If the US Navy lost at Midway, what would happen to Nimitz and Guadalcanal?
Short answerNimitz would probably remain in command, but Guadalcanal would likely be lost and the US Navy would need several more months to rebuild.
NotesChester Nimitz would probably survive an American defeat because wartime commanders can make a sound plan and still lose at the point of contact. Immediate blame would more likely fall on the admirals executing the battle than on the theatre commander who assembled the opportunity. Guadalcanal would probably be lost or never secured on the historical schedule. The United States would then spend additional months rebuilding combat power before resuming the advance. Midway would be a major operational setback rather than a permanent reversal of American industrial mobilisation.