The Final Storm - Jeff Shaara [94]
Vandegrift looked at Nimitz, no softening of his anger.
“There is no such thing, General, even for a Marine. I fail to see why you object to an amphibious assault.”
Buckner closed his eyes.
“I must ask you, please do not drag out this debate. It serves no purpose. It would take far too long to mobilize the Second Marines for such an attack.”
Vandegrift raised his voice a notch.
“Fine. Use your own people. Unless my intelligence reports are inaccurate, much of your Seventy-seventh Infantry Division is sitting out there holding fort on those dinky little islands playing with sand castles. I heard they’re a good outfit. Prove it by sending them into the south. You’ll have an enormous amount of air and naval fire in support. To assume disaster is unwarranted. And, frankly, General, it is inappropriate.”
Buckner rose slightly in his chair, and Nimitz knew this had to play out before he could interfere. Vandegrift was being energized by the information he was receiving from Geiger, and Nimitz knew that Geiger’s Marines in the north of the island would expect to be used where the toughest fight would be. So far, that had not been the case. Vandegrift was doing exactly what his subordinate would hope, and Nimitz felt as though he was refereeing a wrestling match.
“General Vandegrift, the Seventy-seventh Division is where I need them to be, for now. Look, I understand the pride of the Marines. You have earned it, no doubt. But you must admit that the enemy forces Geiger’s men faced northward were nothing like what the army divisions are facing now. At worst, your men are suffering every night through jitter parties, dealing with infiltrators and snipers. The heat is on down south, and the infantry has the support they need to get the job done.”
Vandegrift was still red-faced.
“Your troops have been drawn into the same kind of soft defense my boys were, only you’re facing the bulk of the damn Jap army! Fine, forget the Second Division. Geiger is prepared right now to shift as many units as are needed from the north as quickly as you give the order! If those men were down there, they’d be finding a way to cut past those dug-in bastards in their deep-ass caves. We’ve been in too many costly engagements on these islands, General, and we learned a long time ago that relying on artillery and dive-bombers to pour high explosives all over hell and gone, trying to rearrange the landscape … just doesn’t do the job! The Japs are like moles, and they’ve adapted to all that steel we drop on them by lying low. When the blasting stops, they come out again. Your people should be learning that right now!”
Buckner shrugged.
“My people are learning exactly what they should be learning. We are rapidly moving the artillery into proximity to the enemy’s strongest positions. Armored units are rolling into place even as we speak. But if it satisfies you, General, please know that I have already considered my options. If I feel it is necessary, I will order General Geiger to move his Marines southward, to lend a hand.”
Nimitz didn’t wait for the response from Vandegrift, held up a hand, said, “Enough. General Buckner, I would suggest …”
“Sir, forgive me, but I am not in favor of navy commanders issuing instructions as to how the army should go about its business. I deeply regret the cost the navy is suffering from the Japanese suicide assaults. Those strikes have caused us to lose two supply ships, which have contributed to our difficulties. But in time, those difficulties will be solved. The army knows its business, Admiral. Please allow me to do my job. If you order me to change my strategies, then of course, I will follow those orders. But I will vigorously protest that kind of interference.” He looked hard