Where would the Allies take their heaviest losses?

What kinds of losses would the Royal Navy and its allies take in the war against Japan?

Early carriers and especially cruisers would be at greatest risk from submarines and air attack, while Britain would try to avoid a costly decisive fleet battle.

Japanese submarines would be expected to prioritize carriers, making Courageous and Glorious especially vulnerable during the advance. Their attacks could also expose weaknesses in early ASDIC practice and accelerate British anti-submarine improvements such as ahead-throwing weapons. The Royal Navy would probably avoid a single battle-fleet showdown and accept dispersed losses while tightening the blockade. Cruisers may suffer most because they conduct raiding and screening missions and can resemble capital ships to aircraft attacking from above. Major fleet losses remain possible, though air and submarine attack are more likely causes than a deliberately sought line-of-battle action.