Germany's surface fleet is dangerous but badly positioned for a sudden conflict. Its major units, including the Scharnhorst pair and three Deutschland-class Panzerschiffe, have not dispersed for commerce raiding, while the U-boat force remains small and undeployed. That gives a Royal Navy already at war a chance to strike before German raiders can escape. Copenhagen and Mers-el-Kebir provide precedents for Britain attacking a fleet it expects may soon join the enemy, which makes the threat of pre-emption credible.
Notable Point · 52:03-54:29
Germany's unready fleet and British pre-emption
Germany's surface raiders and small U-boat force have not dispersed for commerce war, leaving them exposed to a Royal Navy already mobilised and willing to strike first.