Commanders faced two basic choices: keep the convoy together or send its ships in different directions. Detaching destroyers could strengthen the four-cruiser force against a surface raider, but it would leave merchant ships exposed. Scattering avoided presenting one concentrated target to heavy German ships, yet it broke the protection that had carried the convoy most of the way without serious loss. The selected option was poor, though it arose from real strategic pressure and a feared surface attack.
Chapter · 27:15-30:31
The terrible choice: keep the convoy together or scatter
The central operational decision weighed concentration and escort against the danger of presenting one target to a feared surface force.