[Forward the Light Brigade]

If the Japanese had found our 3 carriers before we found their 4 carriers we would have lost at Midway. Then, they would have sailed to california and bombed the coastal cities and factories until we gave up. War would have lasted at least another two years and the outcome might have been different.

[RedMonqey]

"Then, they would have sailed to california and bombed the coastal cities and factories until we gave up. ”

Naaah, we would have moved all our factories inland away from the enemy guns(like Stalin did) and dared the Nips to chase us. It would have been Hell on the West Coast, for sure but as long as the factories in Detroit, Kansa City and, ahem, Oak Ridge, Tojo was destined for the gallows.

[sparklite2]

Then, they would have sailed to california and bombed the coastal cities and factories until we gave up

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Not really. We did have an air force, after all, and our manufacturing was spread out all over the country.

What Yamamoto wanted was for the US to sue for peace, granting Japan freedom of the Pacific.