Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:26:09-2:27:03

A full Eastern Fleet could replace isolated Force Z

Freed Mediterranean forces and surviving French ships turn the Far East deployment from a deterrent detachment into a battle fleet.

Far East FleetForce ZFrench NavyImperial Japanese NavyRoyal NavySingapore Strategy
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Question

What might the British Far East fleet look like in this scenario?

Short answer

It could be a joint Anglo-French Eastern Fleet of about ten capital ships with a substantial carrier force, requiring Japan to plan how to deal with Singapore as well as Pearl Harbor.

Notes

Historical Force Z was weak beside a coalition able to move capital ships and carriers east before Japan attacked. A possible force includes roughly ten British and French capital ships plus a substantial carrier component. Japan could still choose Pearl Harbor, but it would also need a plan to defeat or contain the Singapore fleet. An attack on Singapore would also require Japan to pass the Philippines, while striking Pearl Harbor first would still leave the Singapore fleet to be dealt with.