Japanese air defense, surviving carriers, and the length of the Pacific War

Claire Clark considers Japan better placed than the other Axis navies to turn improved air defense into major early-war gains because it began closer to naval parity. A carrier saved at Midway could inflict further American losses, while reduced attrition in the Solomons could complicate later campaigns. The comment doubts this would extend the war because it would not necessarily change the timing of the atomic-bomb attacks. Alex Clarke allows an extension of months, rather than years. His reason is that the bomber missions needed suitable alternate landing fields if their aircraft were damaged, both to protect the weapons and avoid losing scarce bombs.