Rebuilt Kongos complicate German Atlantic breakouts

More carriers at Taranto could reduce the later demand for heavy capital ships in the Mediterranean and leave them available to contain German breakouts. The proposed match-up gives upgraded Kongos a useful role against Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Some reconstructions are judged to have carried them across the boundary into fast battleships, although Japanese treatment of the ships still reflects their battlecruiser role. Stronger Allied forces might discourage Scharnhorst and Gneisenau from operating independently and leave them available for a later sortie with Bismarck. That possibility strengthens the case for sending Nagato and Mutsu to the Home Fleet. Yamato and Musashi would still be unavailable for the initial deployment.