The betrayal of the Kaiserliche Marine and the resurrection of the Reichsmarine

[Gudestein]

Chapter 20: Post ToV, July 9th 1919

Admiral Rheinhard Scheer, Chef der Marineleitung, looked at the message and handed it over to his adjunct, admiral Franz von Hipper. Scheer had continued from his position as Chief of the Naval Staff (Seekriegsleitung) and had been able to promote Franz von Hipper to help guide the development of the new Reichsmarine. With his extensive battlecruisr experience, Scheer believed he had picked the right man for the job.

When reading the new, it was what was expected, but saddening nevertheless. The Reichstag had ratified the Treaty of Versailles.

“For the navy The German navy was allowed six pre-dreadnought battleships and was limited to a maximum of six light cruisers (not exceeding 6,000 long tons (6,100 t)), twelve destroyers (not exceeding 800 long tons (810 t)) and twelve torpedo boats (not exceeding 200 long tons (200 t)) and was forbidden submarines. The manpower of the navy was not to exceed 15,000 men, including manning for the fleet, coast defences, signal stations, administration, other land services, officers and men of all grades and corps. The number of officers and warrant officers was not allowed to exceed 1,500 men.” (direct Wiki quote).

He and his adjunct Hipper had no intention to abide to these restrictions to the letter, but the minuscule scale of the possible official navy meant severe restrictions on what they could do. His policy had been defined to reach the limits of the ToV with the best possible navy, with a navy designed for upgrades and forward looking in designs, with a vigorous supporting industry ready to take over when the shackles of the treaty when it could one day be overthrown.

It was also clear that the German Reichsmarine would need to design ships that rendered the vast numerical advantage of the British forces largely redundant. Speed and range was the obvious answer, but the task was further complicated by the uncertain situation in the world’s major navies. The Americans were building the Lexington class ships and the British the Hood class. The Germans were not going to get near their speed and firepower under the ToV, but besting them would one day be the task.

He and Hipper decided to go through the preliminary reports they had obtained. The first was on the performance of their first large two-stroke double acting diesel engine and on the possibility to tweak out further powers on the much smaller submarine designs. The power output per fuel had been impressive although vibration issues had to be better handled the next time.

When the first report had come in, it had been returned asking for more forward looking research and given the risk entailed, it now started to show some potential. A dream at the moment, but turbochargers seemed a theoretical opportunity to allow vastly increased power to weight/volume. Metal alloys with greater endurance and strength could be used to save weight and the orientation and size of the cylinders could be optimized to provide units that would be better hidden below the waterline or at least behind the belt of future cruisers and battleships.

For the moment the report envisioned a handful of fast transport and tankers incorporating these engines over the next three years so that the best layout could be incorporated in the first light cruiser design. The transport would be build with Reichsmarine credit and designed with later AMC conversion in mind. Spreading out construction of several ships would also allow the shipyards to retain the best of the younger craftsmen.

*A minor butterfly, IOTL Scheer would not continue after the Seekriegsleitung was abolished after the war. ITTL a battlecruiser commander was a necessity, hence Hipper is persuaded to continue. IOTL he retired from the Kriegsmarine

EDIT: The new leadership is an edit from previous suggestion. Raeder was still mentioned, but has now been removed

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 21: Conclusions and recommendations based on the sinking of Thüringen, Mauretania and Florida

Scheer and Hipper next went to the report that had been made on the circumstances in which Thüringen, Mauretania and Florida had been sunk. Mauretania had been hit repeatedly at close to maximum firing range during a stern chase, whereas Thüringen had been hit in similar circumstances to blow up, apparently as a shell penetrated deeply into a magazine. Even more remarkably, Florida had been hit at a more reasonable fighting angle resulting in water penetration, resulting in a list towards her attackers, a list that allows further deck penetrations at favorable angle and then her demise.

Scheer was in particular impressed with the sinking of Florida where an approach under excellent shooting conditions had been sought out with the intention of crippling Florida before an infight would ensue. The conclusion was clear in that hits could be repeatedly obtained in the 16-20 km range, and as this was the maximum range of most of the big guns at 20 degrees elevation – who knows, maybe longer. Also, considering the effects, it seems, which made sense from a ship design point-of-view, that such hits would more often cause critical damage than horizontal above the waterline belt penetration (BC turrets excepted from this generalization).

When guns in the future were to be designed with further elevation, this would have important consequences for the concept of immune zones and how to layout the protective armor. However, more importantly, when engagement ranges were to be further extended hits would in general be penetrating the belt of the current British, French and US battleships. Thus, optimizing guns and shells for long range penetration might offer a chance to negate part of the advantage in older ship number that the British would hold over a future rebuilding Reichsmarine.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 22: Scouts and force-multipliers

The later report had been much influenced by Scheer personally. The concept of applying novel weaponry to increase the impact of your main assets was not new to Admiral Scheer, who had been a staunch advocate of Zeppelins, aircraft and submarines as scouts and later as effectors in the merchant war. With regards to Zeppelins, he was not a stranger to their limitations in poor weather and everyone could anticipate how sea borne aircraft or even long range aircraft would easily diminish their value in a future conflict. Aircraft was clearly the airborne future and it was recommended to investigate the concept of very long-range reconnaissance aircraft and torpedo bombers. Research into the very-long range component could be achieved under commercial disguise, but the practicing of torpedo bombing would require a collaboration partner. For this, the Reichsmarine would look to the east.

Regarding submarines, they had been relatively successful in the past war, but inhibited by poor reconnaissance and poor signals security. Particularly, their ability to participate in fleet actions were limited by poor underwater range so they could not shadow enemy fleet formations, and overall, Scheer foresaw a future with mid-Atlantic battles for which larger submarines with better range was needed. It was recommended to approach Finland and Denmark and set-up an affiliate for research and to create a submarine building competence. Finland would need this against their neighboring bear, whereas Denmark was close enough to be an efficient collaboration partner.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 23: Interim thoughts on shipbuilding and shipbuilding technology development

The year following the signing of the ToV had seen intense activity, but Scheer once again felt that morale was high. The nadir had been during the Kapp-Putsch were German naval officers commanded militias of sailors had stood up againist the republic and the reichsmarine. Scheer had negotiated behind the doors to ensure support for his leadership before public denouncing the coup makers and stripping them of their officers rank. This, and the lack of support from other branches of the military had doomed the coup and great served to diminsh the influence of the rogue militias around Germany at this crucial time. Orders had been distributed among different German shipyards for 6 small Destroyers, in German termed motortorpedoboote, designed to worked with 5’ guns but tentatively to be equipped with 4’ guns. The Interallied Military Commission of control were causing serious trouble and were insisting on a restrictive interpretation of the ToV terms. The lessons of this had been incorporated into the provisional design of the first new cruiser of the Reichsmarine to be named Karlsruhe. It was designed for a definition of displacement which was without fuel and which cheated a little bit on the weight, nevertheless. The design was not for the present, but entirely for tomorrow. In order not to draw animosity, it was equipped with 4 single 150 mm guns, but these guns were places in wide barbettes, and order had been given to design a double 128mm and a double 150mm turret to fill them. The long-term perspective was that a naval gun of such a calibers could fulfill the dual role of naval artillery and heavy-anti-aircraft artillery. Amidships, space had been carved out for torpedo launchers and a catapult launched aircraft (which was of course not installed, rather some liaison vessels took up the space). Each of these could be removed which facilitated access to the diesel engines. The wide access would allow for eventual replacement and space had been reserved for possible use for turbochargers or exhaust driven turbines.

The whole hull of the ship had been envisioned for upgrade. The freeboard was a full 5 feet higher than what was to expected when heavier turrets and armor was added (officially, it needed to show the German flag across the world), and in its original version, it only had a lower armor belt of 50 mm above the magazine. The ship was however balanced for later addition of side armor and an additional 30 mm belt, but that would take the weight of the ship way beyond what the Inter-Allied Commission of Control would accept.

The design was also extremely innovative in its weight saving efforts. Extensively relying on welding and with many innovative solutions for weight saving. In addition to welding, these solutions also included use of structural high-tensile steel that would double as both armor and load bearing. These techniques were being practiced in various forms on the first generation of motortorpedoboote and the drawings for Karlsruhe would not be finalized before the first experiences had been obtained on those designs.

The drawing of her initial configuration showed a light cruiser which was hopelessly undergunned, but in her final configuration, she was a beauty. A powerful oceangoing design, well armored design, for which the German naval designers could be proud.

Edit in bold.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 24: Economic hardship, racketeering and hope.

The Conference of the ambassadors in Paris had provided the first chink in the armor from the The Interallied Military Commission of control. Germany were required to keep some reserve ships. The Reichsmarine now had the unofficial, but internally expressed goal of reaching the ToV limits in approximately 10 years time with a modern navy designed for upgrades, a shipbuilding industry ready for expansion and cutting edge technologies. The opportunity now emerged to even go beyond the ToV terms, but it would seem the economy were in such shambles that it would not be possible to even reach the ToV limits. In this chaos, the Reichsmarine focused its attention on funding the motortorpedoboote already building, technology development and on its own racketeering business with regards to rules and taxes. The Diesel prototypes coming out of Man needed testing on ships and the Marine saw no choice but to test them in commercially viable designs. Hence, the German navy, through a series of shadow companies became exporters of merchant ships and liners. To further increase profits, the German navy finished and sold ships that were on the slipways and used its access to trained personnel to provide training of foreign navy personnel and to sell them ships. In late 1921, 5 fruit transports and 3 diesel driven tankers were on the slipways to be driven by Diesel engines, three of those ships for Maersk and NDL which were designed with hard-points and could later be recovered. Unfortunately, while profits allowed research to continue and would now include a small water tank for testing of new ship hulls that could be constructed for an affiliate of NDL outside of the reach of the Interaalied Military Comission of Control, it was not enough to build large warships and the navy had to make do with the first series of 6 motortorpedoboote. The design of the follow-ons would be put in production in 1924 when real life at sea experience had been obtained with the first 6 ships of the class. Among the more radical concepts were almost exclusively welded hulls and use of high tensile structural steel in the majority of the upper hull. It would increase cost so trouble would surely present itself again.

It was then that the rumors of an international conference on arms limitations spread like a wild-fire. Scheer could not believe their luck. If the rest of the world tied themselves to outdated slow hulls and glass-jawed Lexingtons, he knew exactly what they were up against. Maybe there really was a chance.

Edit in black

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 25: Washington Naval Agreement.

Although many had hoped to see an invitation for a German delegation, it never materialized and the German admiralty had to await the conclusions. When they arrived, Scheer was ecstatic. 35000 tons limit, almost no tonnage left for Britain and new that orders had been cancelled at British shipyards. It was not to say what route the British would take for the remaining two ships they could build, but that aside, the Hood’s and the Lexington’s would be the most modern ships the new Reichsmarine would have to contend with. Here rumors had it that 2 of them would be completed as carriers so only four Lexingtons would be build. In fast capital ships the anglo-americans combined would have the 4 Hood’s, the 4 Lexington’s, Repulse and Renown. The new German capital ships needed to be able to beat these with impunity. That was off course easier said than done, but the sketches for a 42 cm, L55 gun he was looking at was designed specifically to beat the armor of the Hoods. The caliber had gone up to allow a fast ejection of heavier shells. With the new artillery shells, Hood (and for that matter most of the vintage WW1 battleships) would always be within either belt or deck penetration range. Leaving aside that Germany had not been a signatory to the Washington Naval Treaty, and hence were limited to 10000 tons, the technical problems now was that fitting a normal number of guns into a battleship of 35000 tons would take incredible progress in fuel storage, weight savings, engine power/weight output, fuel efficiency, and armor layout. The even bigger problem now was that the German economy was in shambles with inflation starting to run out of control. Soon, the largest German dry-docks wouldn't be able to hold the cash needed to pay for the ships inside them.

When considering these obstacles tears came to the eyes of admiral Scheer. He dried them off and focused on the task at hand. Germany was getting a naval aviation shadow facility in Odessa. Work was indeed to be done and there was no sense in weeping about the obstacles years ahead.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 26: The Dawes plan implemented. Expansion begins.

When the Dawes plan was agreed and a loan of 200 million USD transferred to the German government, it was a boon to the German industry, and the struggling Reichsmarine. Nobody doubts that the conservative and center delivering on their promises to bring back control of the economy helped, but it was also believed that the social democrats speaking out against military expenditures cost them votes. Indeed, no sooner had the election results come in before Wilhelm Marx approved of the plan to lay down 2 light cruisers at 6000 tons and 4x1 150 mm guns. The cruisers would be laid down in 1925 and it was part of a wider expansion plan to further include auxiliary ships and minesweepers in 1926 and 1927, further light cruisers in 1927, and to commence with the construction of 10000 tons heavy cruisers in 1928.

Ideally, this would allow the new Reichsmarine to achieve its full-allowed strength in the early thirties.

The cruiser design had incorporated experiences from fast diesel powered merchant ships, and yards had retained experience from building the first of the motortorpedoboote. It would feature an internal splinter belt of structural steel of only 20 mm, and a lower armored deck of 50 mm. As it would be launched it weighed 6200 tons in dry weight (official calculations showed 6000), but it was designed and fitted to later installment of additional diesel engines, turbochargers on the diesel engines, an armored belt of no less than 150 mm and the installation of 4x2 150 mm turrets. In essence, in its final design, it was designed for reasonable long distance cruising, armed like a light cruiser and armored like a heavy cruiser. The final design would weigh in at 8676 tons standard and 12197 fully loaded. A real trouble maker. As it was, it was rated at 29 knots, but the planned turbocharged engines would take it to 33-34 knots if the design specifications were met. The beauty of the design was that with heavier engines, and turrets, plus only remitting armored belt along the waterline, the ship would be adequately balanced with and without the upgrades. In essence, the full complement of upgrades would be If not for the Interallied Military Comission of Control looking over their shoulders, the design would have been even more radical with a higher freeboard allowing a further 1000 tons of armor and arms to be added.

It was sure to raise suspicion with the Interallied Military Commission of control, as they would no doubt suspect that the wide barbettes and absence of a belt armor allowed future updates, but on the pother hand, as uilt in its first version, it was not a particularly dangerous design. And the use of clumsy first generation diesels were justified to support the local shipbuilding industry. It did live up to any requirements, and even if imagined with a belt armor and 4x2 150 mm, the allies would hardly feel threatened. Further, the timing was right, the Dawes plan signalled a new phase of optimism, and the Interallied Military Commission of control would not be allowed to sour it without a formal breech.

Edit in black

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 27: The Locarno treaty

The agreement on the Dawes plan was to be followed by the withdrawal of French troops from the Ruhr in January 1925, but Streseman had already then decided to move ahead and easy French anxiety. The reasons to start the work was what was seen as unfair meddling in German affairs, principally the forced modification of German new light cruisers from 4x2 15 cm guns to 4x1*. To ease French anxiety, Streseman worked to implement what was to be known as the Locarno treaties. They mutually guaranteed the French, Belgian and German borders and was agreed in February 1925. Notably, they were also guaranteed by Britain and Italy. Thus the French made a second agreement which was to be followed by French withdrawal and a return to normality of the German Republic. While the 2nd acknowledgment of the loss of Alsass-Lothringen in addition to the Versailles treaty was a sour pill to swallow in Germany, the return to normality was a major opening for the Reichsmarine. The German politicians knew that the marine were not even allowed modernity up to the level of the Versailles because of the constant meddling by the Inter Allied Military Mission of Control, and had the dismissal of the committee promised directly before signing the Locarno treaty. France were not in agreement, but had little arguments to offer. German militias had been disbanded, the ships the Germans were building (under protest) were too aneamic to fight older ships as those of Sweden, Poland and the Soviet Union. Thus, despite rumors and in some cases knowledge that a normal level of technological development were continuing despite the efforts of the the Inter Allied Military Mission of Control, and France stood alone. Hence, when the treaty was agreed, it meant the withdrawal of French Forces from the Ruhr, and that the Reichsmarine could rebuild within what was at least claimed to be the limits of the treaty of Versailles.

*IOTL the Emden was planned with 4x2 15 cm guns, but this was not allowed and she was designed with 6x1 15 cm guns. ITTL, she is designed for upgrades anyway and she is build with 4x1 15 cm guns. This makes a mockery of what is allowed for Germany and brings the behavior of the Arms control commission into center stage of German and International policy. Also, as per earlier updates, the Kapp- putsch has been suppressed with help form the Reichsmarine and the French arguments that Germany is not abiding the ToV and a threat is not given any credibility.

There is an additional economic aspect of a earlier French withdrawal from the Ruhr which will benefit the overall German economy.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 28: Expansion and growth

The German economy was to see continuous growth between 1925 and 1929 and the German shipyards were kept busy with military and domestic orders. 1926-27 was a time of orders for auxiliary ships and mine sweepers followed by the funding for the remaining 4 light cruisers in 1927. This time, saving ressources for future upgrades, they would be equipped with 4x2 150 mm guns from the onset.

These years also saw a major piece of the puzzle falling into place regarding how a future anti-merchant war would conducted. The Reichsmarine implemented what was to be known as the Enigma coding machine and its own counter intelligence signal intelligence agency. Based on the experiences in WW1, its attention was equally divided into breaking the codes of other countries and into breaking Germany’s own codes.

On the other hand, a shadow of doubt was raised regarding the feasibility of the prevailing plans. Mitchell in the US had previously sunk a battleship with aircraft and the experience coming in from Odessa indicated that airborne torpedoes would become a serious threat for even future battleships. Added to this threat now came new aircraft capable of accurate dive-bombing such as the Curtiss P-6 and Junkers developed its similarly capable aircraft Ju-46 in Sweden. This increased the risk that even if Germany could build battleships to outrun those it couldn’t outfight it could still be crippled by an aircraft. From this time it became clear that Germany needed its own naval aircraft to protect its battleships and strike at enemy carriers and it needed improved anti-aircraft artillery to prevent the loss of dive bombers and torpedoes. In this way, the navy became instrumental in developing longer ranged AAA eventually settling on 20 and 30 mm for close range and 37 to 55 mm for intermediate range. The Reichsmarine has in these conclusions been heralded as front-runners predicting the requirement for larger AAA, but all of this was driven by the desire to hit dive bombers before they initiated their dive and torpedo bombers before they launched their torpedoes.

Another technical development, unique to the Germans in the western world, stemmed from their desire to fight asymmetric battles with their superior for and developed weapons with distinct advantages. Thus, the Germans were eventually capable of obtaining information of the depth of the torpedo protection zone on the Admirals class and the Nelson class of battleships, and decided they would go for designing torpedoes as effective capital ship killers that could outrange their enemies. The result of this development

was the development of exceptionally heavy torpedoes that were only matched by their Japanese counterparts. In contrast to the Japanese Oxygen driven torpedoes, the German was hydrogen peroxide driven and like the Japanese torpedoes, it had a close to 500 kg warhead.

Another aspect of the German development was that they stuck to the upgrade capable philosophy. For aerial torpedoes, both a 45 and 50 cm type were developed and extensively tested in collaboration with the Soviet Union in Odessa*.

By 1928 naval diesel technology had matured into highly economic and in some case cases high powered engines, which provided Germany with advantage in civilian and military ship construction.

A lot of relatively legitimate shipbuilding activity would mask that a relatively smooth build-up of the Reichsmarine continued all into 1929 with the laying down of 2 new officially 10000 tons ships in 1928 and 1929 respectively and what was to be the template for Germany’s new fleet carriers and what can best be described as fleet support ships.

The 10000 tons panzershiffe were officially made with 3x3 206mm guns (two front, one aft), 1x2 aft 150 mm guns and 8x1 150 mm guns, but would only pretend to maintain the weight reauirement, even before adding side armor (they featured an inclines 40 mm inner belt, partly made from structural steel) and engine upgrades which would come later. When fully upgraded with 3x2 283 mm guns, they would upset the naval orders as miniature battlecruisers, but for the moment they were considered an innovative design, but not out of the reach of what other naval designers could imagine. If these ships were devious, it was nothing like the liners Europa and Bremen. These large liners were designed as carriers first with a liner build within and on top of it. It was designed from a unique philosophy to support the naval raider campaign. And example of this was the torpedo defense zone which in the liner form were fitted as spacious cabins, but were in fact built within the hull and an inner layer of soft Wotan steel. When re-equipped as a carriers, a large proportion of the void would be taken up by fuel tanks.

Their large size allowed the inclusion of a decent air group with a single hangar deck and a large one if a deck group was included. In the final form, this still allowed the installation of a very substantial fuel reserve (as a liner, but available space were used for cabins), so large that the carrier would be able to double as a refueling station to other naval vessels.

The fleet support ships were similar if less ambitious. Designed officially as transports, partly for overseas fruit import or alternatively as oi/diesel tankers, they were designed for upgrades that would take their speed from 22 knots to 31 knots with which they would follow the naval task forces and provide refueling along the way. Upgraded, they would carry 15000 tons of oil for the fleet, and be littered with anti-aircraft artillery. This design represented a critical solutions to one of the fundamental problems the Germans faced in designing new warhips that fight the British with impunity as it allowed battleships to be designed with less fuel storage.

 

[Gudestein]

Financial crisis and recovery: When the stockmarket crash hit the world economies in 1929 the German shipyards were booming with orders, several of them government or government supported private orders, and the German shipping industry would not slow down until 1930. The restrictions on global trade which followed the great depression hit everyone hard, but he shipping industry least. It was believed that German diesel engines could propel cruise ships at a superior fuel economy and orders were made to construct both a series of 3 220 m and 25000 tons liners for the east-asia routes and another pair of major liners that would become known as Hamburg and Kiel. These were laid in response to rumors concerning the Normandie. These liners increased in size to 60000 tons, but also in speed to 32 knots. Each of the ships were build of the same philosophy, a carrier first and then a liner designed in the empty hull and on top of it. The tactical mission for the smaller liner was to carry a small airgroup, one squadron of fighters, one of torpedo bombers/scouts and surpluss of fuel. Once converted, they would be on missions with the panzerschiffe, two panzerschiffe to each scout carrier. Such large orders would maintain the German shipping industry until the updated design of the last the allowed two new panzerschiffe were laid down in 1932, following the rearmaments programme under Schleicher. This meant that when the 1932 building programme later became commissioned and the planned upgrade installed, the last of these upgrades initiated following the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935, Germany would have build up to the limits if the ToV with:

6 armored cruisers, 17000 tons (officially 10000 tons, but actually launched at 13500 tons. Additional engines, armor and heavier guns added later) tons, 3x2 283 mm guns, 1x2 aft 150 mm DP gun, 8x1 150 mm DP guns. Armor of 150+40 mm belt and 80mm upper deck + 40 mm lower deck armor.

6 light cruisers; 8676 tons standard, 4x2 150 mm DP guns, 100 mm belt armor and a 50 mm inclined inner splinter belt, and 30 mm deck armor and 50 mm lower deck armor over engines and magazines

Added to these were the 12 800 tons destroyers with 3x1 128 mm DP guns (this gun type would be quite popular on German auxillary ships).

Germany could further count on 4 massive liners designed for conversion into fleet carriers, 3 similar yet smallerliners intended as reconnaissance carriers and 6 fleet support ships that currently served as domestic transports. Indeed, the Germans had hit the early-mid 1930's to the limit of the ToV. As onrignally intended by the late admiral Scheer they would even hit he limit poised for more. Indeed, the major asset for the Germans were however the mature shipbuilding, design, propulsion, armors and weapons industry, an industry that would be stretched to the limits in the years to come.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 30, shipdesigns
First update with CVL's and the future cruisers to be made with left-over turrets from TTL heavy cruisers.

NB, all are made with 50% of engine weight, and an expected double range.
Note the sea keeping attributes are at roughly 27knots. They are a bit wet at 33 knots.
These adaptations are made because of that is more than the diesels would weigh and comsume ITTL.
Here are some of the ships from this TL.
These assumtions are based on uninterrupted highly prioritized diesel engine development. Here is a description of the OTL progress sometimes prioritized, sometimes not. See what they got to in the 1940's and remember, the Germans (were about o) reach a standard that would last to the 1970's.
https://oldmachinepress.com/2017/12/20/man-double-acting-diesel-marine-engines/

Germany CVL laid down 1926
Displacement:
8.052 t light; 8.423 t standard; 10.566 t normal; 12.281 t full load
Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
(597,76 ft / 574,15 ft) x 52,49 ft x (22,31 / 25,16 ft)
(182,20 m / 175,00 m) x 16,00 m x (6,80 / 7,67 m)
Armament:
8 - 5,91" / 150 mm 45,0 cal guns - 103,86lbs / 47,11kg shells, 300 per gun
Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1926 Model
4 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
12 - 2,17" / 55,0 mm 45,0 cal guns - 5,12lbs / 2,32kg shells, 500 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1926 Model
4 x Twin mounts on centreline, aft deck forward
2 x Twin mounts on centreline, forward deck aft
36 - 0,79" / 20,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 0,27lbs / 0,12kg shells, 750 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1926 Model
18 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
6 raised mounts
Weight of broadside 902 lbs / 409 kg
Main Torpedoes
12 - 23,6" / 600 mm, 29,53 ft / 9,00 m torpedoes - 2,346 t each, 28,148 t total
In 4 sets of deck mounted centre rotating tubes
2nd Torpedoes
8 - 23,6" / 600 mm, 29,53 ft / 9,00 m torpedoes - 2,346 t each, 18,766 t total
In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes
Mines
20 - 1.102,31 lbs / 500,00 kg mines + 2 reloads - 10,826 t total
in Above water - Stern racks/rails
Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 5,91" / 150 mm 308,40 ft / 94,00 m 11,42 ft / 3,48 m
Ends: 1,97" / 50 mm 236,19 ft / 71,99 m 8,14 ft / 2,48 m
29,56 ft / 9,01 m Unarmoured ends
Upper: 3,94" / 100 mm 308,40 ft / 94,00 m 8,01 ft / 2,44 m
Main Belt covers 83 % of normal length
- Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
1,77" / 45 mm 308,40 ft / 94,00 m 18,27 ft / 5,57 m
Beam between torpedo bulkheads 39,37 ft / 12,00 m
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 5,91" / 150 mm 3,15" / 80 mm 1,97" / 50 mm
2nd: 0,79" / 20 mm 0,39" / 10 mm 0,39" / 10 mm
3rd: 0,79" / 20 mm 0,39" / 10 mm 0,39" / 10 mm
- Armoured deck - multiple decks:
For and Aft decks: 3,15" / 80 mm
Forecastle: 0,39" / 10 mm Quarter deck: 0,39" / 10 mm
- Conning towers: Forward 5,12" / 130 mm, Aft 1,97" / 50 mm
Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
No drive to shaft, 4 shafts, 50.586 shp (101000)/ 37.737 Kw = 27,76 (33)kts
Range 18.000nm at 19,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 3.858 tons
Complement:
520 - 677
Cost:
£2,063 million / $8,254 million
Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 381 tons, 3,6 %
- Guns: 274 tons, 2,6 %
- Weapons: 107 tons, 1,0 %
Armour: 3.100 tons, 29,3 %
- Belts: 1.420 tons, 13,4 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 369 tons, 3,5 %
- Armament: 289 tons, 2,7 %
- Armour Deck: 947 tons, 9,0 %
- Conning Towers: 74 tons, 0,7 %
Machinery: 1.619 tons, 15,3 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 2.851 tons, 27,0 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2.514 tons, 23,8 %
Miscellaneous weights: 100 tons, 0,9 %
- Above deck: 100 tons
Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
17.175 lbs / 7.790 Kg = 166,8 x 5,9 " / 150 mm shells or 1,8 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,11
Metacentric height 2,3 ft / 0,7 m
Roll period: 14,4 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,26
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,18
Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck,
an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,550 / 0,567
Length to Beam Ratio: 10,94 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 23,96 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 51
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 6,56 ft / 2,00 m
Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
Fore end, Aft end
- Forecastle: 25,00 %, 29,53 ft / 9,00 m, 17,06 ft / 5,20 m
- Forward deck: 30,00 %, 17,06 ft / 5,20 m, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m
- Aft deck: 25,00 %, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m
- Quarter deck: 20,00 %, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m, 14,76 ft / 4,50 m
- Average freeboard: 16,44 ft / 5,01 m
Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 79,3 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 74,7 %
Waterplane Area: 21.034 Square feet or 1.954 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 145 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 86 lbs/sq ft or 422 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 1,00
- Longitudinal: 1,00
- Overall: 1,00
Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
Cramped accommodation and workspace room



ATL Hipper Class, Germany Heavy cruisers laid down two per year 1935-7 to reuse the 206 mm gun turrets from TTL Deutschlands.
Displacement:
12.942 t light; 13.651 t standard; 15.305 t normal; 16.629 t full load
Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
(668,55 ft / 646,33 ft) x 65,62 ft x (22,97 / 24,49 ft)
(203,77 m / 197,00 m) x 20,00 m x (7,00 / 7,47 m)
Armament:
6 - 8,11" / 206 mm 55,0 cal guns - 287,91lbs / 130,59kg shells, 150 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1936 Model
2 x 3-gun mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
12 - 5,91" / 150 mm 55,0 cal guns - 111,15lbs / 50,42kg shells, 300 per gun
Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1936 Model
2 x 2-gun mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
2 raised mounts - superfiring
8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
12 - 2,17" / 55,0 mm 55,0 cal guns - 5,48lbs / 2,49kg shells, 500 per gun
Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1936 Model
4 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
2 raised mounts
2 x 2 row twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
2 double raised mounts
36 - 1,18" / 30,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 0,91lbs / 0,41kg shells, 1.000 per gun
Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1936 Model
14 x Twin mounts layout not set
8 raised mounts
4 x Twin mounts on centreline, forward deck aft
4 double raised mounts
Weight of broadside 3.160 lbs / 1.433 kg
Main Torpedoes
12 - 23,6" / 600 mm, 29,53 ft / 9,00 m torpedoes - 2,394 t each, 28,724 t total
In 4 sets of deck mounted centre rotating tubes
Mines
12 - 1.102,31 lbs / 500,00 kg mines + 4 reloads - 7,874 t total
in Above water - Stern racks/rails
Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 7,09" / 180 mm 426,51 ft / 130,00 m 16,27 ft / 4,96 m
Ends: 1,97" / 50 mm 229,63 ft / 69,99 m 9,71 ft / 2,96 m
Upper: 1,97" / 50 mm 426,51 ft / 130,00 m 8,01 ft / 2,44 m
Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length
- Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
0,79" / 20 mm 426,51 ft / 130,00 m 21,10 ft / 6,43 m
Beam between torpedo bulkheads 52,49 ft / 16,00 m
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 7,87" / 200 mm 3,94" / 100 mm 5,91" / 150 mm
2nd: 3,94" / 100 mm 1,97" / 50 mm 1,97" / 50 mm
3rd: 1,18" / 30 mm 0,79" / 20 mm -
4th: 1,18" / 30 mm 0,79" / 20 mm -
- Armoured deck - multiple decks:
For and Aft decks: 3,15" / 80 mm
Forecastle: 0,79" / 20 mm Quarter deck: 0,79" / 20 mm
- Conning towers: Forward 5,91" / 150 mm, Aft 1,97" / 50 mm
Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
Direct drive, 3 shafts, 58.031 shp (117000)/ 43.291 Kw = 27,76 (33) kts
Range 6.000 (12000)nm at 19,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 2.977 tons
Complement:
520 - 677
Cost:
£2,063 million / $8,254 million
Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 382 tons, 3,6 %
- Guns: 274 tons, 2,6 %
- Weapons: 108 tons, 1,0 %
Armour: 3.098 tons, 29,3 %
- Belts: 1.419 tons, 13,4 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 369 tons, 3,5 %
- Armament: 289 tons, 2,7 %
- Armour Deck: 947 tons, 9,0 %
- Conning Towers: 74 tons, 0,7 %
Machinery: 1.619 tons, 15,3 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 2.853 tons, 27,0 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2.514 tons, 23,8 %
Miscellaneous weights: 100 tons, 0,9 %
- Above deck: 100 tons
Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
17.182 lbs / 7.794 Kg = 166,9 x 5,9 " / 150 mm shells or 1,8 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,11
Metacentric height 2,3 ft / 0,7 m
Roll period: 14,4 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,26
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,18
Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck,
an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,550 / 0,567
Length to Beam Ratio: 10,94 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 23,96 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 51
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 6,56 ft / 2,00 m
Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
Fore end, Aft end
- Forecastle: 25,00 %, 29,53 ft / 9,00 m, 17,06 ft / 5,20 m
- Forward deck: 30,00 %, 17,06 ft / 5,20 m, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m
- Aft deck: 25,00 %, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m
- Quarter deck: 20,00 %, 13,78 ft / 4,20 m, 14,76 ft / 4,50 m
- Average freeboard: 16,44 ft / 5,01 m
Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 79,3 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 74,7 %
Waterplane Area: 21.034 Square feet or 1.954 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 145 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 86 lbs/sq ft or 422 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 1,00
- Longitudinal: 1,00
- Overall: 1,00
Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
Cramped accommodation and workspace room

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 31: Nazi take over

When Hitler came to power, Admiral Raeder had already aligned plans with the Nazi party leader Adolf Hitler. The role of the German Kriegsmarine would be secondary to the land and air forces, but by no means without priority. What prevented an outright expansion were the need to delay and prevent British countermeasures in their own shipping industry and to early flaunt objective breaks of the ToV.

Thus, the first initiatives were the rapid construction of a further 6 supply ships, these built for 31 knots top speed at the onset, and the laying down of 6 destroyers to officially replace the Raubvogle motortorpedo boats. Coming in at 2500 tons they would not fool anyone when commissioned, but this deliberately delayed while they were being fitted out. The existing production of the fast supply ships with almost cruiser like hulls and their actual use as fast, yet fuel economic merchant ships, would also come a long way in hiding the purpose of the second set of expansions. These were 6 cruisers intended to use each of the 3x206 mm gun turrets that would be left over when the Panzer ships were upgraded with 2x283 mm guns (TTL Hipper class, see previous chapter).

Orders were also now placed for the main guns and upgraded diesel engines for the Kriegsmarines existing ships that would emerge as fearsome fighting machines in the years to come.

More importantly for the future experience levels, two freighter’s was converted into small carriers, officially to supply the South Atlantic mail business then taking place with float planes.

Carried out at the utmost secrecy, the components for large submarines designed with ample battery power and high powered turbo charged diesel electrics were being produced as were the additional orders of large diesels and 42 cm guns and turrets for Germany’s future battleships. Importantly, while this could not be initiated immediately, MAN and Krupp now received orders well into the end of the 30’s and would immediately expand their capacity to enable further growth ad building of capacity.

 

[Gudestein]

So this is the outline of the TTL German panzerships post upgrade.
Again, range is doubled and speed recalculated after TTL engine power/weight.
Seakeeping stats is at 26,8 knots.

So not exactly a battlecruiser, but close, and it can hurt battlecruisers, but unlike battlecruisers, it cant hurt battleships. Equally importantly, a ship that might return relatively unharmed from fighting regular cruisers.


Graf Spee, Germany Panzerschiffe laid down 1932
Displacement:
15.614 t light; 16.947 t standard; 19.908 t normal; 22.277 t full load
Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
(683,06 ft / 656,17 ft) x 68,24 ft x (29,53 / 32,17 ft)
(208,20 m / 200,00 m) x 20,80 m x (9,00 / 9,81 m)
Armament:
6 - 11,02" / 280 mm 55,0 cal guns - 749,99lbs / 340,19kg shells, 200 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1932 Model
3 x 2-gun mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
1 raised mount - superfiring
4 - 5,91" / 150 mm 55,0 cal guns - 111,16lbs / 50,42kg shells, 500 per gun
Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1932 Model
2 x 2-gun mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
2 raised mounts
8 - 5,91" / 150 mm 55,0 cal guns - 111,16lbs / 50,42kg shells, 400 per gun
Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1932 Model
4 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
16 - 2,17" / 55,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 5,62lbs / 2,55kg shells, 1.000 per gun
Anti-air guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1932 Model
8 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
4 raised mounts
64 - 1,18" / 30,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 0,90lbs / 0,41kg shells, 2.000 per gun
Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1932 Model
8 x Quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
8 x Quad mounts on centreline, evenly spread
8 double raised mounts
Weight of broadside 5.982 lbs / 2.713 kg
Main Torpedoes
24 - 23,6" / 600 mm, 29,53 ft / 9,00 m torpedoes - 2,378 t each, 57,065 t total
In 6 sets of deck mounted centre rotating tubes
Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 7,87" / 200 mm 393,70 ft / 120,00 m 13,12 ft / 4,00 m
Ends: 1,97" / 50 mm 262,43 ft / 79,99 m 9,71 ft / 2,96 m
Upper: 1,97" / 50 mm 393,70 ft / 120,00 m 8,01 ft / 2,44 m
Main Belt covers 92 % of normal length
- Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
1,77" / 45 mm 393,70 ft / 120,00 m 26,64 ft / 8,12 m
Beam between torpedo bulkheads 52,49 ft / 16,00 m
- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 7,87" / 200 mm 3,94" / 100 mm 3,94" / 100 mm
2nd: 3,94" / 100 mm 1,97" / 50 mm 1,97" / 50 mm
3rd: 5,91" / 150 mm 3,94" / 100 mm 0,79" / 20 mm
4th: 0,79" / 20 mm 0,39" / 10 mm 0,39" / 10 mm
5th: 0,79" / 20 mm 0,39" / 10 mm 0,39" / 10 mm
- Armoured deck - multiple decks:
For and Aft decks: 3,94" / 100 mm
Forecastle: 0,79" / 20 mm Quarter deck: 0,79" / 20 mm
- Conning towers: Forward 7,87" / 200 mm, Aft 1,57" / 40 mm
Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, plus diesel motors,
Electric cruising motors plus geared drives, 4 shafts, 117118 shp = 32,0 kts
Range 16000 nm at 20,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 5.330 tons
Complement:
837 - 1.089
Cost:
£6,665 million / $26,658 million
Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 1.798 tons, 9,0 %
- Guns: 1.684 tons, 8,5 %
- Weapons: 114 tons, 0,6 %
Armour: 5.708 tons, 28,7 %
- Belts: 2.149 tons, 10,8 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 688 tons, 3,5 %
- Armament: 830 tons, 4,2 %
- Armour Deck: 1.892 tons, 9,5 %
- Conning Towers: 150 tons, 0,8 %
Machinery: 1.736 tons, 8,7 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 6.172 tons, 31,0 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4.294 tons, 21,6 %
Miscellaneous weights: 200 tons, 1,0 %
- On freeboard deck: 100 tons
- Above deck: 100 tons
Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
29.545 lbs / 13.402 Kg = 44,1 x 11,0 " / 280 mm shells or 2,6 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,02
Metacentric height 3,0 ft / 0,9 m
Roll period: 16,7 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 63 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,99
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,40
Hull form characteristics:
Hull has raised forecastle,
an extended bulbous bow and small transom stern
Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,527 / 0,541
Length to Beam Ratio: 9,62 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 27,48 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 46 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 45
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 9,84 ft / 3,00 m
Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
Fore end, Aft end
- Forecastle: 25,00 %, 29,53 ft / 9,00 m, 22,31 ft / 6,80 m
- Forward deck: 30,00 %, 21,33 ft / 6,50 m, 17,72 ft / 5,40 m
- Aft deck: 30,00 %, 17,72 ft / 5,40 m, 17,39 ft / 5,30 m
- Quarter deck: 15,00 %, 17,39 ft / 5,30 m, 19,69 ft / 6,00 m
- Average freeboard: 20,20 ft / 6,16 m
Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 81,3 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 79,2 %
Waterplane Area: 31.330 Square feet or 2.911 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 126 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 138 lbs/sq ft or 674 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0,96
- Longitudinal: 1,44
- Overall: 1,00
Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
Cramped accommodation and workspace room
Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 33: Thoughts on battleship designs

With the ToV limitations set to be reached within a few years, Grossadmiral Raeder studied the options for the Battleships that would take the soon to be Kriegsmarine far beyond existing treaties. Some decisions had been locked in, such as the 42 cm, L55 gun (see chapter 24), in a two gun turret as well as the doctrine aimed at a future commerce war. The was several problems with this. The heavy gun aimed to beat the Admiral class easily, but would tick off other powers so a mock 3x14 inch gun were designed in the official description of the ship. The requirements of speed to evade superior forced, range to maintain operations in the Atlantic, armor to protect the waterline and hits from short range and torpedoes that might lead to loss of speed, as well as ample protection against long-range plunging fire, simply pulled in opposite directions and could never be combined in a ship of realistic size.



The compromises chosen came down to medium and not extreme range. With the use of high powered diesels needed for speeds of 31 knots, this let to modest requirements for fuel stores. The building of fast supply ships that could follow the battle line had enabled this choice. The second major weight saving compromise was in the number of main guns. Regretfully, Raeder would reject the 4x2 armed proposal in favor of the 3x2 armed version, and as a compromise increase the number of shells carried in each magazine so with the expected speed/tactical advantage against most foes, it would have little impact on a long range engagement. The third “compromise” was on honesty, as the next battleships would come in at 45000 empty weight, again a direct violation of expected future international treaties. With regard to armor the citadel would be very well protected against up to 16 inch shells, and deck protection would also include long range plunging fire from the British 15 inch shells. Outside of the citadel, a relatively heavy waterline belt would extend for all of the length, and a modest low deck armor would protect against cruiser fire outside the citadel and subdivision would protect against the consequences of heavier shells. This layout would ensure that only serious bad luck would dramatically slow the ships in a long or short range engagement with its British foes. Also with only three main turrets, heavy armor had been possible to improve their resilience.

As regards to secondaries, omitting a stern turret had made it possible to include a superfiring quadruple 15 cm DP turret (organized as two double turrets internally) and the choice had been made to include a similar turret at the Bow. With 5 double turrets lining the sides of the ships, the new battleship would feature an 18 15 cm DP gun broadside, thus enabling quick dispatch of smaller vessels and merchant ships.

No compromise was made on the anti-aircraft fire and the battleships would receive the upcoming 55mm and 30 mm automatic anti-aircraft batteries. To provide space for the AA batteries and redundancy in the centralized fire control a decision was taken to omit the float planes and to position accessory small liaison ships at a bow and stern position relatively to the citadel.

Raeder tried to think about it from all angles. Clearly, the ships would require air cover for scouting and he imagined them converge in pairs on opposing heavy units of the royal navy. In this way, the admittedly painful loss of the fourth turret would be largely mitigated.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 34: Real and fake ATL Bismarck class designs
Two models designed in shipsharp with all its limitations. Modifications to speed and range with assigned weight as before.
Notice that I would imagine an extended belt as per German OTL priorities. so with the 200 mm and 135 m's of additional belt, try to imagine it as 450 to 350 mm on 45 m's (eg. a full 180 m's with 350-450 mm belt) and then 100 mm until the bow and stern.
Similar for the deck, try imagining the bow and stern belt as 45 m's as 130 mm and the rest 10. All values in addition to 20 mm of structural steel. All in all a fairly long citadel (180m) and a fairly short one were it is also tall (135m).


Here is what the KM actually tries to construct:

ATL Bismarck, Germany Fast battleship laid down 1935

Displacement:
47.365 t light; 50.948 t standard; 53.995 t normal; 56.432 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
(908,05 ft / 885,83 ft) x 108,27 ft x (34,45 / 35,67 ft)
(276,77 m / 270,00 m) x 33,00 m x (10,50 / 10,87 m)

Armament:
6 - 16,54" / 420 mm 55,0 cal guns - 2.440,05lbs / 1.106,79kg shells, 250 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1935 Model
3 x 2-gun mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
1 raised mount - superfiring
8 - 5,91" / 150 mm 55,0 cal guns - 111,15lbs / 50,42kg shells, 300 per gun
Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1935 Model
1 x 4-gun mount on centreline, aft deck centre
1 raised mount
1 x 4-gun mount on centreline, forward deck centre
1 double raised mount
20 - 5,91" / 150 mm 55,0 cal guns - 111,15lbs / 50,42kg shells, 200 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1935 Model
10 x 2-gun mounts on sides, evenly spread
4 raised mounts
24 - 2,17" / 55,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 5,63lbs / 2,55kg shells, 500 per gun
Breech loading guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1935 Model
10 x Twin mounts layout not set
6 raised mounts
2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
2 double raised mounts
72 - 1,18" / 30,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 0,91lbs / 0,41kg shells, 1.000 per gun
Breech loading guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1935 Model
10 x Quad mounts layout not set
4 raised mounts
8 x Quad mounts on centreline, aft deck forward
8 double raised mounts
Weight of broadside 17.953 lbs / 8.144 kg

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 17,7" / 450 mm 442,91 ft / 135,00 m 17,72 ft / 5,40 m
Ends: 6,89" / 175 mm 442,88 ft / 134,99 m 12,66 ft / 3,86 m
Upper: 3,94" / 100 mm 442,91 ft / 135,00 m 7,87 ft / 2,40 m
Main Belt covers 77 % of normal length
- Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
1,77" / 45 mm 771,00 ft / 235,00 m 27,76 ft / 8,46 m
Beam between torpedo bulkheads 75,49 ft / 23,01 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 17,7" / 450 mm 11,8" / 300 mm 11,8" / 300 mm
2nd: 7,87" / 200 mm 5,91" / 150 mm 5,91" / 150 mm
3rd: 5,91" / 150 mm 3,94" / 100 mm 3,94" / 100 mm
4th: 1,18" / 30 mm 0,79" / 20 mm 0,39" / 10 mm
5th: 1,18" / 30 mm 0,79" / 20 mm -

- Armoured deck - multiple decks:
For and Aft decks: 6,89" / 175 mm
Forecastle: 1,97" / 50 mm Quarter deck: 1,97" / 50 mm
- Conning towers: Forward 15,75" / 400 mm, Aft 1,97" / 50 mm
Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
Direct drive, 4 shafts, 195000 shp / 68.751 Kw = 31 kts
Range 10.000nm at 19,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 5.484 tons

Complement:
1.770 - 2.302

Cost:
£20,809 million / $83,237 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 4.683 tons, 8,7 %
- Guns: 4.683 tons, 8,7 %
Armour: 21.357 tons, 39,6 %
- Belts: 8.227 tons, 15,2 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 1.403 tons, 2,6 %
- Armament: 4.132 tons, 7,7 %
- Armour Deck: 7.050 tons, 13,1 %
- Conning Towers: 545 tons, 1,0 %
Machinery: 2.618 tons, 4,8 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 18.507 tons, 34,3 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 6.629 tons, 12,3 %
Miscellaneous weights: 200 tons, 0,4 %
- On freeboard deck: 100 tons
- Above deck: 100 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
86.667 lbs / 39.311 Kg = 38,3 x 16,5 " / 420 mm shells or 15,4 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,00
Metacentric height 5,6 ft / 1,7 m
Roll period: 19,2 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 69 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,67
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,18

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck,
an extended bulbous bow and small transom stern
Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,572 / 0,578
Length to Beam Ratio: 8,18 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 32,08 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 40 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 58
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 3,28 ft / 1,00 m
Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
Fore end, Aft end
- Forecastle: 30,00 %, 32,81 ft / 10,00 m, 22,97 ft / 7,00 m
- Forward deck: 30,00 %, 22,97 ft / 7,00 m, 19,69 ft / 6,00 m
- Aft deck: 20,00 %, 19,69 ft / 6,00 m, 18,04 ft / 5,50 m
- Quarter deck: 20,00 %, 18,04 ft / 5,50 m, 19,03 ft / 5,80 m
- Average freeboard: 21,95 ft / 6,69 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 76,7 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 153,3 %
Waterplane Area: 70.033 Square feet or 6.506 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 215 lbs/sq ft or 1.051 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 1,04
- Longitudinal: 0,98
- Overall: 1,00
Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
Excellent accommodation and workspace room

And here is the fake one:

ATL Bismarck, Germany Fast battleship fake laid down 1935

Displacement:
35.901 t light; 38.069 t standard; 39.690 t normal; 40.986 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
(908,05 ft / 885,83 ft) x 108,27 ft x (25,59 / 26,24 ft)
(276,77 m / 270,00 m) x 33,00 m x (7,80 / 8,00 m)

Armament:
9 - 13,78" / 350 mm 45,0 cal guns - 1.319,35lbs / 598,45kg shells, 150 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1935 Model
3 x 3-gun mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
1 raised mount - superfiring
8 - 5,91" / 150 mm 55,0 cal guns - 111,15lbs / 50,42kg shells, 300 per gun
Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1935 Model
1 x 4-gun mount on centreline, aft deck centre
1 raised mount
1 x 4-gun mount on centreline, forward deck centre
1 double raised mount
20 - 5,91" / 150 mm 55,0 cal guns - 111,15lbs / 50,42kg shells, 150 per gun
Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1935 Model
10 x 2-gun mounts on sides, evenly spread
4 raised mounts
24 - 2,17" / 55,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 5,63lbs / 2,55kg shells, 450 per gun
Breech loading guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1935 Model
10 x Twin mounts layout not set
6 raised mounts
2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
2 double raised mounts
72 - 1,18" / 30,0 mm 65,0 cal guns - 0,91lbs / 0,41kg shells, 500 per gun
Breech loading guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1935 Model
10 x Quad mounts layout not set
4 raised mounts
8 x Quad mounts on centreline, aft deck forward
8 double raised mounts
Weight of broadside 15.187 lbs / 6.889 kg

Armour:
- Belts: Width (max) Length (avg) Height (avg)
Main: 9,84" / 250 mm 442,91 ft / 135,00 m 12,66 ft / 3,86 m
Ends: 3,94" / 100 mm 442,88 ft / 134,99 m 12,66 ft / 3,86 m
Main Belt covers 77 % of normal length
Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
- Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
1,77" / 45 mm 442,91 ft / 135,00 m 27,76 ft / 8,46 m
Beam between torpedo bulkheads 78,77 ft / 24,01 m

- Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 11,8" / 300 mm 7,87" / 200 mm 7,87" / 200 mm
2nd: 7,87" / 200 mm 5,91" / 150 mm 5,91" / 150 mm
3rd: 5,91" / 150 mm 3,94" / 100 mm 3,94" / 100 mm
4th: 1,18" / 30 mm 0,79" / 20 mm 0,39" / 10 mm
5th: 1,18" / 30 mm 0,79" / 20 mm -
- Armoured deck - multiple decks:
For and Aft decks: 3,54" / 90 mm
Forecastle: 0,79" / 20 mm Quarter deck: 0,79" / 20 mm
- Conning towers: Forward 7,87" / 200 mm, Aft 1,97" / 50 mm
Machinery:
Diesel Internal combustion motors,
Direct drive, 4 shafts, 86.101 shp / 64.232 Kw = 26,69 kts (Probably claimed at 110000 shp and 28 knots)
Range 5.000nm at 15,00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 2.916 tons

Complement:
1.405 - 1.827
Cost:
£15,792 million / $63,169 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 3.676 tons, 9,3 %
- Guns: 3.676 tons, 9,3 %
Armour: 10.980 tons, 27,7 %
- Belts: 3.273 tons, 8,2 %
- Torpedo bulkhead: 806 tons, 2,0 %
- Armament: 3.140 tons, 7,9 %
- Armour Deck: 3.515 tons, 8,9 %
- Conning Towers: 247 tons, 0,6 %
Machinery: 2.446 tons, 6,2 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 18.798 tons, 47,4 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3.789 tons, 9,5 %
Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0,0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
76.518 lbs / 34.708 Kg = 58,5 x 13,8 " / 350 mm shells or 13,2 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,15
Metacentric height 7,3 ft / 2,2 m
Roll period: 16,8 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,49
Seaboat quality (Average = 1.00): 1,08

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck,
a normal bow and small transom stern
Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0,566 / 0,570
Length to Beam Ratio: 8,18 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 32,09 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 40 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30,00 degrees
Stern overhang: 3,28 ft / 1,00 m
Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
Fore end, Aft end
- Forecastle: 30,00 %, 32,81 ft / 10,00 m, 22,97 ft / 7,00 m
- Forward deck: 30,00 %, 22,97 ft / 7,00 m, 19,69 ft / 6,00 m
- Aft deck: 20,00 %, 19,69 ft / 6,00 m, 18,04 ft / 5,50 m
- Quarter deck: 20,00 %, 18,04 ft / 5,50 m, 19,03 ft / 5,80 m
- Average freeboard: 21,95 ft / 6,69 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 77,2 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 192,0 %
Waterplane Area: 69.635 Square feet or 6.469 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 131 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 230 lbs/sq ft or 1.124 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 1,17
- Longitudinal: 0,95
- Overall: 1,00
Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
Excellent accommodation and workspace room

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 35: French and British response to the German build-up.

The expansion of the German navy up until 1933 had not left either the British or the French sleepless. However, the earlier heavy German cruisers coupled with the Italian building of their Trento class cruisers had necessitated a response from the French who did not have the number of cruisers possessed by the British. France had moved on with a 23.300 tons battleship design to be coined the Dunkirque class in 1931 and armed with 2x4 305 mm guns laying down the second ship in 1933. The design was made to counter the Trento and Deutschland class of 8 inch guns while outclassing them with its own 305 mm, and reserving the possibility of building 3 ships on the 70000 tons allotted space from the London Naval treaty..

Essentially, that the Germans had or were close to reaching their ToV allowance with ships that seemed manageable by existing ship classes were not too disturbing. This, assuredness changed after 1933 as it became clear that the German state were bustling with activity. With regards to the Navy, the lock at Wilhelmshaven were expanded, officially to also accommodate the large new liners build for Lloyds and a 330 m long drydock would be constructed in both Bremen and Kiel, while a smaller dock of 250 m would be constructed in Bremen. Again officially, this matched the large civilian expansion and the need for repair of multiple civilian ships. As these were now often running on German diesel engines, German shipyards had a competitive advantage when offering repairs and had good reason to capitalize on this advantage.

So while all of it might be legitimate, the thought experiment, what if it is all a ruse to cover rearmament, did contribute to anxiety. Consequently, the French laid down their third ship of the class in early 1934 to a slightly modified and overweight design with better armor and started to invest sufficient funds in the two ships already laid down. These had lingered forward at a slow pace with commitments dwindling during the financial crisis which roared through France in the early 1930’s.

In early 1935, rumors that a triple 11 inch turret were being installed on the Deutschland class and that admiral Scheer had been recommissioned with new guns reached the French admiralty, that immediately did two things. Demanded an explanation by the Germans (who denied everything) and initiated the finalization of what would become an evolution of the Dunkirque design: A small battleship designed to outperform 11 inch gun armed cruisers and also to shrug of the guns of the existing older Italian battleships. The Italians had stayed silent during 1933-and into early 1935, but all this changed in the summer of 1935 when in short succession:

Adolf Hitler announced that the newly formed Luftwaffe had achieved parity in the air;

Adolf Hitler announced the signing of the Anglo-German Naval agreement;

Benito Mussolini announced that the Italians announced that they had initiated building of two 35000 tons battleships;

and Adolf Hitler announced that Germany was well under way to generate a 36 division army.

These announcements left the French naval defense plans in disarray with two insufficient ships on the slipways and one launched and fitting out and without a design ready to counter the new threat, nor the infrastructure to support it. Furthermore, in 1935, the financial crisis peaked in France and the struggle for the necessary investments were fierce. For all these reasons, the lack of the design foremost, it would not be until June 1936 and February 1937 that the follow-on designs of the 35000 Richelieu class with 2x4 380 mm guns would be laid down. This French departure from existing treaties would naturely be used by France’s enemies in the future.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 36: Post-AGN agreement expansion.

The AGN agreement stipulated that Germany at all times would maintain a navy at 35% of the Royal Navy except in submarines were the number was 45% and could be expanded to 100% with prior notification of the British government. The follow-on French decision to build beyond the London Naval treaty was a source of German consternation on the actual numbers, but Hitler valued the short term legitimacy it provided more. As he would tell Raeder, Germany should build what it wanted, maybe conceal and deceive for a while, and when it was time to go beyond, Hitler would find a pretext.

Thus it happened that Germany in the aftermath of the signing of the AGN commenced a building program up to the AGN limitations and announced the building of 3 battleships of 35000 tons, 2 carriers of 23000 tons, the upgrade of their existing panzerschiffe to capital ships (6 11 inch guns each) and the building of 6 heavy cruisers of 8300 tons. The Germans also now acknowledged that they had launched 6 destroyers of 2000 tons and were laying down 6 more and for submarines, that they were building 12 coastal submarines and 6 ocean going models. Germany had plenty of spare tonnage in light cruisers, but they were out of building capacity for the moment.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 37: German naval aviation influencing radar development and computation.

The Reichsmarine now named Kriegsmarine had practiced naval aviation in Odessa* since the early 1920’s and it was clear that naval aviation was both an unknown that might obstruct the strategies made for Germany’s capital ship raiders (could slow them down), a major force multiplier as scouts, and an offensive weapon. These realizations meant that Germany’s capital ships were the protected in AA artillery, and an independent school had been established for anti-aircraft gunnery, and Germany were establishing their own carriers. Even so, the Kriegsmarine realized the danger from surprise air attacks and the independent administration regarding air defense was to play an important role in the early 1930’s. The department of naval anti-aircraft defense would in 1930 attract physicist Rudolf Kühnhold who previous had worked on microwave communication systems. With a strategic development sponsor in hand, Rudolf Kühnhold established Gesellschaft für Elektroakustische und Mechanische Apparate (GEMA) in 1930**. GEMA would subsequently employ Hans Hollmann and Theodor Schultes from the Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin as consultants. GEMA would have strategic focus on early warning and range finding for naval artillery and especially aircrafts. The focus on the much higher precision needed for directing AA gun-laying stimulated continuous work on the cavity magnetron and progress in this regard fueled development of more powerful and smaller computation devices. At the end of the 1930’s, the naval focus on both gun-laying and code-breaking would have made Germany the world leaders in analog and electronic computation.


*Cf chapters 24 and 28.

**Established in 1934 IOTL

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 38: German naval aviation and aircraft development.

The two converted freighters did not serve long on the South Atlantic mailing routes before they returned to Germany as dedicated training ships for the new Kriegsmarine. On these the logistics of navigation, steam and compressed air driven catapults and working arrestor hooks and caples, and provided valuable experience before constructing the first two purpose built fleet carriers and finishing the design work on the converted liners. It also taught the Germans the hazards of carrier landings and take-off and would be instrumental in the future procurements. The German doctrine on carrier aviation was not very clear as it was gradually dawning on the Germans that carrier borne torpedoes and AP bombs would be a threat to larger ships, while the Germans maintained a fixed fast battleship/battlecruiser based strategy for winning the future commerce war. Initially, and following this strategy, defense of the battlegroups and scouting came first, while offensive strike power came second. Based on the continuous operation out of Odessa and ocean operations from 1934 (with mail planes), the Kriegsmarine had formed a separate entity, The Marineflieger, with a limited, but existing capacity to order its own aircraft. Its first ambition had been to order an interim trainer and then a follow-on advanced torpedo, dive, scout plane which would later turn into the Fi-167. The Marineflieger leaders also realized that cutting edge fighter aircraft would be hard to establish from scratch just for small volumes, and was therefore present as observers when the results of the Luftwaffe call for a fighter aircraft were tested in Rechlin, the Raubvogle immediately favored the He-112A.

The He-112A nevertheless lost the competition to the Bf109, but Ernst Heinkel were nevertheless guaranteed production orders for the Raubvogle of either the He-112A or the He-112B redesign that Heinkel had also been asked to make for the competition. The order for Heinkel aircraft let to interference from the German ministry of aviation who were wary of distractions to the Heinkel manufacturing capacity and expected it to be dedicated to producing bomber aircraft when it seemed Heinkel would lose the fighter order.

Prompted by this impressive capability of the Air Ministry to provide obstacles, and the observation that engine supply had limited the test of the first fighter aircraft*, the Raubvogle department awarded a separate contract for both Heinkel and for a joint venture between MAN and Daimler-Benz to build a navy operated airframe and aircraft engine factory.



*OTL the first German fighters were tested with Rolls-Royce engines.

 

[Gudestein]

Chapter 39: German shipbuilding activities following the Sudeten crisis

The British meddling in German re-unification with the Sudetenland in late September 1938 convinced Hitler that Britain were likely to interfere with German expansion and the ability to actually hurt Britain was more important than the perception of peaceful intentions on the high seas. Consequently, but initially secretly, Germany rejected the limitation imposed by the AGN agreement made 3 years earlier. Amidst a plethora of new activities the highlights of the achievements were the following:

3 officially 35000, but actually 45000 tons battleships launched and fitting out with 3x2 420 mm guns.

2 fleet carriers at officially 23000 tons, actually 26000 tons. 1 converted liner almost complete.

6 Panzershiffe with 2x3 11’’ guns commissioned

6 heavy cruisers with 2x3 206 mm guns.

6 modern light cruisers and 6 fitting out (4x2 150 mm DP guns).

18 large diesel destroyers (25-2700 tons) armed with 4x 150 mm DP guns, long range, 8 torpedo launchers and a good complement of AA guns.

36 coastal submarines*

17 Ocean going submarines**

1 Experimental submarine***

12 800 tons motortorpedoboote

48 E-boats

11 large fleet supply ships at 18000 tons (33000 tons fully loaded), these were now being converted into their role as fleet supporters with fitting of additional diesel engines, use of outer hull void (torpedo defense zone) for fuel tanks rather than cargo, and fitting of an DP and AA complement. These were being established modularly with 2 modules with 3x2 105 mm DP guns fore and aft including radar and director, and 3 modules of 4x2 55 mm AA guns and 4x4 20 mm AA guns including radar and director. Mounts, director and FC computers were mounted on deck with 20 mm armor shielding. They were also being fitted with a catapult and two float planes.

Less advanced and on the slipways

Two of the major liners (at 50000 tons were in docks to be converted to carriers as were the two remaining smaller 25000 tons liners).

1 officially 45000 tons battleships (officially to be equipped with 4x2 406 mm guns) laid down in 1937 and one further laid own in 1938****

3 Panzershiffe (officially liners (presumably replacing those converted as carriers)) at 20000 tons and 4x2 11’’ guns.

6 light cruisers

6 large fleet supply ships

12 large diesel destroyers now at 2800 tons

36 M class minesweepers (two per slipway per year)

12 E-boats

6 Motortorpedoboote at 1000 tons.

24 ocean going submarines, a further 3 type XVII and 3 experimental types were under production.

*OTL type IIB equivalent

** OTL type IXB equivalent with 3000 nautical miles further range (15000). The German submarines ITTL is designed for Atlantic operations and carries larger torpedoes, hence the pendulum swings in favor of the type IX

*** The desire for submarines capable of fleet operations let to the design of the type XVII design. A 1200 tons submarines with powerful diesels capable of surface speeds of 22 knots even hull compromises made for submerged speed which could be up to 14 knots in a sprint. Already when designed it was seen as an insufficient compromise and a new design optimized for cruising when submerged were being designed. A further 3 submarines of the type were on the slipways.

**** The Germans laying down a 45000 tons ship at 4x2 406 mm guns prompted the British to lay down a further 3 Lions class battleships which enabled the Germans to lay down an additional ship.