WI: No large scale Kriegsmarine?

I took the OP's question to ask IF by not building large Naval units would it prevent England from guaranteeing Poland, hence starting the war. I think that would have been a real possibility. If Germany only had the pocket battleships, some cruisers and a few U-boats I don't think GB would have been as worried. But with Germany having laid down keels for the 2 Bismarks, the Graf Zepplin, along with rapidly expanded U-boat construction they got GB's attention and concern. Had those ships never been started and the U-boat fleet kept at 20 (with heavy R&D and constantly producing prototypes) I think England would have been much less concerned. If England doesn't declare war because of Poland, the Norway campaign never happens so the Naval requirements of that campaign are moot.

If I was Germany (at that point) I would have spent the money (some of it) I saved on the capital ship production and created naval patrol planes. You could protect Germany's coast using air power at that point if needed.
Britain didn't declare war on Germany because of fears over the size of Germany's navy, they did it because they were worried that Germany was going to dominate Europe and become too powerful for Britain to resist. A couple of battleships either way is neither here nor there.
 

Redbeard

Banned
One thing is what happens in Europe, that will be worth a long discussion. But the effects are anyway quite heavy in Asia. Without having to commit substantial naval forces to bottle up the Kriegsmarine a naval presence in South East Asia that can actually deter the Japanese is realistic.

If the PoD also mean no U-Boat campaign we will not only see OTL ships in Singapore, but the British pre-war naval expansion programme will be completed. In stead of AS escorts we will see numerous modern carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers and long range subs. This RN will be able to take on the IJN offensively, certainly after the Italian navy is dealt with.
 
WI no large scale investment in Kriegsmarine during German re-armament?

the balanced fleet scenario WAS the compromise signed to improve relations with GB, any further concessions or curtailing of KM construction produces no (further) positive results for Germany. to cut the heart out of KM, battleships and u-boats, would certainly produce NEGATIVE results.

a more coherent and realistic KM plan could have saved resources however. modest rebuilds for existing Panzerschiffe and light cruisers had been identified and could be completed.

the WWI-era coal fired ships could be converted to escorts/armored transports coupled with increased number (and some of increased size) of coal fired M-boats. (replacing their R-boats and planned G-class)

above that build the planned scout cruisers instead of their ill-fated super destroyers and heavy cruisers.

given their struggles to fabricate turrets and largest caliber guns limit their guns to 11" caliber, it was long ranged and largest caliber useful as rail gun (well not useful but transportable as rail gun.)

with that and scrapping the carrier program (except possible conversions) they could finish? six Scharnhorst-class ships?
 
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