allonlinenovel Chapter 671 White Eagle Alone?
Chapter 671 White Eagle Alone?
Truman nodded, somewhat satisfied with the reaction of John and Gaul, these two old Europeans who usually considered themselves nobles.
Finally, he asked one of the questions that mattered most to him:
"So, what about our little Nanyang kid who's been a bit disobedient but has been quite capable lately?"
What do Zhang Chi and his generals think of these two mushroom clouds?
Will this make them more…reasonable on the Javanese issue, or in other areas?”
Lieutenant General Groves shook his head this time:
"Commander-in-Chief, intelligence about Southeast Asia is relatively limited. They have publicly stated their support for using all means to end the war as soon as possible."
However, given Zhang Chi's past strategic resolve and the rapid development of China's industrial and technological strength, mere deterrence is likely to have limited effect.
They are more likely to view this as a decisive technological gap that must be bridged as quickly as possible.
"The gap?" Truman raised his chin slightly, revealing a confident air of absolute power. "Then let these foolish children realize for themselves how big and insurmountable this gap is!"
He looked at Groves and asked the most crucial question:
"General Groves, the level of secrecy surrounding the Manhattan Project is enough to guarantee our monopoly, right? The Russians, and the Johns who once cooperated with us, how difficult would it be for them to replicate this thing on their own?"
Groves sat up straight, his tone full of certainty:
"Your Excellency, we have done an excellent job of maintaining secrecy."
As for imitation... In fact, many countries, including the Heisenberg team from the Hans and the Nishina Yoshio's NI research from the Japanese, were conducting basic theoretical research on atomic energy and nuclear fission before and during the war.
For example, Heisenberg initially even miscalculated the critical mass of uranium-235, causing delays in their project.
He paused for a moment, and seeing that Truman didn't seem to show any impatience with these technical terms, he continued:
"However, there is a huge gap between theory and actual weapons."
Industrial-scale production of enriched uranium, precise design of implosion methods, complex detonation systems…
These are all hellish problems.
Given the Soviet Union's severely damaged industrial base and technological talent pool, and the equally strained post-war economy of the Soviet Union…”
Groves made a prediction that went down in history, but which ultimately proved to be a serious misjudgment:
"In my opinion, even if they were to devote all their efforts to independently developing a combat-ready atomic bomb, it would still require at least..."
"Yes, it will take 8 to 10 years."
A soft, relaxed exhale echoed in the office.
“8 to 10 years…” Truman repeated the number, a smile spreading across his face. “That means we have at least 8 years to be in a clear lead.”
It seems I should award our 'father of the atomic bomb,' Professor Oppenheimer, a medal of considerable merit.
“In fact, Your Excellency,” Groves added, “in Los Alamos, Professor Edward Taylor and his team have already come up with some… more groundbreaking ideas.”
A preliminary concept for a super-super bomb based on the principle of nuclear fusion, theoretically far more powerful than a fission bomb.
"A super super bomb?" Truman's eyes lit up. "Then let's continue research and development. As for the funding, I'll figure out a way to compete with those penny-pinching old men on Capitol Hill."
He stated unequivocally, "We need to mass-produce more 'little boys' and 'fat boys,' and at the same time, we need to have more powerful weapons."
At this moment, everyone in the Oval Office had a look of conviction that the prophecy of the city on a mountaintop was about to come true.
They firmly believe that the existence of the atomic bomb, and the possibility of even more powerful nuclear weapons in the future, will allow the White Eagle to stand at the pinnacle of world military power for at least the next decade, enjoying unparalleled strategic advantages and dominance in international affairs.
They were indulging in the immense joy and arrogance brought about by their nuclear monopoly.
They don't know, or rather, they simply can't imagine.
In the distant South Pacific, Zhang Chi, the boy they called disobedient, had quietly acquired a real, gun-detonated atomic bomb within his War Thunder system space, identical to the "fat man" they had dropped on Nagasaki.
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Meanwhile, in Okinawa.
The scorching Pacific sun beat down on the runway. Tom, the ground crew leader of the White Eagle Army Air Corps, wiped the sweat from his brow as he directed his men to inspect a P-51 Mustang fighter plane.
Suddenly, a deep and powerful engine roar came from afar, unlike the B-24 or B-17 he was used to hearing.
He raised his head, shading his eyes with his hand as he gazed at the sky.
A squadron of massive, sleek four-engine heavy bombers, in precise formation, slowly descended to land on the main runway of the Nanyang people's airport.
Their paint scheme is not the familiar white eagle emblem, but the striking dragon emblem of the United States of Southeast Asia.
Tom's mouth opened slightly, and the wrench in his hand fell to the concrete floor with a clatter.
“Holy...shit…” he muttered to himself, almost unable to believe his eyes. “That’s…a B-29? A Superfortress? From the South Seas?”
As an experienced ground crew member, he would never make a mistake.
The B-29's distinctive hemispherical nose, enormous wingspan, and towering vertical tail give it a generational difference from bombers like the B-17 and B-25.
This is the White Eagle's most advanced and powerful strategic bomber, a deadly fist capable of directly striking the Japanese mainland across the Pacific, and it has just proven itself in Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the sole platform for delivering ultimate weapons.
The White Eagles have never provided even a single B-29 to Southeast Asia through any official channels.
The news spread like wildfire within the White Eagle base in Okinawa and quickly reached the desk of Admiral William F. Halsey Jr., the White Eagle Commander-in-Chief of the South Pacific Area, who was based in Okinawa.
"Is it confirmed?" Halsey stared at the intelligence officer, his face so dark it looked like it could be wrung out.
"Confirmed, General. The aircraft belong to the 182nd Heavy Bomber Division of the Southern Air Force, numbering 24. They are in good condition and have completed landing and initial resupply."
According to the agreement, Ryukyu was implicitly placed under the trusteeship of the South Seas. At this time, most of the area was controlled by the South Seas Expeditionary Force, with only a few airports and docks left for the White Eagle Forces to use.
Therefore, there is no information isolation between the two parties.
Or rather, Zhang Chi is no longer planning to pressure the White Eagles.
He displayed it openly and generously.
I've opened it!