Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:41:57-2:43:08

A Singapore fleet could reinforce the Philippines and fight at night

The later Pacific War remains uncertain, but an advance from Singapore toward the Philippines offers a concrete alternative to waiting for Japan to move south.

Fleet Air ArmImperial Japanese NavyNaval RadarNight OperationsPhilippines CampaignSingapore Strategy
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Question

Would a real Allied fleet at Singapore prevent the historical Papua New Guinea and Guadalcanal sequence?

Short answer

The later campaign is uncertain, but the fleet could move toward the Philippines, join American forces, and use British radar-assisted night air tactics in an early major battle.

Notes

A large Allied fleet at Singapore could move forward to reinforce the Philippines and join American forces there. The combined formation might have less carrier air power than the Kido Butai, but enough ships and other capabilities to produce a major battle. British radar-equipped Swordfish could find and attack targets at night, when Japanese aerial combat arrangements were less developed. French forces are expected to adopt the British enthusiasm for these night operations. Whether the historical Papua New Guinea and Guadalcanal campaigns would follow remains uncertain.