What if Germany retained Brandenburg's midships heavy turret in later battleships instead of changing to rapid-fire 9.4-inch guns?
Short answerGermany could reach a uniform three-turret heavy battery earlier, encouraging competing designs and a more gradual transition to all-big-gun battleships.
NotesContinuing the three-turret arrangement could lead Germany to standardize the heavy armament earlier. A broadside with 50 percent more heavy guns would encourage other navies to consider similar designs. Larger ships, earlier experiments with superfiring turrets, or twin wing turrets are suggested as possible consequences. At the engagement ranges then expected, rapid-fire 9.4-inch and British 9.2-inch guns would still have a strong practical case because they put more rounds toward the target. The resulting competition could make the all-big-gun battleship emerge gradually. Turbines and sustained speed might then become Dreadnought's most distinctive innovations.