Fleet carriers operating near the battle line were more likely to take damage. The United States had major infrastructure on one side of the Pacific, while Japan possessed repair capacity within the theater. Britain depended on maritime infrastructure back in the United Kingdom for heavy or major repairs. A damaged carrier might therefore need to survive a long return voyage before reaching the facilities able to restore it. Limiting damage, improving survivability, and easing repair became linked design priorities for the Illustrious class. Base geography could shape warship protection as strongly as an anticipated enemy weapon.
Notable Point · 8:35-9:20
Why repair geography shaped British carrier survivability
Britain's heavy repair infrastructure remained in the United Kingdom, so carriers expected to fight close to the battle line had to survive damage and remain repairable far from home yards.