What effect would cancelling the Japanese Aleutians operation have had on Midway?
Short answerIt helps if the released ships are concentrated with the Midway striking force, addressing Japan's damaging dispersal of carriers and escorts.
NotesCancelling the Aleutians operation could release additional carriers and escorts for Midway. The benefit depends on putting those ships into the main force, because dividing the fleet among many groups dilutes the protection available to each. Concentration would give the carrier force more local firepower. One interpretation traces the dispersal after the Indian Ocean raid to competing priorities within Japanese high command, including the army, naval staff and Yamamoto. This rests on a qualified recollection of Shattered Sword, leaving the precise link between political compromise and particular deployments uncertain.