Keeping Béarn with the Allies would not by itself cause Germany to complete Graf Zeppelin. The proposed trigger is Hitler taking a personal interest in the carrier. That intervention would turn competition between the heads of German military departments into a race to bring the ship into service. An even more successful attack on Taranto is identified as the plausible event that could prompt such interest.
Notable Point · 28:00-28:38
A greater Taranto success could attract Hitler to Graf Zeppelin
Béarn's continued Allied service would not by itself overcome the obstacles to completing Graf Zeppelin.