Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:01:31-2:02:54

Preparing the US Navy for night fighting in the Solomons

Foreknowledge of fighting in the Solomons would favor using available battleships and limited destroyer changes, while preserving a fleet suitable for worldwide operations.

Japanese NavyNaval ProcurementNaval WeaponsUS NavyWorld War II
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Question

What could the US Navy change if it foresaw night surface battles in the Solomons and understood Japanese torpedoes?

Short answer

Use available battleships and consider limited changes such as longer-barreled destroyer guns. Building a fleet specifically for the Solomons would sacrifice the US Navy's worldwide utility.

Notes

A navy with worldwide commitments cannot specialize its construction program around one operating area. Foreknowledge of the Solomons battles would instead favor sending available battleships. One tentative equipment change is a longer-barreled 5-inch gun for destroyers. No dedicated ship design is proposed for the campaign.