USN learns about foreign ships in 1943

In early 1943 the US learns from code breaking more details about ships of foreign navies. Some details about the Yamato class is learned. The ships are not 45,000 ton ships with 9X16" guns but 60,000 ton ships with 9X18" guns and the Soviets were constructing 60,000 ton ships with 9X16" guns and 35,000 ton ships with 9X12" guns. I believe despite the so called steel shortage then locks for the Panama Canal would be ordered with the Montanas. Would it be possible for the last two Iowas to have work accelerated? In '45 would the Truman administration order the completion of the Navy's ships, knowing what the Soviets were planning?
 

SsgtC

Banned
In 43, no. All 6 of the Iowas were already under a fairly fast paced construction. Illinois and Kentucky weren't put on hold until 44 or 45.

The Panama Canal expansion I could see happening as the locks were already ridiculously tight.

The Montana's are dead. Let them rest in peace. Even if they were ordered Jan 1st, 1943 and given priority over EVERYTHING else that was building, they won't join the fleet until 46 or 47 at the earliest. With a more likely commissioning being 48/49.

After Coral Sea and Midway, everyone knew that the way forward was carriers. There is no chance the Montana's ever get built after that. Hell, if they're not under construction by 1940, early 41 at the latest, war needs will override them.
 
As for the Soviet ships, they kept the Iowas available OTL and they really don't need much more, especially if Illinois and Kentucky are actually built.
 

Saphroneth

Banned
This may be useful:

http://navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-084.htm
It's what the US knew about the Yamato and when. This includes that there were suspicions about their guns being 18" (or near it) in spring 1943, but they didn't really get convinced until the winter of 1944/5.

But yes, 1943 is too late for a major change in build priorities. If they'd gotten the info while the Yamatos were still pre-commissioning, on the other hand, you might see Montanas.
 
One of the interesting butterflies I have yet to truly consider is an earlier expansion of the locks in Panama and its effect of shipping, trade and the global economy. I think it sadly gets swept away.

I am fascinated by the prospect of the USN becoming a Montana- and Iowa-class battle line, but then I play in a world with a pseudo-cold war between Japan and the USA and no Nazis to destroy the world with its paper fleets. But I think the Montana-class are doomed even with better knowledge of the Yamato, air power has moved to the fore, unless you are willing to move the insight further back and nearer to the death of the Treaty era itself. And how does this proposed battle line up end the global naval race?
 
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