Hey guys, I know this is a "What if" question but it has to do with the Pacific so please bear with me. What do you think would have happened if the Japanese had been smart enough to blow up all the oil right there on the runways? Thanks for any and all posts.
It would have delayed any of the operations for the carriers but not much more than what actually happened since the navy had to recoup its losses in the attack. My opinion, no different outcome with the exception of limited operations at the beginning.
I agree, it would have delayed the Pacific War but not the outcome. Japan could only hope that the US would surrender quickly but there was such a wave of anger and determination after Pearl Harbor that I don't think it would have happened. Greg
But guys, we were actually on the defensive till Midway. If we had been late getting to Coral Sea we would have lost WWII. So, as you said, without our carriers(no oil to go) we would have not been able to save Port Morsay.
I think we´ve discussed this earlier in "whether there should have been the third attack wave" etc.Anyway something to think about: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/pearlharbor/media/0501redhillavailability.html // During the attack on Pearl Harbor, the fuel tank farm at the Pearl Harbor Navy Supply Depot was a strategic target that was extremely vulnerable but was not attached and remained undamaged through two waves of bombing. // This tank farm held the entire fuel oil supply for the United States Pacific Fleet. A single bomb could have destroyed over four and a half million barrels of oil and would have prolonged the war for years, according to Admiral Chester Nimitz.
I agree with WW2 Buff, without oil then the fleet would have been ineffective against the Japanese. But whether the US would have lost world war 2 it is hard to say. Jet
Another grave error made by the Japanese was that the sub pens and maintenance sheds were left unharmed.The submarines and the fuel stored at the tank farm,unscathed by the attack,would haunt the Japanese till the end of the war.
Had the Japanese taken Port Moresby, it would not have affected the strategic position of the US. The US just wanted to get into the fight and the battle of coral sea was the result. Had the oil storage facilities been destroyed at Pearl, I think there would have been time to ship in enough to get the fleet in on the battle. Had it not been there, I still think it would not have meant a total victory for the Japanese. The US would have had 4 strong carriers at Midway instead of 2 strong and one weak carrier. No difference in the outcome. But such is fate.
