Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:30:34-4:30:44

What Béarn copies would do to Japan's carrier offensive

Replacing Japan's fleet carriers with Béarn exposes how the carrier hull and aircraft-handling arrangements constrain an entire campaign.

Alternate HistoryBattle Of MidwayBattle of the Coral SeaBearnImperial Japanese Navy
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Question

What if all Japanese carriers became copies of Béarn just after Pearl Harbor?

Short answer

Japan's carrier offensive would fail rapidly; Béarn copies are judged inadequate for Coral Sea and Midway.

Notes

The hypothetical replaces Japan's carriers with copies of Béarn just after Pearl Harbor. The immediate judgment is that their new limitations would prevent Japan from carrying out its subsequent carrier operations successfully. Coral Sea is cited as the first major obstacle, with Midway beyond it. The premise changes the performance of the carrier force itself and is distinct from a change to one aircraft or weapon.