alternatehistory.com

The 1921-1922, Washington Naval Conference ends with no agreement. Accusations of spying and potential ship building blackmail is rumored. London reorders the new 16" battlecruisers to be named the Invincible class and orders 4 18" battleships, the Saints class. Feeling embarrassed and humiliated by the failure of the conference, Washington knows the building South Dakota and Lexington classes will be completed in 1924 orders a two-part build-up. A follow-up to the South Dakota design with 8-18" guns. Then a second part, what is believed to be the ultimate in battleship and battlecruiser designs. The battleships based on the proposed Tillman IV-2 design for 15-18" gun ship and the battlecruisers on Design D for a fast 12-16" gun ship. With the Tosa and Amagi classes building, Japan at first saw no need to change their building plans.
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