Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:03:04-1:03:19

How large cruisers absorbed battlecruiser work

Large 8-inch cruisers nearly replaced battlecruiser duties in the US Navy and made the British Far East plan increasingly cruiser-centered.

BattlecruisersFar East FleetHeavy CruisersRoyal NavyUS Navy
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Question

How much did large 8-inch cruisers take over from battlecruisers?

Short answer

Almost completely in the US Navy, while British Far East planning also shifted strongly toward cruisers.

Notes

Larger 8-inch cruisers took over battlecruiser duties to different degrees in different navies. In the US Navy the substitution was nearly complete. In British planning, the Far East likewise became increasingly a cruiser war rather than a battlecruiser problem. Replacement followed geography and mission more than a universal change in ship labels.