Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:36:37-2:37:35

If Renown had escorted Glorious

Renown's presence and Glorious's aircraft would make a German attack far less attractive during the Norwegian campaign.

GneisenauHMS GloriousHMS RenownNorwegian CampaignScharnhorst
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Question

Would Scharnhorst and Gneisenau have attacked if HMS Renown had been escorting HMS Glorious?

Short answer

Probably not; Glorious could keep aircraft aloft while Renown presented the kind of heavy threat German doctrine favoured avoiding.

Notes

Scharnhorst and Gneisenau probably would have avoided an engagement if HMS Renown had been escorting HMS Glorious. A properly integrated carrier and battlecruiser force would have aircraft airborne and a heavy gun platform ready to close with the German ships. That judgement follows German doctrine, which favoured avoiding a stronger opponent, and the command consequences after the historical damage suffered off Norway. Glorious should also have remained with the main fleet instead of sailing independently.