In a hypothetical comparison, one fleet begins with twenty cruisers and its opponent has two. Losing two ships apiece leaves eighteen cruisers on one side and none on the other, without any new construction. Equal numerical losses therefore have very different consequences for the two fleets. A larger fleet can also concentrate four or five cruisers against an enemy pair, potentially bringing several ships to bear on each opponent from different angles. Such concentration can improve the odds of limiting losses, but it does not make the stronger force immune to losing one or even two ships.
Notable Point · 1:16:22-1:17:47
Why equal losses can favour the larger fleet
An illustrative cruiser comparison shows how equal losses can eliminate the smaller force, while local concentration may reduce the larger fleet's losses.