Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:33:41-3:35:59

Yamato and Nagato at Guadalcanal

Substituting Yamato and Nagato for the Kongos at Guadalcanal creates a much larger night action, but fuel, supply, engagement range, and American resistance still govern the outcome.

BattleshipsJapanese NavyPacific WarUS Navy
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Question

What if Japan used Yamato and Nagato at Guadalcanal instead of Hiei and Kirishima?

Short answer

The battle becomes larger and costlier, but logistics and the range of the night engagement mean an American victory remains possible.

Notes

The heavier Japanese battleships could inflict substantially more American casualties if Japan could supply and deploy them. Victory would still not be automatic: the same operational course could produce a narrow American success, particularly depending on how close the forces meet in darkness.