German attention might turn south toward Romanian oil and southeastern Europe, delaying an attack on Poland. A Pacific war could extend that delay by two or three years because even a blockade of Japan would be prolonged, while a land invasion would demand an enormous multinational force. The choice between blockade and invasion determines how much shipping, ground power, and amphibious capacity the coalition must assemble. Without a Battle of the Atlantic convoy emergency, Britain could keep building capital ships and accelerate carrier and cruiser programs instead of crash-producing escorts. Pacific distances would also favor Henderson's larger destroyer concepts, because endurance and fuel capacity become central design requirements.
Chapter · 27:41-30:12
Blockade, invasion, and Pacific fleet priorities
A prolonged blockade or invasion of Japan would delay European conflict and push Britain toward carriers, capital ships, cruisers, and larger Pacific-range destroyers.