Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:30:03-1:30:38

Yamato joins Hood at Denmark Strait

With the Anglo-Japanese alliance preserved, Yamato's 18-inch guns would give Bismarck a strong reason to avoid Hood's supporting force.

Alternate HistoryBattleshipsDenmark StraitGerman Battleship BismarckHMS HoodNaval GunneryYamato
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Question

How would Yamato supporting Hood have changed the Battle of Denmark Strait?

Short answer

Bismarck would have strong reason to disengage from a force carrying Yamato's 18-inch guns, despite the Japanese battleship's 27-knot speed.

Notes

This counterfactual retains the Anglo-Japanese alliance and places Yamato in the force supporting Hood. Yamato's 27-knot speed limits the group's movement, but her 18-inch guns give Bismarck a strong reason to escape. The immediate prediction is disengagement by the German ship.