If Britain had far more financial freedom before the war, how should it strengthen its overseas naval bases?
Short answerBuild dry docks and protect key bases with dispersed heavy batteries, anti-aircraft guns, and linked radar coverage.
NotesExtra funds would go first to repair docks and stronger defences at locations such as Singapore and Gibraltar. Singapore would combine very heavy coastal guns with 9.2-inch batteries rather than rely on a single layer of firepower. Separate shell stores and defensive positions would make the batteries harder to disable together. Anti-aircraft weapons and linked radar chains would turn the bases into defended fleet-support systems rather than isolated gun sites.