Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:29:35-2:30:08

How the British Pacific Fleet might have grown in 1946

Ships entering and leaving refit would keep the fleet growing, while a longer war could accelerate Vanguard and bring more light and full-size fleet carriers forward.

Aircraft CarriersAlternate HistoryBritish Pacific FleetHMS VanguardRoyal Navy
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Question

What might the Royal Navy's Pacific Fleet have looked like in 1946 if the war continued?

Short answer

It would likely keep growing as refits finished, Vanguard was accelerated, and additional light and fleet carriers moved closer to service.

Notes

The answer begins with the refit cycle: several ships unavailable in 1945 were intended to return in 1946. If the war continued into 1946 or 1947, HMS Vanguard could be hurried toward operational service. Light fleet carriers and larger Audacious-class ships also remained in the construction pipeline. The result would be a changing and probably expanding Pacific fleet rather than a fixed continuation of its 1945 order of battle.