Political support for Norway and military pressure on Soviet bombers and bastions both require the carrier groups to fight forward. Holding them near the GIUK Gap would surrender Norway and allow Soviet air and naval forces more room to operate. The resulting layered scheme places attack submarines farthest north toward the Barents, carriers in the Norwegian Sea, and the GIUK barrier behind them. Merchant convoys then cross in the deeper Atlantic rear, benefiting from every Soviet aircraft or submarine compelled to fight the forward battle instead.
Chapter · 1:18:15-1:22:05
Forward carrier groups create depth for the convoy battle
NATO's carriers must push into the Norwegian Sea so submarines can press toward the Barents while convoys move behind them in the Atlantic.