WI France and the British Empire had gone to war against japan in 1939

May 1939 The French and British Empires end up in a shooting war against Japan and not with Germany over Poland They sell Poland out like they did the Czech Republic .
How would the French and British Navies do against Japan ?
How long would the War last .
 
If Britain and France aren't at war with Germany, they won't get in a war with Japan. Also, I just can't see them selling out Poland as well, they weren't that stupid.
 
Both Britain and France were not ready for a colonial war with the third largest naval power of the world in 1939. Diplomacy would be used in the worse case, if Japan already was to threaten colonial possessions of either France or Britain.

Technically the navies of both UK and France were very much limmited for European service only, being equipped with shortlegged vessels and lacking refits for tropical service. At best a few colonial gunboats could be send making hardly any impression on the Japanese. Only the British heavy cruisers were capable of serving in these remote area's and stay at sea for longer period, without replenishment. Other fleet units needed a vast supporttrain to operate in these remote parts of the world.
 

Markus

Banned
May 1939 The French and British Empires end up in a shooting war against Japan and not with Germany over Poland They sell Poland out like they did the Czech Republic .
How would the French and British Navies do against Japan ?
How long would the War last .

Japan would be toast! Quickly!

Japan has no modern fighter in production and won´t have for almost a year, the Allies have three or four. France has lots of heavy infantry, both have strong naval forces and good bases in the area and land routes into China. Ship your old rifles and M1897 guns to China and the IJA is in serious trouble.

While France and the UK vs. Japan is not as unmatched as the USA vs. Japan, Japan is in no position to take on two fully industralized major powers that don´t have to watch their backs.


Still, it´s a) highly unlikely France and the UK would trust Germany and b) even more unlikely Japan would dare make a move before France has fallen.
 
Japan would be toast! Quickly!

Japan has no modern fighter in production and won´t have for almost a year, the Allies have three or four. France has lots of heavy infantry, both have strong naval forces and good bases in the area and land routes into China. Ship your old rifles and M1897 guns to China and the IJA is in serious trouble.

While France and the UK vs. Japan is not as unmatched as the USA vs. Japan, Japan is in no position to take on two fully industralized major powers that don´t have to watch their backs.


Still, it´s a) highly unlikely France and the UK would trust Germany and b) even more unlikely Japan would dare make a move before France has fallen.

France and Britain combined would be just as unbalanced as Japan vs USA/Britain in OTL - remember, only a small part of the allied effort was in the Pacific.
 
Highly unlikely, but...

...that would make an interesting disjointed WW2.

Britain/France/KMT fight in Asia.

What would Hitler do? With the Western Europeans firmly occupied - go after Stalin asap.

And the USA can nicely sit this one out until it sees fit to tip the balance somewhere.
 
Top