How were RFA ships moved when an enemy might attack them?
Short answerThey could sail independently for urgent resupply or in protected groups, but the Bismarck hunt exposed the cost of leaving an oiler without escorts.
NotesSupport ships could sometimes move independently for urgent resupply or travel in protected groups. Either method forced commanders to balance speed, escort availability, and the risk of losing fuel capacity. During the Bismarck pursuit, the Royal Navy prepared an oiler for the returning capital ships only to discover that virtually every suitable escort had joined the hunt. The episode shows how target fixation can make a fleet forget that its supply ship also needs protection.