’s really good.”

“Oh. You said this was the first operation with the newly built B-29s? I should focus on the aircraft.”

“Then what should I write about? Should I bring up the atrocities of the Japanese military again?”

Everyone was racking their brains to somehow write a favorable article.

That’s understandable, because all of these people here were journalists, but they were also Americans. They knew better than anyone else about the atrocities committed by the Japanese military, including the tragedy at Wake Island, which the general public was unaware of.

That’s why I was one of those who felt the most exhilarated by this Tokyo air raid.

And the press conference that followed immediately.

The remarks were followed by remarks from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Arthur III, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral King, Army Chief of Staff Admiral Marshall, and Army Air Forces Commandant General Arnold.

“I would like to express my admiration for the courage of the airmen under Brigadier General LeMay who risked their lives in this dangerous operation. Their ability to execute the operation was beyond compare, and as a result, the operational order given by our command was 200% accomplished. The success of the operation is all due to their bravery and excellent ability, and all the accidents and problems that occurred during the process are all due to our command who ordered such an operation.”

Although their comments differed in detail, all four said that the credit goes to LeMay and the soldiers, and that the blame goes to them.

Even in King’s case, even though it was not directly related to the operation,

“This Army Aviation Corps pre-emptive strike was established because our Navy strongly insisted on its necessity. All credit for the operation belongs to the Army Aviation Corps. However, as we participated in the planning of the operation, our Navy also feels responsible for any errors that occurred during the operation.”

He even made a statement that seemed to indicate that he would take responsibility.

And the sight of those people was quite impressive.

“I have to save this somehow.”

Eugene groaned, muttering to himself.

The results of the Tokyo air raid were one thing, but I also wanted to make it known that we have such wonderful and responsible people in command of our military.

And the next day, the headline at the newspaper where Eugene worked was:

-A battle between the Navy and the Army. Who will win?-

Bombing an enemy country in war is one of the important strategies. Destroying factories producing military supplies in the rear is an operation just as important as fighting on the front lines. In particular, bombing without an escort, like the recent Tokyo air raid, is extremely dangerous.

As you get closer to your destination, you’ll have to endure a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, and the threat of enemy interceptor formations attacking your relatively slow and poorly armed bombers increases.

Even if they succeed in bombing despite all the difficulties, the returning crew members are often met with criticism rather than praise for their achievement.

Unlike the battlefield where soldiers fight each other, bombing targeting urban areas in the rear inevitably results in large numbers of civilian casualties.

In the past, Britain faced a lot of criticism for the bombing of Drasden, and eventually the Air Force Commander was forced to resign from his post and return to the wilderness amid accusations that he was a butcher.

But immediately after this Tokyo air raid, our army and navy command were different.

As if by agreement, the Army and Navy admirals shouted that all the mistakes made during the bombing of Tokyo were their fault.

Of particular note is Chief of Naval Operations Admiral King.

He said the raid was a strong request from the Navy and therefore the responsibility also lies with the Navy.

The army did not hide its extreme displeasure at this.

Army Chief of Staff Marshall countered that it was absurd for the Navy to interfere in Army affairs and that all responsibility was his.

##

People were excited by the sensational headlines about a fight between the Navy and the Army.

Naturally, the tone of other newspapers began to flow in a similar direction.

A few newspapers did carry stories about the civilian casualties from the bombing, but they were soon buried.

“I knew technology was advancing rapidly, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.”

“That’s really amazing.”

“That Mustang or the one they just introduced, even the British can’t make it.”

“really?”

People were thrilled by their country’s technological prowess as they read newspaper articles introducing the B-29. But that wasn’t all.

“Did you say that Arthur III was General MacArthur’s older brother?”

“That’s right. I guess the MacArthur family is a prestigious family.”

“Is MacArthur the only one like that? Aren’t the other enemies also really great?”

“That’s why. Roosevelt has tolerance.”

“I know.”

“Whenever a problem arises in other countries, they are busy blaming each other.”

“Are we like America?”

No one could hide their delight as they watched the top commanders of the Army and Navy fighting among themselves, claiming responsibility.

“At least if the army is led by people like that, won’t our sons not have to suffer in vain?”

“That’s right. The leader is important in anything, you can tell just by looking at him.”

“sure.”

And to add fuel to that fire, an interview came across the Atlantic, this time from General MacArthur.

-The MacArthur Brothers’ Rebellion, the two brothers divided into the Army and the Navy.-

-Don’t worry about the Army Air Corps, the younger brother’s sharp remarks toward his older brother.-

-I, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commander-in-Chief, European Expeditionary Force, keep your mind off the Pacific.-

The fight between the Army and Navy escalated into a fight between brothers.

There, newspapers continued to report on various atrocities committed by the Japanese. There were even daily newspapers that brought up the Nanjing Massacre, the Chongqing Air Raid, and even the Great Kanto Earthquake, which had long since been forgotten.

At this point, there was no way that an atmosphere like Drasden’s would arise where the military would be pressured into claiming civilian casualties.

Of course, the atmosphere of our American media and the media of other countries was quite different.

“Don’t they have any patriotism? No, do these kids even know that they are part of the Allied Forces?”

“Well, didn’t you say that the royal family is of German descent? And looking at what they’ve done so far, I honestly doubt they should be considered an Allied power?”

“Are you kidding me right now?”

The authors who shamelessly criticized the air raids on Tokyo and other Japanese mainland areas despite being part of the Allied Forces were none other than Tommy’s bastards.

“Then what should I do? Go and shoot a shotgun?”

“Oh, no.”

No, I was just joking. If you take it seriously, I’ll be embarrassed.

Anyway, why is the British press clinging to me? It’s obvious. They must be trying to find some way to slander me and remove me from my position as Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces.

Of course, it was a completely meaningless thing.

Rather, the American media was reporting on this behavior of the British media and even writing articles analyzing in detail why they were so frustrated with me and MacArthur.

In short, the argument was that the British were doing so because they did not have a great general like Nana Marshall.

It was natural that our American citizens reacted enthusiastically. In particular, the media was able to continue this line of argument because the atmosphere in the media of other Allied countries, except Britain, was different.

“On the French side, there are only very friendly articles.”

The French press, which had particularly bad relations with Britain, had an atmosphere almost identical to that of the American press.

“By the way, Montgomery came to see you again?”

“yes.”

Tommy’s bastards’ fuss wasn’t over yet.

There’s not much left.