A German fleet with greater range would remain visible in British threat planning before the war. Japan, followed by Italy, dominated British planning until German rearmament became visibly effective around 1936-37, but ocean-going diesel warships would keep Germany in the calculation earlier. Britain could respond by reshaping the fleet or protecting the overseas bases on which that fleet depended. The Falkland Islands provide one example, with heavier coastal guns proposed to deny raiders an easy attack on a logistics hub. Long-range British ships and stronger distant bases built for the German problem could also leave the Royal Navy better suited to the later Pacific conflict.
Notable Point · 55:24-57:19
Overseas bases and a fleet better prepared for the Pacific
Britain could answer long-range German raiders by hardening distant logistics hubs, with investments that also improve readiness for a Pacific war.