The Royal Navy wanted more escorts throughout the war, but its position did not resemble the desperate escort shortage of the First World War. Cruisers were repeatedly needed against the cruiser-centered Regia Marina and armed surface raiders. Carrier shortages also prevented the navy from regularly using the multi-carrier operations it had practiced during the interwar years. Widely dispersed commitments left carriers operating individually through much of the war. Fast capital ships were another persistent shortage, limiting the strength available for distant operations.
Notable Point · 33:04-34:17
The Royal Navy lacked carriers, cruisers, and fast capital ships
Escort numbers remained tight, but the most damaging shortages concerned cruisers, carriers, and fast capital ships needed for widely separated operations.