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What if despite trying to evade detection, the IJN fleet was detected by the US military a few days or even hours prior to the surprise attack without the Japanese knowing (suppose a passing merchant ship or aircraft sees them)? What would be the response by the US military and political leadership? If the USN gets into a battle with the IJN forces (without USN carrier support) what might the outcome look like with USN battleships and cruisers fighting it out with the carrier heavy Japanese force?
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