The RNAS took on so many duties that maritime aviation became a smaller share of its work as the war continued. Churchill made United Kingdom air defence a Royal Navy responsibility, which required fighters and an effective national organization. Operations in Flanders and France, together with strategic bombing, pulled resources and attention away from direct fleet support. Institutional success therefore left the service with priorities beyond its original naval mission.
Chapter · 2:21-3:30
Air defence makes the naval air service too large
Making United Kingdom air defence an RNAS responsibility helped the service grow beyond its original fleet-support role.