The public case for the Town class emphasized defending trade from surface raiders, a message aimed at industrial and financial cities whose commerce was at risk. Planners also understood that the same ships could attack Japanese trade during a Far Eastern war. In the exercise described here, Glasgow used her aircraft to scout, avoid opposing forces, and press attacks with striking aggression. Sheffield proved highly effective at catching the other raiders even though Glasgow escaped her. Glasgow's aggressive course reflects the offensive standard Royal Navy exercises expected, far beyond the more restrained conduct of German surface ships in wartime. Sheffield's captures and Glasgow's escape explain why cruisers needed the means to hunt raiders as well as the range and reconnaissance to operate as raiders themselves.
Notable Point · 21:03-28:30
Town-class cruisers tested as raiders and raider hunters
Prewar exercises demonstrated that the same Town-class range, aircraft, and armament could support both commerce raiding and the hunt for enemy surface raiders.