Royal Navy multi-carrier practice dates back to the 1920s and Admiral Henderson's effort to organize carriers for complementary roles. The wartime fleet entered its nightmare scenario early, before planned readiness and without funding to cover simultaneous war against every major opponent. Losses of Courageous, Glorious, and Ark Royal further reduced the combinations available. Taranto itself was planned for Illustrious and Eagle, whose additional Swordfish could have created another wave or enlarged the two historical waves. British doctrine paired strike and fleet carriers, favoured night operations, and often preferred a continuing sequence of attacks to one American-style massed blow. The doctrine was established before the British Pacific Fleet, even though circumstances repeatedly prevented it from appearing at full strength.
Notable Point · 3:03:47-3:08:45
Royal Navy multi-carrier doctrine before the war
The Royal Navy had explored multi-carrier operations well before the Second World War, but war losses and underfunding constrained its use.