Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:05:49-2:06:59

A German carrier raid on Belfast risks British submarine interception

A carrier offers another way to reach Belfast, but its likely route would pass waters used by British submarines.

Carrier AviationHarland And WolffKriegsmarineRoyal Navy Submarines
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Question

Could Germany use an aircraft carrier to attack Harland and Wolff?

Short answer

Theoretically, but its likely route around Scotland would expose Germany's scarce carrier to Royal Navy submarines.

Notes

A carrier raid is a theoretical alternative to sending land-based bombers to Belfast. Committing Germany's sole carrier would put a scarce ship at considerable risk. A route via Norway and around northern Scotland would probably cross waters used by Royal Navy submarines for training. The carrier might therefore be intercepted before it could approach Harland and Wolff.