Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:26:02-2:27:27

Q&A: where four Admiral-class ships might serve

Their size and oceanic role point toward Atlantic and Indian Ocean service, with modernization determining whether any would operate in the Mediterranean.

Admiral Class BattlecruisersBattlecruisersCapital Ship ModernisationForce ZGerman Surface RaidersIndian OceanMediterranean FleetNaval DeploymentNelson Class BattleshipsQueen Elizabeth Class BattleshipsRenown Class BattlecruisersRevenge Class BattleshipsRoyal NavySingapore
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Question

If all four Admiral-class battlecruisers survived into the Second World War, where would the Royal Navy deploy them?

Short answer

Mostly to Atlantic and Indian Ocean roles, with Mediterranean deployment depending on modernization rather than an automatic two-and-two division.

Notes

A simple two-and-two split between the Atlantic and Mediterranean is unlikely. The Admiral class were large oceanic battlecruisers, while the Royal Navy more often used smaller or modernized ships such as Renown in confined Mediterranean service. Additional Admirals could hunt German surface raiders in the Atlantic or strengthen the covering force around Singapore and the Indian Ocean. Because six battlecruisers would make up a large share of treaty-limited capital strength, at least some would probably receive earlier modernization.