The Mediterranean posed overlapping risks from Italy, Spain, and potentially France, so prewar plans called for moving the fleet from Malta to Alexandria. Malta advertised British presence in peacetime but was hard to supply and operate as a large wartime base. The force included anti-submarine trawlers and other support vessels suitable for convoy protection or onward movement to the Far East. Battleships and Tribal-class destroyers covered fleet and presence work, allowing cruisers to remain overseas. The Mediterranean Fleet was configured as a reaction force that could leave its home theater.
Chapter · 41:42-44:11
The Mediterranean Fleet as a planned reinforcement force
Longstanding plans shifted the fleet from exposed Malta to Alexandria and equipped it to become the first reinforcement force sent east.