Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:06:33-3:07:42

How did British capital-ship construction delays affect the raid?

Without wartime construction pauses, Britain could field more fast battleships and carriers while releasing older 15-inch ships for convoy escort.

Illustrious Class Aircraft CarriersImplacable Class Aircraft CarriersKing George V Class Battleships (1939)Lion Class BattleshipsNaval Procurement
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Question

How would Operation Berlin change if British capital-ship construction had not been delayed?

Short answer

Britain would likely have more fast battleships and carriers for hunting groups, allowing older battleships to cover additional convoys.

Notes

Avoiding Churchill's pauses in capital-ship construction could bring more King George V-class battleships and Illustrious-class carriers into service earlier. Implacable-class carriers and perhaps Lion-class battleships might also be closer to operational availability. Extra fast ships would enlarge the hunting groups capable of catching German raiders. Just as importantly, they would free Queen Elizabeth-class and other older 15-inch battleships to protect more convoys.