Fewer destroyers lost or damaged during the Norwegian campaign and Dunkirk could preserve crews and hulls for later escort assignments. Improved dual-purpose mounts and fire control could also make those evacuations more successful. A larger available force could reduce the need to choose between protecting a vital convoy and attaching destroyers to Hood. By the Battle of the Denmark Strait, additional Tribal-class ships could change the composition of the British force. Their commanders are expected to be eager to engage, making the earlier reduction in losses consequential well beyond the original air attacks.
Notable Point · 2:10:35-2:13:09
How better destroyer air defense could compound across campaigns
Improved dual-purpose mounts and fire control could save destroyers during Norway and Dunkirk, leaving more escorts available for later operations such as the Denmark Strait pursuit.