doug181
Chief petty officer
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Post by doug181 on Apr 24, 2017 11:29:04 GMT
I'd say leave Philippines alone. If US declares war,use airstrikes from Formosa and Palau to neutralize any US offensive capability. Subs and aircraft could keep tabs on US fleet. Their carrier force keep ready to strike.
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lordroel
Administrator
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Post by lordroel on Apr 24, 2017 13:54:44 GMT
I'd say leave Philippines alone. If US declares war,use airstrikes from Formosa and Palau to neutralize any US offensive capability. Subs and aircraft could keep tabs on US fleet. Their carrier force keep ready to strike. You mean how the Japanese surprised the United States forces in the Philippines in OTL kind of attack and invasion. |
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stevep
Fleet admiral
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Post by stevep on Apr 24, 2017 15:02:05 GMT
I'd say leave Philippines alone. If US declares war,use airstrikes from Formosa and Palau to neutralize any US offensive capability. Subs and aircraft could keep tabs on US fleet. Their carrier force keep ready to strike. That's the way I would go definitely. [With the huge advantage of hindsight and knowing a lot more about the western mindset than the Japanese leadership of the time]. Possibly also start some landings to reduce the main islands - especially if I knew MacArthur's plan was to retreat into Bataan. If the US is going to declare war in support of the British and Dutch then there would be nothing better, although it might be difficult to achieve, than having the US sending a fleet to relieve the islands. It would be the best chance of 'winning' the war, slim although it might be. |
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 24, 2017 15:05:44 GMT
I'd say leave Philippines alone. If US declares war,use airstrikes from Formosa and Palau to neutralize any US offensive capability. Subs and aircraft could keep tabs on US fleet. Their carrier force keep ready to strike. That's the way I would go definitely. [With the huge advantage of hindsight and knowing a lot more about the western mindset than the Japanese leadership of the time]. Possibly also start some landings to reduce the main islands - especially if I knew MacArthur's plan was to retreat into Bataan. If the US is going to declare war in support of the British and Dutch then there would be nothing better, although it might be difficult to achieve, than having the US sending a fleet to relieve the islands. It would be the best chance of 'winning' the war, slim although it might be. We know all to well how MacArthur's retreat into Bataan plan worked out in real life, would it also be the same in this universe knowing that the United States Pacific Fleet is not based out of Hawaii but a lot more away in California. |
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stevep
Fleet admiral
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Post by stevep on Apr 24, 2017 15:17:13 GMT
That's the way I would go definitely. [With the huge advantage of hindsight and knowing a lot more about the western mindset than the Japanese leadership of the time]. Possibly also start some landings to reduce the main islands - especially if I knew MacArthur's plan was to retreat into Bataan. If the US is going to declare war in support of the British and Dutch then there would be nothing better, although it might be difficult to achieve, than having the US sending a fleet to relieve the islands. It would be the best chance of 'winning' the war, slim although it might be. We know all to well how MacArthur's retreat into Bataan plan worked out in real life, would it also be the same in this universe knowing that the United States Pacific Fleet is not based out of Hawaii but a lot more away in California. Well since the plan was NOT to relieve the Philippines I suspect so. That's why such a battle, with a good chance for the Japanese of a crushing victory over the USN, would be difficult to arrange but if having declared won on Japan it might be that political pressure pf looking as if their sitting around doing very little, coupled with no Pearl attack meaning the full US fleet is available, might prompt orders for such a mission, which has a good chance of ending in failure. This would almost certainly be opposed by the bulk of the USN professional commanders but they could be overruled by politicians. |
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Apr 24, 2017 15:21:22 GMT
We know all to well how MacArthur's retreat into Bataan plan worked out in real life, would it also be the same in this universe knowing that the United States Pacific Fleet is not based out of Hawaii but a lot more away in California. Well since the plan was NOT to relieve the Philippines I suspect so. That's why such a battle, with a good chance for the Japanese of a crushing victory over the USN, would be difficult to arrange but if having declared won on Japan it might be that political pressure pf looking as if their sitting around doing very little, coupled with no Pearl attack meaning the full US fleet is available, might prompt orders for such a mission, which has a good chance of ending in failure. This would almost certainly be opposed by the bulk of the USN professional commanders but they could be overruled by politicians. Well at least Admiral Husband E. Kimmel will not be a scapegoat in this universe as there is not Pearl Harbor attack. |
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