WI: Larssen isn't killed by Rance Auerbach in Turtledove's Worldwar

[Accurateworldwar]

How would the story have changed if Jens Larssen hadn't been intercepted by Rance Auerbach's cavalry, and had made it to a Lizard base? How would the story have changed? For the characters in the novel and the progress of the war in general?

 

[Readman]

The Lizards find out where the USA is producing and developing their atomic weapons. So, the US at least is initially at a disadvantage and probably more so in terms of eventual bargaining conditions at the Cairo Conference presuming it still takes place. Maybe they lose more land i.e Arizona and Texas since it is climate preferred by the Lizards. Depends how fast they can rebuild or restart production and how long that may take.