Older French battleships could serve as convoy escorts, shore-bombardment ships or floating anti-aircraft batteries. Against a Deutschland-class raider, a modernized battleship with improved fire control is favoured for its heavier guns. A Scharnhorst-class ship probably has the advantage, and Bismarck has a clearer one. Even so, defeating an older battleship without damage would be unusual, leaving the German ship less capable in its next engagement.
Chapter · 14:00-16:25
What second-line battleships could still do
Older battleships retained escort and bombardment value even though modern German ships held advantages in a direct fight.