The loss follows from command and readiness failures rather than an unavoidable technical defeat. Without an airborne search or alert force, the carrier lost the warning and striking options that made her aircraft valuable against German surface ships. Glorious was proceeding below full speed with only two destroyers on a clear day while Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were at sea. Only half her boilers were in use, even though the ship could make about 30 knots at full power. Her captain's dispute with the flying commander and haste to return for a court martial help explain why carrier doctrine was not being applied.
Chapter · 1:09:03-1:10:48
Glorious's fatal absence of air patrol
The return from Norway placed Glorious in clear weather with only two destroyers, reduced speed, and no aircraft searching or guarding overhead.