Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:53:33-1:54:06

Why Belgrano was unlikely to win a gun action

General Belgrano might have posed a missile threat, but reaching gun range would expose the cruiser to British guns, missiles, aircraft, and submarines together.

Anti-Ship MissilesARA General BelgranoFalklands WarNaval Gunnery
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Question

Could General Belgrano have carried out the traditional cruiser role against the British task force?

Short answer

She could have caused trouble with missiles, but a gun action would expose her to the task force's ships, aircraft, and submarines and was unlikely to succeed.

Notes

General Belgrano could threaten the task force without being likely to win a surface action. Missile launches could create a serious problem before the range closed. A gun attack would not pit the cruiser against one escort under controlled conditions. She would face the combined weapons of the force, including ship-launched missiles, aircraft, and the submarine screen that ultimately intercepted her.