What changes if the Allies win in Malaya and Singapore does not fall?
Short answerJapan's southern advance becomes harder and an Anglo-Australian-led command can organize the theatre around the surviving base.
NotesJapan would face a continuing obstacle between its forces and the Dutch East Indies. Britain and Australia would remain directly committed, giving Roosevelt grounds to support an Anglo-Australian theatre command rather than concentrating authority under MacArthur. Force Z's survival would leave Tom Phillips in place, though a more senior admiral such as Cunningham might be required for the expanded role. A later Malta-class carrier could inherit the name Singapore as a symbol of the successful defence.