In 1933, the British Admiralty started designing a new generation of battleships. By 1935, several designs had been submitted, and the design codenamed 14O with twelve 356 mm guns housed in three turrets was chosen as the main one. The design was later modified to enhance the armor and given the new codename 14P. King George V, laid down in 1937, was based on this design. In 1941, the battleship was instrumental in the destruction of Bismarck and managed to inflict substantial damage to her. Later, in 1943, she was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea, where she covered the landing of Allied troops in Sicily.