Q&A · 1:42:41-1:43:57

Three British carriers in February 1941

A temporary concentration of three British fleet carriers would most plausibly support the enormous Malta convoy battles rather than create a separate Midway-style operation.

Question

Where would Britain send three fleet carriers if they became available together in February 1941?

Short answer

They would probably support the large Malta convoy operations in the Mediterranean.

Notes

The Royal Navy assembled multi-carrier forces at points during 1941. Their most urgent use was escorting and covering Malta convoys through a heavily contested Mediterranean. These operations involved large air groups and fleet forces even though historians often classify them as convoys rather than carrier battles. Logistics under attack could therefore become a major fleet action.