Belfast raids expose German bombers on both journeys

Would concentrating Luftwaffe attacks on Belfast shipyards be practical?

Belfast had been bombed, but sustained attacks would face long routes and repeated opportunities for British fighter interception.

German aircraft had already raided Belfast, so reaching the city was possible. Concentrating attacks there would require long flights over or around Britain. Fighters could engage the bombers on the outward journey, around Northern Ireland, and as they returned home. Routes around Britain could also bring aircraft within reach of forces in Cornwall, Wales, and Scotland, which were less heavily engaged than the fighters defending southeast England.