Scheme J1 imagined Japanese pressure on China and the Netherlands during deteriorating Anglo-French relations. Britain sent two Nelson-class and five R-class battleships, Repulse, Renown and Hood, three carriers, cruisers, about 63 destroyers, and 32 submarines east, accompanied by support vessels. Local forces also defended Singapore and Hong Kong. A second contingent included the Queen Elizabeth- and Iron Duke-class battleships and Tiger, bringing the commitment close to the Royal Navy's entire strength. Singapore lacked the developed base needed to support this concentration, while the scenario conveniently stabilized Europe and left Hong Kong in British hands. The plan also assumed an unopposed Royal Marine landing in the Okinawa group on an optimistic timetable. These assumptions made sense as conditions for a course planning problem, but the resulting schedule was unsuitable for direct use as an operational war plan.
Chapter · 38:25-41:47
Scheme J1's paper fleet for war with Japan
Scheme J1 assembled nearly the whole Royal Navy for a Far East campaign, exposing the gap between impressive fleet lists and Singapore's unfinished support capacity.