The unusual layout of Nelson and Rodney becomes easier to understand through an interwar night-fighting lens. A ship closing the range could present less hull while bringing a heavy concentration of guns to bear. Other Royal Navy battleships also trained for night action, while the Nelson class fitted this close-range expectation especially well. Nine 16-inch guns concentrated forward made either ship dangerous to meet in darkness before mature radar. Command confidence still depended on preparation: Admiral Lee doubted that his crews were ready for the risk, whereas Cunningham kept his battle fleet near Taranto prepared to meet an Italian sortie at night.
Notable Point · 56:08-58:21
Nelson and Rodney in the night-fighting concept
The Nelson class's concentrated forward armament and compact silhouette are considered through a doctrine that expected decisive close-range fighting after dark.