The Battle of Cape Matapan gives Nagato and Mutsu a plausible operational destination after their delayed arrival. By March 1941, the two ships might be ready to reinforce the Mediterranean Fleet. Fighting beside Barham, Valiant, and Warspite, they would greatly increase the heavy-gun force available to Cunningham. This deployment assumes that the war still produces a comparable battle at that time.
Notable Point · 1:48:24-1:49:09
Nagato and Mutsu could reinforce Cape Matapan
If Japan's older capital ships completed their preparations by March 1941, they could join the British battleships that historically fought the Italian fleet at Cape Matapan.