Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 39:07-39:19

Why the new Victorious still joined the Bismarck hunt

The urgent need for another carrier outweighed Victorious's newness, especially when the still less complete Prince of Wales was also being committed.

Aircraft CarriersGerman Battleship BismarckHMS VictoriousNaval ReadinessRoyal Navy
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Question

Would the Royal Navy still send the brand-new Victorious after Bismarck?

Short answer

Yes; the fleet needed another carrier, and Victorious was more viable than the also newly committed Prince of Wales.

Notes

Victorious was new, but the Royal Navy still needed the additional carrier during the hunt for Bismarck. Prince of Wales was even less ready for service and was committed to the operation anyway. The more viable carrier would not be withheld simply because she had only recently entered service. Operational urgency therefore overrode the preference for a longer working-up period.