Keeping a surface threat alive while accelerating advanced submarines could prolong the Atlantic contest and dilute Allied antisubmarine concentration. A longer campaign might disrupt the buildup and movement of supplies required for D-Day, buying Germany time rather than victory. The counterfactual has a firm limit because scenarios that produce an Axis win from 1942 depend on implausibly poor Allied decisions. The combined industry and manpower of the British Empire, dominions, free nations, and United States had become an overwhelming force that Axis naval adjustments could delay but not defeat.
Notable Point · 17:51-19:24
Germany could delay defeat at sea, not win
A mixed raider and submarine campaign might disrupt the Allied buildup for D-Day, but could not overcome Allied industrial power from a 1942 start.