Why a German raider force could use a carrier

A German force breaking from the North Sea into the North Atlantic needed fighters to suppress reconnaissance aircraft that might report its position. Carrier aircraft could also search for targets and launch attacks without forcing the raiding force to stop for aircraft operations. Their reach would widen the area an opponent had to search, even if a carrier offered less value in the Baltic. The capability remained a plausible operational requirement within a nascent, unbuilt German doctrine.