Paul MacQ
Donor
I have been reading "Carrier Observer" by Gordon Wallace
And one of the chapters stick out as a interesting point as a What If
From the title chapter " The Most Dangerous moment"
In Early April The Japanese has sent a raid into the Indian ocean
Balance of Forces
Japanese Force under ViceAdmiral Chuichi Nagumo, and it consisted of the
carriers Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku,
the battleships Kongo, Haruna, Kirishima, and Hiei, the
heavy cruisers Chikuma and Tone, a light cruiser, and
eight destroyers.
318 Carrier Aircraft
The Royal Navy Force under Admiral Sir James Somerville
Modern fleet carriers Indomitable
and Formidable, the small carrier Hermes, the battleships
Warspite, Resolution, Ramillies, Royal Sovereign, and
Revenge, the heavy cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall,
five light cruisers, and 14 destroyers
Total 90 Aircraft
Mixed bag of Fighters
Marlet’s( British name for wildcat) 2 Setter Fulmars and a few Sea Hurricanes
Offensive aircraft mostly Albacore and some Swordfish bi-plane Torpedo Bombers ( read sitting ducks for Zero’s )
On the 4th of April 1400 hours The main Forces got within about 200 Miles from each other. Well within striking Distance of the Japanese Carrier aircraft.
1355 The Heavy Cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall had been caught doing 27.5 Knots head back to the main Force under Somerville is the Japanese had though to send Cruiser Recon Aircraft ahead to see what these to warships where headed towards . I am thinking Somerville force of 5 Old Battle ships and Carriers Indomitable and Formidable would have been spotted.
What would the repercussions of The British Eastern Fleet being completely Destroyed.
I am sure this would not have been a war winner. But would it have lead to a more concentrated effort in the Indian Ocean as now possibly seen as easy pickings, By the Japanese.
And one of the chapters stick out as a interesting point as a What If
From the title chapter " The Most Dangerous moment"
In Early April The Japanese has sent a raid into the Indian ocean
Balance of Forces
Japanese Force under ViceAdmiral Chuichi Nagumo, and it consisted of the
carriers Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku,
the battleships Kongo, Haruna, Kirishima, and Hiei, the
heavy cruisers Chikuma and Tone, a light cruiser, and
eight destroyers.
318 Carrier Aircraft
The Royal Navy Force under Admiral Sir James Somerville
Modern fleet carriers Indomitable
and Formidable, the small carrier Hermes, the battleships
Warspite, Resolution, Ramillies, Royal Sovereign, and
Revenge, the heavy cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall,
five light cruisers, and 14 destroyers
Total 90 Aircraft
Mixed bag of Fighters
Marlet’s( British name for wildcat) 2 Setter Fulmars and a few Sea Hurricanes
Offensive aircraft mostly Albacore and some Swordfish bi-plane Torpedo Bombers ( read sitting ducks for Zero’s )
On the 4th of April 1400 hours The main Forces got within about 200 Miles from each other. Well within striking Distance of the Japanese Carrier aircraft.
1355 The Heavy Cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall had been caught doing 27.5 Knots head back to the main Force under Somerville is the Japanese had though to send Cruiser Recon Aircraft ahead to see what these to warships where headed towards . I am thinking Somerville force of 5 Old Battle ships and Carriers Indomitable and Formidable would have been spotted.
What would the repercussions of The British Eastern Fleet being completely Destroyed.
I am sure this would not have been a war winner. But would it have lead to a more concentrated effort in the Indian Ocean as now possibly seen as easy pickings, By the Japanese.