Apparently, Churchill had wanted a substantial US presence in Singapore.
It would have been defeating the purpose of "Germany First".
Poor ABDA was never going to fulfil its role anyway.
Wavell was disliked by Churchill and his command suffered.
MacArthur was .. well, MacArthur.
Now, let us imagine that US and UK find each other in the defense of Singapore (not sure where the UK ships would be coming from nor the US land troops).
Let us further imagine that the Asia strategy is now going to be a real one, and being implemented from 1940 and onwards (presumable after BoB and the invasion scare is over).
- Asia anchored on Pearl, Philippines, Singapore
- A substantial US naval fleet in Singapore (which units)
- A substantial UK naval presence (units?)
- A substantial US land forces presence (where would they come from)
- A Supreme commander of some substance (who?)
- Australian participation
- Indian Army presence?
I imagine the background being that US cannot leave Japan alone and that the US sentiment is towards the Pacific rather than another go at a European war. This is a bit speculative.
I also imagine that the build-up is through 1941
The ramifications are of course:
1) Will Japan be forced to do a 'PH' on Singapore?
2) Will Singapore be a real threat to any Japanese expansion?
3) Will any such strategy slow down the Japanese conquests?
4) China? will US still be paranoid about China?
5) will any such move thin out ABDA forces to the extent where nothing is really possible
6) How much of an impact will it have on Yamoto's plans?
Ivan
It would have been defeating the purpose of "Germany First".
Poor ABDA was never going to fulfil its role anyway.
Wavell was disliked by Churchill and his command suffered.
MacArthur was .. well, MacArthur.
Now, let us imagine that US and UK find each other in the defense of Singapore (not sure where the UK ships would be coming from nor the US land troops).
Let us further imagine that the Asia strategy is now going to be a real one, and being implemented from 1940 and onwards (presumable after BoB and the invasion scare is over).
- Asia anchored on Pearl, Philippines, Singapore
- A substantial US naval fleet in Singapore (which units)
- A substantial UK naval presence (units?)
- A substantial US land forces presence (where would they come from)
- A Supreme commander of some substance (who?)
- Australian participation
- Indian Army presence?
I imagine the background being that US cannot leave Japan alone and that the US sentiment is towards the Pacific rather than another go at a European war. This is a bit speculative.
I also imagine that the build-up is through 1941
The ramifications are of course:
1) Will Japan be forced to do a 'PH' on Singapore?
2) Will Singapore be a real threat to any Japanese expansion?
3) Will any such strategy slow down the Japanese conquests?
4) China? will US still be paranoid about China?
5) will any such move thin out ABDA forces to the extent where nothing is really possible
6) How much of an impact will it have on Yamoto's plans?
Ivan