time. This meant that the Philippines were on their own, as was Hawaii, at least until the harbor facilities could be repaired.
Rainbow 5 also realized that ultimate victory was linked to the survival of the Soviet Union and Great Britain as allies. At this time, both were on the verge of collapse. Should either fall, the other would likely follow or sue for a separate peace. Thus, the fall of either Russia or Great Britain would leave Nazi Germany dominant in Europe and invulnerable.
“I know,” King muttered.
The truly great fear was the collapse or defeat of Great Britain. If that occurred, Spain would likely join the Axis, who would conquer neutral but pro-American Portugal and then overwhelm Gibraltar, thus isolating the Mediterranean. Should that occur, the Germans would swiftly mop up Egypt, the Suez, and Palestine. They would then link up with Japanese armies attacking Europe. On the way, it was conceivable that they would take the vast oil reserves of the Arabian Peninsula.
The fall of Great Britain might also result in the Nazis’ taking possession of the Royal Navy, while a treaty between Germany and England could conceivably result in a pro-German Canada sharing a common border with the United States. It was a nightmare scenario in which the United States would be totally isolated.
Great Britain and the Soviet Union must not be permitted to fall. It was as simple as that, Roosevelt thought. Why didn’t King and the others understand? Why didn’t the American people understand?
“You know,” the president said to the admiral with a forced calmness, “there were those who said I shouldn’t appoint you to head the navy. They said that, along with irrationally hating the British, you were an alcoholic and a womanizing lecher. I said I could accept all your faults because you were a tremendous fighter. However, you must work with us to win the war in the way that is most beneficial to the United States in the long run. Admit it, Admiral, even if you wished, you couldn’t mount a relief expedition to either the Philippines or the Hawaiian islands at this time. While you may have a number of ships remaining, General Marshall still doesn’t have an army. Isn’t that true, General?”
“It is,” Marshall said.
The American army now consisted of more than two million men, but they were as yet untrained and ill equipped. What newspapers were calling the Arsenal of Democracy existed largely on paper and in people’s imaginations. Factories were still being converted to wartime production, and it would be the better part of a year before the newly forming army was ready for offensive operations; what trained units there were had been shipped off to England and Australia.
Australia had been an unexpected problem. With the Australian army off fighting the Nazis in North Africa, the Aussies had quickly realized that they were defenseless against the Japanese. Thus, they had presented England and the United States with a choice: Either American troops would be sent to Australia or the Australian army would be pulled out of North Africa. In response, American troops were landing to defend Australia.
Ironically, the navy was better off than the army despite the disaster at Pearl Harbor. Since it took years to construct a warship, it was almost providential that the buildup of the American navy had commenced nearly two years earlier. Thus, while King fretted over the limited resources presently available, he knew that the fleet under construction was larger than the fleet currently in the water. If only the Japanese would have waited, he thought bitterly, the American navy would have kicked their asses from Hawaii to Tokyo in record time. What really teed him and others off was the nagging feeling that the Japanese were really a second-rate power hiding behind the skirts of a first-rate power, Nazi Germany. The Japs had some good leaders and some good weapons, but nowhere near enough of either.
As if to punctuate that fact, German subs were wreaking havoc along the Atlantic coast in what the Nazis called Operation Drumbeat, while a handful of Japanese subs lurked off Puget Sound, San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Flaming war had come to the coasts of America. Burning ships could be seen sinking off both coasts while people stood on the sands and watched.
“The resupply convoy?” Roosevelt asked, interrupting King’s thoughts. “When will it depart for Honolulu?”
“As soon as we determine the exact target of the Jap raiding force. It’s actually three convoys totaling more than a hundred merchant ships, and they will be escorted by twenty destroyers and light cruisers. Along with military stores, they will carry foodstuffs for the civilian population and as much fuel as we can provide. The fuel situation is causing difficulties, because we had to ensure that the ships in the convoy would be able to go to Hawaii and back without refueling from island stores. There was no point in sending fuel to Hawaii and then having the ships that brought it there guzzle it.”
Marshall made a wry comment about a Civil War wagon train that was supposed to bring fodder to Grant’s cavalry. By the time the wagons arrived, the horses pulling the wagons had eaten it all. Roosevelt thought it amusing and ironic. King did not.
“Then the fuel situation is truly acute?” the president asked.
“It is,” said King. “We lost four and a half million gallons on December 7, when the Japs hit the fuel storage area. A normal shipment from the States gives the islands less than two weeks’ supply. At the rate they’ve been using up what they have left, we don’t think there’s enough to sustain operations for more than a week or ten days.”
“Neither the army nor the navy has sufficient fuel to patrol efficiently and still have enough to fight a battle,” Marshall added. “Although, for once, the two services are cooperating in their efforts.”
About time, Roosevelt thought. Germany and Japan were the enemy, not the other American services. The president wheeled over to where his cigarettes lay on a table. He made a show of lighting one to hide his concerns. King’s comment disturbed him deeply. A week or ten days was all the fuel they had? The convoy had to get through, and the buildup had to begin immediately.
But, of course, nothing could happen until the Japanese raiding force came and went. “What about Hawaii, Admiral?” Roosevelt asked. “Have they been warned?”
All potential targets have been warned in such a manner as not to betray that the information came from Magic. Fortunately, the Japanese are not all that concerned about radio silence at this time, so we’re able to report on their buildup in a general and logical manner. We’ve said nothing about any infantry being onboard; that would be too much detail and could give away the game. We hope that can be inferred by our people. At any rate, it is far more important that the secret of Magic be kept.”
“What arrogance,” Roosevelt hissed. “The Japs will pay for this.” He then dismissed Marshall. King remained alone with him.
“Tell me, Admiral, are you with us or against us?”
King flushed. “With you. You’ve given me an opportunity, and I will not fail you.”
“Good. While I respect your opinions and wish to hear them, I desire and require your utmost cooperation. You must understand that the decision to implement Rainbow 5 has been made and is no longer an issue.”
“Yes, Mr. President. You are aware that everything you said about me, the drinking and the skirt chasing, is all true, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Rest assured, Admiral, I do not promote people on their worthiness for sainthood. If I did that”-he chuckled-”we’d never get anything done around here.”
As the admiral exited the White House, he saw General Marshall standing by King’s staff car.
“Did you notice how he looked?” Marshall asked.
King had. “He looked fatigued, almost exhausted. This whole thing must be a terrible strain on him,” he replied.
“Yes, although I fear it may be more than that. He is not a well man. The effects of the polio have weakened his body, and the pressures of running a war are starting to pile up on him. I point this out so you will know how important it is to not aggravate him unduly. If you think he is wrong, speak it, but don’t push for a Pacific-first war when he cannot give it to you, even though he wants nothing more than to exact revenge on Japan for Pearl Harbor.”
“I know.” King sighed. He then told Marshall of his brief conversation alone with the president.
“Good. Think about something else. If something happens to FDR, then who becomes president?”
King paled. “Henry Wallace. Good God, General, the man’s almost a Communist.”
Marshall smiled. “I wouldn’t go quite that far, but he is quite a liberal, and he does seem to think that the sun rises and sets on Joe Stalin and the Soviet Union. Let’s face it, under a President Henry A. Wallace, it is
