Hyperion
Banned
I'm going to have to agree on the Japan issue needing to be dealt with.
If Japan doesn't declare war on the US as in OTL, it is most likely not going to declare war on the European colonies, or Australia and New Zealand.
The benefits of this are noticeable. Force Z, the Prince of Wales and Repulse, may not be sent to Singapore of Japan is not showing signs of aggression. The possibilities of this are numerous. Suppose one or both of these ships is available to be used to intercept the German squadron at Brest? One or both of the German battleships are sunk. Huge weight lifted off the Royal Navy, especially with the arctic convoys.
Further on, you don't have the carriers HMS Formidable and HMS Indomitable deployed to the Indian ocean along with Warspite and the light carrier Hermes. These carriers could be of use in the Med. Some of their supporting cruisers and destroyers and auxiliary ships could also be of use.
Big issue on the ground which could have a significant impact on the North African campaign. Once hostilities broke out with Japan, the British army sent a division from Egypt to Singapore as reinforcements, but it arrived too late to be of much use, and did nothing more than add prisoners to Japanese POW camps. Australia also in early 1942 pulled out two of their three divisions fighting in North Africa. With no threat to India, it is also possible that a couple of Indian Army divisions that where used against Japan might be deployed to North Africa, and later Italy or maybe even France.
If pressure isn't put on the Dutch East Indies, perhaps the Dutch government in exile could raise some forces to go to Europe later on to reclaim the homeland.
Not to mention the sheer number of resources lost due to Japanese bombings and occupation. A large number of merchant ships where also lost in OTL which may be available in this scenario, which could improve British and other allied logistics considerably.
If Japan doesn't declare war on the US as in OTL, it is most likely not going to declare war on the European colonies, or Australia and New Zealand.
The benefits of this are noticeable. Force Z, the Prince of Wales and Repulse, may not be sent to Singapore of Japan is not showing signs of aggression. The possibilities of this are numerous. Suppose one or both of these ships is available to be used to intercept the German squadron at Brest? One or both of the German battleships are sunk. Huge weight lifted off the Royal Navy, especially with the arctic convoys.
Further on, you don't have the carriers HMS Formidable and HMS Indomitable deployed to the Indian ocean along with Warspite and the light carrier Hermes. These carriers could be of use in the Med. Some of their supporting cruisers and destroyers and auxiliary ships could also be of use.
Big issue on the ground which could have a significant impact on the North African campaign. Once hostilities broke out with Japan, the British army sent a division from Egypt to Singapore as reinforcements, but it arrived too late to be of much use, and did nothing more than add prisoners to Japanese POW camps. Australia also in early 1942 pulled out two of their three divisions fighting in North Africa. With no threat to India, it is also possible that a couple of Indian Army divisions that where used against Japan might be deployed to North Africa, and later Italy or maybe even France.
If pressure isn't put on the Dutch East Indies, perhaps the Dutch government in exile could raise some forces to go to Europe later on to reclaim the homeland.
Not to mention the sheer number of resources lost due to Japanese bombings and occupation. A large number of merchant ships where also lost in OTL which may be available in this scenario, which could improve British and other allied logistics considerably.