Q&A · 1:26:42-1:27:44

How Europe reacts to an announced Yamato class

An alternate-history question asks how Britain and Germany react if Japan openly announces the Yamato class before war begins.

Question

How would Germany and Britain react if Japan announced the Yamato class before the outbreak of war?

Short answer

Britain would accelerate larger Lions and heavy-gun work, while Germany would rush toward the H class despite severe industrial constraints.

Notes

Britain would likely accelerate the Lion class, possibly with twelve 16-inch guns, while urgently revisiting 18-inch weapons. Hitler would see Bismarck and Tirpitz eclipsed before completion and demand an H-class response. German industry would struggle with the additional demand because yards were already being enlarged around ships under construction. Whether war could be postponed long enough to build the response remains a separate uncertainty.