What Could Ironclad Battleships Accomplish at the Battle of Lepanto?

🚢⚔️ Dive into a thrilling "what-if" scenario as we explore the monumental clash between Civil War Ironclads and the mighty fleets in the historic Battle of Lepanto in 1571! Welcome to another stimulating episode of 'Parry This' - your go-to place for mesmerizing alternate history battles that challenge the very fabric of time! ⏳🎥
Other Alternate History Battles: • Alternate History Battles
In today's mind-bending episode, we're embarking on a journey back to one of the most significant naval confrontations in history - the Battle of Lepanto. But there's a twist! Imagine, amidst the gun smoke and roaring cannons, two formidable Civil War Ironclads emerge, set to change the tides of war! 🛡️🌊
🌟 WHAT TO EXPECT? 🌟
A comprehensive historical analysis setting the stage for newcomers. Whether you're unfamiliar with the impenetrable might of Ironclad battleships or the strategic genius behind the Battle of Lepanto, we've got you covered! Expect a crystal-clear explanation that levels the playing field for all history enthusiasts!
Delving deep into a well-crafted hypothetical situation that positions two Civil War Ironclads in the heat of the Battle of Lepanto. How would these behemoths of naval warfare have fared in 1571 against traditional armadas?
The implications of such a fantastical scenario. Beyond the immediate clash, what would be the geopolitical, technological, and historical repercussions of such a temporal anomaly?
If you find this journey through history as enthralling as we do, remember, this is just the latest in our sensational series of alternate history explorations! 🎬🕰️ Be sure to check out our other videos, and don't hesitate to hit that subscribe button and bell icon to stay on top of every new adventure!
👍 Enjoying the content? Show your support by liking this video, sharing it with your friends and fellow history buffs, and leaving your thoughts and theories in the comments below. We relish the opportunity to delve into spirited discussions and consider various viewpoints that contribute to the richness of historical contemplation!
For more tantalizing historical content, follow us on our social media channels and become part of our vibrant community of alternate history aficionados!

[@davidkinsey8657]

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.

[@galbert117]

Oh definitely. Back then, sailors were incredibly superstitious, so superstition would definitely play a factor.

[@tylergodefroy8713]

the moment they strapped iron plates to a ship, all the rest became obsolete

[@ExiledPiasa]

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?

[@davidr1037]

Do one where WW1 French Foreign Legionnaires help Napoleon Bonaparte at the battle of Waterloo.

[@jman5949]

Exactly!

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

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...)

[@davidr1037]

@@Duke_of_Lorraine that’s even better:)

[@nikobellic5198]

An awesome concept. I love how when the ironclads clashed, it was a case of armor outpacing weaponry, which is typically the opposite way of weapons development.

[@ParryThis]

That's a good point. They could shoot at each other all day, but their cannons weren't designed to penetrate armor like that.

[@gunsgunstiger5238]

What could an German A7V WW1 Tank acomplish at the Battle of Tannenberg? (1410, not 1914, lol)

[@javanbybee4822]

if it doesnt suffer a random mechanical failure lol

[@gunsgunstiger5238]

Thats one of the points why i think it would be more fair/interesting than, let's say an WW2 tank. @@javanbybee4822

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

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]

what could mustache man do with a modern industry in ww2?

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

@@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

[@ImperialGuard322nd]

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.

[@terrorcop101]

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.

[@pavelslama5543]

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]

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.

[@terrorcop101]

@@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.

[@Tarrasuge]

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.

[@yoface2537]

It would be funny if the water was dense enough that the Virginia started floating a bit higher above the water

[@michaelbagley497]

“Don Jon of Austria is going to the war.” -Chesterton

[@dylanmilne6683]

Bruh what if both ironclads fought the two fleets combined

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

I don't think they'd have enough ammo to beat them.

[@thebutterman7274]

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?

[@chris.3069]

get taken out in 30 min prob idk

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

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.

[@Kahscho]

I‘m thinking about the 1866 General Sherman incident in Korea. Both the Monitor and Virginia would be vulnerable to boarding and fire ships.

[@Steelstriker]

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.

[@windwalker5765]

Considering that the Germans attacked when they did because the weather was godawful and Allied aviation was essentially grounded for two days... not much.

[@DragonSavior2930]

Parry This, can continue the naval side of the alternate history battles? This battle would be awesome in a The Final Countdown style movie.

[@jameswalker3973]

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.

[@johnrudy9404]

What if our largest carrier sailed right up to the battle and just loitered. Shock and awe.

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

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).

[@wenhamschloff]

@@Duke_of_Lorraine I would like to see one with the early 1950s USS Mitscher and Wilkinson using their rapid guns

[@loganbaker35]

So I got to admit, what if the modern day French Foreign Legion gaurded the Ardennes in the Battle of France.

[@jman5949]

Better yet, the legion helps Napoleon at Waterloo.

[@loganbaker35]

@@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.

[@Raycheetah]

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? ='[.]'=

[@spikespa5208]

Don't like its over-use either. But according to Webster's, the tertiary definition is to "inflict great losses or destruction on".

[@stargatefan10]

Well made. I absolutely love this series. And, it's cool to see naval battles introduced.

[@ParryThis]

I'm glad you enjoy the series, and i thought it was about time that we gave naval battles a go.

[@MakeDixieGreatAgain]

Thanks for getting the name of the CSS Virginia correct!

[@supoagentti9547]

Ave Maria

[@austinsmothers6581]

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.

[@Dare_To_Game]

Excellent video. i had hoped Lepanto would win out.

[@ParryThis]

Glad you liked it

[@Lexi-vl5eh]

Great video. I learned so much that I didn't know.

[@ParryThis]

Glad it was an informative experience for you.

[@irelandlover123]

Great video! Would love to see Tom Barry's flying column go to 1798 rebellion to help

[@williamstansbury2717]

How about a WWII Fletcher class destroyer at the battle of Trafalgar

[@Michael_Brock]

This is going to be good. 😁

[@crimfan]

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.

[@marcusyadao8920]

Is int it supposed to be the battle of trafalgar

[@txgunguy2766]

Imagine instead of Civil War ironclads, it was 6 WW2 Fletcher class destroyers.

[@ParryThis]

Might be a little too much overkill.

[@txgunguy2766]

@@ParryThis No, overkill would be 3 Iowa class battlewagons.

[@Domjot5569]

Bro even 1 of those is overkill! like wtf do you want a scenario or a fucking massacre in your head?

[@jman5949]

What could a Galleon accomplish at Actium?

[@user-fu9vj9ix3g]

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.

[@history7501]

Nice

[@ParryThis]

Thanks

[@blindscience1701]

hmmm...its good, but something seemed off. Not sure what it is, however. Still, pretty darn good what if, none the less.

[@michaelchapman5604]

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

[@haroldchase4120]

You should have used the USS Newironsides she was a sea going iron clad

[@carinasmirnoff1780]

Yay! I voted for the battle of Lepanto.

[@ParryThis]

Yep, and it was the one i wanted to do the most.

[@user-fu9vj9ix3g]

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.

[@spartanalex9006]

What if a modern US Marine Division had to storm Iwo Jima with modern Naval Support?

[@johnking6252]

.... Don John ? A real bastard, so to speak ! hahahaha hahahaha. 👍

[@pavelslama5543]

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.

[@HenryKobyla1407]

I would say there would be very little competition. Whichever side had even one ironclad would be victorious.

[@ParryThis]

Yeah, that's the conclusion that i came to as well.

[@MrWright85]

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?

[@BladeStar-uq6xe]

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.

[@fredricklehman232]

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.

[@Domjot5569]

Honestly.

[@janasjolley5447]

I have a idea hms hood and kms bismarck in the battle of jutland

[@trevornekuda3101]

I want to see the Iowa at the battle of tripoli

[@Domjot5569]

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.

[@salkey3987]

YEET

[@ParryThis]

YOTE

[@alexanderkidonakis9185]

Did you take into account that any rough waters would sink the iron clads?

[@Dov_ben-Maccabee]

Maybe 1 Spitfire at the siege of Malta?

[@terrorcop101]

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?

[@barksdalehales438]

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 .

[@Wolfen443]

How much ammo could they carry onto that battle?, once it runs out do they just ram the galleys of the time?.

[@thomaswilloughby9901]

You should have used HMS Warrior a much better Ironclad.

[@piglin469]

IJN Akagi in the battle of Sacheon

[@nibblertummysticks8830]

Do rangers at the battle of Thermopylae

[@michaelbagley497]

What could the Italian bicycle Calvary do at the battle of teutonburg forest?

[@shovel662]

What would 1,000 knights templar be able to accomplish against the Romans during the Jewish Revolt?

[@Lobsterwithinternet]

“I wouldn't say ‘freed’, more like ‘Under New Management’”

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

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.

[@Legionaer666]

Why do we get the evil ironclad in the third scenario?😢

[@tchap4036]

What if you gave George Washington, 1 fully supplied m1a2 sepv3 Abrams tank to win the entire revolutionary war with

[@ethanstaaf404]

Both of these ships from the US look easily boardable

[@leogazebo5290]

What could a Byzantium Tzar Bomba accomplish at the fall of Constantinople lol.

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

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.

[@pyeitme508]

😳 what

[@Aureus_]

Modern US Carrier Group at Pearl Harbour

[@jansundvall2082]

Send a cold war Swedish infantry battalion into the battle of Poltava 1709

[@davebell4917]

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.

[@Domjot5569]

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.

[@VunderGuy]

Ephemeral pronounced 'Eh-feh-mer-il' FYI.

[@scottmorrison1788]

Civil War soldiers against Saladin at Jerusalem

[@jeffreymathis3379]

No matter the conflict date or location, the muslims spent lives like they were in endless supply