The 10 Most Legendary Warships Of World War II



World War II was a conflict of remarkable scale and complexity, engaging nations across continents and oceans in a struggle that would reshape the course of history. The warfare extended beyond traditional battlegrounds on land and in the air, encompassing a vast expanse of oceanic theaters where naval power played a critical role. The ships that emerged during this era were far more than mere vessels; they represented extraordinary advancements in technology and design, embodying the national pride and industrial capabilities of their respective nations.

Massive battleships, equipped with towering guns and formidable armor, ruled the high seas, serving as floating fortresses that engaged in epic naval confrontations. These leviathans of the ocean, such as the USS Missouri and HMS King George V, showcased the pinnacle of naval engineering and were instrumental in establishing maritime dominance. On the other hand, aircraft carriers transformed the nature of naval warfare by allowing for the launch and recovery of aircraft at sea, thus extending the reach of air power far beyond coastal boundaries. Vessels like the USS Enterprise and HMS Ark Royal became pivotal in numerous campaigns, enabling strategic air strikes that could target enemy positions while minimizing direct confrontation.

Each of these ships was not just a means of transportation; they were symbols of resilience and innovation, each carrying a unique narrative of bravery and sacrifice. Their storied legacies contributed profoundly to the overall outcome of the war and left an indelible mark on naval history, influencing future maritime strategy for decades to come.

Ship Model Credits:
10. USS Indianapolis
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/759278818416216541/
09. HMS Prince Of Wales
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/216665432057337688/
08. USS Missouri
https://occre.com/en/products/uss-missouri
07. TIrpitz
https://smallforge.com.au/products/trumpeter-tr05359-german-battleship-tirpitz-scale-1-350-free-postage
06. USS Enterprise
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/11892386509131107/
05. Yamato
https://www.pxfuel.com/en/desktop-wallpaper-kgyny#google_vignette
04. HMS Hood
https://www.modelwereld.eu/en/miniatures/miniature-ship/trumpeter-03710-hms-hood
03. USS Arizona
https://quizlet.com/251070266/uss-arizona-termenology-diagram/
02. Bismarck
1:350-german-bismarck-battleship/G9365358#gallery-2" target="_blank">https://www.hobbylinna.fi/en/product/1:350-german-bismarck-battleship/G9365358#gallery-2
01. USS North Carolina
https://www.modelwereld.eu/en/miniatures/miniature-ship/trumpeter-03710-hms-hood
FAIR-USE COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
* Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, commenting, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.
The Buzz does not own the rights to these videos and pictures. They have, in accordance with fair use, been repurposed with the intent of educating and inspiring others. However, if any content owners would like their images removed, please contact us by email [email protected].

source

40 thoughts on “The 10 Most Legendary Warships Of World War II”

  1. Big E should be number 1. Fought in most major battles in the Pacific and survived. That in itself says something. Yamato was one of the most overrated ships of the war and doesn't really belong in the list. How about Johnston, Hoel, and Samual B Roberts — the tin cans that bested Yamato and her escorts in the Battle Off Samar.

    Reply
  2. This list is a joke. Eight battleships and you don't even get the right eight. One heavy cruiser illustrated by pictures that look very battleship like. One aircraft carrier, that famously missed being at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack as she was delayed by bad weather. If the Enterprise had been there, she would not have made it to any of the other battles mentioned. A proper list would have included destroyers and submarines.

    Reply
  3. Oh you guys from the UK are going to get a kick out of this if you didn't notice this yet. In 9:29 the narrator said the Hood was sunk near the United States Kingdom. Either the U.S annexed the UK during the war or the U.S was still under the Crown. I wish they would stop using this computer generated voice it gets on your nerves. She sounds like a relative of Alexa with special needs

    Reply
  4. Wth is North Carolina doing anywhere near the top 10. I get Iowa, but North Carolina, not to mention the fact that it’s number 1. My opinion take North Carolina off the list keep everything else the same but add warspite either before or after hood.

    Reply
  5. Not saying she should have been #1 but North Carolina earned the most battle stars of any US Battleship of WWII and was typically alongside the Enterprise. She fought more battles and was credited with most airplane shoot downs of any US Battleship. Originally, she was to go after the Turpitz but was immediately sent to the Pacific. The Showboat was a highly impactful stalwart of the US Navy during WWII

    It has been said that no two ships struck more fear in the Japanese Navy than the Enterprise and North Carolina sortied together

    Reply
  6. The HMS Prince of Wales a Legendary WW2 ship…??!! Why…?!!
    Only if for being the most "modern" battleship or the RN and the most Useless.
    PS: The USS Indianapolis was a case of "Divine Intervention" for its role on the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Hell on Earth "experience".
    RIP all who perish on the USS Indianapolis and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

    Reply
  7. They are designed and built to be the best. They met enemies face to face, enduring tragedies and enjoying victories. These are the 10 most legendary warships of WWII:

    10. British light cruiser HMS Belfast:
    Commissioned in August 1939, Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Kriegsmarine before she was heavily damaged by a German mine, and spent the next 3 years in repairs. Her sister HMS Edinburgh saw a great deal of combat service during the war, especially in the North Sea and the Arctic, where she was sunk by torpedoes in 1942. Belfast returned to service shortly after the loss of her sister. In 1943, she escorted Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union, and later took part in the hunt for Scharnhorst. Belfast also saw actions during the Allied landings on D-Day, and was later redeployed to the Far East. In 1971, the decommissioned HMS Belfast was moored on the River Thames near Tower Bridge, and was opened to the public as a museum.

    9. Soviet cruiser Kirov:
    Laid down in the Baltic shipyard in Leningrad in late October 1935, she was the first large warships built for the Soviet Navy in the 1930s. In late August 1941, Kirov provided gunfire support during the defense of Tallinn and served as the flagship of the evacuation fleet from Tallinn to Leningrad. Later her main battery provided gunfire support for the defenders of Leningrad of August 1941. Kirov became a target for the Luftwaffe pilot, and on April 4~5, 1942, she was hit by three bombs and suffered heavy damage; 86 sailors aboard were killed, and 46 were wounded. The ship underwent a 2-month overhaul, in which her anti-aircraft arsenal was upgraded. After Leningrad was liberated in early 1944, Kirov supported the advancement of the Red Army, and for the successful combat actions and courage of her crew, she became the first warship of the Baltic Fleet to receive the Order of the Red Banner. The old cruiser Kirov was decommissioned in 1974 with a service record spanning almost 4 decades. The ship was sold for scrap on in February 1974, and two of her three triple gun turrets were preserved in Saint Petersburg as a monument.
    8. German battleship Scharnhorst:
    Launched in October 1936, Scharnhorst was the Kriegsmarine’s first fast battleship (in some context, she is classified as a battlecruiser). For much of the early portion of the war, she and her twin sister, Gneisenau, took part in several sorties into the Atlantic to raid British merchant shipping. In her first action in November 1939, Scharnhorst sank the armed merchant cruiser HMS Rawalpindi, and later during operations off Norway, the twins engaged the battlecruiser HMS Renown and sank the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious. Scharnhorst saw actions for the last time in the Arctic campaign. On December 26, 1943, the German battleship was prepared to raid Arctic convoys to Russia when she was attacked by the British ships; HMS Belfast participated in this battle along with the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk and the battleship HMS Duke of York. Scharnhorst desperately fought back and tried to escape her attackers, but one 14-inch shell from Duke of York penetrated and blasted in her engine room. The German ship lost speed, but she demonstrated excellent survivability, and continued to maneuver and open fire with her remaining guns. At last her guns were silenced and the she sank in a cloud of smoke and flame. The British officers and sailors were amazed by the resilience of their enemies. Admiral Fraser, aboard his flagship Duke of York, spoke to his subordinates: “I hope that any of you who are ever called upon to lead a ship into action against an opponent many times superior, will command your ship as gallantly as the Scharnhorst was commanded today.”

    Reply
  8. This list is a joke. Like so many others have said how did the HMS Warrspite not make the list? How did no Japanese aircraft carries not make the list? How did no submarines make the list? Disappointing!!

    Reply

Leave a Comment