A German invasion of the Soviet Union would still create a need for Arctic convoys in this scenario. If Germany had already lost its fast capital ships, its remaining cruisers would require a different escort balance. Older British R-class battleships and French Bretagne- and Courbet-class ships could cover that threat. A Deutschland-class raider would be heavily outmatched by an R-class battleship, allowing Allied fast capital ships to serve elsewhere.
Chapter · 1:36:10-1:37:16
Older battleships on Arctic convoy duty
If German fast capital ships had been lost, older Allied battleships might be enough to guard Arctic convoys against cruisers.