Carrier decks, fuel, and size made most aircraft carriers poor candidates for artillery fights. The proposed large cruiser fills a gap between a dispersed scouting force and the concentrated fast capital ships needed for a decisive engagement. HMS Renown's withdrawal with Ark Royal illustrates the mission. The escort interposes itself, slows a superior force, and buys time for the carrier to escape or launch a strike. A large cruiser could be too dangerous to ignore while remaining less costly than a battleship. Its loss would still hurt, but it would not disrupt the war effort as much as losing a capital ship.
Notable Point · 6:44-9:51
An escort that can delay a stronger enemy
A large cruiser can stand between a carrier and a stronger surface force, buying time without committing one of the fleet's most valuable capital ships.