Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 46:34-50:50

Royal Navy plans for commerce raiding

Town- and County-class cruisers, converted merchant ships, and distant-station forces all had roles in attacking enemy trade and diverting hostile warships.

Commerce RaidingCruisersPacific WarRoyal NavySingapore Strategy
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Which ships did the Royal Navy intend to use for commerce raiding?

Short answer

Town and County cruisers were principal raiders, supported by converted merchant ships and a wider plan to disperse enemy naval strength.

Notes

Town- and County-class cruisers were the Royal Navy's stronger purpose-built commerce raiders, with battlecruisers available if an opponent concentrated against them. Converted merchant ships also performed blockade and headquarters duties. The Royal Navy captured or sank German merchant shipping from the opening of the Second World War, while its Far Eastern concept envisioned cruisers dispersing to raid Japanese commerce. That pressure was intended to keep the Japanese Navy protecting trade instead of concentrating freely against Singapore, but the force available in 1941 no longer matched the plan.