What if the Royal Navy had a World of Warships Conqueror-class battleship at Denmark Strait?
Short answerIts 12 heavy guns and near-Bismarck speed would make serious damage or a Denmark Strait kill more likely, though battle outcomes remain uncertain.
NotesBroadside weight, practical rate of fire, and speed matter more than an assumption that a single larger battleship guarantees an instant kill. A Conqueror-style design would put twelve roughly 16.5-inch guns against Bismarck's eight 15-inch guns while giving away only about half a knot. The heavier salvoes make serious damage more likely and reduce Bismarck's prospects of escaping before the British ship can continue firing. The outcome remains uncertain, and a quick Denmark Strait victory would change the emotional and political role of the historical pursuit after Hood's loss.