The 'Essex-class' aircraft carrier is the aircraft carrier that American Navy decided to mass-produce, and it is also their main aircraft carrier in this war. Even United States Congress has approved the construction of 32 aircraft carriers of this class. It is undoubtedly much more than the 12 aircraft carriers built at the German Navy level.
However, war is now imminent. Therefore, when the number of 'Essex-class' aircraft carriers is seriously insufficient, American Navy has to be replaced by 'Independence-class' light aircraft carriers. However, compared to the 'Essex-class' aircraft carrier, the performance of the 'Independence-class' light aircraft carrier is much worse.
"How many Carrier-based aircraft can the 'Independence-class' aircraft carrier carry?" President Roosevelt asked.
"Each 'Independence-class' aircraft carrier can carry 24 carrier-based fighter jets and 9 Vengeance or Torpedo Bomber." Harold Admiral Stark said.
President Roosevelt nodded. If calculated in this way, the nine 'Independence-class' aircraft carriers in service have the combat effectiveness equivalent to three 'Essex-class' aircraft carriers. In this case, American Navy can be roughly equivalent to the strength of 18 aircraft carriers.
"Germany people have 16 aircraft carriers on Atlantic Ocean. On the Mediterranean Sea, they also have 4 aircraft carriers. This means that after the war breaks out, we have to face 20 aircraft carriers of Germany people! We still have no advantage in this aspect!" President Roosevelt said.
The expressions of all the naval generals were serious. Indeed, judging from the number of Capital Ships and aircraft carriers on both sides, American Navy had no advantage at all. This is the reason why German Navy deployed a quite powerful fleet on Pacific Ocean. Without the restraint of Island Nation Navy, American Navy would not have the strength to confront German Navy.
"What about Carrier-based aircraft?" President Roosevelt then asked.
The number of aircraft carriers is an important factor. But the performance of Carrier-based aircraft is undoubtedly the more important factor.
"Your Excellency, the performance of our Destroyer dive bombers and Avenger torpedo attack aircraft is not much different from that of the German Navy's dive bombers and torpedo attack aircraft. However, in terms of carrier-based fighter jets, our F4F fighter jets may not be as good as the German Navy's carrier-based BF-109 fighter jets in performance. As for the F4U fighter jets, they are in mass production. However, we want to carry out a full range of carrier-based fighter jets for the navy. It will take time to upgrade the aircraft. More advanced F6F fighters are under development. In addition, according to the information obtained, some carrier-based aircraft on the German Navy have been upgraded to more advanced carrier-based FW-190 fighters. We have to admit that there are some gaps between us and the German Navy in this regard." Admiral Harold Stark continued.
President Roosevelt's face became a little gloomy. Although they have achieved the same number of aircraft carriers as German Navy through their strong industrial strength. However, when it comes to Carrier-based aircraft, they are at a disadvantage. There is nothing that can be done about this. Who makes American Navy have a big gap between Germany in terms of cutting-edge technology? Even with full support from Britain, it cannot be compared with Germany.
"Gentlemen, it seems that our navy also has many difficulties in defeating German Navy!" President Roosevelt sighed.
"Yes, Your Excellency, President. However, there are many unexpected factors in naval battles. If we are lucky, we might be able to defeat the Germany people." Admiral Nimitz said with a smile.
The other naval generals could not help but raise the corners of their mouths slightly. After all, luck is also a very important factor in winning in naval battles. If you are lucky, it is not impossible to defeat powerful enemies.
Of course, you cannot place your hopes of winning entirely on luck. In that case, it would be impossible to defeat a powerful enemy.
"Gentlemen, our military strength is now very clear to everyone. So, based on the current situation, what do you think we should do?" President Roosevelt looked at a group of generals.
The US military generals all frowned and remained silent. They have already guessed President Roosevelt's intention. That is, when Russia and Island Nation performed very unfavorably in the war, United States may need to join the war as soon as possible. Especially Russia, if they lose the war, then United States will have to face Germany's millions of elite troops. In that case, United States will be under great pressure. It will be even more difficult to defeat Germany.
However, with the current military strength of United States, they all doubt whether they can defeat Germany. If he loses in the war, then United States will be completely doomed. It is precisely because of this that it is difficult for these generals to speak. After all, it would be fine if you win, but if you fail, you may have to take responsibility.
"General Marshall, what do you think?" President Roosevelt asked.
"Your Excellency, if Russia can continue to persist, I hope we can have more preparation time. In that case, our military power will be stronger and the possibility of victory will be higher." General Marshall said.
President Roosevelt nodded. "Gentlemen, of course I also hope to have more preparation time. But the problem is that Germany people don't give us that much preparation time at all!"
"Your Excellency, if war is inevitable, then go to war against Germany as soon as possible. In order to win, we can even adopt an undeclared war method and sneak attack German Navy. In that case, our chances of winning will be higher." Admiral Nimitz said.
President Roosevelt's eyes lit up and he seemed to be very interested in this suggestion.
"General Nimitz, keep talking." President Roosevelt said.
"Your Excellency, there is a certain gap between our naval strength and German Navy. However, it will take time for German Navy Mediterranean Fleet to arrive at Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, German Home Fleet and Atlantic Fleet are stationed in different places. If we can adopt a sneak attack, we can directly sneak attack If we attack German Atlantic Fleet, we may be able to succeed. As long as we can successfully attack Atlantic Ocean, our strength on German Navy will not be weaker than German Navy. In this case, our probability of victory will be greatly improved." Admiral Nimitz expressed his opinion.
Although, undeclared war and sneak attacks seem a bit despicable. But as long as you can win, the infamy seems to be worth it.