In the scenario, attention to gun calibre could obscure the operational problem posed by six British capital ships able to make at least 28 knots. A 21-knot American battle line would struggle to dictate range against them. The cancelled Lexington battlecruisers leave a gap that their carrier conversions do not fill as fast gunnery ships. Japan's four Kongos would face six British fast ships, while adding the Nagatos would lower the Japanese force's speed. Comparing published figures also requires care because British speeds excluded forced draught while Japanese figures tended to include it.
Chapter · 1:36:10-1:45:20
American and Japanese navies confront a faster battle line
A six-ship British fast force would challenge the slower US battle line and force Japan to choose between Kongo's speed and reinforcement by the slower Nagatos.