How the limited war could reach a fleet battle

An opening night strike against Japanese carriers could be followed by a daylight action involving carriers, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. The coalition's aim is to remove Japanese carrier strength before bringing its numerical advantage into a daylight fleet engagement. The outcome would be costly rather than bloodless, and a computer simulation might miss command mistakes and improvised actions. Britain enters the crisis with partial mobilisation already under way from the Spanish Civil War, while Japan lacks a plan for this sudden conflict and has not concentrated its resources.