Originally Posted by
Modern Elmo
.... the syndrome attributed to the RN in WWI post Jutland battle: must keep the dreadnoughts "in being," therefore can't risk 'em in risky offensive ops!
I would love to hear a justification for this statement; it was the German High Seas Fleet that spent the rest of the Great War safely bottled up in harbour until finally, when tasked to sortie in October 1918, the crews mutinied, at least partially in response to what they saw as a suicide mission. I think you'll find that the Grand Fleet did not spend the same period of time hiding in Scapa Floe.
Hardly central to a discussion of the aerial component of a 21st century aircraft carrier, I know.