Against the Tide Imperial: The Struggle for Ceylon (The Usurper's War: An Alternative World War II B by James Young (story reading txt) 📕

saying. Seeing that both of them recognized that it was not only King's orders that Fletcher had been given, Dunlap continued.

"So, yes, Admiral King, like Winston Churchill, belongs to the ages now," Dunlap stated. "The first did not want any British vessels taking part in what he considered to be a two party war between the United States and Japan."

Both Halsey and Towers' expressions indicated they could imagine one Admiral Ernest J. King's likely profane statements in favor of British exclusion. King's disgust with all things British had not exactly been a secret among the USN's senior officers.

I hope it's not true that he cursed at the Queen back when Secretary Knox and he went to collect that poor Cobb kid back in August. Still, I could easily believe it to be so.

"The second was quite willing to parlay some of the last heavy units the Royal Navy had left to support our Central Pacific advance if it meant we dispatched vessels to the Indian Ocean."

Dunlap turned and gestured out the window of the headquarters towards where the Nelson and Rodney had tied up along Battleship Row along with the Maryland earlier that evening.

"The British kept their end of the deal," Dunlap stated. "It was made clear to them that we were only upholding our end provided it did not result in the loss of the Massachusetts or Indiana."

Dunlap walked over towards the map, grabbing a long pointer from the bin where they were kept.

Time to educate both of them on how averse to risk I am. This will teach me not to have a staff meeting before I have a meet and greet with my subordinates.

"Yes, Admiral King belongs to the ages," Dunlap began, then pointed to the icons representing the Japanese force off of Ceylon. "However, these Japanese carriers don't, and despite my clear question neither one of you have explained to me why Fletcher can't attack the other flattops he's surprised from where he's at right now."

"He doesn't have enough fighters for both missions," Towers said, his tone defeated. Dunlap saw Halsey start to turn and look at Towers before the other vice admiral caught himself.

Ah, now I see. Guess ol' Bill thought that was something to keep from the boss. Best nip that in the bud.

"Now gentlemen, that sounds dangerously like you were wanting me to gamble with money that doesn't belong to me," Dunlap said, trying to keep his tone conversational after a long, pointed look at both his subordinates.

"Sir, those Japanese carriers up by Ceylon have their hands full with the invasion," Halsey spat in response to his rebuke. "We asked the G-2 and he's sure of it."

Dunlap considered the map, then pointed at the fleeing Japanese force.

"I bet you, unless he got killed by Fletcher's first strike, there's a Japanese admiral who regrets listening to whatever his G-2 told him several hours ago," Dunlap said. He then smacked the map where Vice Admiral Vian's force was.

"Yesterday, before he got himself killed, Vice Admiral Cunningham probably wished he'd ignored all the reports that those same Japanese carriers you guys want Fletcher to "bag" were up by Ceylon.."

With that last comment, Dunlap fixed Vice Admiral Halsey with a glare that could have welded a battleship's turret armor.

"At least my predecessor's intelligence officer had the courtesy to die from his mistake," Dunlap said. "Of course, he did get Admiral Greenman killed doing so. I guess distance will keep the same from happening to me, but that's going to be cold comfort if I have no carriers left."

Vice Admiral Halsey exhaled heavily, his jaw clenched.

I think I've made my point.

He turned back to the map to give Vice Admiral Halsey a chance to rein in his temper.

I need to get this man back to sea before it kills him or makes his relief necessary.

"Tell me more about this fighter problem," Dunlap continued, changing the subject. "I see the numbers on this report, but they don't tell me anything."

"It seems like Vice Admiral Fletcher lost quite a few fighters in his first strike and trying to defend the surface ships," Towers said. "It's likely they weren't all shot down and the numbers may change between today and tomorrow, but there are only so many planes to go around."

"Roughly twenty-five to thirty percent losses," Vice Admiral Halsey further explained. "Problem is, a large number of those are the new Hellcat and Corsairs, which are the only aircraft that can match up with that big Japanese fighter they showed up with back in March."

Speaking of intelligence failures.

Dunlap watched as Halsey reached into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes. Taking one out, the Vice Admiral offered the pack towards Dunlap.

"Sir?"

"No thank you," Dunlap said wistfully. "Decided to quit after the heart attack."

Halsey nodded sympathetically as he turned and offered the pack to Towers.

Well, guess that confirms they've asked around about me.

The heart attack that had contributed to his retirement wasn't common knowledge, even if the feud between Admiral King and he was.

Might have been a bit embarrassing to ol' Ernest's memory if the circumstances came to light. Most men don't nearly kill themselves chasing a superior officer out of their marital bed.

"So you're telling me even if Fletcher could strike, he would likely lose more of his fighters because they're inferior?" Dunlap asked, resuming the conversation.

"Between us and the British, I'm sure we've reduced the Japanese numbers," Halsey said after a pause. "Their other carrier fighter, the Zero, is only slightly superior to the Wildcat."

Slightly superior isn't going to be a whole lot of comfort to young men expected to fight it.

"So when will we have some of the new Corsairs and Hellcats for Fletcher's carriers?" Dunlap asked. "Since it appears the Atlantic Fleet's supply is going to need some replenishing before the Bonhomme Richard and Independence go back east."

"The first two replacement air groups are expected to arrive in the next week," Vice Admiral Towers said without missing a beat. "There will be another twenty each of Corsairs and