Cash-Loaded Fleet

Chapter 48 - Preponderance of Falsehood

On the day when Binta Satsutaba appears at the Navy Ministry War Economics Research Group, a car is always sent from the Navy to pick him up. The driver and a guard disguised as an aide accompany him. These two are enlisted personnel arranged by Vice Admiral Shigeyoshi Inoue, who is the Vice-Minister of the Navy, and they can be trusted. As they entered the Navy Ministry War Economics Research Group room, they placed an aluminum case containing heavy objects and quickly left.

"Although it is a small amount, please accept it."

In response to Binta's words, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the military advisor, expressed his gratitude and instructed Captain Takagi, the team's leader, to place the bundles of bills in the safe.

There are 100 wads of 100-yen bills in one case. There are two cases, so the total amount is 2 million yen. It's a large sum of money, enough to buy ten Zero fighters and still have change left. However, it quickly disappeared. War requires money, and the efforts to end the war are no different.

Also, usually, Yamamoto and Takagi often go out together. Of course, it's for building connections and pipelines for ending the war efforts. However, on the days when Binta brings money, one of the two always handles the matter. And today, by chance, both of them happened to be present for Binta's visit.

"It seems like the Indian Ocean was empty," as if making small talk, Binta directed his words to General Yamamoto.

On April 1, 1942, the 2nd Air Fleet, the 3rd Air Fleet, and the Second Fleet achieved their advance into the Indian Ocean. However, there was no sign of the British Eastern Fleet. The absence of the Eastern Fleet, which they considered their main adversary, surprised the high-ranking officials of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

"Considering Churchill's personality, there was a high likelihood that he would order the absolute defense of the Indian Ocean using the Eastern Fleet. We had analyzed it that way. However, our prediction was wrong. As a result, the 2nd Air Fleet, 3rd Air Fleet, and Second Fleet have been unable to achieve significant victories, and they are now on their way back to the mainland."

Yamamoto affirmed Binta's words, but his expression was mixed with bitterness. On the other hand, Binta secretly admired Churchill's leadership and determination. Churchill knew that he might face harsh scrutiny from the opposition in Parliament and criticism from the public for withdrawing the Eastern Fleet. Yet, he made a rational decision to ensure that Britain would ultimately emerge as the winner, even if it meant enduring temporary disgrace.

'Unlike Japan's leadership, which cannot make crucial decisions at the right time and ends up worsening the situation.'

With a rather impolite thought, Binta asked Yamamoto about the future of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It's a question that touches on military matters, but Yamamoto didn't seem to mind. To be frank, it's a bit late for that.

"As for the Indian Ocean, it's been entrusted to the 5th and 6th Cruiser Divisions, and the Combined Fleet is directing its focus towards Australia. According to the plan, they are expected to begin operations there in early June."

For Australia, the Pacific Fleet, which was their guardian in the East, was already gone, and they also lost the protection of the Western guardian, the Eastern Fleet. If they can turn Brisbane into a sea of fire, similar to what happened in Oahu, Australia will likely have no choice but to offer peace. And that's what the Imperial Navy intends to do.

"Is this idea originating from the General Staff?"

In response to Binta's straightforward question, Yamamoto nodded with a chuckle.

"Originally, the General Staff was more concerned about the threat from the south due to the Allied forces' aerial power. At this point, they likely want to eliminate that threat."

Australia is strategically located in the soft underbelly of Japan's sphere of influence. If significant air power is deployed here, the threat extends not only to the Western Pacific but also to the southern resource zone. Additionally, Australia is an ideal location for the US military to stage their counteroffensive. With Pearl Harbor now in ruins, its value has skyrocketed. On the flip side, if Australia withdraws from the war, it won't only eliminate a major staging point for the US military's counteroffensive but also significantly reduce Churchill's political influence, a key figure in the Allied forces.

'Still, Churchill is unlikely to withdraw from here.'

Binta was confident of that. The developments in Europe supported this belief. The Eastern Fleet, which avoided a decisive battle with the Combined Fleet, retreated as far as the Mediterranean and joined the Mediterranean Fleet. Both fleets were moving westward through the Mediterranean towards mainland Britain. In other words, Churchill is not only giving up on the Indian Ocean and Australia but also the Mediterranean, all in preparation for a decisive battle on the home front. To confirm this, Binta quickly shifted the conversation from Australia to Europe.

"What's the situation with Germany and Italy?"

In response to Binta's sudden question that spanned the globe, Yamamoto appeared slightly taken aback. However, considering that such behavior from Binta, whether it's a request or a question, is nothing new, he decided to disclose the information he knows.

"Germany and Italy are expected to start the operation to capture Malta after assessing the movements of the Mediterranean Fleet and the Eastern Fleet. Then, they plan to advance to Egypt and aim to open up the Suez Canal."

Upon Yamamoto's explanation, Binta quickly outlined a rough timeline in his head.

"So, they should have the Suez Canal open by summer and be ready to receive the Combined Fleet in the fall, is that correct?"

The schedule suggested by Binta seemed overly optimistic. Naturally, Yamamoto raised objections.

"If we assume there is no counterattack from the British forces in Malta or Egypt and further assume that the Suez Canal remains intact, then certainly, as you say, Satsutaba-san. However, such conditions are unlikely."

In response to Yamamoto's doubts, Binta calmly replied, "The logical British won't let their troops in Malta or Egypt be defeated recklessly. It seems they are already preparing for an evacuation. Also, there's no reason for them to destroy the Suez Canal, which they believe they can recapture in the near future."

Continuing to explain to Yamamoto, who still doesn't seem fully convinced, Binta added, "In another two years, the American navy's strength will surpass that of the Combined Fleet. In three years, the gap will be even wider. To put it in simple terms, in two years, they will have ten new regular aircraft carriers and a thousand carrier-based aircraft. In three years, that number will increase to twenty carriers and two thousand aircraft. In four years, it will be thirty carriers with three thousand aircraft. But it's practically impossible for Japan's national strength to hold out until then. Furthermore, they'll likely build numerous converted carriers in addition to regular ones, which will further widen the disparity in military strength."

Currently, the Combined Fleet possesses fifteen aircraft carriers with fewer than 900 aircraft in regular service. Of course, the Imperial Japanese Navy is striving to build additional Unryū-class aircraft carriers to increase their strength. However, compared to the pace of reinforcement by the United States, it's minuscule. Yamamoto now understood the reason why Binta said that the British would not destroy the Suez Canal. And he also realized that they were the ones who were being cornered, not the British and Americans.