alternatehistory.com

The Yamato and Musashi were designed in the mid-30's to make up for the IJN's expected quantitative disadvantage with units that were individually more capable.

As it turned out, the Yamato-class were at best barely superior to the Iowa-class. The US also managed to commission 10 battleships to the IJN's two, adding to an existing numerical superiority of 15 to 10 (even counting the Kongo class).

What if the IJN decided they couldn't win a surface duel anyway, and focused on the developing carrier arm instead?

Yamato, Musashi, and Shinano are never laid down. Three additional Shokaku class carriers are commissioned (one each in 1940, 1941, and early 1942), and two more Taiho class are scheduled for completion in 1943 and 1944. Air groups are also provided for these ships, though as in OTL, no large reserve or high production of carrier-type aircraft is undertaken. Construction otherwise takes place as OTL until mid-1942.

Only one of the new carriers is available for the Pearl Harbor raid (the 4th Shokaku is still working up), and the logistical string is so tight that Kaga is left behind (being the slowest of the fleet carriers) to bring along all three of the Shokaku class. The PH raid goes as OTL.

What happens afterwards? How long can Japan extend the war with a stronger carrier force, potentially bringing nine fleet carriers to Midway? (Assuming a stronger carrier force fairs better in the Coral Sea).
Top