Q&A · 2:06:35-2:09:47

Eisenhower with a modern Tomahawk arsenal ship

Japan is the proposed target to end the Pacific war and release resources for Europe. Political credit and Soviet exploitation of attacks in Europe complicate the counterfactual choice.

Question

What would Eisenhower do with a tanker-sized arsenal ship carrying Tomahawks, with GPS and targeting support also supplied?

Short answer

Japan is the proposed target to end the Pacific war and release resources for Europe. Political credit and Soviet exploitation of attacks in Europe complicate the counterfactual choice.

Notes

The scenario supplies both modern missiles and the GPS and targeting infrastructure needed to use them. The initial response concentrates on destroying Japanese infrastructure, prompting a reminder that Eisenhower commands in Europe. Alex argues that sending the ship to the Pacific could finish that war and release resources for his own theatre. His political interpretation also asks who would receive credit if a naval weapon won the war in Europe, with consequences for King, Nimitz and MacArthur. Another panelist doubts that King or Nimitz wanted the presidency. Alex accepts that objection while maintaining that Eisenhower could still view them as potential rivals. In Europe, Soviet armies already on the continent would be well placed to exploit attacks on German targets. The representative missile mix is understood to include nuclear-tipped Tomahawks. The proposed decisions and motives are counterfactual speculation.