From Atlantic hunting force to Malta raiders

Force K's changing ships and missions followed the changing strategic situation. In 1939 the Royal Navy used command of the sea to hunt enemy raiders, while in 1941 and 1942 it used limited control from Malta to prevent the Axis from exercising control of the central Mediterranean. The loss of France and Crete, strong enemy air power, and too few British carriers prevented uncontested regional command. Surface raiders made the interdiction threat appear persistent in a way that submarines hidden below the surface and aircraft returning to base could not, reinforcing both the operational and psychological denial of Axis supply routes.