Better German naval strategy 1930-1945? (2 Viewers)

GrauGeist · 2024-08-05T21:46:44-0400

SaparotRob said:
The RN has a head start in carrier aviation practices and operations over everybody and I don't know if Britain would've been eager to share notes.

It was a dead heat between HMS Hermes and IJN Hosho - the USN was a few years late to the party.

SaparotRob · 2024-08-05T21:51:29-0400

GrauGeist said:
It was a dead heat between HMS Hermes and IJN Hosho - the USN was a few years late to the party.

Yes, Hosho was first purpose built carrier. The RN was flying aircraft off ships, in some cases winching them down to sea level, since 1916 at least. I believe HMS Argus predates U.S.S. Langley. Rather than look that up I'll wait for the inevitable corrections.

GrauGeist · 2024-08-05T21:56:48-0400

I believe the French beat everyone to the punch with their pre-war seaplane carrier.
(Pre-WWI, I meant)

SaparotRob · 2024-08-05T22:08:24-0400

I forgot all about that one!

don4331 · 2024-08-06T00:16:50-0400

GrauGeist said:
I believe the French beat everyone to the punch with their pre-war seaplane carrier.
(Pre-WWI, I meant)

I would have said USN beat everyone with the landing/take off from USS Pennsylvania (ACR-4) on 18/Jan/1911. But they never followed up on it.

French certainly led the way with seaplane carrier NM Fourde. Operating seaplanes starting in 1912, participating in fleet exercises in 1913 and adding a flying off deck in 1914. But again they stopped everything with start of the war.

HMS Argus - 1918 beats USS Langley 1922 by more/less 4 years, Hosho is 1922 as well.

NM Fourde, HMS Argus, USS Langley were all conversions, IJN Hosho was planned from the keel as an aircraft carrier.

GrauGeist · 2024-08-06T00:32:15-0400

Purpose-built aircraft carriers, meaning not conversions.
HMS Hermes - laid down 1918, commissioned 1924
IJN Hosho - laid down 1919, commisioned 1922.
USS Lexington - laid down 1921, commissioned 1927.

Again, purpose-built aircraft carriers, not repurposed from oilers, cruisers, passenger ships or what-not.

Shortround6 · 2024-08-06T00:57:19-0400

GrauGeist said:
I believe the French beat everyone to the punch with their pre-war seaplane carrier.
(Pre-WWI, I meant)

I guess a towed house boat doesn't count?

GrauGeist · 2024-08-06T01:02:34-0400

Shortround6 said:
I guess a towed house boat doesn't count?
View attachment 791864

Well, there was this...

Better German naval strategy 1930-1945? (2 Viewers)

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