"According to preliminary information, is the Japanese fleet approaching here composed of a surface strike force with Nagato and Mutsu as its main units, and a mobile force centered around four aircraft carriers?" the chief of staff nodded slightly in response to Admiral James Somerville's inquiry laden with a sense of reconfirmation, continuing the explanation.
"Not only our country's intelligence department but also the American intelligence sector has arrived at a similar conclusion, so it is considered highly accurate information. Additionally, regarding the Japanese fleet continuing its southward movement toward Australia, it has been confirmed that, as rumored, Admiral Yoshida, the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, is leading them personally. Given that the top of the Combined Fleet has traveled in person, there are analyses suggesting that their aim may not be the capture of cities in Port Moresby or northern Australia, but rather the destruction of the submarine base in Brisbane or the city itself."
Since the beginning of the war with Japan, the disadvantage of the Allied forces in the Pacific and Asian regions was evident. The Pacific Fleet suffered a devastating defeat in the Battle of Wake Island at the outset of the war, losing five battleships and six aircraft carriers in one fell swoop. Britain also suffered significant losses, with the state-of-the-art battleship Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser Repulse sunk off the coast of Malay, and the key stronghold of Singapore in the Asian region had already fallen.
"In other words, the primary target of the Japanese military is the capture or destruction of Brisbane, and the two fleets heading towards us may be diversions."
Somerville, now turning to the chief of staff, performed a confirmation task to determine if his speculation was correct, acknowledging that the task of reinforcing or identifying problems in his own speculation by considering the opinions and knowledge of others is always worthwhile.
"It is likely that the Japanese Navy, to avoid exposing the flanks of the fleet heading towards Australia, sent a fleet to the Indian Ocean. Currently, in the Asia-Pacific region, the only force capable of countering the Japanese fleet is the Eastern Fleet. The Pacific Fleet is still in the process of rebuilding, and its main force cannot move for the defense of the West Coast. Moreover, the Australian fleet is too small compared to the Japanese fleet. In other words, if they can hold back the Eastern Fleet, the fleet heading towards Australia can focus on ground attacks without worrying about their rear."
While nodding in agreement with the words of the chief of staff, Somerville recalled the orders he received.
"Defend the Indian Ocean with the Eastern Fleet."
Though not explicitly stated by the naval high command, in essence, it means abandoning Australia. It is probably Prime Minister Churchill's decision. The cold realist likely weighed the loss of the Indian Ocean and the abandonment of Australia on the scales. Even if, hypothetically, Brisbane was attacked and Australia made peace with Japan, it would not have a significant impact on the war in Europe. Of course, the presence of Australian forces in the European theater is not insignificant, but it is not enough to overturn the overall situation.
On the other hand, losing the Indian Ocean would inflict a devastating blow to Britain's war economy. The Soviet Union would be cut off from the vital supply artery of the Persian Corridor, and China would face further hardships as it lost the route for Chiang Kai-shek's support. The weakening of Britain and the Soviet Union, especially, would bring decisive negative consequences to the war in Europe. Compared to that, Prime Minister Churchill likely judged that it would be better to lose Australia, which is far away from Europe.
"Assuming the Japanese forces come to Brisbane, would the Allied forces there be able to counter them?"
Somerville asked the chief of staff, realizing that perhaps a sense of guilt for abandoning allied nations prompted him to utter this hypocritical question.
"First of all, it would be nearly impossible. The disparity between our and their air power is too significant. The Australian air force has concentrated its main forces in the northern sector, but they are barely holding up under the pressure from Japanese air forces, including Rabaul. They can't spare any support for the defense of Brisbane. On the other hand, the United States has redirected some of the air units originally intended for Australia to defend the West Coast. So, we cannot expect much support from them either. Australia's only option is to gather its fighter planes and bombers on the mainland to defend Brisbane, but even then, the numbers won't be substantial. Without additional support, we are left with virtually no options."
While regretting having asked a question that merely served to reiterate the cruel reality, Somerville envisioned the tragedy that would befall the citizens of Brisbane in the near future. In the attack on Oahu, the Japanese military thoroughly destroyed not only military facilities and harbor installations but also societal infrastructure such as power plants and water purification plants. Moreover, they scattered numerous mines around the island, making the recovery of Oahu extremely difficult. Whether in the Battle of Wake Island or the fighting in Hawaii, the Japanese military was thorough in its actions. They do not relent in their attacks until the opponent is completely incapacitated. This trend is likely to continue here in the Indian Ocean.
As for the forces on both sides, the aircraft carriers are at a disadvantage, with three against four, and the gap widens further in terms of the crucial number of carrier-based aircraft. There might be at least twice as many, or potentially nearly two and a half times more on the Japanese side. This is precisely why halfway measures are not permissible. Whether attacking or defending, the concentration of forces is an absolute necessity. Somerville had already made that decision.
On the other hand, in terms of battleships, the advantage is overwhelmingly on their side, with five against two. While the individual performance may lag behind that of the Nagato and Mutsu, the numerical difference is too significant, possibly even two and a half times more. The Eastern Fleet found its salvation in this numerical advantage. In other words, there was no other viable option.
High-Speed Force
- Aircraft carriers Indomitable, Formidable (26 × fighters, 50 × torpedo bombers)
- Heavy cruisers Cornwall, Dorsetshire
- 6 destroyers
Low-Speed Force
- Battleships Warspite, Ramillies, Revenge, Resolution, Royal Sovereign
- Aircraft carrier Hermes (10 × fighters, 7 × torpedo bombers)
- Light cruisers Emerald, Enterprise, Danae, Dragon
- 8 destroyers
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Aviation-Centric Combined Fleet
Historical Fiction「It is no longer the era of battleships. From now on, airplanes are the mainstay of the Navy.」 Which one is it? The doctrine of big ships and big guns or perhaps air power? The power struggle within the Navy, however, takes an unexpected turn. Due t...
