Kriegsmarine surface ships are more aggressive in the Atlantic.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Thanks. That gives some insight. Im reminded of how the Brits had continued efforts against the IJN codes through the 1920s, but made little to no progress vs the German systems. It looks like there were similar shifts in thinking for the BB & cruisers at the same times. This also tells me the Brits were relatively quick to alter construction strategy in light of altered Italian position.

[Kingfish]

For basic raiding the Germans did not send escorts. I don't see them provided for the Scheer, Hipper, Ugly Sisters, or Bismarck/Prinz Eugen in any of their Atlantic or Indian Ocean raids. If the Graf Zepplin is on a similar raid would escorts even be worth considering?

Yes.
The historical raiders could (in theory) out gun anything they couldn't out run, and out run anything that couldn't out gun
-and- (more importantly) retain these advantages in all conditions.

Not so for a carrier. Heavy seas or night time would rob it of its only offensive asset. It would need something to shield her from bumping into a Rodney or Repulse in the dark.

[T. A. Gardner]

For basic raiding the Germans did not send escorts. I don't see them provided for the Scheer, Hipper, Ugly Sisters, or Bismarck/Prinz Eugen in any of their Atlantic or Indian Ocean raids. If the Graf Zepplin is on a similar raid would escorts even be worth considering?

Yes.
The historical raiders could (in theory) out gun anything they couldn't out run, and out run anything that couldn't out gun
-and- (more importantly) retain these advantages in all conditions.

Not so for a carrier. Heavy seas or night time would rob it of its only offensive asset. It would need something to shield her from bumping into a Rodney or Repulse in the dark.

Possibly that thing called radar?

[Kingfish]

It would have made it possible for the Germans to use merchant ships to transport the troops instead.

Which in turn require even more escorts. Where is Germany getting all these DDs? Who is providing air cover over the transports? GZ was no Essex. The proposed airwing was only 12 fighters. Enough for local defense, but not to cover CAP and escort a strike.

Historically, even as the Germans built and were fitting out the Graf Zeppelin, the RN did nothing to increase their own carrier forces or improve the FAA as war approached.

What do you mean did nothing? Pre-war the British had 7 and were to add another 5.
Bear in mind in addition to the home waters and North Atlantic the RN also had the Med and Pacific to contend with.

[Kingfish]

Possibly that thing called radar?

Do you think the KM would risk their only carrier to the fickleness of pre-war radar sets?

[T. A. Gardner]

Possibly that thing called radar?

Do you think the KM would risk their only carrier to the fickleness of pre-war radar sets?

In 1940, Seetakt was the world's best surface search radar available. All the Germans need is a better doctrine for its use.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Destroyers do need to be refueled & usually at inconvenient times.

Radar is a high powered emitter, but I know nothing useful about the ability of the Brits to DF it or even recognize it in 1941.

[Geoffrey Cooke]

The German elbing class torpedo boats were the size of small destroyers, didn’t have the stability issues, and often operation in the Atlantic nearly as far as the Azores. Possible escort? Gun armament isn’t impressive but the torps are useful. The major problem is range, you would need a fast fleet oiler to keep a group like that constantly at sea with a carrier, don’t even think the Germans had one, just slow typical merchant steamer acting as supply vessels.

[Terry Duncan]

The best raiders are typically not warships at all with converted merchantmen doing well in both wars but, Germany lacks the ability to reliably fuel anything once it leaves port and that situation only gets worse as the cracking of codes becomes faster. The Norway campaign rather killed off much hope of more extensive fleet operations with the losses being unable to be replaced quickly.

[Kingfish]

In 1940, Seetakt was the world's best surface search radar available. All the Germans need is a better doctrine for its use.

You could give the Germans the Aegis system and it still would not make sense to send their only operation carrier on a solo mission into the Atlantic.

[glenn239]

Do you think the KM would risk their only carrier to the fickleness of pre-war radar sets?

One would also think that they would not have risked their only 15" gunned battleship in the Atlantic without a destroyer escort. Yet, here we are.

[Takao]

Do you think the KM would risk their only carrier to the fickleness of pre-war radar sets?

One would also think that they would not have risked their only 15" gunned battleship in the Atlantic without a destroyer escort. Yet, here we are.

Battleships tend to be far more heavily armed & armored as opposed to aircraft carriers...

[T. A. Gardner]

Do you think the KM would risk their only carrier to the fickleness of pre-war radar sets?

One would also think that they would not have risked their only 15" gunned battleship in the Atlantic without a destroyer escort. Yet, here we are.

Battleships tend to be far more heavily armed & armored as opposed to aircraft carriers...

Well, the RN let the carrier Glorious go to sea with just two destroyers for escorts, captained by an officer who had previously served in submarines... So...

[Takao]

Do you think the KM would risk their only carrier to the fickleness of pre-war radar sets?

One would also think that they would not have risked their only 15" gunned battleship in the Atlantic without a destroyer escort. Yet, here we are.

Battleships tend to be far more heavily armed & armored as opposed to aircraft carriers...

Well, the RN let the carrier Glorious go to sea with just two destroyers for escorts, captained by an officer who had previously served in submarines... So...

He was also American by birth, and had learned to fly. However, he appears not to have believed in the usefulness of aircraft.

Still, all you are saying is that the German aircraft carrier is as good as sunk.

[Kingfish]

Do you think the KM would risk their only carrier to the fickleness of pre-war radar sets?

One would also think that they would not have risked their only 15" gunned battleship in the Atlantic without a destroyer escort. Yet, here we are.

Apples and Oranges.
Bismark could have gone toe to toe with anything in the RN OOB and in all conditions. Throw in a rain squall or heavy seas - both common in the North Atlantic - and the carrier is as impotent as the Altmark.