Originally Posted by
Pontius Navigator
I think that is the point. The Vulcans and Victors were not in the direct theatre of operations. I think it was already mentioned that an essential C130 resupply mission would have kicked the BB mission in to touch.
The long range RAF effort added an additional indirect pressure in support of the task force. Can you come up with a better opening gambit of the crack of doom just before dawn broke?
The only thing better would have been a 9x16 round broadside from the Rodney. They would have arrived at the same time, no rolling thunder
On a point of historical accuracy
, I should mention that Rodney would have been very unlikely to use a full 16" broadside for coastal bombardment, too much collateral damage to Rodney Would have a mess of the runway though.