Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:16:48-1:18:07

An 18-inch-gun Queen Elizabeth fleet

Giving the Queen Elizabeth class 18-inch guns creates a chain of consequences for later British capital ships, German responses and treaty limits.

Alternate HistoryHMS HoodNaval GunsQueen Elizabeth Class BattleshipsRevenge Class BattleshipsWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

How would 18-inch, 28-knot Queen Elizabeth-class battleships change naval development?

Short answer

They could make Britain an 18-inch-gun fleet, drive the calibre into later capital ships and treaties, and leave Germany struggling to match it.

Notes

The larger shell could increase German losses at Jutland and force Germany to confront a calibre it might not be able to match quickly. Once Britain adopts the weapon for the Queen Elizabeths, the Revenge class, Hood and possibly Nelson and Rodney would probably follow. That fleet standard could in turn move the treaty ceiling from 16 to 18 inches. The result is a different British capital-ship lineage extending into the interwar period.