British yards retained the knowledge needed to repair Royal Navy warships, but their location within enemy bomber range made prolonged capital-ship work dangerous. A large vessel immobilized in dock could neither maneuver nor disperse. This danger explains why many ships received only temporary work at Alexandria or British yards before continuing to facilities in South Africa, Australia, or the United States. Moving major repairs overseas reduced the time a valuable ship spent immobile under enemy air threat.
Notable Point · 30:33-30:42
Bomber range turns British dockyards into dangerous repair sites
A capital ship immobilized in a British yard becomes a large target within range of enemy bombers, encouraging overseas repair routes.