Q&A · 32:07-34:23

Building a balanced hypothetical fleet for 1939

The proposed fleet combines Shokaku carriers, Dunkerque capital ships, complementary cruiser types, Tribal and Gearing destroyers, and Italian submarines.

Question

Which existing 1939 designs would make a balanced, deliberately average fleet?

Short answer

The proposed mix uses Shokaku-class carriers, Dunkerque-class capital ships, County and Cleveland cruisers, Tribal and Gearing destroyers, and Italian submarines.

Notes

This hypothetical fleet begins with Shokaku-class carriers, preferred for their protection relative to their American counterparts, and Dunkerque-class capital ships. The suggested force has four of each. County-class heavy cruisers and Cleveland-class light cruisers fill the cruiser roles, followed by Tribal and Gearing destroyers and Italian submarines. The destroyer choices openly depart from the requirement to remain average, because they are personal favorites. These are the selections made for the exercise, whose prompt asks for designs existing by September 1939.