Japan has less reason and freedom to conduct the historical Indian Ocean raid if Singapore and much of Malaya remain in Allied hands. The carrier contest might instead develop around Coral Sea or Midway with a Royal Navy force able to approach through or around the surviving Allied position. A combined fleet could place American and British carriers under United States theatre command while giving operational command to an experienced officer such as Somerville. This remains a conditional branch of the counterfactual, but it identifies how a defended base changes routes, coalition command, and the number of decks available for the decisive carrier battles of 1942.
Chapter · 2:41:12-2:43:51
A surviving Singapore shifts the Pacific carrier war
Holding Malaya and Singapore could prevent the Indian Ocean raid and place a Royal Navy carrier force alongside the Americans at Coral Sea or Midway.