Shifting the Mediterranean Fleet east

Barham, Malaya, and Warspite form the immediately useful core of the Mediterranean Fleet's eastward reinforcement. Ramillies is due out of refit, while Queen Elizabeth and Valiant are discussed as ships whose completion dates could change when the historical European war no longer interrupts the work. That improving British position is set against German and Italian World War I-era threats closer to home. French naval strength in the Mediterranean makes it more plausible for Britain to release major units without abandoning Europe. Redeployment therefore depends on readiness, refit timing, allied cover, and deterrence rather than a blanket order to send every battleship east.