Suppose a senior individual in the Japanese government had an inkling of how badly the Pacific War could go for Japan and decided to accept tactical risk and avoid strategic doom. Specifically, the Japanese deliver an unequivocal declaration of war citing their grievances with the US, especially the oil embargo on 5 Dec 41.
They then go ahead with the 7 Dec 41 attack. Given the warning, they probably suffer heavier casualties, but they probably inflict similar losses. Assuming the IJN loses 100 aircraft, with say 230 air crew, for similar damage to the battleships, and lower US aircraft losses, how does the war go from there? In particular, since it clearly wasn't a dastardly sneak attack during peace negotiations, how does this affect the US resolve to fight until the Japanese surrender unconditionally?
If this has been discussed before, could somone please point me to the thread?
They then go ahead with the 7 Dec 41 attack. Given the warning, they probably suffer heavier casualties, but they probably inflict similar losses. Assuming the IJN loses 100 aircraft, with say 230 air crew, for similar damage to the battleships, and lower US aircraft losses, how does the war go from there? In particular, since it clearly wasn't a dastardly sneak attack during peace negotiations, how does this affect the US resolve to fight until the Japanese surrender unconditionally?
If this has been discussed before, could somone please point me to the thread?