Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:40:31-2:41:00

The fast screen around the coalition battle line

A viewer asks which cruisers, destroyers, and fast minelayers would accompany the British capital ships.

Abdiel Class MinelayersArethusa Class Light Cruisers (1934)Fleet ScreeningG Class DestroyersH Class DestroyersHMS ManxmanI Class DestroyersTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)Tribal Class Destroyers (1936)
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Question

Which British cruisers and destroyers would screen the coalition's fast capital ships?

Short answer

Likely Town- and Arethusa-class cruisers, Abdiel-class fast minelayers, Tribals, and other fast G-, H-, or I-class destroyers.

Notes

Town-class cruisers could screen the Queen Elizabeth-class battleships and battlecruisers. Arethusa-class cruisers also fit because their speed suits a mobile fleet. Fast Abdiel-class minelayers such as Manxman could contribute, while Tribal-class and other large, fast destroyers provide the destroyer component. This fleet therefore needs a matching reconnaissance, screening, and torpedo-defence force to support its capital ships.