East of Suez

East of Suez - Praca Zbiorowa

As the Second World War lurched toward its end in Europe, the British Chiefs of Staff realized that the United States could defeat Japan without the assistance of its allies. Participation by significant elements of the Royal Navy in American operations against Japan, they believed, would be critical to the post-war political environment where the Americans would certainly assume the leading role. Failure of England to bear her share of the burden could lead to accusations that could only harm relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, meanwhile, constantly demanded aggressive operations in South-East Asia. Churchill sought to regain the glory of the British Empire, including the colonies lost to the Japanese early in the war. He believed that the only way to do this was by demonstrating British military might by retaking them without American help. Historically Churchill’s plans dropped by the way when it became obvious that joining America in the defeat of Japan was good from a political standpoint as well as giving the Royal Navy experience in carrier and major fleet operations as defined by the powerful American Navy’s campaign across the Pacific.