Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to military equipment. Consider the dominance of the aircraft carrier over the likes of massive battleships. This was a lesson learned the hard way by many of the world’s navies during the Second World War. Today, we’re looking at the biggest ships of WW2.
Is Bigger Better?
Going by what happened to the Bismarck and Yamato, not at all. You’ve got massive targets sitting in the water ready for subs and planes to throw torpedoes at. Needless to say, there is a fine balance between size and firepower.
Were Battleships Still Used?
Yes, despite the war swinging heavily in favor of aircraft carriers, the battleship and destroyer were still the orders of the day. As such, it stands to reason that most of the world’s navies were still fielding more conventional ships.
24. Wyoming Class
- Tonnage: 27,680
- Country: United States
- Commissioned: 1912
23. Nevada Class
- Tonnage: 29,000
- Country: United States
- Commissioned: 1916
22. Rivadavia Class
- Tonnage: 30,600
- Country: Argentina
- Commissioned: 1915
21. HMS Agincourt Dreadnought
- Tonnage: 31,360
- Country: United Kingdom
- Commissioned: 1914
20. Revenge Class
- Tonnage: 31,630
- Country: United Kingdom
- Commissioned: 1916
19. Ise Class
- Tonnage: 31,760
- Country: Japan
- Commissioned: 1917
18. Pennsylvania Class
- Tonnage: 32,429
- Country: United States
- Commissioned: 1916
17. Iron Duke Super Dreadnought Class
- Tonnage: 32,635
- Country: United Kingdom
- Commissioned: 1915
16. New Mexico Class
- Tonnage: 33,350
- Country: United States
- Commissioned: 1918
15. Queen Elizabeth Class Super Dreadnought
- Tonnage: 33,790
- Country: United Kingdom
- Commissioned: 1915
14. Bayern Class
- Tonnage: 35,500
- Country: Germany
- Commissioned: 1917
13. Kongō Class Battlecruiser
- Tonnage: 36,500
- Country: Japan
- Commissioned: 1913
12. Fusō Dreadnought Class
- Tonnage: 37,187
- Country: Japan
- Commissioned: 1915
11. King George V Class
- Tonnage: 45,360
- Country: United Kingdom
- Commissioned: 1942
10. Littorio Class
- Tonnage: 45,485
- Country: Italy
- Commissioned: 1942
9. Nagato Class
- Tonnage: 45,950
- Country: Japan
- Commissioned: 1920
8. South Dakota Class
- Tonnage: 46,200
- Country: United States
- Commissioned: 1942
7. HMS Hood
- Tonnage: 46,680
- Country: United Kingdom
- Commissioned: 1920
6. North Carolina Class
- Tonnage: 46,700
- Country: United States
- Commissioned: 1941
5. Richelieu Class
- Tonnage: 48,100
- Country: France
- Commissioned: 1940
4. HMS Vanguard
- Tonnage: 51,420
- Country: United Kingdom
- Commissioned: 1946
3. Bismarck Class
- Tonnage: 51,800
- Country: Germany
- Commissioned: 1941
2. Iowa Class
- Tonnage: 57,540
- Country: United States
- Commissioned: 1943
1. Yamato Class
- Tonnage: 71,659
- Country: Japan
- Commissioned: 1942
The image featured at the top of this post is ©U.S. Navy / Public Domain.
