The forecast starts with 56 Flower-class corvettes ordered in August 1939 within a programme discussed at roughly 150 ships, alongside a similarly large projected Hunt force. A corvette's gun could damage a surfaced submarine enough to prevent it diving, while ASDIC and depth charges addressed the submerged threat. Ships distributed through British and Dominion forces would also require a reserve of trained personnel. Paid training periods could prepare those crews before mobilisation. The projected force consequently depends on sustaining the peacetime training programme alongside construction.
Notable Point · 1:15:13-1:21:04
Prewar escorts need trained reserve crews as well as hulls
Existing escort orders could provide both ships and a trained reserve before an Atlantic convoy campaign began.