British, Australian, and French light carriers could create a larger local aviation force in Southeast Asia. The scenario also leaves open the possibility of Dutch participation if other navies demonstrated the type's usefulness. These ships would still struggle against a concentrated fleet-carrier force with a much larger air group. A cruiser force alone, however, could find them much harder to sweep aside. Their destroyer and cruiser escorts would contribute to that defence, while Japan would also have small carriers of its own. The combination would complicate an advance without guaranteeing the outcome of a particular campaign.
Notable Point · 1:28:10-1:29:24
Allied light carriers could complicate a cruiser offensive in Southeast Asia
Several Allied navies could field local carrier groups that complicate surface operations, while remaining vulnerable to concentrated fleet-carrier aviation.