If war begins on the historical schedule, the modified Queen Elizabeths could fight at the front of Jutland's run to the south instead of lagging behind the battlecruisers. In this assessment, they bring probably the best battleship fire control then available and the most powerful battleship guns available for combat service. Their 15-inch armament would add heavy firepower to the British force. The added battleships also give the German ships more targets over which to disperse their fire. Those targets have battleship protection and are designed to withstand heavier punishment. British losses might therefore fall, while German losses are expected to increase. These outcomes depend on the faster ships reaching and sustaining their place in the counterfactual action.
Chapter · 1:16:32-1:17:39
Fast Queen Elizabeths in Jutland's run to the south
Faster battleships could join the front of the action, adding heavy firepower and protected targets to the British force.