Q&A · 3:54:20-3:57:40

Distributing British capital ships among the Dominions

A fleet-distribution answer turns older ships into a dispersed imperial sea-lane strategy.

Question

How should Britain divide older battleships and battlecruisers among Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India?

Short answer

Australia and New Zealand receive the battlecruisers while the larger Dominions divide pairs or trios of battleships, creating training fleets and defended trade choke points.

Notes

The exact allocation is less important than the strategic effect: forces based near Canada, the Cape, India, Australia, and New Zealand compel an enemy either to detach battleships or accept attacks on trade. That dispersion helps the Dominions develop naval institutions while allowing the main Royal Navy battle fleet to concentrate elsewhere.