Recognizing a future three-opponent problem did not give Britain the resources to solve every part of it at once. The United States expanded shipyards and industry between 1939 and 1941, while Britain tried to enlarge production in Canada and elsewhere after it was already at war. British planning assumed peace would last until roughly 1942. On that timetable, fast-oiler orders could follow once industrial expansion reduced competition with destroyer and cruiser construction, although the suggested 1940 or 1941 order date is an estimate. The unexpected 1939 timetable therefore matters when judging why projected Far Eastern support ships had not yet appeared.
Notable Point · 29:48-33:06
War arrived before the planned industrial buildup
Britain entered war while mobilizing industry, whereas the United States expanded shipbuilding capacity before joining the conflict directly.