Which battleship was famously sunk in a demonstration of airpower by William Mitchell?

The USS Ostfriesland was famously sunk during a demonstration of airpower orchestrated by General William Mitchell in 1921. This event was significant as it provided concrete evidence of the effectiveness of aerial attacks against naval ships, fundamentally changing military strategies regarding air and naval warfare.

Mitchell aimed to showcase that airplanes could successfully target and disable battleships, which were traditionally considered unsinkable. The sinking of the Ostfriesland illustrated the potential for air power to dominate naval engagements. As a result, this demonstration was pivotal in leading to a shift in military doctrine, emphasizing the importance of air capabilities in modern warfare.

In contrast, the other ships mentioned are notable in naval history for different reasons, but they were not directly involved in Mitchell's demonstration. This context highlights the unique significance of the USS Ostfriesland in the evolution of military aviation strategy.