not so impossible if you think about it
regarding phx1138 comments.
1. The IJN does not have to broadcast their whole plan for the USN to guess that they are about to have a Taranto pulled on them. Given a few bits of intel, and given that we are still at peace, they could gather enough information to figure out the IJN plan. That would have give tham the time to gather strengh in the pacific, and they had seven carriers in comission (not counting Langley). And they only needed 3 (and a bit of luck)at Midway
2. If the IJN is not aware they are sailing into an ambush, you don't need to weight the dice too much for the USN to win that alternative battle. If the IJN looses part of their carriers, and lots of airman on round one, they are going to have to go on the defensive.
3. The Brits had recently performed a very succeful attack on taranto. All they needed to give the USN was advice (if needed), and the reverse Pearl Harbour could happen.
4. With no Fleet capable of winning, and with the Germans having failed in their bid to finish the USSR in 41, the US might force Japan into a peace deal. If Japan fought on, they could resist years, but the war would be lost from the end of the first month...
5. Would Germany declare war on the USA in those circunstances? Would that change much?
But this could be made even simpler.
Give the US a spy in Japan. The US learns about the Pearl Plan, issues a declaration of war, both fleets sail, the big sea battle everybody has been planning since the 20's happens in early December 41 and the USN wins.
regarding phx1138 comments.
1. The IJN does not have to broadcast their whole plan for the USN to guess that they are about to have a Taranto pulled on them. Given a few bits of intel, and given that we are still at peace, they could gather enough information to figure out the IJN plan. That would have give tham the time to gather strengh in the pacific, and they had seven carriers in comission (not counting Langley). And they only needed 3 (and a bit of luck)at Midway
2. If the IJN is not aware they are sailing into an ambush, you don't need to weight the dice too much for the USN to win that alternative battle. If the IJN looses part of their carriers, and lots of airman on round one, they are going to have to go on the defensive.
3. The Brits had recently performed a very succeful attack on taranto. All they needed to give the USN was advice (if needed), and the reverse Pearl Harbour could happen.
4. With no Fleet capable of winning, and with the Germans having failed in their bid to finish the USSR in 41, the US might force Japan into a peace deal. If Japan fought on, they could resist years, but the war would be lost from the end of the first month...
5. Would Germany declare war on the USA in those circunstances? Would that change much?
But this could be made even simpler.
Give the US a spy in Japan. The US learns about the Pearl Plan, issues a declaration of war, both fleets sail, the big sea battle everybody has been planning since the 20's happens in early December 41 and the USN wins.
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