Q&A · 1:49:36-1:50:57

Two Alsaces against two Lions

French gun count and speed are weighed against British armor, turret reliability, and likely reinforcement.

Question

How would a fight between two Alsace-class and two Lion-class battleships go?

Short answer

Alsace has a paper firepower edge, but armor, turret reliability, and operational support probably favor the Lions.

Notes

The 32-knot Alsaces could not reliably disengage from 30-knot Lions and would carry more nominal guns if fitted with quadruple fifteen-inch turrets. The Royal Navy still has the edge because British triple turrets were likely more reliable and faster-firing, the Lions had thicker armor, and British reinforcements were more likely to arrive.