The counterfactual is anchored to forces ready in January 1939. Japan has not formed the First Air Fleet, several later carriers and the Yamato class are unavailable, and a newly commissioned carrier still needs a trained crew and operational workup. Britain also lacks its armoured carriers and the King George V class, while Renown and the Queen Elizabeth-class ships are at different stages of refit. Tribal-class destroyers and T-class submarines are entering service, and senior commanders have not yet reached the posts they held in the later war.
Notable Point · 11:27-14:34
January 1939 fleet readiness check
A force-availability check separates the ships and commanders actually ready in early 1939 from the later Pacific War fleets.