Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:11:31-1:12:41

Why Taiwan would keep an Alaska afloat

A Republic of China Navy Alaska would be too valuable as a sea-going deterrent to dismantle for coastal guns.

Alaska Class Large CruisersCoastal DefenceCruisersRepublic Of China Navy
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Question

Would the Republic of China remove an Alaska-class cruiser's guns for mountain firing positions?

Short answer

No. The cruiser itself would be a uniquely valuable mobile deterrent and would not sensibly be stripped for static defence.

Notes

Removing the cruiser's main armament for fixed mountain batteries would squander its value. Retaining the ship would preserve a mobile, powerful asset that could complicate an attempted invasion. Static guns could cover selected approaches, while a functioning cruiser could move and concentrate force. The Republic of China would therefore gain more from keeping the Alaska intact.