Attack from Clipperton Island

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about a possible attack launched from Clipperton Island at the beginning of WW II. Could Japan have mounted an attack using Kawanishi H6K flying boats against either Los Angeles/San Diego or the Panama Canal? The distance is about the same, approx. 2000 nautical miles. Would this have helped their war effort? Could have they accomplished this at all? Feel free to comment.
 

Geon

Donor
Attack from Clipperton

I honestly don't see how it would be possible.

First, any Japanese landing force would probably be detected and sunk before it could set up a base on Clipperton.

Secondly, assuming they managed to set up a flying boat base it is likely that it would be a one-mission only affair. At best the flying boats might be able to launch a terror-mission on San Diego and Los Angeles but not inflict any real and substantial damage. It is likely all the boats would be lost before they could return.

The Japanese might have dearly wanted to bomb the West Coast but there was no way this was going to happen while the U.S. still had control of the Pacific.

Geon
 
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