French commitment to Indochina would take Allied operations into the South China Sea, where they would overlap with the American theater more directly than Britain's focus on Malaya and Burma. A standing Anglo-French force at Singapore could attract Dutch and other Allied forces before war forced an emergency command into existence. Japan would then face a concentrated fleet that might include ten capital ships and four carriers. With Indochinese bases unavailable for long-range torpedo bombers, Japan would have to send major fleet units south. If it still attacked Pearl Harbor first, the Kido Butai would need to return to Japan, refit, and restock before operating in the South China Sea, probably with all four Kongos or more support. That delay would give the Allies additional time.
Notable Point · 2:30:39-2:33:23
An early Allied command gives Singapore a fleet instead of Force Z
French interests in Indochina encourage Britain, France, and the Netherlands to assemble a joint command before wartime emergency produces ABDACOM.