cherry blossom
Senior Airman
- 513
- Apr 23, 2007
I feel guilty in supplying what ifs instead of Parsifal's excellent analysis of what actually happened but finding what ifs to change the outcome is particularly easy for Midway.
If we want a simple alternate history change to alter the outcome of Midway in favour of the Japanese, what if during or after the war games, someone realises that the Kido Butai shouldn't have to launch two strikes at Midway because the Kido Butai's aircraft are the tip of the Japanese spear. Thus a last minute rearrangement of the IJN forces sends Kondo's battleships and cruisers, Kongo, Hiei, Atago, Chokai, Myoko and Haguro, with Yura and some destroyers, to sail with the Kido Butai. It is an easy change to make as both started from Hashirajima. However, Yamamoto's main body will now have to take a more southerly course to cover the invasion fleet and perhaps Zuiho will sail with Yamamoto.
The idea is that Kondo increases speed and races ahead of the Kido Butai before the first wave is launched to attack Midway at 0430 from 240 miles away. Kondo can probably manage 26 knots over the morning keeping his force together. Thus about 1200, he should be able to open fire on Midway. Thus there will be no possible need for a second strike against Midway from the Kido Butai and no need to waste time swapping bombs and torpedoes.
The change may also bring the Kido Butai better luck because at around 1000, McClusky will be somewhere south of the Kido Butai and may happen to see the distant wakes of Kondo ships racing towards Midway. If he does, he will almost certainly investigate. He may waste so much time and fuel veering to the South that he has to attack Kondo. In fact Kondo may also be attacked by many poorly trained air crews from Midway itself during the morning as he will be the first ships that they encounter.
If we want a simple alternate history change to alter the outcome of Midway in favour of the Japanese, what if during or after the war games, someone realises that the Kido Butai shouldn't have to launch two strikes at Midway because the Kido Butai's aircraft are the tip of the Japanese spear. Thus a last minute rearrangement of the IJN forces sends Kondo's battleships and cruisers, Kongo, Hiei, Atago, Chokai, Myoko and Haguro, with Yura and some destroyers, to sail with the Kido Butai. It is an easy change to make as both started from Hashirajima. However, Yamamoto's main body will now have to take a more southerly course to cover the invasion fleet and perhaps Zuiho will sail with Yamamoto.
The idea is that Kondo increases speed and races ahead of the Kido Butai before the first wave is launched to attack Midway at 0430 from 240 miles away. Kondo can probably manage 26 knots over the morning keeping his force together. Thus about 1200, he should be able to open fire on Midway. Thus there will be no possible need for a second strike against Midway from the Kido Butai and no need to waste time swapping bombs and torpedoes.
The change may also bring the Kido Butai better luck because at around 1000, McClusky will be somewhere south of the Kido Butai and may happen to see the distant wakes of Kondo ships racing towards Midway. If he does, he will almost certainly investigate. He may waste so much time and fuel veering to the South that he has to attack Kondo. In fact Kondo may also be attacked by many poorly trained air crews from Midway itself during the morning as he will be the first ships that they encounter.