The largest battleships ever constructed represented the pinnacle of naval engineering during World War II. These imposing vessels were designed to serve as floating fortresses, armed with massive guns capable of delivering devastating blows. However, despite their size and firepower, most of these battleships did not survive the war. The immense cost of building and maintaining such ships, along with the changing nature of naval warfare, led to the destruction or decommissioning of nearly all of them. Yet, there were a few notable exceptions that survived the war intact.
The Iowa-Class Battleships (United States)
The U.S. Navy’s Iowa-class battleships were the most successful examples of large battleships surviving World War II. The class included four ships: USS Iowa, USS New Jersey, USS Missouri, and USS Wisconsin. These ships, displacing around 58,000 tons when fully loaded, were designed for speed and firepower, with nine 16-inch guns as their primary armament.
Survival: All four Iowa-class battleships survived World War II intact. After the war, they continued to serve in various capacities, including during the Korean War and the Cold War.
Legacy: The USS Missouri is particularly famous for hosting the Japanese surrender ceremony on September 2, 1945, marking the official end of the war in the Pacific. Today, all four ships have been preserved as museum ships. USS Iowa is in California, USS New Jersey in New Jersey, USS Missouri in Hawaii, and USS Wisconsin in Virginia.
These ships, equipped with cutting-edge technology and a design that balanced speed, armor, and firepower, are among the few battleships from World War II to survive both the war and the passage of time.
The Richelieu-Class Battleships (France)
France’s Richelieu and Jean Bart were the largest battleships in the French Navy during World War II. The Richelieu was completed in 1940, while Jean Bart was still under construction when the war broke out. These ships were designed with powerful 15-inch guns and advanced armor.
Survival: Both Richelieu and Jean Bart survived the war intact, though Jean Bart was not fully operational until late in the war. After suffering damage from German air attacks, Jean Bart was never able to fully fulfill its combat potential during the war, but Richelieu continued to fight until the end of the conflict.
Post-War: After the war, Richelieu continued to serve in the French Navy until 1967, while Jean Bart was decommissioned shortly after the war. Both ships were eventually scrapped.
The King George V-Class Battleships (United Kingdom)
The British King George V-class battleships, which included King George V, Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Anson, and Howe, were designed to counter the rising naval threat of the German Kriegsmarine. With their 14-inch guns and strong armor, they were formidable ships.
Survival: While King George V, Duke of York, Anson, and Howe survived the war, Prince of Wales was tragically sunk by Japanese aircraft in 1941 during the Battle of Malaya. The surviving ships were decommissioned post-war, and none were preserved as museum ships.
Post-War: The remaining ships were sold for scrap in the 1950s.
The Bismarck-Class Battleships (Germany)
The Bismarck and Tirpitz were Germany’s largest and most powerful battleships during the war. With their 15-inch guns and formidable armor, these ships represented the peak of German naval engineering.
Fate: Neither Bismarck nor Tirpitz survived the war. Bismarck was sunk in May 1941 after a prolonged pursuit by British forces, while Tirpitz was sunk in 1944 by British bombers.
Survival: Despite their power, neither ship could survive the superior Allied naval tactics and air superiority.