Q&A · 2:55:27-2:56:07

HMS Belfast as a Falklands gunfire ship

A preserved HMS Belfast returned to service could have served as Michael Clapp's flagship and supplied twelve 6-inch guns for the Falklands landings.

Question

What could HMS Belfast have contributed in the Falklands War?

Short answer

In this counterfactual, she could have served as Michael Clapp's flagship and delivered heavy naval gunfire from her twelve 6-inch guns.

Notes

A modernized HMS Belfast is imagined joining the 1982 task force. Fighting Belgrano is treated as an entertaining possibility, but her more important role would have been as Michael Clapp's flagship in San Carlos Water. Her twelve 6-inch guns would have given the amphibious force much heavier fire support. The counterfactual uses a preserved cruiser to show what the task force lacked in heavy naval gunfire.