Top 5 Largest WW2 Battleships

Introduction to WW2 Battleships

The Second World War saw the introduction of some of the largest and most powerful battleships in history. These massive vessels played a crucial role in the war, serving as the backbone of naval fleets and providing firepower and protection for other ships. In this post, we’ll explore the top 5 largest WW2 battleships, highlighting their impressive specifications and notable achievements.

Ranking the Largest WW2 Battleships

To determine the largest WW2 battleships, we’ll consider factors such as displacement, length, beam, and draft. Here’s a brief overview of the top 5 largest WW2 battleships:

• Yamato-class (Japan): The Yamato-class battleships were the largest warships ever built, with a displacement of over 72,000 tons.
• Iowa-class (USA): The Iowa-class battleships were the fastest battleships in the world, with a top speed of over 33 knots.
• Bismarck-class (Germany): The Bismarck-class battleships were the largest warships built by Germany, with a displacement of over 50,000 tons.
• King George V-class (UK): The King George V-class battleships were the largest warships built by the UK, with a displacement of over 40,000 tons.
• Nagato-class (Japan): The Nagato-class battleships were among the largest warships built by Japan, with a displacement of over 40,000 tons.

Detailed Specifications of the Top 5 Largest WW2 Battleships

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top 5 largest WW2 battleships:

• Yamato (Japan):
  • Displacement: 72,809 tons
  • Length: 863 feet (263 meters)
  • Beam: 127 feet (39 meters)
  • Draft: 35 feet (11 meters)
  • Speed: 27 knots
  • Armament: 9 x 18.1-inch guns, 12 x 5-inch guns, 12 x 25mm anti-aircraft guns
• Iowa (USA):
  • Displacement: 45,000 tons
  • Length: 887 feet (271 meters)
  • Beam: 108 feet (33 meters)
  • Draft: 29 feet (9 meters)
  • Speed: 33 knots
  • Armament: 9 x 16-inch guns, 20 x 5-inch guns, 80 x 40mm anti-aircraft guns
• Bismarck (Germany):
  • Displacement: 50,153 tons
  • Length: 823 feet (251 meters)
  • Beam: 118 feet (36 meters)
  • Draft: 31 feet (9 meters)
  • Speed: 30 knots
  • Armament: 8 x 15-inch guns, 12 x 5.9-inch guns, 16 x 37mm anti-aircraft guns
• King George V (UK):
  • Displacement: 40,450 tons
  • Length: 745 feet (227 meters)
  • Beam: 103 feet (31 meters)
  • Draft: 29 feet (9 meters)
  • Speed: 28 knots
  • Armament: 10 x 14-inch guns, 16 x 5.25-inch guns, 48 x 40mm anti-aircraft guns
• Nagato (Japan):
  • Displacement: 42,850 tons
  • Length: 746 feet (227 meters)
  • Beam: 104 feet (32 meters)
  • Draft: 30 feet (9 meters)
  • Speed: 25 knots
  • Armament: 8 x 16.1-inch guns, 20 x 5.5-inch guns, 8 x 25mm anti-aircraft guns

Notable Battles and Engagements

These massive battleships played a significant role in several notable battles and engagements during WW2. Some of the most notable include:

• The Battle of Midway: The Yamato-class battleships were not present at the Battle of Midway, but the Japanese fleet’s absence of these battleships was a significant factor in the outcome of the battle.
• The Battle of the North Cape: The German battleship Scharnhorst was sunk by the British battleship Duke of York during the Battle of the North Cape.
• The Battle of the Philippine Sea: The Japanese battleship Yamato was damaged by American aircraft during the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
• The Battle of Leyte Gulf: The Japanese battleships Yamato and Musashi were sunk by American aircraft during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Comparison of the Top 5 Largest WW2 Battleships

Here’s a comparison of the top 5 largest WW2 battleships in a table format:

Battleship	Displacement (tons)	Length (feet)	Beam (feet)	Draft (feet)	Speed (knots)
Yamato	72,809	863	127	35	27
Iowa	45,000	887	108	29	33
Bismarck	50,153	823	118	31	30
King George V	40,450	745	103	29	28
Nagato	42,850	746	104	30	25

🚨 Note: The specifications listed above are approximate and may vary depending on the source.

In summary, the top 5 largest WW2 battleships were the Yamato, Iowa, Bismarck, King George V, and Nagato. These massive vessels played a significant role in the war, serving as the backbone of naval fleets and providing firepower and protection for other ships. Their impressive specifications and notable achievements make them an important part of naval history.