Project Catherine
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Project Catherine was the name of a proposed Baltic Sea offensive by the Royal Navy to be undertaken in the spring of 1940. It aimed at interdicting German seaborne commerce with the Soviet Union, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia. In particular, an objective was to stop the flow of Swedish iron ore to Germany.
The driving force behind the project was the then newly-appointed First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill and the head of planning was Admiral of the Fleet Lord Cork. Events overtook the project and it was never carried out.
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[edit] The plan
Churchill proposed a substantial naval squadron: three Revenge class battleships, an aircraft carrier, five cruisers, two destroyer flotillas, submarines and supporting auxiliaries. The battleships would need to be significantly modified to resist air and submarine attack. Two 15-inch gun turrets would be removed, an additional 2000 tons of armour added and the ships' speed would thereby be reduced to 15 knots.
As well as cutting off German iron ore supplies, Churchill anticipated that this show of force would encourage the Scandinavian nations to join the war against Germany.
[edit] Objections
The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Dudley Pound opposed the plan. The arguments against were several. The armour plating was in short supply and was needed elsewhere; the three battleships were badly needed, particularly if Italy and Japan also declared war; the impact of air power was under-estimated in the plan; the loss of such a squadron would encourage Italy and Japan to declare war.
[edit] The decision
Despite these cogent arguments, and widespread opposition, Churchill continued to push hard for Catherine. Pound avoided a "head-on" argument and apparently cooperated, but pointing out problems as he did so. Eventually, on 20th January 1940, after six months, Churchill himself shelved the operation.
