The King George V class was a group of five battleships built by the Royal Navy in the late 1930s. These ships were designed to comply with the limitations imposed by the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty, which restricted the size and armament of battleships. The King George V class was the result of a long and complex design process, influenced by the naval treaties, technological advancements, and the changing nature of naval warfare.
The lead ship of the class, HMS King George V, was laid down in 1937 and commissioned in 1940. The other four ships in the class were HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Duke of York, HMS Anson, and HMS Howe. These battleships were designed to be fast and maneuverable, with a top speed of over 28 knots, and were equipped with a main armament of ten 14-inch guns in two quadruple and one twin turret. The King George V class also featured a robust anti-aircraft defense system, including multiple pom-pom guns and 20mm Oerlikon cannons.
Key Points
- The King George V class was a group of five battleships built by the Royal Navy in the late 1930s
- These ships were designed to comply with the limitations imposed by the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty
- The King George V class featured a main armament of ten 14-inch guns in two quadruple and one twin turret
- The class was designed to be fast and maneuverable, with a top speed of over 28 knots
- The King George V class played a significant role in World War II, with HMS Prince of Wales sinking the German battleship Bismarck
Design and Development
The design of the King George V class was influenced by the naval treaties, which restricted the size and armament of battleships. The Royal Navy was limited to building battleships with a maximum displacement of 35,000 tons and a main armament of 14-inch guns. The King George V class was designed to operate within these limitations while still providing a significant increase in firepower and protection compared to earlier battleship designs. The class featured a novel arrangement of the main armament, with two quadruple turrets forward and one twin turret aft.
Main Armament
The main armament of the King George V class consisted of ten 14-inch guns in two quadruple and one twin turret. The guns were mounted in a unique arrangement, with the two quadruple turrets forward and the twin turret aft. This arrangement allowed for a significant increase in firepower while minimizing the size and weight of the ship. The 14-inch guns were capable of firing a variety of ammunition, including armor-piercing shells and high-explosive shells.
| Ship | Commissioned | Displacement | Length | Beam | Draft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMS King George V | 1940 | 40,500 tons | 745 feet | 103 feet | 29 feet |
| HMS Prince of Wales | 1941 | 42,100 tons | 745 feet | 103 feet | 29 feet |
| HMS Duke of York | 1941 | 40,500 tons | 745 feet | 103 feet | 29 feet |
| HMS Anson | 1942 | 40,500 tons | 745 feet | 103 feet | 29 feet |
| HMS Howe | 1942 | 40,500 tons | 745 feet | 103 feet | 29 feet |
Service History
The King George V class played a significant role in World War II, with all five ships seeing action against the German and Japanese navies. HMS Prince of Wales sank the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941, while HMS King George V and HMS Duke of York participated in the Battle of North Cape in December 1943. The class also saw action in the Pacific, with HMS Anson and HMS Howe participating in the Battle of Okinawa in May 1945.
World War II
During World War II, the King George V class was involved in several significant naval battles. HMS Prince of Wales sank the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941, while HMS King George V and HMS Duke of York participated in the Battle of North Cape in December 1943. The class also saw action in the Pacific, with HMS Anson and HMS Howe participating in the Battle of Okinawa in May 1945. The King George V class played a significant role in the Allied victory, providing a powerful and versatile battleship design that could operate in a variety of roles.
What was the main armament of the King George V class?
+The main armament of the King George V class consisted of ten 14-inch guns in two quadruple and one twin turret.
How many ships were in the King George V class?
+There were five ships in the King George V class: HMS King George V, HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Duke of York, HMS Anson, and HMS Howe.
What was the top speed of the King George V class?
+The top speed of the King George V class was over 28 knots.
The King George V class was a significant battleship design, providing a powerful and versatile platform for the Royal Navy during World War II. The class played a major role in several significant naval battles, including the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck and the Battle of North Cape. The King George V class remains an important part of naval history, representing a significant development in battleship design and a testament to the ingenuity and skill of the Royal Navy’s shipbuilders and sailors.
