Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:21:42-3:22:37

G3 or N3: the greater threat to the US Navy

The G3 battlecruiser poses the sharper operational problem because it can overpower the ships fast enough to catch it and threaten American trade routes.

Capital ShipsG3 Class BattlecruisersLexington Class BattlecruisersN3 Class BattleshipsNaval StrategySouth Dakota Class Battleships (1920)
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Question

Which is the greater threat to the United States Navy, the G3 or the N3?

Short answer

The G3. N3 and the South Dakota class would fight as opposing slow battle lines, while G3 could overmatch the Lexington class and operate against trade with other fast British capital ships.

Notes

N3 and the contemporary South Dakota design would meet at roughly similar speeds, with nine 18-inch guns opposed by twelve 16-inch guns. N3 is credited with better armor, but the result would still be a hard fight between comparable battle-line opponents. G3 creates a different problem in this assessment: Lexington is the American design fast enough to catch it, yet would be badly outmatched. The proposed British fast force could also include Hood, Renown, Repulse, and Tiger. That combination could operate against American trade beyond the reach of slower capital ships.