Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 30:34-30:46

Without the Great Kanto earthquake, Amagi replaces Kaga as a carrier

Removing the earthquake changes which capital-ship hull joins Akagi in Japan's interwar carrier force.

Aircraft CarriersAmagi Carrier Conversion (Counterfactual)Great Kanto EarthquakeIJN AkagiImperial Japanese NavyKaga
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Question

What does the Japanese fleet look like in the 1930s if the Great Kanto earthquake never occurs?

Short answer

It is broadly similar, except Amagi serves with Akagi as a carrier instead of Kaga.

Notes

The earthquake damaged Amagi and historically changed Japan's conversion choices. In the counterfactual, Amagi would likely enter carrier service alongside Akagi. Kaga would no longer be the substitute conversion. The overall fleet would not change radically, but the identity of one major carrier would.