What BB had the most illustrious career?

[Neph]

There's lots of famous battleships. Many for their traits (Yamato, Iowa) more than their actions. Some for specific single actions/events (Arizona, Bismarck for example) but otherwise not particularly glorious careers. 

 

But what Battleship (or Battlecruiser) had the overall best service record and overall career? 

[RipNuN2]

I think this guy.

 

[Sinboto]

Warspite, hands down. 

[Captain_Dorja]

I'd probably have to go with Warspite as well. 

[Beorn_of_the_NorthernSea]

Make that three votes for the "Grand Old Lady."

 

~B

[Dunk_Master_Flex]

Warspite hands down.

 

I'm almost certain she participated and survived the most battleship on battleship engagements of any battleship in history.

 

New Jersey also deserves a mention, seeing how she earned 19 service stars over her career, only being beaten by Enterprise.

[premiermiller]

If length of service counts for anything Iowa class as a whole. Since each one had career highlights, but if I had to pick one it would probably be either New Jersey or Missouri. New Jersey just for how much she did earning 19 battle stars in three wars. Missouri for the obvious, surrender of the Japanese Empire, her Hollywood career, and her and Wisconsin's action at Faylaka Island during the Gulf War getting the Iraqi defenders to surrender to a UAV and showing that even in the modern age of war battleship guns are still one of the most intimidating and destructive weapons we've developed

[uller101]

I'd have to agree with everyone, HMS Warspite.  She also deserves mention as to have served in both World War I & II.

[slags83]

If length of service counts for anything Iowa class as a whole. Since each one had career highlights, but if I had to pick one it would probably be either New Jersey or Missouri. New Jersey just for how much she did earning 19 battle stars in three wars. Missouri for the obvious, surrender of the Japanese Empire, her Hollywood career, and her and Wisconsin's action at Faylaka Island during the Gulf War getting the Iraqi defenders to surrender to a UAV and showing that even in the modern age of war battleship guns are still one of the most intimidating and destructive weapons we've developed

 

Yeah, also keep in mind NJ's history was helped by the fact that she participated in several actions her sisters didn't. She was the only Iowa to participate in Vietnam and Lebanon and she was the first one reactivated in the 1980s.

[GrandAdmiral_2016]

 

HMS Warspite is the only possible answer to this question. From Jutland to D Day to the Walcheren assault landing, with all kinds of battles in the Med.

[paradat]

New Jersey but only because of how long it's career was.

[TRevWhite]

Warspite +1.

 

[Rhal_]

I would vote for Warspite as well, and I would give Missouri a close runner-up.

[Boomax77]

Definitely the Warspite, but maybe Missouri or New Jersey runner-ups.

[BlailBlerg]

What did Warspite do?

Also, why is Warspite considered a high level player's choice of ship over Arizona?

[Boomax77]

@BlainBerg much better damage and range probably.

[Estimated_Prophet]

What did Warspite do?

Also, why is Warspite considered a high level player's choice of ship over Arizona?

 

I would give an Honorable Mention to USS Washington for 14-15 November, 1942, and it's 'Man-Moment-Machine' encounter with destiny.

 

Sedlitz; though it was a battlecruiser, from WW I, because in WoWs terms it likely earned just about every Achievement such a ship could get; (Dreadnought, and the survive flooding and survive fire awards,) at Jutland.

 

There are certainly other worthy 'honorable mentions.'

 

In the end though it would have to be Warspite.

[Michael_200061]

Warspite

[Raulmacca]

What did Warspite do?

Also, why is Warspite considered a high level player's choice of ship over Arizona?

You joke right? Warspite exported stronk to russia

[1Sherman]

The Grand Old Lady, probably followed up by either New Jersey or Missouri because they both served for nearly 60 years.

[Eisennagel]

 

 

Derfflinger, most bad [edited]ship in the greatest and most intense battleship battle in history.  Critical in the sinking of two British battlecruisers.  Firing hundreds of rounds, she also took a lot of hits, lost turrets but kept on fighting.  For that she earned her name, the Iron Dog of Jutland.  Never defeated in battle, she was scuttled with the rest of the German fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

 

[mofton]

Never defeated in battle, she was scuttled with the rest of the German fleet at Scapa Flow.

Considers it, thinks about it, should I go there? Well why not: Jutland was a British victory.

 

 

For the topic, Warspite. Jutland 1916 through the interwar, Narvik, the Mediterranean, 2nd longest range naval gunnery hit in history, shore bombardments aplenty, survives heavy gun hits, mines and a Fritz X glide bomb and keeps putting out the hits.

[dseehafer]

Scharnhorst (together with Gneisenau) sank more ships than any other battleship in history and scored the longest naval artillery hit in history, that's got to count for something.

[dseehafer]

Considers it, thinks about it, should I go there? Well why not: Jutland was a British victory.

 

 

 

A strategic victory, yes, (Great Britain maintained dominance and control of the Atlantic) but a tactical defeat (lost more men, ships and money).

[khaenn35]

 

A strategic victory, yes, (Great Britain maintained dominance and control of the Atlantic) but a tactical defeat (lost more men, ships and money).

Would say in this case that the Strategic victory counted for more, as it prevented the Germans from forever coming out of port, which, while costing more in ships and lives, saved more in future battles.