Originally Posted by Oberon

One breakout in six years does not constitute naval control. Admittedly though, kudos to the Kriegsmarine, it was a ballsy move, we were expecting them to make a break at night, not in the middle of the day. Caught completely off guard.
Several dozen uboats, and eboats were not so lucky in the channel though.

Furthermore, honestly, it was better for the Royal Navy and Britain as a whole for those two ships NOT to be in France, where they could threaten Atlantic convoys, but to be cooped up safely protecting against an imaginary invasion of Norway.