Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:55:11-2:55:44

R-class battleships versus Italy's rebuilt veterans

Italy is judged to have extracted more frontline use from its old battleships, while Britain's R class remained largely in secondary roles.

BattleshipsItalian NavyNaval ModernisationRevenge Class BattleshipsWorld War II
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Question

Which navy made better use of its older battleships, Britain with the R class or Italy with its rebuilt ships?

Short answer

Italy probably made better use of its old battleships, while the R class was mostly kept in secondary roles.

Notes

The comparison is about use rather than an abstract ranking of designs. Italy's rebuilt older battleships took on more active and demanding employment during the war. The Royal Navy's R class was more often relegated to secondary duties. A common 15-inch/45 gun programme might have justified deeper British modernization of both the R class and Queen Elizabeth class.