The doctrinal distinction concerns emphasis, since the navies could use more than one method. A massed strike commits a large attacking force at once. Repeated smaller attacks can maintain pressure while aircraft continue searching for the enemy. In the Graf Zeppelin example, radar-directed fighter defence could disrupt the first German strike and leave the carrier facing further attacks. The sequence depends on detection and interception, rather than guaranteeing the outcome of a carrier battle.
Notable Point · 2:58:19-2:59:47
Continuous carrier attacks and massed strikes create different problems
The comparison emphasises repeated British attacks alongside the larger concentrated strikes favoured by Japan and the United States.