Plan Z looked formidable as a collection of projected ships, but only a small fraction of the displayed programme entered service. Any delayed German construction would also trigger British responses, including more Implacable-class carriers, additional Unicorn-type support ships, and further capital ships. Britain could build for a Far Eastern fleet while retaining forces for Europe and the Mediterranean, drawing on Canadian and wider imperial production as well as home yards. The comparison is therefore dynamic: German paper strength cannot be measured against a Royal Navy assumed to stop ordering ships.
Chapter · 2:57:43-3:12:43
Industrial infrastructure limited Axis war plans
Axis paper programmes have to be measured against British, Dominion, and American industrial depth, shipyard capacity, escorts, and logistics.