Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 25:12-26:21

Could a surviving carrier evade a pocket battleship?

Aircraft already flying and a 30-knot speed gave Courageous or Glorious a credible chance to escape a Deutschland-class raider.

Aircraft CarriersDeutschland Class CruisersNaval AviationPocket Battleships
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Question

How would Courageous or Glorious fare against a Deutschland-class pocket battleship?

Short answer

With aircraft airborne and room to use their 30-knot speed, they could likely evade and pressure the slower raider; surprise with aircraft below would be far worse.

Notes

Readiness is decisive: aircraft on deck or in the hangar leave the carrier vulnerable, while aircraft in the air can harry a pursuer. The carrier's speed advantage over the Deutschland class could let it choose the range or reach friendly forces. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were faster on paper, yet a one-knot margin would not close a long distance quickly. Torpedo aircraft launched while the carrier steamed into the wind could also force a pursuer to manoeuvre or accept damage.