Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:26:15-4:27:42

Lion replaces Hood at a 1942 Denmark Strait

Bismarck would probably meet Lion-class ships instead of Hood, creating a faster British force with more 16-inch guns.

BattleshipsBismarck Class BattleshipsDenmark StraitLion Class Battleships
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Question

What would a Denmark Strait battle look like in 1942 after Hood's refit and work on the King George V class?

Short answer

Bismarck would probably meet Lion-class ships instead of Hood, creating a faster British force with more 16-inch guns.

Notes

Four Lion-class battleships could be in service by the scenario's assumptions, making Lion and Temeraire plausible interceptors. Each carries nine 16-inch guns in triple turrets, can make about 30 knots, and develops the King George V protection scheme. That pairing removes the historical dependence on Hood and avoids the same quadruple-turret arrangement. Bismarck could still fight hard, but two contemporary British fast battleships would hold a marked advantage.