[Nov3]

The battle of Suriago Straits proved what a force multiplier radar controlled naval fire was with old battleships. (Tactical control of the situation helped a great deal) The Iowas were truly the apex of battleship evolution. The Montanas with radar controlled gunfore would have been unbelievable.

The Alaska class cruiser was also an interesting ship. 33.5 knots/9 - 12" inch guns. We also had a cruiser with automatic loading main battery (8" I believe) with a fire rate of something like 15 rounds per minute per tube. Times 8 tubes! Combine that with radar control . . . . . .

[Gnarly]

Yes, Surigao Straight was especially interesting in that the old BBs were mostly those "sunk" at Pearl Harbor.

The Alaska's were quite interesting. The 12" they mounted were quite powerful for that sized gun. More than a match for any of the German "pocket battleships" and possible some of the older BBs. Basically, anything they couldn't outshoot...they could outrun.

I think that you are thinking of the Des Moines class of heavy cruisers. With accurate firecontrol, it is unbelievable what they could have done to a comparable ship.

[Gnarly]

OOPS! The Des Moines had NINE 8X55!!