Cruiser attacks, divided fire and Holland's Denmark Strait decisions

Norfolk and Suffolk would add another attack direction, 8-inch fire and torpedo threats. Prinz Eugen would have to respond to heavy-cruiser fire, while hits could damage Bismarck's systems. The proposed approach applies the River Plate analogy: multiple threats would divide German attention and make concentrating on one opponent costly. If Bismarck engaged one British capital ship while Prinz Eugen fought a cruiser, other British ships could fire without being engaged themselves. This approach is identified as contemporary Royal Navy doctrine. Holland's decision to keep Hood with the troubled Prince of Wales and exclude the County-class cruisers is explained through concerns about mutual support and confusing shell splashes. His reasoning is treated as understandable, while its consequences are criticised for restricting Hood's movement and simplifying the German targeting problem.