Britain alone expected to defend maritime communications across several oceans while also maintaining a battle fleet. Battleships were optimized for fleet action, while battlecruisers carried the speed, fuel, and range needed for trade protection, raider hunting, and offensive economic warfare. The Royal Navy's global commitments made that cruiser end of the capital-ship spectrum unusually valuable.
Chapter · 10:55-14:34
Why the Royal Navy still needed battlecruisers
The 1925 Naval War Manual connects capital-ship strength to worldwide sea control and gives battlecruisers a continuing commerce-war role.