Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 59:14-1:00:55

How the United States might answer a completed Plan Z

A fully completed German Plan Z would provoke more American fast-battleship construction, although wartime urgency could still keep the Montana class from reaching service.

Alternate HistoryIowa Class BattleshipsKriegsmarineMontana Class BattleshipsPlan ZUS Navy
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Question

How would the United States respond if Germany somehow completed Plan Z in full?

Short answer

The US Navy would probably order more or improved Iowas and develop a Montana successor, but wartime priorities could still prevent the larger design from entering service.

Notes

A completed German Plan Z prompts a prediction of a larger American battleship programme. More Iowa-class ships, followed by improved Iowas, are the expected immediate response, while designers develop an enlarged Montana concept. Once war begins, the prediction is that Iowa construction would continue and Montana would again fail to enter service. The repeated cancellation of Montana projects also supplies a joke about a cursed name.