The one thing missing from your scenarios is the effect of such advanced technology on the highly superstitious sailors of that time. If the Ironclads were on only one side, it is very likely that their opponents would quickly flee in terror and be routed before suffering heavy losses.
Parry, I got a few for you… 1) What if Russia invaded Poland instead of Germany in ‘39? 2) What if Arizona and Hood met Bismarck and Prinz Eugen? 3) What if the USA & CSA had to join forces against a France and German invasion in 1863? 4) What if the Czarist forces won the Russian Revolution?
Question. Why would France and Prussia invade America in 1863? I'm not aware of any reason they would have had to attack the Union and the Confederacy.
From WW1, Napoléon would surely prefer a battery of 75mm guns (as he was an artilleryman), and I suspect he'd appreciate having a couple observation planes to increase the cannons' efficiency. Notably, the observation planes would spot Blucher's Prussians, send the information back to Napoléon and the 75s, and you can guess the rest (assuming he didn't already have them 2 days before at Ligny, in that case I doubt the Prussians would be back for a second round...)
The main gun would be nice but watercooled machineguns would be much more effective against a medieval army. Use it as an extremely powerful chariot. Such firepower would definitely rout the opposing side.
@@Blox117 it wouldn't be adapted to the tech level. It wouldn't produce nearly as many tanks planes... and the few modern ones that would be produced, would be too complex for WW2 personal to use effectively (so they wouldn't even be able to use the tech advantage). Plus lacking any modern electronic infrastructure, forget the GPS and default to the same old radios used at the time. Modern industries would also be much more fragile than the more rugged WW2 one (due to its complexity) so any ally bombing would cripple it. Importing components from abroad wouldn't be an option as most wouldn't exist yet, let alone the diplomatic standings of Germany at the time with the rest of the world. Germany couldn't do like Ukraine and locally produce swarms of drones and whatnot. Modern industry would be extremely underwhelming in such a scenario, especially one built on international trade (while the WW2 german industry aimed at autarcy) and even retrofitting it to produce WW2 equipment (the only way of making it work) would take some precious time
Boarding actions WERE the conventional tactics of the time period. I would be shocked if they tried anything else if this scenario happened. Not sure why you think they wouldn't do that, or that its unconventional.
Fairly sure he meant that they would've been unconventional for the nineteenth century Americans and the reason why commanders might've hesitated to use them is simple shock at seeing metal ships with faster firing artillery literally steaming into battle. Heck the fact that they were smoking without burning would've raised a ton of questions like are these things manmade or conjured from Hell.
It would be conventional tactic to board those ships. It would be highly unconventional to successfully board those ships. Both had large and well armed crews, both had rather open space on the board, and both were kinda difficult to get into. Its kinda like defeating a tank by besieging it. Its not going to work unless you crack it open.
@@Dov_ben-Maccabee Unrelated, but to my knowledge and if memory serves, the last time someone ordered a bayonet charge was in the early 2000s and involved a UK Highlander unit serving in the Middle East. Between these two examples, it just goes to show that even though something may seem old fashioned, it can still hold merit.
What could a singular German Leopard 2A6 Achieve at the battle of Kursk? Or maybe a single T-80 at Kursk? How about sending an Essex Class carrier to the battle of Jutland?
Probably destroying enemy tanks in 1 shot, greatly outranging them, at a great success rate (over 90% if a computer does the aiming), and with great mobility so it would have the option to retreat. The greater range would mean it could stay in the second line, without having to risk itself on minefields. However given the number of targets, it would be limited by the quantity of shells, so it would need frequent resupply. Such a monster would be a high priority for the opposing aviation and artillery, though the ability of shooting on the move would greatly help its survivability. How much damage it would cause would greatly depend on how much ammo is available.
I like this format. Though the old can be fun for certain occasions. Send some air cavalry back to the battle of the bulge. I want to see how that would go down.
Considering that the Germans attacked when they did because the weather was godawful and Allied aviation was essentially grounded for two days... not much.
The CSS Virginia was outfitted with an iron ram. After expending her cannon shells the crew would have begun ramming with crew using rifles and muskets to avoid being boarded.
@@jman5949 That's a good option, but I think that it would depend on the time the legion was drawn from. To make that situation interesting, I'd pick between the Boer war and WW1. That way it's not quite another Rangers defense of the Alamo. The reason I chose modern Legion defense of Ardennes is because the tech is similar, legion has anti-tank weapons, and are skilled in multiple biomes for combat. Again,like the idea, but really depends on the legion draw date.
Here's a scenario: What if people stopped using the term "decimate" (to reduce by 1/10th) incorrectly, instead adopting the use of the more appropriate term "devastate" to describe significant destruction? ='[.]'=
I have two scenarios that could prove interesting, one is a moderately small force of any western special forces at D-Day, the other is a single Iowa Class battleship in a fleet battle prior to ww1. I have purposely left the scenarios broad so they can be changed to whatever you think would work best for this awesome series
Just the Monitor - by itslef - could do whatever it wanted to do. It exchanged knock-out blows for hours against the Merrimac, which mounted guns that were at least twice as powerful as any found at Lepanto, and never suffered more than a few dents. CAVEAT: If the Monitor were successfuly boarded, all bets are off unless it could continue by ramming other vessels. The turret on the monitor was open at the top except for an iron "umbrella." But the walls of th turret were just a circle of iron plates over heavy timbers. Enemy boarders could render the gun crewqs unable to operate the guns by forcing them below. Even so, I don't know if the Monitor was fast enough to have done any significant damage by collision. If the Monitor stood off, and used her far superior guns at a distance, the targets would have ZERO chance until Monitor ran out of ammunition.
A lot, until boarded or sails and rigging set afire to stop the ship - then over run. AS far as raming th egalleon: I doubt thatwoulf have been very effective since th ehull of a galleon is thicker and has more of a convex shape than conventional ships of th eday.
I definitely liked how you gave multiple scenarios for this one. I think that this one was definitely an unconventional set up. However I definitely agree with the pairing of the Christian league and the Civil War era battleships. It isn't likely that the strongly Faith driven Bunch would side with Muslims who they knew very little about. Their ideologies about faith would likely end up going and leading them to side with the Christian league. Or at least that's my thought.
I question the idea of running a boarding action. Especially if both ironclads are on one side. Demon/Unholy ships would most likely have caused panic among any crew faced by them. Their sheer presence and ability to move without sails would have sent sailors screaming. You might want to back up a little and try frigates from around 1800. Even they would be overkill, but the would be better understood by the forces involved. I enjoy your "What Ifs", just think this was a bit much.
Hmm. Given the prevalence of boarding, and the superiority in melee 16th century troops would have over 19th century and later forces... I actually think the historical units take this. Normally, post-Napoleonic forces would destroy almost anything pre-17th century, but the fleets of Lepanto, while sure to suffer brutal casualties, are actually well placed to take over one or both ships.
When it comes to any battle with motor vehicles before the 1800s, you´d most likely see most of the opposing side fleeing at the sight of your smoking, rumbling behemoth from hell. Morale is at least 50% of victory, and by utilizing such a force, you´re effectively depriving the whole enemy army of their morale. And if the smoke and noise wont help, the fact that its also bulletproof surely finishes it.
this honestly doesn't even require 22mins. just take the battle of the Ironclads in March 9, 1862 between a Union and Confederate Ironclads, they wiped the floor with every wooden vessel they fought without sustaining any damage as their armor was strong enough the cannon balls bounced off the hull. The two ironclads fought to a draw because neither side could damage the other. Just 2 Ironclads alone could take on and destroy most if not all of the enemy fleet on their own. Boarding would also not go well for the enemy as Ironclads even the Confederate Ironclads that were built off the lower deck of a decommissioned wooden ship and rebuilt, are all built to be fully enclosed with the only Confederate Ironclads only having small portholes for the cannons to fire from, while most like the Union had a built in artillery barrel mounted on a fully rotating swivel mount on the top of the Ironclad with the majority of the Ironclad body beneath the water. The most danger those galleys could pose is their rams, and that is if the ironclads are confederate style Ironclads with the lower decks (under the water) made of wood other than metal. So unless the Ironclads are Confederate style the enemy force at the Battle of Lepanto has 0% chance, and even then they'd have a very small chance of success.
Against several roman legions, they probably wouldn't be enough. Sure their charges would be devastating but once stuck in melee, they'd be turned into mincemeat. If the Romans have already properly besieged Jerusalem then they won't be able to charge at the legion at all.
I've got a proposal for you, but it breaks from your established pattern. What do you think it would've taken for Napoleon Bonaparte to retain his mastery over Europe (obviously apart from or in addition to not invading Russia) and how might it have happened? Maybe send a library back in time to Napoleon's living room?
I disagree about being able to rearm the two battleships. Iron balls could be casted and gunpowder was available if cruder . The shift to bagged powder charges was an easy fix and doing so would help against the biggest problem. The ingredients would not separate as readily as loose powder. These innovations were not a big leap . Just not thought of at the time. Replication of the ships is unlikely but lower tech copies is possible. It should be mentioned that the Monitor was a coastal vessel while the Virginia was a top heavy deep water vessel .
Ironclads were not so new. Check on HMS Warrior. She is closer to the CSS Virginia but not limited to steam for propulsion. Also, officers and crew were part of a different tradition. Against that, she doesn't have the new guns.
That is why in my comment I mentioned early Ironclads and the more well known Civil War era Union Ironclads, but even then Ironclads even early ones are overkill.
The one thing missing from your scenarios is the effect of such advanced technology on the highly superstitious sailors of that time. If the Ironclads were on only one side, it is very likely that their opponents would quickly flee in terror and be routed before suffering heavy losses.
Oh definitely. Back then, sailors were incredibly superstitious, so superstition would definitely play a factor.
the moment they strapped iron plates to a ship, all the rest became obsolete
Parry, I got a few for you…
1) What if Russia invaded Poland instead of Germany in ‘39?
2) What if Arizona and Hood met Bismarck and Prinz Eugen?
3) What if the USA & CSA had to join forces against a France and German invasion in 1863?
4) What if the Czarist forces won the Russian Revolution?
Question. Why would France and Prussia invade America in 1863? I'm not aware of any reason they would have had to attack the Union and the Confederacy.
Why would ironclad battleships get involved in Lepanto? It’s just a fantasy question. Same as the scenario.
Do one where WW1 French Foreign Legionnaires help Napoleon Bonaparte at the battle of Waterloo.
Exactly!
From WW1, Napoléon would surely prefer a battery of 75mm guns (as he was an artilleryman), and I suspect he'd appreciate having a couple observation planes to increase the cannons' efficiency.
Notably, the observation planes would spot Blucher's Prussians, send the information back to Napoléon and the 75s, and you can guess the rest (assuming he didn't already have them 2 days before at Ligny, in that case I doubt the Prussians would be back for a second round...)
@@Duke_of_Lorraine that’s even better:)
What could an German A7V WW1 Tank acomplish at the Battle of Tannenberg? (1410, not 1914, lol)
if it doesnt suffer a random mechanical failure lol
Thats one of the points why i think it would be more fair/interesting than, let's say an WW2 tank. @@javanbybee4822
The main gun would be nice but watercooled machineguns would be much more effective against a medieval army. Use it as an extremely powerful chariot.
Such firepower would definitely rout the opposing side.
what could mustache man do with a modern industry in ww2?
@@Blox117 it wouldn't be adapted to the tech level. It wouldn't produce nearly as many tanks planes... and the few modern ones that would be produced, would be too complex for WW2 personal to use effectively (so they wouldn't even be able to use the tech advantage). Plus lacking any modern electronic infrastructure, forget the GPS and default to the same old radios used at the time.
Modern industries would also be much more fragile than the more rugged WW2 one (due to its complexity) so any ally bombing would cripple it. Importing components from abroad wouldn't be an option as most wouldn't exist yet, let alone the diplomatic standings of Germany at the time with the rest of the world. Germany couldn't do like Ukraine and locally produce swarms of drones and whatnot.
Modern industry would be extremely underwhelming in such a scenario, especially one built on international trade (while the WW2 german industry aimed at autarcy) and even retrofitting it to produce WW2 equipment (the only way of making it work) would take some precious time
Boarding actions WERE the conventional tactics of the time period. I would be shocked if they tried anything else if this scenario happened. Not sure why you think they wouldn't do that, or that its unconventional.
Fairly sure he meant that they would've been unconventional for the nineteenth century Americans and the reason why commanders might've hesitated to use them is simple shock at seeing metal ships with faster firing artillery literally steaming into battle. Heck the fact that they were smoking without burning would've raised a ton of questions like are these things manmade or conjured from Hell.
It would be conventional tactic to board those ships. It would be highly unconventional to successfully board those ships. Both had large and well armed crews, both had rather open space on the board, and both were kinda difficult to get into. Its kinda like defeating a tank by besieging it. Its not going to work unless you crack it open.
The last time "Boarders away!" was given in combat for the US Navy, was when Admiral Dan Gallery ordered the capture of the U-505 in WW2.
@@Dov_ben-Maccabee Unrelated, but to my knowledge and if memory serves, the last time someone ordered a bayonet charge was in the early 2000s and involved a UK Highlander unit serving in the Middle East. Between these two examples, it just goes to show that even though something may seem old fashioned, it can still hold merit.
What could a singular German Leopard 2A6 Achieve at the battle of Kursk? Or maybe a single T-80 at Kursk?
How about sending an Essex Class carrier to the battle of Jutland?
get taken out in 30 min prob idk
Probably destroying enemy tanks in 1 shot, greatly outranging them, at a great success rate (over 90% if a computer does the aiming), and with great mobility so it would have the option to retreat. The greater range would mean it could stay in the second line, without having to risk itself on minefields. However given the number of targets, it would be limited by the quantity of shells, so it would need frequent resupply.
Such a monster would be a high priority for the opposing aviation and artillery, though the ability of shooting on the move would greatly help its survivability.
How much damage it would cause would greatly depend on how much ammo is available.
50 us army rangers got sent back to Wake Island December 7 after the first bomb dropped on pear harbor give them 4 days to dig in.
I like this format. Though the old can be fun for certain occasions.
Send some air cavalry back to the battle of the bulge. I want to see how that would go down.
Considering that the Germans attacked when they did because the weather was godawful and Allied aviation was essentially grounded for two days... not much.
I‘m thinking about the 1866 General Sherman incident in Korea. Both the Monitor and Virginia would be vulnerable to boarding and fire ships.
It would be funny if the water was dense enough that the Virginia started floating a bit higher above the water
Well made. I absolutely love this series. And, it's cool to see naval battles introduced.
I'm glad you enjoy the series, and i thought it was about time that we gave naval battles a go.
Thanks for getting the name of the CSS Virginia correct!
Parry This, can continue the naval side of the alternate history battles? This battle would be awesome in a The Final Countdown style movie.
“Don Jon of Austria is going to the war.”
-Chesterton
Great video. I learned so much that I didn't know.
Glad it was an informative experience for you.
Bruh what if both ironclads fought the two fleets combined
I don't think they'd have enough ammo to beat them.
Excellent video. i had hoped Lepanto would win out.
Glad you liked it
How about a WWII Fletcher class destroyer at the battle of Trafalgar
Great video! Would love to see Tom Barry's flying column go to 1798 rebellion to help
The CSS Virginia was outfitted with an iron ram. After expending her cannon shells the crew would have begun ramming with crew using rifles and muskets to avoid being boarded.
So I got to admit, what if the modern day French Foreign Legion gaurded the Ardennes in the Battle of France.
Better yet, the legion helps Napoleon at Waterloo.
@@jman5949 That's a good option, but I think that it would depend on the time the legion was drawn from. To make that situation interesting, I'd pick between the Boer war and WW1. That way it's not quite another Rangers defense of the Alamo. The reason I chose modern Legion defense of Ardennes is because the tech is similar, legion has anti-tank weapons, and are skilled in multiple biomes for combat. Again,like the idea, but really depends on the legion draw date.
What if our largest carrier sailed right up to the battle and just loitered.
Shock and awe.
Pure overkill. Just send a destroyer with a rapid 75mm gun and an ample supply of ammo and it's already turkey shoot (pun intended).
@@Duke_of_Lorraine I would like to see one with the early 1950s USS Mitscher and Wilkinson using their rapid guns
Here's a scenario: What if people stopped using the term "decimate" (to reduce by 1/10th) incorrectly, instead adopting the use of the more appropriate term "devastate" to describe significant destruction? ='[.]'=
Don't like its over-use either. But according to Webster's, the tertiary definition is to "inflict great losses or destruction on".
You should have used the USS Newironsides she was a sea going iron clad
What would happen if the 101st airborne from World War 2 fought the Confederate army in the battle of Fredericksburg. How would that battle turn out?
I have two scenarios that could prove interesting, one is a moderately small force of any western special forces at D-Day, the other is a single Iowa Class battleship in a fleet battle prior to ww1. I have purposely left the scenarios broad so they can be changed to whatever you think would work best for this awesome series
I have a idea hms hood and kms bismarck in the battle of jutland
Imagine instead of Civil War ironclads, it was 6 WW2 Fletcher class destroyers.
Might be a little too much overkill.
@@ParryThis
No, overkill would be 3 Iowa class battlewagons.
Bro even 1 of those is overkill! like wtf do you want a scenario or a fucking massacre in your head?
Just the Monitor - by itslef - could do whatever it wanted to do. It exchanged knock-out blows for hours against the Merrimac, which mounted guns that were at least twice as powerful as any found at Lepanto, and never suffered more than a few dents.
CAVEAT: If the Monitor were successfuly boarded, all bets are off unless it could continue by ramming other vessels. The turret on the monitor was open at the top except for an iron "umbrella." But the walls of th turret were just a circle of iron plates over heavy timbers. Enemy boarders could render the gun crewqs unable to operate the guns by forcing them below. Even so, I don't know if the Monitor was fast enough to have done any significant damage by collision.
If the Monitor stood off, and used her far superior guns at a distance, the targets would have ZERO chance until Monitor ran out of ammunition.
What could a Galleon accomplish at Actium?
A lot, until boarded or sails and rigging set afire to stop the ship - then over run. AS far as raming th egalleon: I doubt thatwoulf have been very effective since th ehull of a galleon is thicker and has more of a convex shape than conventional ships of th eday.
I think you should work with each scenario as you consider it. Some are better with multiple takes, like this, and others only need one.
I definitely liked how you gave multiple scenarios for this one. I think that this one was definitely an unconventional set up. However I definitely agree with the pairing of the Christian league and the Civil War era battleships. It isn't likely that the strongly Faith driven Bunch would side with Muslims who they knew very little about. Their ideologies about faith would likely end up going and leading them to side with the Christian league. Or at least that's my thought.
Is int it supposed to be the battle of trafalgar
hmmm...its good, but something seemed off. Not sure what it is, however. Still, pretty darn good what if, none the less.
I question the idea of running a boarding action. Especially if both ironclads are on one side. Demon/Unholy ships would most likely have caused panic among any crew faced by them. Their sheer presence and ability to move without sails would have sent sailors screaming. You might want to back up a little and try frigates from around 1800. Even they would be overkill, but the would be better understood by the forces involved. I enjoy your "What Ifs", just think this was a bit much.
Honestly.
This is going to be good. 😁
Hmm. Given the prevalence of boarding, and the superiority in melee 16th century troops would have over 19th century and later forces... I actually think the historical units take this. Normally, post-Napoleonic forces would destroy almost anything pre-17th century, but the fleets of Lepanto, while sure to suffer brutal casualties, are actually well placed to take over one or both ships.
When it comes to any battle with motor vehicles before the 1800s, you´d most likely see most of the opposing side fleeing at the sight of your smoking, rumbling behemoth from hell. Morale is at least 50% of victory, and by utilizing such a force, you´re effectively depriving the whole enemy army of their morale. And if the smoke and noise wont help, the fact that its also bulletproof surely finishes it.
Depends on how many Ironclads. Just 2, they would do some damage, I don't know if they would have enough ammunition to totally change things.
What if a modern US Marine Division had to storm Iwo Jima with modern Naval Support?
this honestly doesn't even require 22mins. just take the battle of the Ironclads in March 9, 1862 between a Union and Confederate Ironclads, they wiped the floor with every wooden vessel they fought without sustaining any damage as their armor was strong enough the cannon balls bounced off the hull. The two ironclads fought to a draw because neither side could damage the other.
Just 2 Ironclads alone could take on and destroy most if not all of the enemy fleet on their own. Boarding would also not go well for the enemy as Ironclads even the Confederate Ironclads that were built off the lower deck of a decommissioned wooden ship and rebuilt, are all built to be fully enclosed with the only Confederate Ironclads only having small portholes for the cannons to fire from, while most like the Union had a built in artillery barrel mounted on a fully rotating swivel mount on the top of the Ironclad with the majority of the Ironclad body beneath the water.
The most danger those galleys could pose is their rams, and that is if the ironclads are confederate style Ironclads with the lower decks (under the water) made of wood other than metal. So unless the Ironclads are Confederate style the enemy force at the Battle of Lepanto has 0% chance, and even then they'd have a very small chance of success.
Nice
Thanks
Did you take into account that any rough waters would sink the iron clads?
How much ammo could they carry onto that battle?, once it runs out do they just ram the galleys of the time?.
What would 1,000 knights templar be able to accomplish against the Romans during the Jewish Revolt?
“I wouldn't say ‘freed’, more like ‘Under New Management’”
Against several roman legions, they probably wouldn't be enough. Sure their charges would be devastating but once stuck in melee, they'd be turned into mincemeat.
If the Romans have already properly besieged Jerusalem then they won't be able to charge at the legion at all.
Why do we get the evil ironclad in the third scenario?😢
Ave Maria
I've got a proposal for you, but it breaks from your established pattern. What do you think it would've taken for Napoleon Bonaparte to retain his mastery over Europe (obviously apart from or in addition to not invading Russia) and how might it have happened? Maybe send a library back in time to Napoleon's living room?
What if you gave George Washington, 1 fully supplied m1a2 sepv3 Abrams tank to win the entire revolutionary war with
You should have used HMS Warrior a much better Ironclad.
I disagree about being able to rearm the two battleships. Iron balls could be casted and gunpowder was available if cruder . The shift to bagged powder charges was an easy fix and doing so would help against the biggest problem. The ingredients would not separate as readily as loose powder. These innovations were not a big leap . Just not thought of at the time. Replication of the ships is unlikely but lower tech copies is possible.
It should be mentioned that the Monitor was a coastal vessel while the Virginia was a top heavy deep water vessel .
I would say there would be very little competition. Whichever side had even one ironclad would be victorious.
Yeah, that's the conclusion that i came to as well.
Both sides would want those ships for themselves, the tech boost would drastically change the course of history. I think they would end up captured.
.... Don John ? A real bastard, so to speak ! hahahaha hahahaha. 👍
Yay! I voted for the battle of Lepanto.
Yep, and it was the one i wanted to do the most.
I want to see the Iowa at the battle of tripoli
What could the Italian bicycle Calvary do at the battle of teutonburg forest?
Do rangers at the battle of Thermopylae
Maybe 1 Spitfire at the siege of Malta?
YEET
YOTE
What could a Byzantium Tzar Bomba accomplish at the fall of Constantinople lol.
Considering they had no method of delivery and how indiscriminate it would be, I'd say the Byzantine Empire would have gone with a bang.
No matter the conflict date or location, the muslims spent lives like they were in endless supply
IJN Akagi in the battle of Sacheon
Both of these ships from the US look easily boardable
Ironclads were not so new. Check on HMS Warrior. She is closer to the CSS Virginia but not limited to steam for propulsion. Also, officers and crew were part of a different tradition. Against that, she doesn't have the new guns.
That is why in my comment I mentioned early Ironclads and the more well known Civil War era Union Ironclads, but even then Ironclads even early ones are overkill.
Ephemeral pronounced 'Eh-feh-mer-il' FYI.
Send a cold war Swedish infantry battalion into the battle of Poltava 1709
Modern US Carrier Group at Pearl Harbour
😳 what
Civil War soldiers against Saladin at Jerusalem