Why Nelson-class tanker decoys would not fool Germany

Could Nelson-class battleships disguised with wood and canvas as huge tankers lure German battleships into an ambush?

Probably not; the necessary intelligence leak would look suspicious, and German aerial reconnaissance could expose the disguised battleships before the trap worked.

The proposal depends on Germany believing that unusually large tankers were genuine and valuable enough to draw out its battleships. Britain would have to advertise the targets so aggressively that the intelligence leak itself would look suspicious. German aerial reconnaissance could then inspect their appearance and movements before committing a force.