World War I frustrations make aviation essential

The Royal Navy's interwar approach grew from three painful experiences: submarine losses, the German fleet's escape at Jutland, and its ability to shelter in port. Each failure pointed toward a different aviation task, from hunting and suppressing submarines to maintaining contact with an enemy fleet and striking ships behind harbor defenses. Aircraft had already demonstrated reconnaissance, gunfire spotting, fighter support, and torpedo attack during World War I. Aviation became a central answer to these operational frustrations within the battle fleet.