Watch World of Warships Clash of Titans

On July 3, 1940, the British fleet attacked the French navy at Mers el-K

In May 1905, after a year of stalemate in the Russo-Japanese War, Russia's Pacific squadron arrived at the Tsushima Strait. Admiral Togo's Japanese fleet of 88 ships ambushed them, resulting in a decisive battle. Nearly the entire Russian fleet was sunk or captured, sealing the fate of the Russian Empire and marking a turning point in naval warfare. Only a few Russian ships survived the encounter.

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, aiming to destroy the U.S. fleet and control the Pacific. The U.S. retaliated at the Battle of Midway in 1942, sinking four Japanese carriers. Realizing air power's importance, the U.S. built 95 aircraft carriers in three years, key to victories in Tarawa, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa. The USS Midway, a large carrier, was a symbol of Pacific dominance.

Allied convoys resupplying the Soviet Union had to navigate the Arctic, infested with U-boats and enemy aircraft. In summer, dense fog obscured ships despite 24-hour daylight, while in winter, freezing temperatures, ice-covered decks, and permanent darkness made the journey perilous. Veterans recall the constant threat of submarines or icebergs, knowing an attack almost guaranteed death.

World War II at sea was marked by the rise of submarines, leading to fierce battles above and below the waves. Crews faced overcrowding and claustrophobia in these confined spaces. This technological evolution paved the way for modern submarines. Developed by Germany, submarines became as crucial to naval warfare as strategic bombers were to the skies, with other countries soon following suit.

In April 1945, the Yamato, the largest battleship in history, left for Okinawa to destroy American warships and prevent their landing. Weighing 70,000 tonnes and armed with 150 guns, it faced the U.S. naval aviation, including aircraft carriers USS Essex and USS Yorktown. In a fierce battle, American pilots focused on one goal: sink the Yamato. This marked a turning point in WWII naval warfare.

In May 1941, as Hitler prepared to invade the USSR, a major turning point in WWII unfolded. The British Royal Navy hunted the mighty battleship Bismarck for three days, aiming to control the North Atlantic, a vital link with the U.S. At a time when England stood alone against Nazi forces, the mission was crucial to maintaining communication and securing the Atlantic from the German Kriegsmarine.

In June 1944, the Allies needed to capture Cherbourg to secure a vital deep-water port for supplies. The heavily fortified city was defended by Battery Hamburg's massive naval guns. The USS Texas, a veteran battleship with 128 guns, was called in to silence the battery. In a fierce battle, the Texas faced off against powerful German guns, helping to secure a key victory in the Normandy campaign.