If the United States Pacific Fleet's battle line sailed on 6 December 1941, its course would determine whether it approached the Japanese carriers. A southward or westward course would carry the battleships away from the Japanese carrier force, so the air raid might still strike the base without finding them in port. Their survival would make a much stronger battle fleet available earlier in the Pacific War. Fuel itself existed, but a shortage of oilers would still restrict how far and how often the ships could operate. Surviving battleships could strengthen covering forces around later campaigns such as Guadalcanal, although the shortage of oilers would constrain their use.
Notable Point · 3:38:08-3:41:23
If Pearl Harbor's battle line sailed on 6 December
The direction of an early American sortie determines whether the battle line meets the Japanese carriers, while fuel logistics determine what surviving battleships could accomplish afterward.