The Royal Navy expanded escort capacity through V- and W-class conversions and by arming larger merchant ships as well as building new vessels. None of those measures happened by a stroke of the pen: ships had to reach suitable facilities, weapons and stores had to be available, and trained personnel had to be assigned. The practical constraints explain the difference between a mobilization plan and deployable operational capacity.
Notable Point · 27:01-28:34
Mobilizing conversions and armed merchant ships
Escort mobilization extended beyond new construction to destroyer conversions and merchant-ship armament, all limited by equipment, locations, stores, and trained crews.