How Bismarck and Tirpitz together could threaten Arctic convoys

If a repaired Bismarck joined Tirpitz in Norway, the threat to Arctic convoys would increase sharply. Their sorties would still depend on fuel, although a successful Bismarck cruise could strengthen the navy's claim to allocations. Convoys ordered to scatter would become vulnerable even without the battleships sinking the merchant ships themselves. Escorting every threatened convoy could require pairs of R-class battleships and absorb much of that class. German commanders might also accept a fight against heavy escorts in the Arctic because repair facilities were closer than during an Atlantic raid. A clash with North Carolina or Washington becomes possible in this scenario, although Bismarck's repair needs could delay her return until 1943.