In the tradition of Project Danny and Wake Island Rescue, I present to you another "What If?" Scenario:
December, 1941
On the 7th, two waves of bombers from Japanese carrier forces attacked the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, inflicting heavy damage to American defenses and sinking or damaging numerous battleships and cruisers, while American air defenses were virtually destroyed on the ground. This is the history we know....
A third wave soon struck American fuel and repair facilities, leaving the fleet defenseless as an invasion fleet appears off shore.
As the scattered remnants of the US Pacific Fleet withdraw to San Francisco, the United States declares war. Taking to heart the warning of Admiral Yamamoto that an American surrender could only be negotiated in Washington DC itself, the Japanese military leadership orders an all-out offensive on the American mainland, staged from their newly established base at Pearl Harbor.
Anticipating a continued Japanese offensive, American carrier forces, including Enterprise, Yorktown, Lexington and Hornet, marshall off the US West Coast, prepared to meet the Imperial Japanese Navy in a desperate stand to end the Japanese offensive and defend American soil.
Forces
United States
San Francisco and surrounding military facilities
USS Enterprise
USS Yorktown
USS Hornet
USS Lexington
F4F-3 (4x.50cal package only)
F2A-3 (3x.50cal 1x.30cal package)
SBD-5
P-39D
P-40B
B-17G (no formations, sub for B-17 D and E)
B-25C (no formations)
Imperial Japanese Navy
Shokaku
Zuikaku
Hiryu
Soryu
Akagi
Kaga
Various cruiser groups
A6M2
D3A
B5N
