The proposed German force is dangerous, but it faces more than the limited British resources available in 1940. Likely Allied forces include King George V and Lion-class ships, modernized battlecruisers, French capital ships, and multiple carriers operating against German ships and Graf Zeppelin. Older carriers could remain useful in secondary roles, with Eagle outside the main concentration and Argus operating Queen Bee drones. A German sortie can therefore become a target instead of a means of controlling the campaign. Exact disposition and timing would decide any fleet action. On balance, a delayed war makes a concentrated German operation off Norway far riskier than its historical counterpart.
Chapter · 2:40:49-2:48:07
Norway becomes a test of Allied sea control
In a 1942 European war, a Norwegian operation could bring a German surface group into range of a much larger Anglo-French force with more carriers, capital ships, radar, and trained air groups.