The AMC's coming out of Scapa Flow are the biggest headache for German shipping. Lots of guys who get past "Stage 1" for the KM (IE: Meeting 1:1 or better parity with the Royal Navy) tend to rush the English Channel and try to cut off France from England. It's usually better to open up Germany's supply lines, THEN go for the channel.
Still i'd be cautious to send the whole HSF into the channel at any time. Too many destroyers, mine layers, British subs, not enough maneuvering space etc.
It's possible to concentrate the U-Boats near Scapa Flow and have them deal with the AMCs. One blockade to another I suppose. Then you leave Britain with an almost uninterrupted flow of merchant tonnage though. Chose your poison.
|