The Austrian Painter: The Great Pacific War

While the Second World War never happens in the Austrian Painter's world, there is no need for a general European war, after all, America and Japan still fight.

The Great Pacific War begins with Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent invasions of the Philippines, Alaska, and Hawaii. Having smashed the Pacific Fleet and taken America's most important Pacific bases, the Imperial General Staff assumes America has no choice but to sue for peace.

Rather than negotiate America fights on.

After the Japanese attack on the Panama Canal is repulsed America goes on the offensive. In the Central Pacific Douglas MacArthur leads the reconquest of Hawaii, landing on the Big Island and beginning a year long campaign to liberate all of the islands. At the same time Vinegar Joe Stilwell commands the island hoping campaign through the Aleutians.

From there as American industrial might begins to tell, Nimitz leads the attack on the Gilberts and Marshalls, while Stilwell comes south and attacks the Marianas. As these campaigns wrap up MacArthur descends on the Philippines. From his new bases in the Marianas Lemay and the 20th Air Force begin the long process of softening up Japan. Stilwell then lands on Formosa.

Even though the war is clearly lost the Japanese refuse to negotiate. MacArthur has long prided himself on avoiding casualties but thinks the invasion of Japan is necessary. Nimitz convinces the joint chiefs that blockade can force Japan to surrender. Nimitz seals of the island nation while Lemay pummels it from the air.

So begins The Great Starvation....