Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 7:40:16-7:41:18

The Aleutian carriers give Japan another chance at Midway

Ryujo and Junyo were not first-line carriers, but their aircraft and scouts could improve Japanese reconnaissance and add a strike at the decisive moment.

Aircraft CarriersAleutian Islands CampaignBattle Of MidwayImperial Japanese NavyNaval Reconnaissance
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Question

What if Japan assigned the carriers used in the Aleutian diversion to the Battle of Midway?

Short answer

They would add imperfect but useful aircraft and reconnaissance, giving Japan another chance to find and strike the American carriers before its own decks were caught vulnerable.

Notes

Moving the Aleutian force to Midway gives Japan two additional carriers, aircraft, and reconnaissance sorties. Their air groups were not equal to the veteran First Air Fleet, so numbers alone do not guarantee victory. The most important effect could be an earlier sighting of the American carriers or an additional strike arriving while both sides were exposed. Midway already punished small timing differences, making even a weaker carrier pair capable of changing the exchange.