Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:27:55-3:29:22

British Pacific strategy ran south to north

Glorious could suit a fleet advancing from Australia and Singapore, a different endurance problem from the American route west from Pearl Harbor.

British Pacific FleetFleet TrainHMS GloriousNaval LogisticsSingapore Strategy
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Question

If Glorious survived, could the Royal Navy use her in Pacific operations?

Short answer

Yes, because British plans advanced north from Australia and Singapore, where her range was more workable and fleet tankers could extend support.

Notes

British planners expected to work northward from Australia, Singapore, and the South China Sea rather than cross the Pacific from Hawaii. That geography makes Glorious more useful than comparisons based solely on American operating patterns suggest. Planned fast tankers in the 1940 programme would further support the fleet along this distinct logistical axis.