Four additional small carriers operating in the North Atlantic could make Deutschland's return home less certain. They could also take anti-submarine duties while the fleet carriers remained available for fleet operations. That would change the exposure of ships such as Ark Royal and Courageous. A light carrier lost on the same duty would still be a serious loss, but one the fleet could absorb more easily than a scarce large carrier. Preserving the larger ships could then alter the forces available for Norway and potentially the later fate of Glorious. The eventual outcome depends on how those changed deployments and engagements develop.
Notable Point · 1:30:06-1:30:47
Light-carrier duties in the Atlantic could change later losses off Norway
Extra Atlantic carriers could strengthen raider hunts and assume anti-submarine duties, with possible consequences for the large carriers available during the Norwegian campaign.