Please remember that around 60% of all US production in 42 and 43 was going to the pacific theatre anyway (and its three offensives in the pacific, Operation Matterhorn) and the British were well aware of the resources allocated and happy with them to avoid the US army forcing an unsupported and premature landing in Europe by the British army.
Whether Watchtower is cancelled is moot. With the Japanese landing force either mauled or defeated at Midway and the losses to IJN carrier aircraft, and pretty good intel on where they are the US may take the view that seizing Guadalcanal is the offensive response needed as the Japanese cannot counterinvade before Henderson is built up and that screws the entire Japanese ponsion in the Solomons.
But as said the impact on the ETO is basically none. Unless you cancel Cartwheel and Matterhorn, in which case what actually happens is a reduction in the shipping needed to support two unneeded offensives and concentration on the POA in mid 43 which probably shortens the war by about a year in both theatres.
The main fleet carrier support for Torch is all British Force H which is kind of excessive given the lack of an opposing air force and Gibraltar and Ranger and the CVE. Harpoon and Pedestal will go through but its quite possible that the Allied carrier fleet in the pacific for the balance of 42 and early 43 is Sara, Wasp, Formidable and Victorious. With 3/4 IJN carriers intact distant cover on Torch is not so much a priority now.
Regarding second happy time the biggest impact is probably on King who has stripped the Eastern Seaboard of all defences and now lost a fleet at Midway all in 3 months. Blaming his secretary probably wont work this time. No Midway.
Whether Watchtower is cancelled is moot. With the Japanese landing force either mauled or defeated at Midway and the losses to IJN carrier aircraft, and pretty good intel on where they are the US may take the view that seizing Guadalcanal is the offensive response needed as the Japanese cannot counterinvade before Henderson is built up and that screws the entire Japanese ponsion in the Solomons.
But as said the impact on the ETO is basically none. Unless you cancel Cartwheel and Matterhorn, in which case what actually happens is a reduction in the shipping needed to support two unneeded offensives and concentration on the POA in mid 43 which probably shortens the war by about a year in both theatres.
The main fleet carrier support for Torch is all British Force H which is kind of excessive given the lack of an opposing air force and Gibraltar and Ranger and the CVE. Harpoon and Pedestal will go through but its quite possible that the Allied carrier fleet in the pacific for the balance of 42 and early 43 is Sara, Wasp, Formidable and Victorious. With 3/4 IJN carriers intact distant cover on Torch is not so much a priority now.
Regarding second happy time the biggest impact is probably on King who has stripped the Eastern Seaboard of all defences and now lost a fleet at Midway all in 3 months. Blaming his secretary probably wont work this time. No Midway.