Famous Naval Battles of the 20th Century

There were many famous naval battles of the 20th century, which involved the largest and best-equipped navies in the world; these battles included the navies of Britain, the US, Germany, Japan, Russia, and Italy. Here are a few of the famous naval battles of the 20th century that were key engagements in their respective wars.

Battle of Tsushima

One of the most famous naval battles of the early 20th century was the Battle of Tsushima in 1905. This naval encounter involved the Japanese and Russian navies during the Russo-Japanese War. The Japanese won a decisive naval victory with their fleet of battleships. The Russians lost almost all their battleships, along with most of their cruisers and destroyers, and surrendered to the Japanese navy. The battle all but won Japan the Russo-Japanese War. It was Japan's first notable naval victory of the 20th century, leading to the rise of the Japanese Empire.

Battle of Jutland

During the Anglo-German naval race that predated the First World War, both Great Britain and Germany had expanded their navies with dreadnought-class battleships. These Dreadnought-class battleships would meet in 1916 during the war's largest naval battle: the Battle of Jutland. That was a naval battle that Germany's Admiral Scheer expected could break Britain's economic blockade, but in truth, the battle failed to do so.

While the Imperial German Navy was effective in the battle, sinking a higher tonnage of the Royal Navy's ships, it still had to withdraw. Afterwards, Germany celebrated the battle as a victory, but the Royal Navy's economic blockade remained intact. It was more of a victory for the Royal Navy than the Imperial German Navy.

Battle of Taranto

During the interwar period, Great Britain, Japan, and the U.S. greatly invested in aircraft carriers. Aircraft carriers that transported fighter and bomber aircraft to various targets could have a great impact in naval battles. However, upon the outbreak of war in 1939, they had remained largely unproven in naval combat.

That was until the Battle of Taranto in 1940, when the British put Operation Judgment into effect. This operation targeted the Italian naval base of Taranto with aircraft carriers that would bomb Italian battleships in port. The operation put three Italian battleships out of action. It was a key victory for the Royal Navy that ensured it retained an advantage in the Mediterranean, and the first naval battle that involved aircraft carriers.

Battle of Midway

In 1941, Pearl Harbor had devastated the US Pacific Fleet, except its aircraft carriers. Four US aircraft carriers were not present, and so escaped the Japanese bombers at Pearl Harbor. Months later, three of these carriers would ensure one of the most decisive naval victories of the Pacific War at Midway Island in 1942.

At the Battle of Midway, the Imperial Japanese Navy had targeted Midway Island as a point where they could trap and sink US aircraft carriers. However, thanks to Allied cryptographers, the Allies had deciphered Yamamoto's plans in advance, and these were forwarded to Admiral Nimitz to deploy a fleet to defend Midway Island. After the US carriers had arrived at Midway, an aerial sortie ensured the sinking of three Japanese aircraft carriers and hundreds of supporting planes. The Americans finished off the remaining Japanese carrier, but not before Japanese bombers bombed the Yorktown carrier. Despite this, the Battle of Midway was still a heavy defeat for Japan, and one of the battles that won the Pacific War for the Allies.

These naval battles are among the most famous of the 20th century. They were key battles in the Russo-Japanese War, WW1, and WW2 that involved hundreds of warships, aircraft, and thousands of naval personnel. For the victorious navies, they were noteworthy victories.

This article of mine was originally submitted to Medium, where you can read it here.