The Royal Navy cannot plan in 1937 with hindsight from the fall of Norway and France. As long as Germany lacks Norwegian and French bases, its heavy ships must escape through a comparatively containable northern route. Britain therefore prioritizes fast carriers and capital ships able to maintain a North Sea blockade. Escort-carrier urgency arises only after the geographical assumptions behind that strategy collapse.
Notable Point · 1:39:14-1:42:39
Why prewar Britain still wants fleet carriers
Before Norway and France fall, British planners need fast fleet units to contain Germany in the North Sea, not escort carriers for an Atlantic crisis they do not foresee.