Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:25:53-2:26:33

Battleship gun drills as Cold War signaling

A US battleship or heavy cruiser training its guns on a Soviet missile cruiser would intensify an existing exchange of threatening gestures.

Cold WarDes Moines Class Heavy CruisersIowa Class BattleshipsNaval SignallingRules Of EngagementSoviet Navy
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Question

What if Iowa or Des Moines answered Soviet missile drills by running main-gun drills of their own?

Short answer

It would be conspicuous Cold War posturing, with each side documenting the encounter and blaming the other.

Notes

Both navies already used weapon orientation and missile drills to signal readiness at close range. An Iowa or Des Moines answering a Soviet cruiser with main-gun drills would make the same gesture with larger weapons. Soviet crews would be expected to film it as evidence of American aggression. American crews would likewise record the Soviet missile drills to show what prompted their response.