Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:29:13-2:29:56

Where Nelson and Rodney fit in the battle fleet

Nelson and Rodney belonged with the slower battle line, while battlecruisers formed a separate fast wing able to scout, pursue, or concentrate elsewhere.

Battle Fleet TacticsBattlecruisersNelson Class BattleshipsQueen Elizabeth Class BattleshipsRevenge Class BattleshipsRoyal Navy
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Question

Where would Nelson and Rodney fit alongside the Queen Elizabeths, R class, and battlecruisers?

Short answer

They would join the steady battle squadron, while the battlecruisers formed a separate fast wing.

Notes

Nelson and Rodney belonged in the fleet's steady battle squadron rather than its fast wing. Modernized Queen Elizabeth-class ships could lead that slower line, accompanied by the Revenge class and other older capital ships. Their similar operational speeds made them more coherent partners than the battlecruisers. Tiger and the remaining fast capital ships would form a separate mobile group. That organization let the fleet preserve a strong battle line while retaining a wing able to scout, pursue, or reach another part of the action more quickly.