Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 20:37-22:12

A Finnish monitor force for the Winter War

For Finland, a Gorgon-like monitor could have combined heavy fire support with anti-ship power more effectively than a simple coastal battleship.

9.2-inch GunsCoastal DefenceFinnish NavyHMS GorgonMonitorsWinter War
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Question

Would coastal monitors have helped Finland more than its coastal-defence battleships in the Winter War?

Short answer

A Gorgon-like monitor would have supplied the heavy firepower Finland needed for shore support and anti-ship work.

Notes

The Winter War problem is one of obtaining useful hitting power for both shore support and naval operations. HMS Gorgon offers the preferred model because her heavy guns could engage ships as well as targets ashore. Originally built for Norway and taken over by the Royal Navy as a monitor during the First World War, she represents a compact way to place 9.2-inch firepower in coastal waters. One ship or a small Gorgon-like class would complement Finland's existing coastal-defence vessels rather than merely duplicate them.