The newest Atlantic assets can oppose German breakouts: Formidable, Victorious, and Indomitable with Renown and the King George V-class battleships. Any French capital ships that enter Allied service could strengthen that northern concentration further. At Gibraltar, Illustrious and probably Nelson need not chase fast raiders; their job is to block the strait, deter any interned French ships from breaking out, and serve as a slower Force H. This layered distribution guards both northern and southern exits without rebuilding the historical Mediterranean Fleet. It also explains why Britain can still assemble a much stronger force in the Indian Ocean.
Notable Point · 38:44-40:28
A layered fleet structure guards both Atlantic exits
Formidable, Victorious, and Indomitable anchor a fast Home Fleet while Illustrious and a Nelson-class battleship form a slower Gibraltar backstop.