The Nott Review nearly removed HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid. Clapp and Thompson argued for their retention amid doubts about whether the Navy fully understood amphibious warfare. The Falklands force ultimately approached a light division rather than a small raiding party, creating demands far beyond those of routine commando operations. Shipping taken from trade could help, but it could not replace purpose-built amphibious capacity and the trained organization needed to land and support brigades ashore. Rare contingencies make improvisation most costly and painful when preparation has been discarded.
Chapter · 34:34-37:04
The Falklands demanded amphibious capacity at division scale
The Nott Review's threatened loss of Fearless and Intrepid illustrates why a navy must retain the shipping and trained force needed for a rare large amphibious operation.