Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 7:26-7:42

British Pacific Fleet against Yamato

The British Pacific Fleet had enough carrier air power to destroy Yamato's force during Operation Ten-Go.

British Pacific FleetNaval AviationOperation Ten GoYamato
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Question

Could the British Pacific Fleet have sunk Yamato's force during the Okinawa campaign?

Short answer

Yes; it had sufficient carrier air power to destroy the force, just as the US Navy did.

Notes

The strike was well within the British Pacific Fleet's late-war capability. Its armored carriers and experienced air groups could deliver the concentration of torpedo and bomb attacks needed against Yamato and her escorts. By the Okinawa campaign, several Allied carrier formations possessed overwhelming striking power.