Q&A · 2:16:39-2:19:30

Could a fleet carrier have changed Denmark Strait?

A full Lexington or Saratoga air group could sink Bismarck, but Victorious faced shortages of aircraft and trained reconnaissance crews.

Question

If Lexington or Saratoga replaced the British carrier near Denmark Strait, could its air group sink Bismarck without battleship support?

Short answer

Yes, with a full air group. Victorious's limited, incompletely worked-up aircraft force and the weather made her actual circumstances quite different.

Notes

Lexington or Saratoga with a full air group could sink Bismarck without battleship support in this counterfactual. The question first needs a geographical correction: Victorious was near Denmark Strait, while Ark Royal was with Force H and approached later from the Gibraltar area. Victorious had only a small Swordfish force and a half-strength Fulmar squadron aboard while preparing for work-up. Keeping the Swordfish available for a strike pushed scouting onto Fulmar crews who had not trained for it. Poor weather added to those limitations.