A task force can spread its cruisers and destroyers across a wide search and attack area, making surface interception harder. Royal Navy carrier doctrine already emphasised finding enemy ships and slowing them for the battle fleet, as the historical Bismarck pursuit demonstrated. More German raider groups therefore strengthen the case for additional fleet carriers before the war. Britain might also avoid pausing carrier construction at the outbreak of hostilities because the scouting and strike requirement would be immediate.
Notable Point · 1:36:25-1:37:24
Carrier aviation becomes central to finding raider groups
Britain would likely build more carriers because aircraft are the fastest way to locate, shadow, and slow dispersed German task forces.