The Roosevelt Strategy: America regains the initative
Roosevelt knew that after losing controll of the Atlantic and its most important ally, the US could no longer defeat the Allies. He was now aiming for a white peace without territorial loses and, even more important, without trade restrictions imposed on America.
Roosevelts first priority was to secure the Americas against possible Allied landings. Important beaches and harbours were fortified or at least guarded and the Atlantic was permanently scouted by seaplanes. Four Reserve Corps were dispatched to Canada, Panama, Cuba and Guayana to counter possible attacks there.
At the same time Roosevelt and his chief military adviser General Wood planned to use the Veterans of the AEF as well as newly raised conscript divisions for their „Big Punch“ against the Allies. They planned to occupy the European possesions in the Pacific and by taking Australia (after the lose of Canada the „Bread Basket of Britain“) and Indonesia (Europe's main supplier of rubber) force the Allies to the negotaition table.
In late 1918 the American invasion force was ready, while the Allies were still reorganizing their troops after the Russian and West African campaigns.
Most still combat ready units of the Atlantic fleet had been transfered to the Pacific to provide to the necessary naval support.
General Wood was to comand the American Invasion of South East Asia:
Roosevelt knew that after losing controll of the Atlantic and its most important ally, the US could no longer defeat the Allies. He was now aiming for a white peace without territorial loses and, even more important, without trade restrictions imposed on America.
Roosevelts first priority was to secure the Americas against possible Allied landings. Important beaches and harbours were fortified or at least guarded and the Atlantic was permanently scouted by seaplanes. Four Reserve Corps were dispatched to Canada, Panama, Cuba and Guayana to counter possible attacks there.
At the same time Roosevelt and his chief military adviser General Wood planned to use the Veterans of the AEF as well as newly raised conscript divisions for their „Big Punch“ against the Allies. They planned to occupy the European possesions in the Pacific and by taking Australia (after the lose of Canada the „Bread Basket of Britain“) and Indonesia (Europe's main supplier of rubber) force the Allies to the negotaition table.
In late 1918 the American invasion force was ready, while the Allies were still reorganizing their troops after the Russian and West African campaigns.
Most still combat ready units of the Atlantic fleet had been transfered to the Pacific to provide to the necessary naval support.
General Wood was to comand the American Invasion of South East Asia: