British lessons helped shape the Battle of North Cape

British leaders did not assume German caution would always protect future convoys. Two light cruisers had been less weight than the Royal Navy wanted against the two heavy German cruisers at Barents Sea. The later three-cruiser formation that first confronted Scharnhorst at North Cape reflected a deliberate increase in covering strength. Its purpose was to provide enough rapid six-inch fire to overwhelm upper works and fire control, create a mission kill, and open the way for torpedo attacks.