Chapter 770： U.S. aid is coming (part 2)

"what happened?"

Although Churchill knew that the secretary must have something important to report, as the prime minister, he couldn't let his decision take it for granted.

"This is a telegram from the United States."

Although the secretary was a little flustered by the intrusion and the attention of the prime minister and his important ministers, he decided to put the telegram at the table of the prime minister. After all, this telegram was too important.

And seeing the secretary come in like a gust of wind, and leave like a gust of wind.

And Churchill, who was interrupted by the secretary, took advantage of this time to take a look at the telegram, which made him unable to move his eyes anymore. Because it was written in the telegram that US President Roosevelt bypassed Congress and prepared a batch of military supplies for Britain and France. This is a sum of up to 120 million U.S. dollars in military supplies, as for the list of supplies on the next page of the telegram.

And this American aid made Churchill very excited, and saw him holding the telegram aloft and speaking. "Now I’m telling you the good news. At present, President Roosevelt of the United States used his special presidential allocation to provide us with a batch of materials worth 120 million US dollars. This shows that the Americans are also on our side."

Churchill's words made everyone present applaud for this. They didn't know what supplies the United States had sent, but the attitude of the Americans had already shown that they would not sit idly by this war in Europe, and this is the best evidence.

That's right, the UK is in need of morale-boosting things at the moment. In Europe, Poland and Greece failed one after another, and in the Mediterranean, the British and French fleets were also at a disadvantage. At present, some people in China have questioned whether the British declaration of war on Dro is a mistake. Although this voice is not worth mentioning, it still represents a different voice among the people.

And now the extremely inclined policies of the United States have given the two countries great confidence. For the United States, they can know the sight of a huge amount of supplies crossing the Atlantic to Europe during the last war. As long as there are American supplies, soldiers mobilized by Britain and France will be able to stop the attack from the Axis.

Yes, it is very clear to both the American industry and the two countries. This is also the reason why Britain and France must draw on the United States. As long as the navy has control of the Atlantic Ocean, the constant flow of supplies from the United States can be shipped to Europe.

"By the way, Prime Minister, what supplies did the United States send this time?"

The Minister of Supplies Herbert Morrison asked. The army under his control currently needs to face various shortages of supplies, so he particularly wants to know what these supplies are.

And Churchill also followed his words and looked at the materials sent from the United States in the message, but he frowned slightly. The United States has sent the materials they need. There are more than 700 guns of various types, more than 500 anti-aircraft guns, and more than 300 anti-tank guns of various types. There are more than 100,000 Springfield rifles, more than 1,200 Browning heavy machine guns, and more than 600 P40 fighters they urgently need, and then more than 50,000 tons of various ammunition.

Most of these equipment are Army equipment, and the aircraft is only P40 fighter jets. This fighter is actually a small change from the P36 after changing the engine, but this is already the most advanced fighter in the United States, and there is nothing better than it.

And even so, President Roosevelt deliberately bypassed Congress to deliver supplies for Britain. Of course, the American capitalists who stood behind President Roosevelt also played a role. Otherwise, how could the congressional lords turn a blind eye.

Of course, as far as Britain and France are concerned, this is totally indifferent, and they need the attitude of the United States even more. Of course, on the other hand, Romania’s seizure of the island of Cyprus threatened the British and French colonies in the Middle East, which allowed the United States to speed up the delivery of supplies. Whether it is good or bad, this is not known.

As for why there are no tanks and other armored vehicles in this list of supplies, it is also to blame for the army's previous example of France.

In the eyes of the US military, the French army has always been a very good example. They are a modern army with traditional European systems and excellent equipment. The US Army believes that the French have better tanks than the Germans, and they are much stronger than German tanks in terms of protection and firepower.

Therefore, the main tank currently developed by the United States is the M2 tank. However, due to the small size of the army, there are not many M2 tanks equipped. Moreover, the United States itself is also expanding its troops, and its tanks are not enough. Naturally, Roosevelt could not take away the Army's only tank family. But I heard that the US Army is working to expand its armored force. It plans to sign a contract with Chrysler, the manufacturer of M2 tanks, to purchase 1,000 M2 tanks.

So now, the United States cannot provide tanks to support Britain.

As for the well-known M4 Sherman in later generations, there is still nothing to do. Because Britain and France do not have the most intuitive understanding of Dro's armored power, the United States has no reference to compare.

Although the United States failed to provide armor assistance, these materials were enough for the United Kingdom to form ten divisions, so Churchill said. "Everyone has seen that the materials aided by the United States have solved our great troubles. It just happens that Admiral Wavell is in urgent need of reinforcements, so let's send some of these materials over."

Although Churchill didn't say what supplies to send, Morrison, as the Minister of Supplies, knew what to do. First, half of the fighter planes need to be left to defend the homeland, and more than half of the air defense weapons that are urgently needed in the homeland. In addition, the artillery, machine guns, anti-tank guns and ammunition should be selected by the local troops first, and then they will be sent to General Wavell in Egypt. . As for the Springfield rifle, send it directly to him, or hand it over to the troops established in India or Africa.

Morrison, whose heart is like a mirror, has already calculated what materials need to be sent.

The supplies from the United States happened to help Churchill solve the problems in the Middle East, and he continued to say that he was very happy. "At present, the relationship between our country and the United States needs to be deepened. Your Excellency Halifax, how about going to the United States as an ambassador?"

Churchill's words immediately solidified the air in the conference room. Because they all knew it was exile. Although the attitude of the United States to Britain is very important, there is no need for the Foreign Secretary to specifically serve as the British ambassador to the United States. And they also knew that Churchill had a very good personal relationship with Roosevelt, and many things did not need to go through a diplomatic ambassador. This is not what exile is.

Of course, what is the reason for Halifax's exile? Everyone knows very well that is, in the cabinet, Halifax advocates peace talks and always jumps out to oppose Churchill's decision. However, in view of its status in the Conservative Party, Churchill has endured until now. But now that he was suddenly sent to the United States, I believe this prime minister must have made perfect preparations.

Although everyone knew the reason, no one was there to speak, and they were all waiting for Halifax's answer.

Halifax, who was the center of the crowd, had a trace of anger flashing across his face, but he was well suppressed.

"Yes, I will take over as ambassador to the United States, so please allow me to leave now."

Halifax got up and left the meeting room.

So on the last day of 1939, Edward Wood Halifax stepped down as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Robert Anthony Aiden took over.

But none of this has any impact on Romania, everything is proceeding step by step. Everyone knows Romania's next plan, but so what, who can regain the power of the Eastern Mediterranean from the Romanian navy?