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But this is really one of those views that was overtaken by WW2 experience (and with scenarios made far less likely with the wide spread adoption of radar, catapults etc.).Hence the extinction of battleships and the continuing evolution of aircraft carriers and their air wings.The major naval powers planning and building battleships pre-war and early in the war (like Japan and the Yamato class) still made sense from decision makers perspectives when the relevant decisions were made.But the decisive switch over of priority to aircraft carriers during the war is quite clear and the very late battleships like HMS Vanguard and Jean Beart completed post war were just a waste of resources that really should have been recognised as such at the time by decision makers. Arguably something similar is true of the Yamato’s; the resources involved would have clearly been better directed towards carriers and War experience has that comprehensively proven. But that clearness and clarity is a product of a perspective it’s not fair to demand or expect of the relevant Japanese decisions at the time.
But this is really one of those views that was overtaken by WW2 experience (and with scenarios made far less likely with the wide spread adoption of radar, catapults etc.).
Hence the extinction of battleships and the continuing evolution of aircraft carriers and their air wings.
The major naval powers planning and building battleships pre-war and early in the war (like Japan and the Yamato class) still made sense from decision makers perspectives when the relevant decisions were made.
But the decisive switch over of priority to aircraft carriers during the war is quite clear and the very late battleships like HMS Vanguard and Jean Beart completed post war were just a waste of resources that really should have been recognised as such at the time by decision makers. Arguably something similar is true of the Yamato’s; the resources involved would have clearly been better directed towards carriers and War experience has that comprehensively proven. But that clearness and clarity is a product of a perspective it’s not fair to demand or expect of the relevant Japanese decisions at the time.
