There were 3 divergant Carrier Philosophies in WW2
The Japanese, the UKs and the American.
The Japanese Doctrine started out pre-War as carriers supporting the BB Line. They were pleasantly surprised when Yamamotos novel idea to use them all together as a Strike Force proved so devastatingly sucessful at PH. Rather similar to the Germans grouping their panzers into divisions and finding out the force was multiplied. The Japanese didnt successfully apply their newly discovered strategy again. Their next real attempt at Midway was flawed when they lost the advantage of surprise, and deployed their forces so far apart that they couldnt provide mutual support.
The Americans realized that carriers could operate independantly of the BBs, but Japanese victories dictated that the carriers were used defensively and committed piecemeal until the Carrier Raids of mid 43. When the US converted the Lex and Sara they opted for large wing rather than thick armor. This was more because of economics than Doctrine. The Navy didnt think they'd get more carriers anytime soon (correct) so they packed em with as many planes as possible.
The British had no Operational Requirment for a Strike Force of Carriers. They had a huge advantage in numbers of BBs over the Germans or Italians. Their driving factor was ability to operate within range of land based bombers (primarily in the Med) rather than support Fleet movements far out in the Pacific. Putting heavy armor high up on the ship (flight deck) meant a small short hangar or stability issues.
Operationally, the US wooden decks were easier to damage, but much easier to repair (Hornet, Yorktown) The British armored deck resisted small bombs and kamakaze strikes, but once buckled, the armor needed an extensive port repair. (Illustrious, Indomitable)
PS - someone stated that US damage control was unparalled - I disagree. The RN did more successful DC just on Ark Royal than the US did on all its ships put together. Well, it did a lot anyway. Saving the Franklin was pretty spectacular, but maybe they should have abandoned ship. I know that goes against US Naval Religion.
The Japanese, the UKs and the American.
The Japanese Doctrine started out pre-War as carriers supporting the BB Line. They were pleasantly surprised when Yamamotos novel idea to use them all together as a Strike Force proved so devastatingly sucessful at PH. Rather similar to the Germans grouping their panzers into divisions and finding out the force was multiplied. The Japanese didnt successfully apply their newly discovered strategy again. Their next real attempt at Midway was flawed when they lost the advantage of surprise, and deployed their forces so far apart that they couldnt provide mutual support.
The Americans realized that carriers could operate independantly of the BBs, but Japanese victories dictated that the carriers were used defensively and committed piecemeal until the Carrier Raids of mid 43. When the US converted the Lex and Sara they opted for large wing rather than thick armor. This was more because of economics than Doctrine. The Navy didnt think they'd get more carriers anytime soon (correct) so they packed em with as many planes as possible.
The British had no Operational Requirment for a Strike Force of Carriers. They had a huge advantage in numbers of BBs over the Germans or Italians. Their driving factor was ability to operate within range of land based bombers (primarily in the Med) rather than support Fleet movements far out in the Pacific. Putting heavy armor high up on the ship (flight deck) meant a small short hangar or stability issues.
Operationally, the US wooden decks were easier to damage, but much easier to repair (Hornet, Yorktown) The British armored deck resisted small bombs and kamakaze strikes, but once buckled, the armor needed an extensive port repair. (Illustrious, Indomitable)
PS - someone stated that US damage control was unparalled - I disagree. The RN did more successful DC just on Ark Royal than the US did on all its ships put together. Well, it did a lot anyway. Saving the Franklin was pretty spectacular, but maybe they should have abandoned ship. I know that goes against US Naval Religion.