Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:16:53-3:20:49

A third Renown could reshape British wartime deployments

Building a third Renown-class battlecruiser may matter more than enlarging the Queen Elizabeth class because it adds another fast capital ship that can be modernized and deployed flexibly.

BattlecruisersNaval TreatiesRenown Class BattlecruisersRoyal NavyScharnhorst Class BattleshipsWorld War II
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Question

What difference would a third Renown-class battlecruiser make?

Short answer

It could provide another modernized fast capital ship, strengthen treaty-era fleet numbers, and materially improve wartime raider-hunting groups.

Notes

A third ship, possibly named Resistance, could survive treaty negotiations alongside Renown, Repulse, Hood, the Queen Elizabeths, and the Nelsons. If modernized on Renown's timetable, it could double the fast 15-inch-gun strength available for operations such as hunting Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. More heavy shells on target increase the chance of slowing one raider. Destroyers could then finish the damaged ship while the remaining capital ships continue the pursuit.