This is a discussion on WW II: What if Japan attacked the west coast? within the Military Strategy and Tactics forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; I've wondered from time to time what would of happened if the Japanese had after bombing Pearl Harbor their forces ...
I've wondered from time to time what would of happened if the Japanese had after bombing Pearl Harbor their forces had turned east and attacked the west coast. I'm saying that their main objective was to attacked the United States mainland and they had prepared accordingly.
I think there's already another thread discussing the potential on what the Japanese will or can do in the opening of WW2. In short, the Japanese aimed was for Raw Materials in Malaya and Dutch East Indies.
Attacking and pacifying Pacific Fleet only to eliminate potential immediate oppsing fleet when the rest of their fleet went south for conquering South East Asia at same time Nagumo's task force attacking Pearl HArbour.
Japanese did not have much supply, and Yamamoto gammble all the resources on one way startegy that has to work simultanously.
On Tactical side it work since Nagomo's manage to subdue the Pacific Fleet for some time, and open the rest of the fleet to plunder SEA with limited opposition.
On strategic grand it does not work, since all the US aircraft carriers still save, thus enable US Pacific Fleet to ammount substantive opposition wiithin few months, comparred the Yamamoto plan that aimed to pacified the US fleet for at least a year.
Japanese knows that they can't match US industrial out put and productivity, thus was not planning to attack or invade US continental land, since it's beyond their capabilities.
Afterall, the plan is for a year of SEA and western Pacific Conquest, and after that facing the US in diplomatic table to divide pacific for US and Japan.
Japan did attack the west coast with firebombs attached to ballons hoping to set the forests on fire, but they were very unsuccessful and only burnt down one house
but they were very unsuccessful and only burnt down one house
Didnt one of these bombs actually and by sheer "luck" come down quite close to some facilities of the Manhattan Project?
Scientists were grateful though, the whole thing teached us a lot about global air currents and the existence and implications of the jet streams.
I think its clear from every perspective that a Japanese attack on CONUS was completely unfeasible and also quite undesirable. After all the whole point about the war in the Pacific was about Japans interests in East Asia and the western pacific area, as was pointed out here before.
One could just as well wonder what would have happened, if Japan had attacked, say, Iceland.
________________ "It wasn't an invasion, merely an advance without consent through territory that technically didn't belong to us."
Well, if Japan attack it will some thing like pearl Harbor, imagine during those days it that weapons and way it was use, but now after being advance in technology what and shock awe it will create, never under estimate Japan !!!
Japs are un -predictable, not like Us or UK, it is common with Asians. Asian can't be predicted like westerns. Eg: way Napoleon was defeated by emperor of Russia
Japs are un -predictable, not like Us or UK, it is common with Asians. Asian can't be predicted like westerns. Eg: way Napoleon was defeated by emperor of Russia
Don't talk nonsense about things about which you know nothing, especially when said nonsense could be construed as racist.
Don't conflate Russia 200 years ago (European, linked economically, militarily & culturally to other European countries) with countries with utterly different histories & cultures.
BTW, think yourself lucky you didn't spew your nonsense about Japanese people to my partner: I can predict her reaction rather well, & you wouldn't like it.
Don't talk nonsense about things about which you know nothing, especially when said nonsense could be construed as racist.
Don't conflate Russia 200 years ago (European, linked economically, militarily & culturally to other European countries) with countries with utterly different histories & cultures.
BTW, think yourself lucky you didn't spew your nonsense about Japanese people to my partner: I can predict her reaction rather well, & you wouldn't like it.
Did I mention that she's Japanese?
I am sorry and apology for if someone is hurt. Now before saying me a nonsense and offering me a luck please first be mature in giving statements, if you are having good knowledge then share instead of using above unwanted words. I know what i have said, i did,t mean anything foolish about Japanese, but i mean that Japan like other Asian nations, local politics + cultural and traditional politics plays important role. As recent below was given to US by japan went japan took u-turn to long time enemy China. And now even respected Japanese PM has offered to build an block like EU, which would work in interest of Asians, have this type of things ever predicted by the westerns ?
"Japs are un -predictable, not like Us or UK, it is common with Asians. Asian can't be predicted like westerns. Eg: way Russians were defeated by Japanese" right i made mistake in by giving wrong example and now i have ratified
"nonsense also have word SENSE -- so focus on SENSE"
I know what i have said, i did,t mean anything foolish about Japanese, but i mean that Japan like other Asian nations, local politics + cultural and traditional politics plays important role.
What, politics and national culture don't play a role in Western nations? I get the impression you're not trying to be offensive, but what you're saying doesn't make sense as anything but a gross generalisation.
The political developments of ANY nation would be difficult to predict for someone who lacks an understanding of said nation and the political forces involved.
It's NOT a cultural trait of Japan or anywhere else.
Last edited by Bonza; October 27th, 2009 at 08:18 AM.
Early 16th century Mexicans found Spaniards unpredictable, because Aztecs, Tlaxcalans etc. had never met any Spaniards before, & knew nothing about them. Once you get to know them, Spanish, like Japanese, are as predictable as anyone else, & of course, they find each other predictable.
Why I said what you said could seem racist is because you are saying people you do not understand are unpredictable, as if it is a characteristic of them. I think you need to widen your view point.
Early 16th century Mexicans found Spaniards unpredictable, because Aztecs, Tlaxcalans etc. had never met any Spaniards before, & knew nothing about them. Once you get to know them, Spanish, like Japanese, are as predictable as anyone else, & of course, they find each other predictable.
Why I said what you said could seem racist is because you are saying people you do not understand are unpredictable, as if it is a characteristic of them. I think you need to widen your view point.
Thank you,
this was the best expected answer, i will sure work in my studies and widen my point of view, thanks a lot as i am student of the competitive studies, i do need to get involve in such debates
I've wondered from time to time what would of happened if the Japanese had after bombing Pearl Harbor their forces had turned east and attacked the west coast. I'm saying that their main objective was to attacked the United States mainland and they had prepared accordingly.
I think that the US would have been caught off guard. The Japanese would have captured cities on the west coast and advanced into the rural areas. By then, the US Military would have been fighting them slowly back to the West coast. Eventually the USA would beat them back to the sea but the Japanese were known for holding out longer than any other country.
I think that the US would have been caught off guard. The Japanese would have captured cities on the west coast and advanced into the rural areas. By then, the US Military would have been fighting them slowly back to the West coast. Eventually the USA would beat them back to the sea but the Japanese were known for holding out longer than any other country.
How would the IJN have transported enough troops to the US west coast to do that? How could they have been supplied? What would be the purpose of such an attack?
I've wondered from time to time what would of happened if the Japanese had after bombing Pearl Harbor their forces had turned east and attacked the west coast. I'm saying that their main objective was to attacked the United States mainland and they had prepared accordingly.
Interesting.That would defitley be a change of scenery for the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy.They might of attack the west coast of mexico,which would have been taken easily then california.Los Angles would be a bloodbath becuase of the lack of Military defences and Large amount of civilians.The japanese were cruel and strang then kind and compasionate towards their prisoners,it just depends on their state of mind and commander.
The Japanese would have to secure hawaii in a vicious battle of attrition which the US would have probably one.But if the Japanese won,then they capture Alaska and run through canada as well as attack US and Mexican West coast's and secure the coastlines.
Then Drive Foward onto the Eastern Seaboard,they would need alot better tanks,and alot of troops and rescources.It would have been a hard almost impossible struggle because the Japanese were lacking in rescources especially fuel and metals.
Personally i think that the Japanese lacked the means to achieve this and they knew that .Someone posted earlier that Yamamoto's plan to attack Pearl Harbor was actually a gample , which is correct.
But i kept on thinking what would have happened if the Japanese had delayed their attack say, two or three years?Would their industry had sufficient growth to produce enough LCT's and strategic bombers for example, capable to use for an invasion to the US?
