Why were Queen Elizabeth-class ships in the Fifth Battle Squadron rather than the First?
Short answerRoyal Navy squadron numbers evolved as generations of battleships replaced or retained earlier formations, so the numbers are not a simple quality ranking.
NotesAs newer battleship generations replaced their predecessors, retained older ships could be assigned numbers further down the sequence. The result is an organizational history that can look irregular when read only as a numerical hierarchy. Queen Elizabeth-class ships entered the Fifth Battle Squadron because squadron identities evolved as successive generations arrived, moved, and remained in service. The number records that administrative history rather than ranking the fifth squadron as less important or less capable than the first.