The Taranto attack formed part of the larger Operation MB8, which also involved Force H and Ark Royal. In this scenario, movements across the Mediterranean could provide an opportunity to transfer Japanese ships between commands. Kongō-class ships and Akagi might pass west to reinforce Force H and the Home Fleet, while ships arriving from the other direction strengthened Cunningham. A voyage around Africa remains another possibility. These are alternative movements under consideration, rather than a settled deployment schedule.
Notable Point · 2:06:50-2:08:42
Operation MB8 could help redistribute Japanese ships
Large Mediterranean operations could combine reinforcement with transfers to Force H and the Home Fleet.