The Atlantic force and Béarn's convoy role

Béarn is treated as most useful carrying Swordfish for critical convoy protection rather than trying to operate as a fleet carrier. Cruisers, destroyers, sloops, armed merchant cruisers, and 29 submarines give the Atlantic force depth for escort, patrol, and blockade duties. Richelieu and Jean Bart offer major potential power, but only if an unfinished hull escapes to an American yard. Completion and work-up would delay useful service until 1941 at the earliest and more realistically 1942, so the scenario does not count on either ship immediately.