Oh they wanted a strong defensive position. That would be part of what would discourage the US.BlackBirdZGTR wrote:
So basically their strategy was to hit the US hard and hope they'll just throw in the towel? They would not even attempt to get themselfs in a position where they could attempt to fight off a counter attack?
Midway was a stretch for them even Isoating Australia was beyond thier means although they planned to.(taking Midway, Guam, Hawaii, isolating Australia)
Well number 1 PH is just barely in range of Midway for a Betty accourding to wikiI have read of the logistic problems of Japan even being able to invade Hawaii but could they not of eliminated whatever ship remains at Pearl Harbor along with Isolating Hawaii by naval blockade as well as carpet bombing Hawaii with Neils and Betty's from Johnstons atoll and Midway? I would assume after an extensive period of being isolated, shelled and bombed Hawaii should be easily capable for the Japanese to take?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_G4M
I'm not sure how much of a bomb load it's carrying at that point. Same question about the Neil. Consider also that unescorted bombers are going to get shot to ribbons over PH.
Midway on the other hand is can be hit by US ships out of PH as well as being interdicted by subs. Trying to shell PH would also be a rather risky undertaking as in addition to aircraft Hawaii had some decent shore batteries.