German submarines came closer to defeating Britain in the First World War than in the Second in this assessment, and that experience left the Royal Navy far better prepared and organized for another U-boat campaign. Fear of submarines and minefields would remain strong if major-warship construction continued. Most Flower-class corvettes were built in smaller yards, with Harland and Wolff providing the main overlap with large-warship construction. A pause did free some space for repairs, but completing hulls could also release space. Most repairs used fitting-out facilities rather than the slipways on which new hulls were built and launched. The distinction supports the argument that substantial construction and repair work could proceed together with little effect on ASW preparation.
Notable Point · 1:14:51-1:16:49
Continuing major ships need not weaken British ASW
Britain's strong interwar focus on submarines, the use of smaller yards for most Flowers, and different repair facilities weaken the case that major construction had to stop for ASW.