What if Singapore and Hong Kong were reinforced and nothing happened

[Wyboy26]

After enjoying a lot of the current what ifs on Malaya holding against a Japanese attack and pushing them back into the sea, I was wondering what would of happened if during 1940/41 this was seen as a true potential threat by Churchill and the Imperial General Staff and manpower and equipment was diverted to produce the ideal defence in the area and then Japan did not attack.

No troops were sent to Greece, Australian troops kept in the far east, equipment that would of been sent to the USSR would of been diverted to the far east, the 7th Army only given equipment to hold the DAK and not push them and the Italians out of Africa.

How would it be seen post war by heavily defending a peaceful area (apart from being seen as a deterrent) to the detriment of the active combat zones? Would we have lots of what ifs on the holding onto Greece as Singapore was seen post war as a false threat etc

Cheers

Simon

 

[Hugh Third of Five]

Why is Japan being so peaceful? Having their attacks repulsed is one thing, but having them not attack is another. If they're more dovish, then wouldn't that make Britain feel less need to reinforce Hong Kong and Singapore?

 

[Wyboy26]

Why is Japan being so peaceful? Having their attacks repulsed is one thing, but having them not attack is another. If they're more dovish, then wouldn't that make Britain feel less need to reinforce Hong Kong and Singapore?

I don’t know, but they weren’t seen as a threat historically over wise the decisions made in 1940/41 would of been different, it is really a counterpoint to what the Commonwealth and Empire should of done with hindsight on this site to what the threat of was seen at the time. My post was about the waste of build up in an area where there was no war.

so let’s say, everything is the same upto 1941 but Japan is happy with French Indo-China and decides to concentrate on mainland China before any other adventurous activities. But the UK still builds up in forces like alot of posts say to a strength they could beat a Japanese attack on Malaya and Hong Kong. But no war.

 

[Wyboy26]

So let’s say there is enough Infanty Divisions diverted to Malaya to carry out Operation Matador, tank production from Canada is shipped to Malaya, modern fighters and radar deployed with skilled pilots and operators. A modern alert fleet is deployed to Singapore and Ceylon with a Carrier or two. In a ATL with hindsight this is perfect, Japan invades, is stopped and everything is ideal, an exciting story. But in a ATL with no war, post war people could be writing on the damage the Bismarck did in the North Sea because HMS Hood and Prince of Wales were busy patrolling the peaceful Indian Ocean. Or the Italian fleet blockading Malta to a point or invasion or surrender.

 

[Wyboy26]

It would be like say in a different world there was a surprise German-Turkish Alliance where Turkey was promised Cyprus in exchange to enter the war in early 1941. Turkey and some German troops seize Cyprus, build it up and use it as base for Aircraft to effect the war in Middle East.

In 2023 someone writes a timeline on the UK seeing Turkey as being seen as a potential threat and builds up in Cyprus with let’s say General Slim, Divisions are diverted, a full Infantry Tank Brigade is deployed. Vast amount of money is spent in building defences and air defences. The German-Turkish forces invade and it a blood bath. Logistics are built up in Palestine and Jordon to stop any invasion from Syria etc.

Now if Churchill did this historically, people would be writing about the waste of resources it was as we never went to war with Turkey and all the potential that effort could of been redirected to a different area, say winning the war in North Africa

 

[Wyboy26]

Or another take on it could be a ASB story where in a world where the USSR in 1938 invades Afghanistan and India. There is a bloody war involving the British Empire and the Soviet Union. Professor X goes back in time and dimensions to our world with history books warning of the war. The UK does a massive build up in the 1930s to get ready for this war. The home front is neglected, tanks are designed to fight in the north west frontier, massive industrial and infrastructure works are developed to support a huge Army in current day Pakistan and Afghanistan.
All this happens and then suddenly as in our timeline there is no war against Russia , Hitler annexes Czechoslovaka, invades Polond etc. History would condemn the Government for worthless spending in India. Building the ideal Army to fight in northern India but can’t fight in France and North Africa.

 

[Wyboy26]

It would be like playing the UK on Hearts of Iron 4 where every country is on the random focus tree, but your playing it like every country is on historical. You build the perfect force to fight the Axis and Japan. But then suddenly you’re fighting against a communist France and USA. You didn’t even consider defending Canada or west Africa and your fleet is everywhere apart from the English Channel.

 

[Sekhmet_D]

I don't believe any amount of reinforcement would have deterred the Japanese from attacking. The best possible outcome would be them attacking and failing.