An unescorted carrier departs from the intended operating pattern. Pre-war Royal Navy doctrine paired each carrier with a cruiser and destroyers even when the ships appeared to be moving independently. Force H illustrates the core pattern with Ark Royal, Sheffield, and destroyers, adding Renown or Hood when a capital ship was available. A Tiger Cub gives that screen enough speed and firepower to handle routine movement and raider hunting with more confidence against surface threats.
Notable Point · 2:10:09-2:11:08
The cruiser-and-destroyer carrier screen
Royal Navy carrier doctrine normally paired a carrier with a cruiser and destroyers; the Tiger Cubs make that screen more formidable.