Obsolete But Needed
Despite her age, she gave useful service in the Second World War, doing everything from engaging enemy battleships to convoy escort to shore bombardment. Ramillies illustrated the value of an old capital ship for its deterrent effect, making technically superior enemy ships decide not to attack for fear of sustaining damage while in British-controlled seas, far from repair bases. Ramilles and her sister Royal Sovereign were in materially far better condition than the other sister ships Revenge and Resolution, even though they lacked the partial modernization given to the fifth sister, Royal Oak. This is further illustrated by the fact that both Ramilles and Royal Sovereign were given partial modernizations, radar enhancements and augmentation of their anti-aircraft weapons during 1942 and 1943 while the other two sisters had been withdrawn from service by the end of 1943 and placed into reserve with subsequent removal of their 15" main batteries.
Read more about this topic: HMS Ramillies (07)
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