Had war begun in 1941, roughly thirty Hunt-class destroyers, thirty Flower-class corvettes, and about ninety trawlers might have been available under the programme described. In September 1939 many of those ships were ordered or entering production rather than ready for convoy duty. The escort requirement was recognized, yet the war began before the planned force was ready.
Notable Point · 43:10-43:50
The escort programme was built for a later war
Many Hunt destroyers, Flower corvettes, and trawlers were in the pipeline in 1939, but planners had expected more time before a major conflict began.