Regarding point 1, that's very valid unless our author needs for Force Z to be sunk for his own reasons, at which point in time a butterfly can develop that sends them a week-plus earlier to SE Asia (say the Admiralty picks up the accelerated preparations by Japan to invade the Southern Resource Area early enough to accelerate their fleet deployments).
Regarding point 2, while the Indian Ocean Raid can go badly for the Japanese, ultimately, it is a sideshow.
The IJN does not have the logistics reach and spare combat capability to do more that raid into the Bay of Bengal with all it's other commitments in the Pacific, while the Royal Navy is in the same boat. As nice as it would be to assemble enough of a force to kick the IJN out of Singapore, that cannot be done without stripping more critical areas (mainly the Med and the Atlantic) to the bone.
When Singapore falls (again), it's a bad hit but not critical damage to the British since they can get tin, oil, and rubber from other places. Losing Gibraltar, Malta, or Suez would be far more devastating for the Royal Navy, to say nothing of the need to keep the Channel and North Sea controlled and ensure that the Atlantic convoys supply the home islands. Now, that said, failing to take Singapore and Malaya would be a disaster for Japan since that's the whole point of the war for them (Japan needs the resources from Indonesia and SE Asia, Singapore dictates control of Indonesia). So, if the initial attack fails, I expect to see the Kido Butai sent to the South China Sea to insure that Singapore falls ASAP before America can rally and put strain on Japan's eastern flank.
The Fall of Singapore is an interesting butterfly. I mean, on one hand, if Singapore isn't taken by storm, then it's a major setback for the Japanese. But, on the other hand, just holding onto Singapore doesn't mean much in itself. Its air force would still get wrecked, and what few ships might be based there are not nearly enough to threaten Japanese operations in the area. Simply besieging the city would work--it'd take longer to secure, but the threat would effectively be neutralized. The biggest loss would be tying up so many men for so long. It'd also be less of a morale blow to the British. It's one thing for "the Gibraltar of the Pacific" to fall to a prolonged siege; it's another for it to be taken quickly by direct assault.
Buying time and tying up Japanese troops would help the other parts of the Southwest Pacific hold out for longer, perhaps much longer.
It's also worth remembering that the Battle of Singapore was a very, very close thing. A simple, small butterfly could tip the balance in favor of the British and natives. Even under ideal conditions IRL, the Japanese barely managed to win. It was a series of blatant and outrageous tactical/command errors that made defeat even possible in the first place.
One thing that's noteworthy is that the American forces have gotten a huge head-start on developing tactical doctrine for dealing with Japanese air power this time around. The Thach Weave has been invented many months early, and many American pilots got first-hand experience dogfighting Zeroes. The importance of having a significant number of planes and pilots fueled up, loaded, and ready to go at a minute's notice is also known, too. If the American torpedo problem has been solved (or at least mostly solved), that could buy more time by delaying the invasions somewhat.
*Fast-forward to October 1944 and the Leyte Landings; MacArthur is in his cabin aboard Nashville after announcing he's going to wade ashore* Nashville: Boy howdy, Gen'l...you sure are a glory hound, ain't 'cha? MacArthur: *Sees her and freaks* YEEEEK!!!
*Cut to a scene years later, where Nashville's Captain is talking to his grandchildren* Nashville's Captain: And that, kids, is how I and my crew learned that a five-star General screamed like a little girl.
Halsey: "Why the hell is no one defouling the officers' motor launch?"
Enterprise: "I suspect they think it's like molesting my baby or something and don't want to get you mad?"
Halsey: "... is this related to that story of the Military Police arresting dockworkers while they were defouling the hull of that turncoat Jap submarine... I-19, was it?"
*Fast-forward to October 1944 and the Leyte Landings; MacArthur is in his cabin aboard Nashville after announcing he's going to wade ashore* Nashville: Boy howdy, Gen'l...you sure are a glory hound, ain't 'cha? MacArthur: *Sees her and freaks* YEEEEK!!!
*Cut to a scene years later, where Nashville's Captain is talking to his grandchildren* Nashville's Captain: And that, kids, is how I and my crew learned that a five-star General screamed like a little girl.
and now I'm imagining Augusta and Patton meeting each other during operation Torch.
Augusta: *begins foul mouthing Jean Bart after the later gets yellow marking die on her only to realize Patton's staring at her.* "General."
Patton: "As you were sailor."
Augusta: "Right." *goes right back to cursing Jean Bart.*
You have it backwards.
It's not taboo for a sailor to hit on a shipgirl, such as by running across the deck (e.g. pounding on the ship with their feet).
It is very taboo for the shipgirl to hit on a crewmember, as this tends to be hazardous.
You have it backwards.
It's not taboo for a sailor to hit on a shipgirl, such as by running across the deck (e.g. pounding on the ship with their feet).
It is very taboo for the shipgirl to hit on a crewmember, as this tends to be hazardous.
I am good for terribad puns, and incredibly stupid lewding, such as "Sir, please step away from the incredibly underage rowboat. The Congresscritters are still debating whether defouling the hull counts as child molestation..."
Sky's been tied down with RL and stress from his teaching job. It will come when he has a chance to write it. The various preview snippets he posted are from future planned chapters.
Halsey: "Why the hell is no one defouling the officers' motor launch?"
Enterprise: "I suspect they think it's like molesting my baby or something and don't want to get you mad?"
Halsey: "... is this related to that story of the Military Police arresting dockworkers while they were defouling the hull of that turncoat Jap submarine... I-19, was it?"
To be honest, Iku didn't help the issue with her moans and screams of "OH YES BABY!" "DO IT THERE!" "THAT'S THE SPOT!" "DO IT HARDER! HARDER! HARDER!"
"Did someone call my name?"
"EEEEK!"
Harder: "You do realize that American submarines, while not as outwardly lewd as Japanese ones, smell like their names? We are named for fish, while, ahem, certain natural lubricants are said to smell fishy..."
*Entire shipyard stops work to contemplate this revelation, meanwhile, the embodiment of Silence wanders in with a flagon of some sort of alcohol, looks around, sits down and reads several trashy romance novels, finished their drink, and finally packs up and leaves*
I-19: *shuts jaw* "Welp, you've out-lewded me."
EDIT: Some legends claim that shipyard workers tended to sniff about the aft end of submarines from this day forth. Other legends claim that it's looking around the garbage or sewage ejection systems, as they still aren't quite sure what corresponds to what.
Lucky guy then. IJN fighter pilot was a bit of a high-risk career field 1941-45. Nice to know that ZuiZui will dodge the heartbreak of having him die on her watch then.
Harder: "You do realize that American submarines, while not as outwardly lewd as Japanese ones, smell like their names? We are named for fish, while, ahem, certain natural lubricants are said to smell fishy..."
*Entire shipyard stops work to contemplate this revelation, meanwhile, the embodiment of Silence wanders in with a flagon of some sort of alcohol, looks around, sits down and reads several trashy romance novels, finished their drink, and finally packs up and leaves*
I-19: *shuts jaw* "Welp, you've out-lewded me."
EDIT: Some legends claim that shipyard workers tended to sniff about the aft end of submarines from this day forth. Other legends claim that it's looking around the garbage or sewage ejection systems, as they still aren't quite sure what corresponds to what.
Engineer: Wait, were we supposed to use the animal, vegetable or synthetic lubricant on the mach- where did the tallow go?
Harder: *Munch munch*
Dockhand: And where did my comic book go?
I-19: *Hides a booklet behind her back *
Pilot: Did anyone see where that P-51 Mustang went?
Enterprise: *whistles innocently*
One of these is not like the others.
Also whoever was the one that introduced me to Decisive Darkness... why did you have to put so many onion next to my computer?
and now I'm imagining Augusta and Patton meeting each other during operation Torch.
Augusta: *begins foul mouthing Jean Bart after the later gets yellow marking die on her only to realize Patton's staring at her.* "General."
Patton: "As you were sailor."
Augusta: "Right." *goes right back to cursing Jean Bart.*
Sky's been tied down with RL and stress from his teaching job. It will come when he has a chance to write it. The various preview snippets he posted are from future planned chapters.
Righto...didn't have time this weekend to get the chapter done. Ended up sleeping more than I wanted, pretty much napping the days away. Guess I was more worn out than I thought (when a student who isn't even in my classes says 'you look exhausted' that's probably a sign...) so no chapter. To at least make up for that a little, have some snippets from future chapters. These are in spoiler tags primarily for neatness. They do not hold any major spoilers, so feel free to discuss them if wanted. It would give the thread something to do other than bully the Sky discuss random things, after all.
With a hiss heard even from the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill's famous cigar fell into the waters of the North Sea. The bullish Prime Minister held a hand to his red cheek, working his jaw lightly. His gaze drifting to the practically steaming form of a little red-haired woman, glaring at him. She was short and slim, but the woman was certainly not weak. And her glare would be enough to melt steel.
"How dare you act like that. I haven't forgotten Gallipoli, Mr. Churchill." The woman's voice was colder than ice, as her eyes bore into Churchill's. "Don't presume to act friendly with me. I know that was your idea."
Silently rubbing his cheek, Churchill raised an eyebrow. As if it were a cue, the woman continued ranting at the man.
"And don't even get me started on this war. How are we supposed to fight with so few resources? Do you even know how hard it is for poor Barham to leave dock?"
As the redhead continued to build up steam, she was rather rudely cut off as Churchill finally exploded into deep, rumbling laughter. This seemed to stun all present, while the Prime Minister removed his hand from his red cheek. The bulldog of Britain bore a grin that had been hidden by his palm.
"I do so love a woman with fire in her," Churchill stepped forward, even his rather stout frame towering over the slim woman in front of him. "So, you remember Gallipoli, Elizabeth?"
As a battleship, the redhead refused to back away from a challenge. "I bloody well do."
"Tell me a way to make up for it, and I will do everything in my power to do so." Churchill, even with the comical red handprint on his cheek, managed to carry all the seriousness that made him so popular at home. "The Royal Navy are heroes, and it is the least I can do to help our brave men and, now, women on the front."
For the first time since he had stepped aboard, Winston Churchill shocked Queen Elizabeth into a stunned silence.
One down...next:
"...what is this, my dear?"
Admiral Lütjens frowned, as he looked down on the letter in his hands. Before him, the friendly maid Sascha shuffled slightly. Her normally confident features marred by a deep blush, hands clenching in her dark skirt.
"That is a letter from my sister, Herr Admiral. I--please don't think less of her, but she is a rather prominent member of a resistance to the Nazi Party. She asked me to get the message to you, from an Admiral Schreiber."
If Lütjens had been confused before, it was only growing in prominence. His eyes trailed down on the letter in hand, wondering just what it contained. An Anti-Nazi sister? Admiral Schreiber working through channels in opposition to the government? He had only met the older man in passing, but this was certainly not something he expected from the former captain of Blucher. Hm.
"I see..." Muttering softly, the Admiral opened the letter and began reading. His eyebrow climbing further and further up his brow as he did.
"Admiral Lütjens,
I understand that this message will come as a surprise to you. It was not easy to get this message out or to find out you were alive. I apologize that I was unable to sortie all those months ago, to help you against the British. Gneisenau sinking was not something I had anticipated. However, this may work in both our favors and, indeed, in the favor of our nation herself. You, I am sure, understand how dangerous Hitler is for Germany. We may have him to thank for the return to prominence after Versailles, however, his continued efforts undermine all of this.
The war in Russia is not going well, nor will it end well. I have never been more certain of anything in my life. Germany will fall. It may take months, it may take years, but she cannot stand against the West and East united. If Germany is to survive, if we are all to survive in a nation that is not humbled at the feet of our enemies, we must remove Hitler and attempt to negotiate with the West.
I don't hold much hope for this. I am aware of how set they are on unconditional surrender. However, I want you to talk with the British. Perhaps they would be willing to listen to two Admirals. I can only hope so.
-Gustav Schreiber"
Tearing his eyes from the letter, Lütjens frowned deeply. He stared at Sascha, one question above all on his lips.
"Just who is your sister? How did she get this message out?"
Sascha blushed even brighter, only mumbling under her breath. What she said had the Admiral's eyes widening in dawning comprehension...
And...
Even in the time she had spent in Valleta, Andrea Doria would never be used to Malta. This was not a place she had ever really expected to be, to say the least. It had been the goal of many Italians to have Malta back under the Crown in Rome. The hopes of the navy had rested on taking this island. Yet, even now, it felt odd being here.
How did it come to this, anyway?
Doria sighed, shaking her head. Pointless thoughts. Italy was not the nation she had remembered. In more ways than one. Not least because of the little destroyer currently resting her head on the battleship's lap.
"This is coooommmmfffyyyy," little Turbine was normally not this...clingy. At least from what Doria remembered.
Whatever had brought her back changed the girl. Made her more childish. It was all very strange, to say the least.
"Turbine, you cannot stay here forever." Even if her words were meant to be chiding, Doria couldn't help the fondness in her tone. She had her motherly side after all.
"But I don't want to leave. It's so cold when I do." Turbine's pout hid the very real fear in her voice. The destroyer hated the cold, even in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.
Another question to ask, when Doria managed to track down that engineer.
"Ah, but our new friends will be visiting soon. You wouldn't want to be laying like this when they arrive."
With another pout, the little girl crawled off of Doria's lap and crossed her arms. Her head stubbornly looked at the castle in the distance, and not at Doria- ship or woman.
Again, these aren't really spoiler heavy. The Italian one is arguably the most so, but even there I'm not saying exactly how Doria got where she is. Or what she means when talking about Italy. Because that would be spoilers
The other two aren't really spoilers. Even Schreiber's bit. Also, since we're talking about Europeans...after the Pearl bit is done, we'll have an interlude before Arc 3 kicks off. I'll leave it to the readers to decide which nation it is from, out of three options:
[] France
[] Britain
[] Italy
The little previews are from different points in the story, and not involved with the interlude. And Germany needs its own focus, not an interlude. So one of those three.
As for the next chapter? Whenever I find the time...dunno how the week will go.
(the lack of American or Japanese snippets is because I need to get to sleep, more than anything else. That and I want to focus my energy in that regard on finishing Pearl)
EDIT: Some legends claim that shipyard workers tended to sniff about the aft end of submarines from this day forth. Other legends claim that it's looking around the garbage or sewage ejection systems, as they still aren't quite sure what corresponds to what.
