The wartime mission went beyond possessing large guns. Battleships were principal fighting assets intended to engage enemy capital ships and thereby dispute or secure sea control for other operations. Their size also made them practical fleet flagships, with room for commanders and staffs to coordinate forces over a sustained campaign. That accommodation mattered because a command team had to live and work together sustainably rather than merely embark for a short tactical event.
Notable Point · 21:41-23:24
The traditional wartime battleship mission
The classic capital ship was expected to defeat its counterpart, contest control of the sea, and provide the staff spaces needed to command a fleet.