Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:30:21-2:30:40

Why the R-class battleships stay with the Home Fleet

A viewer asks whether the older R-class battleships would deploy to the Pacific or remain as insurance against Germany.

BattleshipsEuropean DeterrenceForce AllocationGerman NavyHome FleetRevenge Class BattleshipsRoyal Navy
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Question

Would the R-class battleships deploy to the Pacific in this scenario?

Short answer

Probably not; they would remain with the Home Fleet as insurance against German intervention.

Notes

The Revenge-class battleships would probably remain in British waters with the Home Fleet. Their presence would cover the possibility that Germany entered the conflict while faster and more suitable capital ships went east. This allocation preserves a credible European reserve without weakening the Pacific force's mobility. Global naval planning assigns ships by speed, theatre, and deterrent value rather than simply sending every battleship to the main battle.