Sage-Tips

What if Shokaku and Zuikaku were at Midway?

Shokaku and Zuikaku likely would have sunk, putting the Japanese farther behind in carriers after Midway. That might have shortened the Pacific war. Conversely, a Japanese first strike would have been disastrous for the United States and Australia.

What would have happened if the Japanese won the Battle of the Coral Sea?

If the Japanese had won the Battle of the Coral Sea (7-8 May 1942), they would have been able to capture Port Moresby on the southern coast of what was then the Australian Territory of Papua and the island of Guadalcanal in the British Solomons.

Why was the Battle of Midway significant?

The Battle of Midway became one of the most important American naval victories of World War II. Code-breakers were able to decipher Japanese naval code, allowing American leaders to anticipate Japanese maneuvers. The U.S. Navy was then able to launch a surprise attack on the larger Japanese fleet in the area.

What if US lost Guadalcanal?

The Marines on Guadalcanal almost certainly would have become prisoners, leaving the Japanese free to complete their airfield on Guadalcanal. That would have put Japanese air power six hours’ flight time closer to the Allied supply line than it was from the Japanese base at Rabaul, on the island of New Britain.

What would happen if Japan took Port Moresby?

With Port Moresby in the Imperial Army’s hands, the Japanese would have been able to reinforce their position by air, sea, and, to a lesser degree, land. Considering that the allies would have no close airbases or anchorages to resist the Japanese, most of the southern coast of New Guinea would have been conquered.

Could Japan have won battle of Midway?

FDR vetoed this approach—enabled, in part, by the American victory at Midway, which established that existing Allied forces in the Pacific could take on Japan. Victory at Midway would not have won Japan the war, but could well have given the Second World War a very different turn.

How did the Battle of Midway affect ww2?

The U.S. Navy’s decisive victory in the air-sea battle (June 3-6, 1942) and its successful defense of the major base located at Midway Island dashed Japan’s hopes of neutralizing the United States as a naval power and effectively turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific.

What happened to the Japanese aircraft carriers at Midway?

Most importantly, it removed two Japanese aircraft carriers from participating at the Battle of Midway (the IJN Shokaku and IJN Zuikaku which both had to return to Japan for repairs and replacement of its fighters lost at the Coral Sea, respectively.

Do the Americans always lose the Battle of Midway?

There is a story—probably apocryphal—that wargamers at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, have replayed the 1942 Battle of Midway many times. Apparently, the Americans always lose.

Could Admiral Yamamoto have called off the attack on Midway?

Yamamoto could either have called off the attack on Midway, choosing other targets for Japan’s aircraft carriers; perhaps a renewed offensive towards Fiji, Australia, or Dutch Harbor in Alaska. However, as Cook argues, he was well aware of the necessity of dealing a critical blow to the U.S. Pacific Fleet in order to keep the strategic initiative.

Could the Imperial Navy’s Kantai Kessen draw the US carriers into battle?

In accordance with the Imperial Navy’s Kantai Kessen, or decisive battle doctrine, Yamamoto and the Imperial Navy’s general staff could hope to draw the remaining U.S. carriers into a decisive battle.