The Nelson-class battleships, specifically the HMS Nelson and HMS Rodney, were unique in their design, with the majority of their main guns positioned on the bow. This design choice was primarily to maximize the effectiveness of their heavy 16-inch guns while minimizing the ship’s overall profile and maximizing firepower on a relatively limited displacement due to the naval treaties of the time.
Defending the Stern
Although the Nelson-class battleships had their main guns concentrated on the bow, they were still equipped with several defensive features for the stern. These included:
1. Secondary Armament
The Nelson-class battleships had a powerful secondary armament that could help defend the stern, including:
4-inch and 5.25-inch guns: These secondary guns were positioned on the superstructure, including on the stern. While they weren't as powerful as the 16-inch main guns, they were capable of engaging smaller ships, aircraft, or incoming threats at closer ranges.
Dual-purpose guns: The 5.25-inch guns in particular were dual-purpose, capable of engaging both surface targets and aerial threats. They were spread across various positions, including near the stern, which allowed for some defensive capability against smaller, fast-moving ships or aircraft.
2. Anti-Aircraft Defenses
In addition to secondary guns, the Nelson-class ships were equipped with anti-aircraft weapons, particularly later in the war, as air threats became more prominent. The anti-aircraft guns were placed in various locations, including at the stern, and consisted of:
Oerlikon 20mm cannon: These smaller guns were more numerous and were used to defend against incoming aircraft.
Bofors 40mm guns: These were heavier anti-aircraft guns and were also positioned on various parts of the ship, including towards the stern.
These defenses allowed the Nelson-class to defend itself against aerial threats and enemy ships attempting to attack from the stern.
3. Armored Protection
Though the Nelson-class battleships' heavy guns were concentrated at the bow, the ship’s stern was still protected by armor. The ship's armor belt and deck were designed to withstand hits from enemy fire, including from the stern. While the main concentration of armor was at the bow and amidships to protect vital areas like the engine rooms and magazines, the stern still had sufficient protection to resist damage from enemy fire.
4. Maneuverability
Another factor in defending the stern was the maneuverability of the ship. The Nelson-class was relatively fast and agile for its size, allowing it to bring its powerful forward guns to bear on enemies threatening the stern. The ability to change course quickly helped mitigate risks of being attacked from the rear, as the ship could avoid a direct stern engagement.
5. Close Combat with Smaller Ships
In terms of close-in defense, the Nelson-class had a strong complement of torpedo defense systems, including its torpedo bulkheads, which protected the hull from torpedo strikes. The ship’s complement of smaller caliber guns was also effective in close combat with destroyers or smaller craft attempting to approach the stern.
6. Vulnerability
Despite these defensive measures, the Nelson-class battleships were still somewhat vulnerable in their stern. With their forward-heavy design, if an enemy was able to approach undetected from the rear and fire on the ship’s unprotected stern, it could cause significant damage. However, the design limitations of the time led to the focus on maximizing firepower with the main guns forward, and the defensive measures for the stern were essentially what was feasible within the ship's design constraints.