The list of broadsides of major World War II ships is a comparative listing ranking the main armament broadside weight of major vessels in service during World War II. Listed are the broadside in pounds and kilograms (for a single main battery salvo), as well as the range to which it can be fired in yards and kilometres and the maximum rate of fire in salvos per minute. However, the list does not account for the variances in fire control, which by the end of the war was firmly in the Allies' favor with advances in radar technology.
Items are listed in order of broadside weight.
Country | Vessel | No. built |
Main gun: number and caliber |
Broadside weight | Maximum range | Maximum rate of fire (/min) |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(lb) | (kg) | (yd) | (km) | |||||
Japan | Yamato class battleship | 2 | 9 x 46 cm (18.1 in) 45 cal Type 94 | 28,971 | 13,141 | 45,960 | 42.0 | 2 |
USA | Iowa class battleship | 4 | 9 x 16" 50 cal Mark 7 | 24,300 | 11,022 | 42,345 | 38.7 | 2 |
USA | North Carolina class battleship | 2 | 9 x 16" 45 cal Mark 6 | 24,300 | 11,022 | 40,180 | 36.7 | 2 |
USA | South Dakota class battleship | 4 | 9 x 16" 45 cal Mark 6 | 24,300 | 11,022 | 40,180 | 36.7 | 2 |
UK | Nelson class battleships | 2 | 9 x BL 16-inch Mk I | 18,432 | 8,360 | 39,780 | 36.4 | 1.5 |
USA | Tennessee class battleship | 2 | 12 x 14" 50 cal Marks 7 & 11 | 18,000 | 8,165 | 36,300 | 33.2 | 2 |
USA | New Mexico class battleship | 3 | 12 x 14" 50 cal Marks 7 & 11 | 18,000 | 8,165 | 36,300 | 33.2 | 2 |
USA | Pennsylvania class battleship | 2 | 12 x 14" 45 cal Marks 8,9,10&12 | 18,000 | 8,165 | 36,000 | 33.0 | 2 |
Japan | Nagato class battleship | 2 | 8 x 16" 45 cal 3rd Year Type | 17,992 | 8,161 | 42,000 | 38.4 | 2 |
USA | Colorado class battleship | 3 | 8 x 16" 45 cal Mark 5 | 17,920 | 8,128 | 35,000 | 32.0 | 2 |
Japan | Ise class battleship | 2 | 12 x 14" 45 cal 41st Year Type | 17,820 | 8,083 | 38,770 | 35.5 | 2 |
Japan | Fusō class battleship | 2 | 12 x 14" 45 cal 41st Year Type | 17,820 | 8,083 | 38,770 | 35.5 | 2 |
Italy | Vittorio Veneto class battleship | 3 | 9 x 15" 50 cal Ansaldo 1934 | 17,559 | 7,964 | 46,216 | 42.3 | 1.3 |
UK | King George V class battleship | 5 | 10 x BL 14-inch Mk VII | 15,900 | 7,212 | 38,560 | 35.3 | 2 |
France | Richelieu class battleship | 2 | 8 x 15" 45 cal Modèle 1935 | 15,592 | 7,070 | 45,600 | 41.7 | 2 |
UK | Queen Elizabeth class battleships | 5 | 8 x BL 15-inch Mk I | 15,504 | 7,030 | 33,550 | 30.7 | 2 |
UK | Revenge class battleships | 5 | 8 x BL 15-inch Mk I | 15,504 | 7,030 | 33,550 | 30.7 | 2 |
UK | battlecruiser HMS Hood | 1 | 8 x BL 15-inch Mk I | 15,360 | 6,970 | 30,180 | 27.6 | 2 |
USA | Nevada class battleship | 2 | 10 x 14" 45 cal Marks 8,9,10&12 | 15,000 | 6,800 | 36,000 | 33.0 | 2 |
USA | New York class battleship | 2 | 10 x 14" 45 cal Marks 8,9,10&12 | 15,000 | 6,800 | 36,000 | 33.0 | 2 |
Germany | Bismarck class battleship | 2 | 8 x 15" 52 cal SK C/34 | 14,112 | 6,400 | 38,880 | 35.6 | 3 |
France | Bretagne class battleship | 3 | 10 x 13.4" 45 cal M1912 | 12,680 | 5,752 | 29,090 | 26.6 | 2 |
USSR | Gangut class battleship | 4 | 12 x 12" 52 cal P1907 | 12,456 | 5,650 | 32,080 | 29.3 | 2-3 |
Japan | Kongō class battlecruiser | 4 | 8 x 14" 45 cal 41st Year Type | 11,880 | 5,389 | 38,770 | 35.5 | 2 |
UK | Renown class battlecruiser | 2 | 6 x BL 15-inch Mk I | 11,628 | 5,274 | 33,550 | 30.7 | 2 |
Italy | Andrea Doria class battleship | 2 | 10 x 12.6" 44 cal M1936 | 11,570 | 5,248 | 31,280 | 28.6 | 2 |
Italy | Conte di Cavour class battleship | 2 | 10 x 12.6" 44 cal M1934 | 11,570 | 5,248 | 31,280 | 28.6 | 2 |
France | Courbet class battleship | 2 | 12 x 12" 45 cal M1910 | 11,424 | 5,182 | 25,150 | 23.0 | 2 |
Argentina | Rivadavia class battleship | 2 | 12 x 12" 50 cal Bethlehem | 10,440 | 4,736 | 24,000 | 22.0 | 2-3 |
USA | Battleship USS Arkansas | 1 | 12 x 12" 50 cal Mark 7 | 10,440 | 4,736 | 24,000 | 22.0 | 3 |
USA | Alaska class cruiser | 2 | 9 x 12" 50 cal Mark 8 | 10,260 | 4,654 | 38,573 | 35.3 | 3 |
Brazil | Battleship Minas Gerais | 2 | 12 x 12" 45 cal EOC | 10,200 | 4,627 | 18,850 | 17.2 | 3 |
France | Dunkerque class battlecruiser | 2 | 8 x 13" 50 cal M1931 | 9,880 | 4,481 | 45,600 | 41.7 | 2 |
Turkey | Battlecruiser Yavuz | 1 | 10 x 11.1" 50 cal SK | 6,660 | 3,020 | 23,730 | 21.7 | 3 |
Germany | Scharnhorst class battleship | 2 | 9 x 11.1" 54.5 cal SK C/34 | 6,552 | 2,972 | 44,760 | 40.9 | 3 |
Germany | Deutschland class cruiser | 3 | 6 x 11.1" 52 cal SK C/28 | 3,966 | 1,799 | 39,890 | 36.5 | 2 |
UK | Roberts class monitor | 2 | 2 x BL 15-inch Mk I | 3,840 | 1,742 | 32,500 | 29.7 | 2 |
UK | Erebus class monitor | 2 | 2 x BL 15-inch Mk I | 3,840 | 1,742 | 32,500 | 29.7 | 2 |
USA | 5 of 7 New Orleans class cruisers | 5 | 9 x 8" 55 cal Marks 12 & 15 | 3,015 | 1,368 | 30,050 | 27.5 | 4 |
USA | Baltimore class cruiser | 12 | 9 x 8" 55 cal Marks 12 & 15 | 3,015 | 1,368 | 30,050 | 27.5 | 4 |
Japan | Takao class cruiser | 4 | 10 x 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 | 2,770 | 1,256 | 32,150 | 29.4 | 4 |
Japan | Mogami class cruiser | 4 | 10 x 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 | 2,770 | 1,256 | 32,150 | 29.4 | 4 |
Japan | Myoko class cruiser | 4 | 10 x 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 | 2,770 | 1,256 | 32,150 | 29.4 | 4 |
USA | Pensacola class cruiser | 2 | 10 x 8" 55 cal Marks 9 & 14 | 2,600 | 1,179 | 31,860 | 29.1 | 4 |
Germany | Battleship Schlesien | 2 | 4 x 11.1" 40 cal SK | 2,504 | 1,136 | 28,040 | 25.6 | 2 |
France | Suffren class cruiser | 7 | 8 x 8" 50 cal M1924 | 2,360 | 1,070 | 34,340 | 31.4 | 5 |
France | Duquesne class cruiser | 2 | 8 x 8" 50 cal M1924 | 2,360 | 1,070 | 34,340 | 31.4 | 5 |
USA | 2 of 7 New Orleans class cruisers | 2 | 9 x 8" 55 cal Marks 9 & 14 | 2,340 | 1,061 | 31,860 | 29.1 | 4 |
Greece | Cruiser Georgios Averof | 1 | 4 x 9.2" 45 cal Mk X + 8 x 7.5" | 2,320 | 1,052 | |||
Japan | Tone class cruiser | 2 | 8 x 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 | 2,216 | 1,005 | 32,150 | 29.4 | 4 |
Italy | Zara class cruiser | 4 | 8 x 8" 53 cal Ansaldo M1927 | 2,210 | 1,002 | 34,520 | 31.6 | 4 |
Italy | 1 of 3 Trento class cruisers (the Bolzano) | 1 | 8 x 8" 53 cal Ansaldo M1929 | 2,210 | 1,002 | 34,520 | 31.6 | 4 |
Germany | Admiral Hipper class cruiser | 4 | 8 x 8" 60 cal SK c/34 | 2,152 | 976 | 36,680 | 33.5 | 5 |
Italy | 2 of 3 Trento class cruisers | 2 | 8 x 8" 50 cal Model 1924 | 2,080 | 944 | 30,620 | 28.0 | 1.5 |
UK | County class cruisers | 13 | 8 x BL 8-inch Mk VIII | 2,048 | 929 | 30,650 | 28.0 | 5 |
Italy | Cruiser San Giorgio | 1 | 4 x 10" 45 cal Model 1908 | 2,000 | 907 | 27,300 | 25.0 | 3 |
Finland | Väinämöinen class coastal defense ship | 2 | 4 x 10" | 1,984 | 900 | 33,140 | 30.3 | 3 |
USA | Brooklyn class cruiser | 7 | 15 x 6" 47 cal Mark 16 | 1,950 | 885 | 26,118 | 23.9 | 8 |
USSR | Kirov class cruiser | 6 | 9 x 7.1" 57 cal | 1,935 | 878 | 41,000 | 37.5 | 6 |
Japan | Aoba class cruiser | 2 | 6 x 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 | 1,662 | 754 | 32,150 | 29.4 | 4 |
Japan | Furutaka class cruiser | 2 | 6 x 8" 50 cal 3rd Year Type GÔ2 | 1,662 | 754 | 32,150 | 29.4 | 4 |
USA | Cleveland class cruiser | 27 | 12 x 6" 47 cal Mark 16 | 1,560 | 708 | 26,118 | 23.9 | 8 |
UK | York class cruiser | 2 | 6 x BL 8-inch Mk VIII | 1,536 | 697 | 30,650 | 27.9 | 5 |
Japan | Kasuga class cruiser | 2 | 1 x 10" + 2 x 8" + 4 x 6" | 1,400 | 635 | 19,700 | 18.0 | 3 |
UK | 1936 "Town" class cruisers | 10 | 12 x 6-inch Mk XXIII | 1,344 | 610 | 25,480 | 23.3 | 6 |
UK | "Crown Colony" class cruiser | 11 | 12 x 6-inch Mk XXIII | 1,344 | 610 | 25,400 | 23.2 | 6 |
Argentina | Veinticinco de Mayo class cruiser | 2 | 6 x 7.5" 52 cal | 1,200 | 544 | 29,855 | 27.3 | |
Denmark | Coast defense ship Peder Skram | 1 | 2 x 9.4" + 4 x 5.9" | 1,154 | 523 | |||
Italy | Abruzzi subclass of Condottieri class cruisers | 2 | 10 x 6" 53 cal M1934, M1936 | 1,102 | 500 | 28,150 | 25.7 | 4 |
France | La Galissonnière class cruiser | 10 | 9 x 152 mm (6.0 in) 55 cal | 1,071 | 486 | 28,952 | 26.5 | 8 |
Netherlands | Java class cruiser | 2 | 10 x 5.9" 50 cal | 1,030 | 467 | 23,200 | 21.2 | |
Denmark | Coast defense ship Niels Juel | 1 | 10 x 5.9" | 1,010 | 458 | |||
Argentina | Independencia class coastal defense ship | 2 | 2 x 9.4" 40 cal | 1,000 | 454 | |||
France | Duguay-Trouin class cruiser | 3 | 8 x 155 mm (6.1 in) 50 cal | 1,000 | 454 | 28,540 | 26.1 | 4 |
Japan | Izumo class cruiser | 2 | 4 x 203 mm (8.0 in) 45 cal | 1,000 | 454 | 19,700 | 18.0 | 5 |
Japan | Cruiser Yakumo (training duties only during WWII) | 1 | 4 x 8" 45 cal | 1,000 | 454 | 19,700 | 18.0 | 5 |
Japan | Cruiser Azuma (training duties only during WWII) | 1 | 4 x 8" 45 cal | 1,000 | 454 | 19,700 | 18.0 | 5 |
Argentina | Cruiser La Argentina | 1 | 9 x 6" 50 cal | 900 | 408 | 25,700 | 23.5 | |
Germany | "K" class cruiser | 3 | 9 x 149.1 mm (5.9 in) C/25 | 900 | 408 | 28,100 | 25.7 | 8 |
Germany | "Leipzig" class cruiser | 2 | 9 x 149.1 mm (5.9 in) 60 cal | 900 | 408 | 28,100 | 25.7 | 8 |
Australia | Light cruiser HMAS Adelaide | 1 | 9 x 6-inch Mk XII | 900 | 408 | 21,500 | 19.6 | 5-7 |
UK | Leander class cruisers | 7 | 8 x 6-inch Mk XXIII | 896 | 406 | 25,480 | 23.3 | 6 |
USSR | Cruiser Krasny Kavkaz | 1 | 4 x 7.1" 57 cal | 860 | 390 | 41,000 | 37.5 | 6 |
USA | Omaha class cruiser | 10 | 4 x 6" 53 cal Mark 16 & 3 x 6" 53 cal Mark 13 (per side) |
840 | 381 | 25,300 Mark 16 |
23.1 Mark 16 |
5 |
Italy | 3 of 4 subclasses of Condottieri class cruisers | 10 | 8 x 6" 53 cal M1926, M1929 | 838 | 380 | 24,716 | 22.6 | 4 (M1926) 8 (M1929) |
Japan | Chikuma class cruiser | 3 | 8 x 6" 45 cal | 800 | 363 | 16,185 | 14.8 | |
UK | Dido class cruisers | 11 | 10 x QF 5.25-inch Mk I | 800 | 363 | 24,070 | 22.0 | 7 |
USA | 4 of 8 Atlanta class cruisers | 4 | 12 + 2 wingmount per side = 14 x 5" 38 cal Mark 12 |
773 | 350 | 17,392 | 15.9 | 15 - 22 |
Japan | Cruiser Ōyodo | 1 | 6 x 6.1" 60 cal | 738 | 335 | 29,960 | 27.4 | 5 |
Netherlands | Cruiser De Ruyter | 1 | 7 x 5.9" 50 cal | 721 | 327 | 23,200 | 21.2 | |
Argentina | Coast defense ship General Belgrano | 2 | 2 x 10" 35 cal | 706 | 320 | |||
UK | Emerald class cruiser | 2 | 7 x BL 6-inch Mark VII | 700 | 318 | 18,750 | 17.1 | 5 |
UK | Arethusa class cruiser | 4 | 6 x BL 6-inch Mk XXIII | 672 | 305 | 25,480 | 23.3 | 6 |
USA | 4 of 8 Atlanta class cruisers | 4 | 12 x 5" 38 cal Mark 12 | 662 | 300 | 17,392 | 15.9 | 15 - 22 |
USSR | Cruiser Krasni Krym | 2 | 8 (of 15) x 5.1" 55 cal | 648 | 294 | 20,690 | 19.2 | 6 |
Norway | Coast defense ship Harald Haarfagre | 4 | 2 x 8.2" | 626 | 284 | |||
Netherlands | Cruiser Tromp | 2 | 6 x 5.9" 50 cal | 618 | 280 | 23,200 | 21.2 | |
Germany | Cruiser Emden | 1 | 8 x 150 mm (5.9 in) 45 cal | 600 | 272 | 18,370 | 16.8 | |
Japan | Agano class cruiser | 4 | 6 x 150 mm (5.9 in) 50 cal | 600 | 272 | 22,970 | 21.0 | 8 |
UK | Danae class cruiser | 8 | 6 x BL 6-inch Mk XII | 600 | 272 | 21,500 | 19.6 | 5-7 |
Italy | Capitani Romani class cruiser | 3 | 8 x 5.3" 45 cal M1938 | 577 | 262 | 21,435 | 19.6 | 6 |
Japan | Cruiser Yūbari | 1 | 6 x 5.5" 50 cal | 500 | 227 | 19,140 | 17.5 | 8 |
Japan | Sendai class cruiser | 3 | 6 x 5.5" 50 cal | 500 | 227 | 19,140 | 17.5 | 8 |
Japan | Nagara class cruiser | 6 | 6 x 5.5" 50 cal | 500 | 227 | 19,140 | 17.5 | 8 |
Japan | Kuma class cruiser | 5 | 6 x 5.5" 50 cal | 500 | 227 | 19,140 | 17.5 | 8 |
Japan | Seaplane carrier Nisshin | 1 | 6 x 5.5" 50 cal | 500 | 227 | 19,140 | 17.5 | 8 |
UK | C class cruisers | 4 | 5 x BL 6-inch Mk XII | 500 | 227 | 21,500 | 19.6 | 5-7 |
Famous quotes containing the words list of, list, broadsides, major, world, war and/or ships:
“I made a list of things I have
to remember and a list
of things I want to forget,
but I see they are the same list.”
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“Lastly, his tomb
Shall list and founder in the troughs of grass
And none shall speak his name.”
—Karl Shapiro (b. 1913)
“So, when my days of impotence approach,
And Im by pox and wines unlucky chance
Forced from the pleasing billows of debauch
On the dull shore of lazy temperance,
My pains at least some respite shall afford
While I behold the battles you maintain
When fleets of glasses sail about the board,
From whose broadsides volleys of wit shall rain.”
—John Wilmot, 2d Earl Of Rochester (16471680)
“A major misunderstanding of child rearing has been the idea that meeting a childs needs is an end in itself, for the purpose of the childs mental health. Mothers have not understood that this is but one step in social development, the goal of which is to help a child begin to consider others. As a result, they often have not considered their children but have instead allowed their childrens reality to take precedence, out of a fear of damaging them emotionally.”
—Elaine Heffner (20th century)
“We have given the world our passion,
We have naught for death but toys.”
—William Butler Yeats (18651939)
“There are two things which will always be very difficult for a democratic nation: to start a war and to end it.”
—Alexis de Tocqueville (18051859)
“Your mind and you are our Sargasso Sea,
London has swept about you this score years
And bright ships left you this or that in fee:
Ideas, old gossip, oddments of all things,
Strange spars of knowledge and dimmed wares of price.”
—Ezra Pound (18851972)