Japanese reinforcements could frustrate Operation Berlin

A Kongō-class ship beside Renown would give Force H greater confidence against Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Two more Kongō-class ships with the Home Fleet could reinforce the forces searching for the raiders. Akagi and possible American carriers would add aircraft to that search. The North Carolina-class battleships are considered but treated as too late for the initial operation because of their commissioning dates. Japanese reinforcements would therefore increase both the surface strength facing the raiders and the aircraft available to find them.