Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 21:15-22:24

If HMS Ark Royal met the Pearl Harbor strike force

A hypothetical Ark Royal strike after Pearl Harbor could damage Japanese carriers and create an early Anglo-American carrier force, but only if the British carrier survived.

Aircraft CarriersAlternate HistoryAnglo American Naval CooperationHMS Ark RoyalPearl Harbor
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Question

What might happen if HMS Ark Royal encountered the Japanese force returning from Pearl Harbor?

Short answer

A successful strike might seriously damage Japanese carriers and, if Ark Royal survived, place her in an Anglo-American carrier group for later Pacific battles.

Notes

The scenario places HMS Ark Royal near the Japanese carrier force after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Finding the force just before sunset allows two hypothetical night attacks. Successful strikes could inflict serious damage, though the aircraft must find and hit their targets. If Ark Royal survived, she might later operate with U.S. carriers at Coral Sea or Midway.