A concentrated force of four or five battlecruisers could sail from home waters when a threat appeared. The alternative puts smaller groups close to the routes they protect. Possible stations include the Falklands and Caribbean, Gibraltar and Malta, and posts around the Indian Ocean, Singapore, Weihaiwei and Australia. Ships could also be assigned to Dominions or allies. Wider coverage depends on buying enough hulls, even if a rival eventually develops a ship that can beat one of them.
Chapter · 30:26-31:52
Cruiser squadrons on the trade routes
The station plan compares a few battlecruisers held near Britain with groups of armoured cruisers already deployed along trade routes.