"Gentlemen, the President has issued his orders. Our fleet is to set out immediately, sail north to reinforce the British Royal Navy, and fight the German Navy." After the White House meeting ended, Admiral Harold Stark hurried back to the Naval Operations Department and addressed the assembled naval commanders.
Clearly, President Roosevelt had already decided to dispatch the Navy to reinforce the British Navy. It was now a foregone conclusion, something no one could stop. The American Navy's commanders could only find a way to obey orders and ensure that the American Navy achieved victory in the coming battle.
The moment Admiral Harold Stark finished speaking, the American Navy commanders could not help but frown.
"General, the British cannot confirm that the German Navy's main force is in the waters east of Greenland, can they? If this is a trap laid by the Germans, then once our main force is drawn away, the consequences may be too dreadful to contemplate," Admiral Nimitz said.
Although the American Navy had been defeated in the Battle of the Azores, Admiral Nimitz, as Fleet Commander, had not been held accountable. From the American Navy to the upper echelons of the United States, everyone believed that Admiral Nimitz had been beyond reproach in his command. The defeat had mainly been due to the vast disparity in strength between the two sides. Otherwise, the American Navy would not have been beaten.
"Yes, General. This is far too risky. Once our main force sails north, if the German Navy launches a surprise attack on our East Coast, our losses will be immense," Admiral Ernest King said as well.
Admiral Harold Stark nodded. "Everyone's concerns are not without reason. However, the President has decided to have the Army Air Corps and the Navy's land-based aircraft take charge of