North African concentration gives French battleships, cruisers, and shore aircraft their most useful theater. It removes Mers-el-Kébir and the need to maintain Force H as a separate capital-ship command. Ark Royal can join the Mediterranean Fleet, while Hood and Renown are released for refit or Home Fleet duties and Somerville avoids the added western command burden. Britain converts a defensive replacement mission into strategic reserve capacity.
Chapter · 26:03-27:22
French concentration releases Force H for other missions
Basing most French strength in North Africa secures the western Mediterranean and frees major British warships.