Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:32:34-5:35:14

Nelson-class battleships would transform Falklands command and fire support

Two restored Nelson-class battleships would provide flag accommodation, improvised communications, and 16-inch gunfire across the Falklands task force.

Amphibious WarfareCommand ShipsFalklands WarGoose GreenNaval Gunfire SupportNelson Class BattleshipsSan Carlos WaterSatellite Communications
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Question

What would happen if both Nelson-class battleships arrived operational at Portsmouth before the Falklands War?

Short answer

Both would probably deploy south as command and fire-support ships, adding staff space, communications, and long-range 16-inch bombardment.

Notes

In the counterfactual, two operational and provisioned Nelson-class battleships would probably join the Falklands deployment while the navy worked out their assignments. One could house the overall task-force commander near the carrier group, with the other becoming Michael Clapp's amphibious flagship in San Carlos Water. Their staff accommodation could allow a senior commander to work alongside the deployed task groups, changing the chain of communication with the fleet commander. Portable satellite equipment offers a proposed way to supplement their existing communications. Modern missile-control radars would be less relevant to ships retaining their original gun armament. Nine 16-inch guns on each ship would add heavy bombardment support, with Goose Green used as an example of a land objective that could receive it.