How would the war change if Admiral Hipper and Gneisenau were sunk during the Norwegian Campaign?
Short answerThe immediate effect on Germany might be modest, but the losses could preserve HMS Glorious, weaken later Atlantic raiding, and free British ships for the Mediterranean and Far East.
NotesEarly losses of Admiral Hipper and Gneisenau during the Norwegian Campaign might change Germany's immediate position little, but the secondary effects could compound. If Gneisenau were unavailable, the sortie with Scharnhorst that destroyed HMS Glorious would change and might leave the British carrier in service. Losing Admiral Hipper would also narrow the cruisers available for Atlantic operations and could pair Scharnhorst with a slower ship such as Lützow or Admiral Scheer, increasing the chance of interception. Further German losses would reduce the surface threat tying down British capital ships. Britain could then shift more strength toward the Mediterranean and eventually send a properly formed fleet with a carrier to the Far East. These remain possible secondary effects, rather than a certain chain of events.