Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 46:44-47:15

Matching a German programme of eight Bayern-class battleships

A German order for eight Bayern-class ships would likely trigger an equal British Queen Elizabeth-class response alongside the planned R-class force.

Bayern Class BattleshipsNaval Arms RaceQueen Elizabeth Class BattleshipsRoyal NavyWorld War I
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Question

How many Queen Elizabeth-class battleships would Britain build if Germany ordered eight Bayern-class ships?

Short answer

Britain would probably answer with eight Queen Elizabeths, possibly including two ships developed along the Agincourt concept, as well as the R class.

Notes

The scenario assumes that the British government would refuse to lose a direct capital-ship building contest. Eight announced Bayerns would therefore prompt eight Queen Elizabeth-class ships. Two might follow the 18-inch-gunned Agincourt concept discussed elsewhere in the stream. The programme would sit alongside the eight R-class battleships, producing a much larger fast-battleship response than the historical fleet.