I have often wondered what would happen if the events of that day had not gone as the Japanese had planned. The American Military knew the Japanese were planning some kind of attack. We had already broken the Japanese code, so we had intelligence that suggested an attack was immanent, just nothing to indicate the time or place. Just imagine how different things would have been if we were able to intercept the attack. In fact, U.S. radar actually detected the incoming Japanese attackers. Unfortunately, they were mistaken for B-17s that were scheduled to arrive from the mainland. We had our chances to avoid a tragedy and missed all of them.
What would have happened if the United States planned a counter attack against the Japanese fleet? For starters, it could be reasonably assumed that thousands of American lives would have been saved. Also, instead of our pacific fleet being devastated, we probably would have inflicted major damage to the Japanese Navy. Most assuredly, this would have committed the United States to World War II. However, instead of being on the defensive for almost seven months, the United States would have been on the offensive. It is my opinion that, in this scenario, the Japanese would have been defeated 12 to 18 months sooner. Furthermore , I believe the Japanese would have been defeated without the use of nuclear weapons.
The war in the Pacific only accounted for part of the conflict, the European theater had to be considered as well. Assuming that the Japanese could have been defeated 12 to 18 months earlier, this would have allowed the full force of America’s military to be unleashed on the remaining Axis powers. This would have been significant because the United States was the major Allied force in the Pacific theater. If this scenario would have happened, the Allies possibly could have made enough advancement into Europe that an invasion, on the level of Normandy, might not have been required. Furthermore, we may have been able to liberate Europe without the Russians being a major factor. This could have had major implications in the future of Europe and the entire world.
Unfortunately, this is all speculation, and the servicemen who gave their lives, during World War II, will always be remembered as heroes. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a dark day in American history, we have learned from the experience and are a better people because of it. This was a time when America’s resolve was put to the test, and, as we always do, Americans rose to the challenge.
