How to judge Allied naval choices in January 1939

The comparison follows a no-hindsight rule. Each suggestion must arise from contemporary knowledge, existing designs, and realistic industrial choices rather than simply copy what later succeeded. Diligent testing of existing torpedoes is offered as one remedy that required no future knowledge. The larger exercise is divided by date and by major Allied, major Axis, and smaller navies, while this installment covers the major Allies in January 1939. The question is what officials could recognize and begin changing at that moment, even when ships or factories would take time to become ready. That constraint puts institutional readiness and procurement timing alongside ship design.