Japan's leaders may go to war because they believe peace is steadily weakening the country, even if victory remains uncertain. In this scenario, French resistance has not collapsed and the Allied position in Southeast Asia is deeper, better equipped, and more closely linked. A Pacific alliance can also give Poland or Greece a political incentive to contribute a small force and become part of the coalition before a European crisis. Senior command could place Admiral Andrew Cunningham over the British and French naval force, with Chester W. Nimitz possibly succeeding Husband Kimmel on the American side. A practical division of theaters between Cunningham and Nimitz could create a different political and naval starting point from the fragmented ABDA position of early 1942.
Chapter · 3:02:28-3:24:01
A Pacific-first war creates a stronger coalition
If Japan attacks first, Britain, France, the Netherlands, and the United States begin as allies before Germany acts, while a still-intact French empire makes Malaya, Indochina, and the Philippines harder targets.