A 1930s squadron to destroy the High Seas Fleet

Which eight to twelve 1933-1938 surface ships would you use to destroy ninety percent of the German High Seas Fleet on 1 June 1916?

The carrier-heavy proposal combines eight British and American carriers with four fast escorts, using scouting and repeated day and night attacks to reach capital ships and light forces in port or at sea.

The challenge allows eight to twelve surface ships available in 1933-1938 and requires the destruction of ninety percent of the High Seas Fleet on 1 June 1916. One proposal combines Nelson, Rodney, the three Colorados, both Nagatos, four carriers, and Hood. A separate carrier-heavy proposal uses Lexington, Saratoga, Yorktown, Enterprise, Ark Royal, Courageous, Glorious, and Furious, with Hood, Renown, Repulse, and Kongo as fast escorts. The British and American air groups provide complementary night and daylight strike capabilities as well as scouting. Nelson and Rodney with ten Asashio-class destroyers offer another approach, using long-range torpedoes before the battleships finish damaged targets. The ninety-percent requirement also includes numerous light vessels, making ammunition expenditure and repeated attacks important constraints. Carrier aircraft can search for those ships and return for further strikes, including against vessels sheltering in Wilhelmshaven.