Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:32:15-1:34:23

An unrestricted fleet for retaking the Falklands

The panel's unrestricted choices include restored British fleet carriers and Vanguard, or a much larger force of American carriers and amphibious ships.

Aircraft CarriersFalklands WarHMS VanguardIowa Class BattleshipsNaval Gunfire SupportNimitz Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal NavyTarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ships
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Question

If any ship built by 1981 could form the Falklands task force, which ships would be chosen?

Short answer

Clarke chooses British fleet carriers and HMS Vanguard. Other panelists select American nuclear carriers and their escorts, with one adding reactivated Iowa-class battleships and Tarawa-class amphibious ships.

Notes

Clarke chooses restored Royal Navy fleet carriers and HMS Vanguard. Vanguard would provide a flagship for Michael Clapp and 15-inch high-explosive shells for shore bombardment. Another proposal sends four Nimitz-class carriers with their escorts, prompting discussion of the much wider damage such a force could inflict on Argentina's navy, air force and infrastructure. A further answer adds active American nuclear carriers, reactivated Iowa-class battleships and Tarawa-class amphibious ships with suitable escorts. These are deliberately unrestricted force choices, rather than an assessment of what Britain could actually assemble in 1982.