Let's put a better foot forward for the Brits. This requires that the raid was planned for, likely conceived in 1938, so that preparations would be in hand.
First of all, the bombers need fighter escort. There's none in the RAF with the range, so we'll need to use FAA. Unfortunately this means Skuas and Gladiators. Perhaps the Skuas could be lightened. Or, with sufficient notice either long range tanks could be made for RAF fighters or arrestor hooks added to Hurricanes?
Next, we need torpedoes or divebombers, not level bombers. Wellingtons were torpedo-capable later in the war, each carrying two torpedoes. There's also the Bristol Beaufort.
If this raid is successful, the next one can hit Bismarck and Tirpitz and the builders.