Moving a heavy-bomber squadron was among the most difficult aviation logistics tasks of the Second World War because its support infrastructure had to travel with the aircraft. A carrier gathers an entire air wing on one mobile ship, making that aviation capability easier to shift between distant commitments. The comparison helps explain why Britain needed carriers for far-flung responsibilities. It also keeps the scale of the supporting infrastructure in view.
Notable Point · 1:09:09-1:10:10
The logistical burden of moving carrier aviation
A comparison with heavy-bomber units shows why a carrier air group cannot be shifted between theatres without a formidable support system.