The loss of small ships is accepted as the price of holding the enemy force in place. Their tactical role goes beyond trading destroyers for damage: their interference gives the heavier ships time and manoeuvring room to reach favourable firing positions. The destroyers keep the French formation occupied while the capital ships work around it. The sequence shows why a screen can matter even when it is vulnerable to heavier gunfire.
Notable Point · 36:58-37:14
Destroyers buy time for the capital ships
Destroyers are used to keep the opposing fleet occupied while the battleships and battlecruisers move into better positions.