Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:31:22-1:31:33

Why Royal Oak's loss obscured the upgraded R class

Royal Oak was more highly regarded after refit, but her early wartime loss prevented the navy from demonstrating what an upgraded R-class battleship could achieve.

HMS Royal OakNaval RefitsRevenge Class BattleshipsRoyal NavyWorld War II
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Question

Was HMS Royal Oak more highly regarded than the other R-class battleships after her refit?

Short answer

Yes, but her early loss meant the improved R-class concept was never properly demonstrated in wartime service.

Notes

Royal Oak's refit had improved her standing among the R-class ships. Her sinking near the beginning of the Second World War then removed the best opportunity to observe the operational value of that modernisation. The limitations of the original class should therefore be separated from the unrealised potential of a substantially upgraded member.