Top 10 Largest Wwii Battleships

The Second World War saw the rise of naval warfare, with battleships playing a crucial role in determining the outcome of the conflict. The largest battleships of World War II were marvels of engineering, with massive guns, thick armor, and impressive speed. Here, we'll explore the top 10 largest battleships of World War II, highlighting their key features, strengths, and weaknesses.

Why Battleships Were Important

Battleships were the capital ships of the World War II era, serving as the backbone of naval fleets. They were designed to engage enemy warships, protect convoys, and provide shore bombardment support for amphibious landings. Their sheer size, firepower, and armor made them formidable opponents on the high seas.

Ranking the Largest Battleships

To compile this list, we'll consider the battleships' displacement, length, beam, draft, and main armament. Displacement refers to the ship's weight, while length, beam, and draft describe its dimensions. Main armament refers to the size and number of guns.

Here's a preview of the top 10 largest battleships of World War II:

10. USS Colorado (BB-45)

• Displacement: 33,590 tons
• Length: 624 ft (190 m)
• Beam: 97 ft 4 in (29.7 m)
• Draft: 30 ft 2 in (9.2 m)
• Main armament: 8 × 14 in (356 mm) guns

Built for Battle

The USS Colorado was a Tennessee-class battleship commissioned in 1923. It played a significant role in the Pacific Theater, participating in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign.

9. HMS Duke of York (17)

• Displacement: 35,000 tons
• Length: 625 ft 9 in (190.9 m)
• Beam: 103 ft 2 in (31.4 m)
• Draft: 29 ft 9 in (9.1 m)
• Main armament: 10 × 14 in (356 mm) guns

British Naval Power

The HMS Duke of York was a King George V-class battleship commissioned in 1940. It played a crucial role in the Battle of North Cape, where it helped sink the German battleship Scharnhorst.

8. USS North Carolina (BB-55)

• Displacement: 35,000 tons
• Length: 728 ft 1 in (222.1 m)
• Beam: 108 ft 4 in (33 m)
• Draft: 32 ft 2 in (9.8 m)
• Main armament: 9 × 14 in (356 mm) guns

Fast and Formidable

The USS North Carolina was a North Carolina-class battleship commissioned in 1941. It played a significant role in the Pacific Theater, earning 15 battle stars for its service.

7. KMS Tirpitz (1939)

• Displacement: 42,900 tons
• Length: 813 ft 7 in (248.1 m)
• Beam: 118 ft 1 in (36 m)
• Draft: 32 ft 1 in (9.8 m)
• Main armament: 8 × 15 in (381 mm) guns

The German Behemoth

The KMS Tirpitz was a Bismarck-class battleship commissioned in 1941. It was the largest warship ever built in Germany, playing a significant role in the Norwegian Campaign.

6. USS South Dakota (BB-57)

• Displacement: 37,970 tons
• Length: 684 ft 1 in (208.7 m)
• Beam: 108 ft 2 in (33 m)
• Draft: 33 ft 9 in (10.3 m)
• Main armament: 9 × 16 in (406 mm) guns

A South Dakota-class Battleship

The USS South Dakota was a South Dakota-class battleship commissioned in 1942. It played a significant role in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Battle of Guadalcanal.

5. HMS Vanguard (23)

• Displacement: 44,500 tons
• Length: 814 ft 6 in (248.3 m)
• Beam: 116 ft 1 in (35.4 m)
• Draft: 32 ft 4 in (9.9 m)
• Main armament: 8 × 15 in (381 mm) guns

The Last British Battleship

The HMS Vanguard was a Lion-class battleship commissioned in 1946. Although it missed World War II, it served as the British flagship during the Coronation Review of Queen Elizabeth II.

4. KMS Bismarck (1939)

• Displacement: 41,700 tons
• Length: 794 ft 1 in (242.1 m)
• Beam: 118 ft 1 in (36 m)
• Draft: 32 ft 1 in (9.8 m)
• Main armament: 8 × 15 in (381 mm) guns

The Mighty Bismarck

The KMS Bismarck was a Bismarck-class battleship commissioned in 1940. It played a significant role in the Battle of Denmark Strait, where it sank the HMS Hood.

3. USS Iowa (BB-61)

• Displacement: 45,000 tons
• Length: 873 ft 2 in (266 m)
• Beam: 108 ft 2 in (33 m)
• Draft: 31 ft 9 in (9.7 m)
• Main armament: 9 × 16 in (406 mm) guns

The Fastest Battleship

The USS Iowa was an Iowa-class battleship commissioned in 1943. It played a significant role in the Pacific Theater, earning 11 battle stars for its service.

2. Yamato (1937)

• Displacement: 72,000 tons
• Length: 863 ft 2 in (263 m)
• Beam: 127 ft 1 in (38.7 m)
• Draft: 35 ft 4 in (10.8 m)
• Main armament: 9 × 18.1 in (460 mm) guns

The Largest Battleship Ever

The Yamato was a Yamato-class battleship commissioned in 1942. It was the largest battleship ever built, playing a significant role in the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

1. Musashi (1942)

• Displacement: 73,000 tons
• Length: 863 ft 2 in (263 m)
• Beam: 127 ft 1 in (38.7 m)
• Draft: 35 ft 4 in (10.8 m)
• Main armament: 9 × 18.1 in (460 mm) guns

The Largest Battleship of World War II

The Musashi was a Yamato-class battleship commissioned in 1942. It was the largest battleship of World War II, playing a significant role in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Largest Battleships of World War II Image Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the largest battleship ever built?

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The Yamato was the largest battleship ever built, with a displacement of 72,000 tons and main armament of 9 × 18.1 in (460 mm) guns.

Which battleship had the largest guns?

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The Yamato-class battleships, including the Yamato and Musashi, had the largest guns, with 9 × 18.1 in (460 mm) guns.

What was the fastest battleship of World War II?

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The USS Iowa was the fastest battleship of World War II, with a top speed of over 33 knots (61 km/h).

The top 10 largest battleships of World War II were marvels of engineering, with massive guns, thick armor, and impressive speed. Each battleship had its unique features, strengths, and weaknesses, playing significant roles in the war. Whether it was the Yamato's massive guns or the USS Iowa's speed, these battleships were the epitome of naval power during World War II.

What do you think? Share your thoughts on the largest battleships of World War II in the comments below!