Why might a Fulmar make only one pass at an incoming raid?

Was making repeated attacks on the same raid essential to the Fulmar's fleet air-defence role?

The layered system did not require fighters to keep attacking the same wave after it entered the gun defences. They could climb toward another raid or return to rearm while alert fighters replaced them, provided enough aircraft were available.

The outer fighter layer aimed to break a large raid into squadrons and flights. Heavy anti-aircraft fire dispersed those groups further, while medium and light guns tried to destroy the aircraft approaching the ships. Once a raid entered those inner layers, fighters could climb to intercept a later wave instead of pursuing the original attackers. Alert aircraft launched to replace the patrol as it moved out to engage. The original patrol could attack another wave or return for ammunition and fuel. This rotation reduced the need for repeated attacks on one formation, provided the carrier had enough fighters to sustain it.