In the build-up to World War II both the United States and Japan believed their battleships would play a central role in battle, but after the Pacific War began in December 1941, the role of the Battleship proved to be much more limited than either side expected.
At Guadalcanal in 1942, Kirishima faced two modern US battleships, USS Washington.
There would be only two Battleship vs Battleship actions in the Pacific in World War II, both of which are assessed in this engaging study.
In the build-up to World War II both the United States and Japan believed their battleships would play a central role in battle, but after the Pacific War began in December 1941, the role of the Battleship proved to be much more limited than either side expected
