Choosing 40,000-ton ships would let Britain fit twenty-one capital ships into the proposed 840,000-ton allowance. The suggested distribution places seven at Trincomalee, seven in the Mediterranean and seven with the Home Fleet. This falls below the preferred total of three eight-ship fleets but meets the stated minimum of seven per fleet. Against Japan, the Indian Ocean force could wait for Mediterranean reinforcements to bring its seven ships up to fourteen. The same ability to concentrate ships would affect comparisons with French or American forces in an individual theatre. Security in this arrangement depends on reinforcement between stations as well as national fleet totals.
Notable Point · 25:14-27:58
Three British fleets and regional reinforcement
Twenty-one 40,000-ton ships would give Britain three seven-ship fleets, with Mediterranean reinforcements changing the balance in another theatre.