Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:07:45-3:11:08

How ten-gun Revenge-class ships deter German raiders

Two extra 15-inch guns improve hit probability, but the larger effect is to make any engagement - and any repair-demanding damage - still less attractive to German surface raiders.

Commerce RaidingConvoy EscortGerman Battleship BismarckRevenge Class BattleshipsRoyal NavyScharnhorst Class Battleships
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Question

How would ten-gun Revenge-class battleships make life harder for German commerce raiders?

Short answer

They would put more 15-inch shells into each salvo and raise the risk of mission-ending damage, making an already unattractive engagement even less worthwhile.

Notes

A ten-gun Revenge fires roughly 25 percent more shells than the historical eight-gun ship, increasing the chance that a salvo lands a damaging hit. Bismarck- or Scharnhorst-class raiders do not need to be sunk for the escort to succeed; damage that forces them to seek a distant repair yard can end a cruise. German access to suitable facilities was limited, and using occupied French ports brought labor and logistical complications. The extra British guns therefore strengthen an existing deterrent rather than forcing Germany to build a proportionally larger battleship. The sensible raider response remains avoiding a British capital ship whenever possible.