Churchill considered Hitler's battleships to be an even greater menace than the lurking U-boat packs. At times they assumed almost legendary reputations as they prowled the convoy routes and pushed beyond the Equator to threaten our trade routes.They humbled British naval pride by breaking through the Dover Straights in broad daylight.Their potency was vividly demonstrated by the sinking of capital ships. Enormous allied effort was expended on chasing and sinking these magnificent fighting machines.