WI: The Wegener thesis became the basis of the Kriegsmarine strategy in WW2?

[BlackDragon98]

The Wegener thesis was an alternative strategy proposed between 1915-1929 by Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener. It stated that the only way Germany could defeat the UK at sea was by threatening it's sea lines of of communication with both surface and sub-surface combatants.
The Wegener thesis also stated that a friendly Norway was key to the plan.
OTL the thesis was only partially realized and badly executed as its creator Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener was forced into retirement in 1929 because his thesis conflicted with Grossadmiral Erich Raeder's plans for the Kriegsmarine.
But what if that wasn't the case?
What if he and Donitz had managed to convince Hitler to adopt the Wegener thesis in 1933?

Based on the thesis, I believe something I like to call a Marine Kampfgruppe (MKG) will be created.
The MKG would center around a large surface raider, like a Deutschland-class panzerschiffe, Prinz Eugen-class heavy cruiser or O-class battlecruiser.
It would be accompanied by 2-3 (probably 2) cruisers with heavy flak armament to protect it from enemy carrier planes, the cruiser probably being modified Königsberg-class cruisers. (One rear 15cm turret would be removed along with 2 triple torp tubes and the mines. Scout planes would be removed as well. Instead there would be a load of flak guns.)
There would also be 4-6 destroyers/ASW warships to protect the capital ships from enemy submarines.
Lastly, there would be 6-10 U-Boats that acted as scouts and attack enemy capital ships.
There would have to be 5-6 supply ships to sustain such a flotilla for long periods of time, though enemy merchant ships captured at sea can provide supplies as well.

Operational methods of the MKG are as follows:
-scout planes launched by the large surface raider would look for convoys and enemy ships (attack convoys and avoid enemy ships)
-once a convoy is sighted, the large surface raider will engage the convoy's escorts and probably destroy or cripple them
-U-boat will pick out targets and attack, while flak cruisers and destroyers will do the same or maybe try and convince some merchant ships to surrender so the MKG can loot their cargo
-the MKG has a set attack time, once this time is reached the MKG will form up and flee the area at high speed, to avoid detection by enemy ships
-if weak enemy flotillas are sight then the MKG has a choice to engage or flee
-if enemy carrier planes are sighted then U-boats will dive and scatter while all surface ships will spit as much flak as possible while zig-zagging at flank speed
-if enemy subs detected then large surface raider and cruisers will evade, while ASW ships and U-boats will engage
-if enemy fleet sighted then all ships will flee while a couple U-boat remain, to ambush enemy capital ships
-there are to be no fixed ratio of combatant types for the MKG in order to confuse the enemy

All the types of ships described above would not need very long to construct, and there could be at least 2-3 of these MKGs operating by 1940.
An essential prerequisite however, is the cancellation of all aircraft carriers and the Bismarck and Scharnhorst class.
Because this is precisely what scared the shit out of the RN before the war, the AGNA will probably not get signed.

How do you think formations like this will impact the Kriegsmarine's performance during WW2?

 

[MichaelWest]

It was my understanding that the British wanted the Germans to build a balanced fleet centered upon battleships precisely to avoid the pursuit of a purely commerce raiding and u-boat strategy. The AGNA gave the RN what it needed, numerical supremacy in capital ships it believed would be superior and replaceable in numbers. The German battleship construction did not anger Britain but rather committed Germany to compete according to British strategy. And at the time the RN assumed its ASDIC had neutralized the U-boat too. Obviously this relied upon Germany never gaining the access to the open sea as the Fall of France gave.
I think the plan would only have worked had they built far more u-boats and used air power to neutralize the British capital ships since without equals to pin the RN in place those can go run down the German surface units, precisely the mission the Battlecruiser really did not get to do for the RN.

 

[Ian_W]

Because this is precisely what scared the shit out of the RN before the war, the AGNA will probably not get signed.

How do you think formations like this will impact the Kriegsmarine's performance during WW2?

Heavily, as the RN pressures the British government to support the French intervention in the Rhineland, and the Hitler government then collapses.

Also, an old QE class on convoy escort is a hard counter to this fleet, as it outranges the surface combatants.

 

[RelativeGalaxy7]

The big issue is that these large warship formations will be relatively slow and easy to find. With the Germans doing this, the British and their Allies can use their navies of superior size to either stamp out these formations or cut them up to a point where they generally lose a lot of their effectiveness.

Trying to coordinate such complicated units will be a logistical nightmare, the amount of fuel and supplies needed for the ships you've listed is going to outweigh the ships and tonnage they sink. These ships cannot keep speed with each other effectively, if the warships run from enemies, they are leaving everything else behind. AA ships are not feasible as they will quickly expend their ammunition loads alongside the fact that interwar AA is not up to task in defending ships at sea from attack.

 

[BlackDragon98]

Heavily, as the RN pressures the British government to support the French intervention in the Rhineland, and the Hitler government then collapses.

Also, an old QE class on convoy escort is a hard counter to this fleet, as it outranges the surface combatants.

Quick question: do you invest at all?
France defaulted on its WW1 loans in 1932 and investors concluded that if another war started, then France would default AGAIN.
You lose your money once, you won't do it twice.
OTL this cause a massive outflow of cash due to fears of war caused by the remilitarization.
On March 16th, 1936, France was basically bankrupt, and they only stopped their economy from going kaput by doing some extreme stuff.
You can't mobilize your army if your bankrupt. Mobilization cost 30 million francs a day.
Plus the French overestimated the Luftwaffe in 1936.

In the UK, public opinion was against war and they lacked Dominion support.

The only thing what you described is going to do is make Hitler align closer towards Fascist Italy.
Italy sees Germany all alone and supports their Rhineland move while Germany returns by supporting the Invasion of Ethiopia.

And the QE looks like a nice fat target for the 6-10 U-boats list in my MKG.

 

[BlackDragon98]

The big issue is that these large warship formations will be relatively slow and easy to find. With the Germans doing this, the British and their Allies can use their navies of superior size to either stamp out these formations or cut them up to a point where they generally lose a lot of their effectiveness.

Trying to coordinate such complicated units will be a logistical nightmare, the amount of fuel and supplies needed for the ships you've listed is going to outweigh the ships and tonnage they sink. These ships cannot keep speed with each other effectively, if the warships run from enemies, they are leaving everything else behind. AA ships are not feasible as they will quickly expend their ammunition loads alongside the fact that interwar AA is not up to task in defending ships at sea from attack.

They all have speeds in excess of 31 knots with a few exceptions.
Maybe switch out the Deutschland class and konigsberg for some newer, faster stuff like the O-class battlecruiser and the M-class cruiser.
The amount of fuel is pretty much the same used in OTL.
As for AA maybe twist Goering's arm and get the 128mm Flak 40 in service faster (development started 1936)

Ratios can be changed as I stated in my post.
You can have any combination of the ships I listed.

 

[Ian_W]

Quick question: do you invest at all?

If Germany is building a fleet for the next war ? Yes. Yes you do.

Have you read the actual cabinet minutes on rearmament ?

 

[BlackDragon98]

If Germany is building a fleet for the next war ? Yes. Yes you do.

Have you read the actual cabinet minutes on rearmament ?

Looked at France's completely messed up economics?
War needs money, lots of money. France is bankrupt in 1935. The French only managed to stabilize things OTL by taking out massive loans.
If France isn't doing anything, UK definite won't do anything.
What about a complete lack of support from the Dominions?
Canada and South Africa were particularly outspoken about not getting involved.
Want to take Vimy Ridge again?
Well, looks like you're alone this time.

 

[CV(N)-6]

The MKG would center around a large surface raider, like a Deutschland-class panzerschiffe, Prinz Eugen-class heavy cruiser or O-class battlecruiser.
It would be accompanied by 2-3 (probably 2) cruisers with heavy flak armament to protect it from enemy carrier planes, the cruiser probably being modified Königsberg-class cruisers. (One rear 15cm turret would be removed along with 2 triple torp tubes and the mines. Scout planes would be removed as well. Instead there would be a load of flak guns.)
There would also be 4-6 destroyers/ASW warships to protect the capital ships from enemy submarines.
Lastly, there would be 6-10 U-Boats that acted as scouts and attack enemy capital ships.
There would have to be 5-6 supply ships to sustain such a flotilla for long periods of time, though enemy merchant ships captured at sea can provide supplies as well.

At the outbreak of the war, the KM had somewhere around fifty U-Boats. Only about twenty were seagoing, and while more and more will complete, the proximity of the majority of them to the MKG's means they will suffer casualties since the RN knows where they are if it keeps track of the MKG's, which it will, especially if it builds some trade protection carriers and maybe gets a few more cruisers and sloops into the 1930's programs to counter enemy surface raiders, one of its worst nightmares. Not to mention old carriers like Argus, and Hermes can serve as escorts to convoys along with the R class, and maybe the French WW1 deathtraps that can handle cruisers, so up to 10 old BB's in the escort role. That's a lot of covered convoys. Several hunting groups consisting of 1-2 of the 5 available BC's OTL each plus groups of CA's and Town's to fight non capital ship MKG's. These groups of gunships will be aided by say 2 tp carriers, 1-2 of C,G, and F, probably Hermes and Argus, maybe Eagle, and feasibly Ark Royal covering convoy routes since that's where the MKG's will always show up, will hunt down the supply ships, inflict casualties on the MKG's and U-Boats, and generally make the KM look stupid for trying to operate surface ships in a hostile Atlantic.

 

[Ian_W]

Looked at France's completely messed up economics?

Well, looks like you're alone this time.

Which is exactly why France gets backed.

 

[HJ Tulp]

Also, an old QE class on convoy escort is a hard counter to this fleet, as it outranges the surface combatants.

Does this matter? A QE can't dictate the range of the battle of it is shackled to a convoy.

 

[Ian_W]

Does this matter? A QE can't dictate the range of the battle of it is shackled to a convoy.

To attack the convoy, the surface group has to go inside that range and be destroyed.

 

[Cubert]

When would such a raiding group be deployed? Assuming the Brits are competent as per OTL I don't really see how it could get out of the North Sea. But then and again I could just be bullshitting.

 

[King Augeas]

4 kt U-boats make terrible scouts and don't work in tactical tandem with surface vessels.

You don't need your own dedicated ASW ships because of the above.

What you're describing is a concentrated surface action group, also known as a single juicy target.

What you need is what was done - the threat of raiders and U-boats to force convoy, then single/ double raiders to destroy the convoy.

But this only works if the convoy cannot be provided with a decent surface escort, or if British scouting capacity is weak.

 

[Ramontxo]

Speed let you dictate range when you can choose where to direct your ship. An old R class battleship between you and the convoy means that the only logical way to steer your O class supercruiser is away of it (you can also steer it towards Walhalla eight 15 inch RN guns are taking you there really fast). Now the whole Home Fleet is out there searching for you so you try to reach Brest (or Norway) before they reach you. End of operation.

 

[Belisarius II]

The Wegener thesis was an alternative strategy proposed between 1915-1929 by Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener. It stated that the only way Germany could defeat the UK at sea was by threatening it's sea lines of of communication with both surface and sub-surface combatants.
The Wegener thesis also stated that a friendly Norway was key to the plan.
OTL the thesis was only partially realized and badly executed as its creator Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener was forced into retirement in 1929 because his thesis conflicted with Grossadmiral Erich Raeder's plans for the Kriegsmarine.
But what if that wasn't the case?
What if he and Donitz had managed to convince Hitler to adopt the Wegener thesis in 1933?

Based on the thesis, I believe something I like to call a Marine Kampfgruppe (MKG) will be created.
The MKG would center around a large surface raider, like a Deutschland-class panzerschiffe, Prinz Eugen-class heavy cruiser or O-class battlecruiser.
It would be accompanied by 2-3 (probably 2) cruisers with heavy flak armament to protect it from enemy carrier planes, the cruiser probably being modified Königsberg-class cruisers. (One rear 15cm turret would be removed along with 2 triple torp tubes and the mines. Scout planes would be removed as well. Instead there would be a load of flak guns.)
There would also be 4-6 destroyers/ASW warships to protect the capital ships from enemy submarines.
Lastly, there would be 6-10 U-Boats that acted as scouts and attack enemy capital ships.
There would have to be 5-6 supply ships to sustain such a flotilla for long periods of time, though enemy merchant ships captured at sea can provide supplies as well.

Operational methods of the MKG are as follows:
-scout planes launched by the large surface raider would look for convoys and enemy ships (attack convoys and avoid enemy ships)
-once a convoy is sighted, the large surface raider will engage the convoy's escorts and probably destroy or cripple them
-U-boat will pick out targets and attack, while flak cruisers and destroyers will do the same or maybe try and convince some merchant ships to surrender so the MKG can loot their cargo
-the MKG has a set attack time, once this time is reached the MKG will form up and flee the area at high speed, to avoid detection by enemy ships
-if weak enemy flotillas are sight then the MKG has a choice to engage or flee
-if enemy carrier planes are sighted then U-boats will dive and scatter while all surface ships will spit as much flak as possible while zig-zagging at flank speed
-if enemy subs detected then large surface raider and cruisers will evade, while ASW ships and U-boats will engage
-if enemy fleet sighted then all ships will flee while a couple U-boat remain, to ambush enemy capital ships
-there are to be no fixed ratio of combatant types for the MKG in order to confuse the enemy

All the types of ships described above would not need very long to construct, and there could be at least 2-3 of these MKGs operating by 1940.
An essential prerequisite however, is the cancellation of all aircraft carriers and the Bismarck and Scharnhorst class.
Because this is precisely what scared the shit out of the RN before the war, the AGNA will probably not get signed.

How do you think formations like this will impact the Kriegsmarine's performance during WW2?

A strange dream. Sort of a play on the old armored cruiser concept, from the pre-dreadnaught days, with an odd mix of escorts added. If you could build all these ships why not build a balanced fleet? The sum of the parts would be less then whole. German Destroyers don't have the range for these missions. Flak Cruisers are too specialized for general use. These armored ships are more expensive then heavy cruisers, but are no match for capital ships. Completely wrong strategy for submarines. There was a reason no one used their submarines that way. A group of submarines can only hunt in an area that an individual boat can cover. The presence of surface ships would cost the subs the element of suprise, rendering them ineffective. What the Germans needed were aircraft carriers, and long range aircraft, to scout for the U-Boats, and attack convoys.

 

[Cryhavoc101]

The Wegener thesis was an alternative strategy proposed between 1915-1929 by Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener. It stated that the only way Germany could defeat the UK at sea was by threatening it's sea lines of of communication with both surface and sub-surface combatants.
The Wegener thesis also stated that a friendly Norway was key to the plan.
OTL the thesis was only partially realized and badly executed as its creator Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener was forced into retirement in 1929 because his thesis conflicted with Grossadmiral Erich Raeder's plans for the Kriegsmarine.
But what if that wasn't the case?
What if he and Donitz had managed to convince Hitler to adopt the Wegener thesis in 1933?

Based on the thesis, I believe something I like to call a Marine Kampfgruppe (MKG) will be created.
The MKG would center around a large surface raider, like a Deutschland-class panzerschiffe, Prinz Eugen-class heavy cruiser or O-class battlecruiser.
It would be accompanied by 2-3 (probably 2) cruisers with heavy flak armament to protect it from enemy carrier planes, the cruiser probably being modified Königsberg-class cruisers. (One rear 15cm turret would be removed along with 2 triple torp tubes and the mines. Scout planes would be removed as well. Instead there would be a load of flak guns.)
There would also be 4-6 destroyers/ASW warships to protect the capital ships from enemy submarines.
Lastly, there would be 6-10 U-Boats that acted as scouts and attack enemy capital ships.
There would have to be 5-6 supply ships to sustain such a flotilla for long periods of time, though enemy merchant ships captured at sea can provide supplies as well.

Operational methods of the MKG are as follows:
-scout planes launched by the large surface raider would look for convoys and enemy ships (attack convoys and avoid enemy ships)
-once a convoy is sighted, the large surface raider will engage the convoy's escorts and probably destroy or cripple them
-U-boat will pick out targets and attack, while flak cruisers and destroyers will do the same or maybe try and convince some merchant ships to surrender so the MKG can loot their cargo
-the MKG has a set attack time, once this time is reached the MKG will form up and flee the area at high speed, to avoid detection by enemy ships
-if weak enemy flotillas are sight then the MKG has a choice to engage or flee
-if enemy carrier planes are sighted then U-boats will dive and scatter while all surface ships will spit as much flak as possible while zig-zagging at flank speed
-if enemy subs detected then large surface raider and cruisers will evade, while ASW ships and U-boats will engage
-if enemy fleet sighted then all ships will flee while a couple U-boat remain, to ambush enemy capital ships
-there are to be no fixed ratio of combatant types for the MKG in order to confuse the enemy

All the types of ships described above would not need very long to construct, and there could be at least 2-3 of these MKGs operating by 1940.
An essential prerequisite however, is the cancellation of all aircraft carriers and the Bismarck and Scharnhorst class.
Because this is precisely what scared the shit out of the RN before the war, the AGNA will probably not get signed.

How do you think formations like this will impact the Kriegsmarine's performance during WW2?

Ahh yes the Jeune École ("Young School") Strategy that France developed during the 19th C

The OTL lack of such a German fleet in the late 30s worked for both the UK and Germany and also worked against them

By signing the AGNA the British were secure in the belief that Germany was not going to challenge them at sea by building a balanced fleet and Germany in return got buy in to its throwing off the 'shackles' of Versailles and allowed to rearm

On the down side Britain until pretty much 1938 believed that Hitler was someone with whom they could work with, someone who they could expect to work within the expected framework of then normal diplomacy and were happy to 'appease' (as appeasing is the normal way of things). The Munich talks disabused them of that notion.

Chamberlain was famously filmed waving his little bit of paper claiming 'peace in our time'

However 'effectively written' on the bit of paper was "SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT REARM LIKE FUCK REARM LIKE FUCK REARM LIKE FUCK REARM LIKE FUCK SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT" because that is exactly what his government did from that day onward till the start of WW2.

Rearmed like Fuck and shat themselves

Germany was, due to the AGNA treaty, in addition the owner of a 'balanced fleet', able to delude themselves that Britain (and therefore by extension France) would give them a free hand in the East and Hitler according to at least one witness was shocked and angered when both nations declared war over Poland.

So by going down the Jeune École ("Young School") Fleet Strategy from 1933 - Mothra's flapping wings and Cat 5 Hurricanes abound regarding the changes this brings

So what impact would this proposed POD have - well quite possibly it might have prevented WW2 from happening altogether - or kicking off far earlier with Britain and France reacting more robustly to the various events that OTL led to the 2nd WW2.

Very Likely Hitlers attempts at brinkmanship fail and therefore so does his government.

The UK likely starts re-armament far earlier including Conscription (OTL only one class of Conscripts had completed their 6 month training) and the treasury loosens the purse strings.

With increased British preparation - France is likely to also take a firmer stance

 

[McPherson]

The Wegener thesis was an alternative strategy proposed between 1915-1929 by Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener. It stated that the only way Germany could defeat the UK at sea was by threatening it's sea lines of of communication with both surface and sub-surface combatants.
The Wegener thesis also stated that a friendly Norway was key to the plan.
OTL the thesis was only partially realized and badly executed as its creator Vizeadmiral Wolfgang Wegener was forced into retirement in 1929 because his thesis conflicted with Grossadmiral Erich Raeder's plans for the Kriegsmarine.
But what if that wasn't the case?
What if he and Donitz had managed to convince Hitler to adopt the Wegener thesis in 1933?

Based on the thesis, I believe something I like to call a Marine Kampfgruppe (MKG) will be created.
The MKG would center around a large surface raider, like a Deutschland-class panzerschiffe, Prinz Eugen-class heavy cruiser or O-class battlecruiser.
It would be accompanied by 2-3 (probably 2) cruisers with heavy flak armament to protect it from enemy carrier planes, the cruiser probably being modified Königsberg-class cruisers. (One rear 15cm turret would be removed along with 2 triple torp tubes and the mines. Scout planes would be removed as well. Instead there would be a load of flak guns.)
There would also be 4-6 destroyers/ASW warships to protect the capital ships from enemy submarines.
Lastly, there would be 6-10 U-Boats that acted as scouts and attack enemy capital ships.
There would have to be 5-6 supply ships to sustain such a flotilla for long periods of time, though enemy merchant ships captured at sea can provide supplies as well.

Operational methods of the MKG are as follows:
-scout planes launched by the large surface raider would look for convoys and enemy ships (attack convoys and avoid enemy ships)
-once a convoy is sighted, the large surface raider will engage the convoy's escorts and probably destroy or cripple them
-U-boat will pick out targets and attack, while flak cruisers and destroyers will do the same or maybe try and convince some merchant ships to surrender so the MKG can loot their cargo
-the MKG has a set attack time, once this time is reached the MKG will form up and flee the area at high speed, to avoid detection by enemy ships
-if weak enemy flotillas are sight then the MKG has a choice to engage or flee
-if enemy carrier planes are sighted then U-boats will dive and scatter while all surface ships will spit as much flak as possible while zig-zagging at flank speed
-if enemy subs detected then large surface raider and cruisers will evade, while ASW ships and U-boats will engage
-if enemy fleet sighted then all ships will flee while a couple U-boat remain, to ambush enemy capital ships
-there are to be no fixed ratio of combatant types for the MKG in order to confuse the enemy

All the types of ships described above would not need very long to construct, and there could be at least 2-3 of these MKGs operating by 1940.
An essential prerequisite however, is the cancellation of all aircraft carriers and the Bismarck and Scharnhorst class.
Because this is precisely what scared the shit out of the RN before the war, the AGNA will probably not get signed.

How do you think formations like this will impact the Kriegsmarine's performance during WW2?

Just from a practical 1930s tech basis, an American CTF as of 1935 will tear that malarkey apart. It was a part of USN fleet problems of how to handle (Japanese) surface action groups based somewhat on that premise.
a. Drive subs down and render them blind.
b. Wreck the core command MKG ship.
c. Radio jam them all.
d. Pick the escorts off one at a time.
e. Bring what's left to battle and massacre with naval air power.

 

[Deleted member 94680]

How does France’s economy being wrecked magically allow Germany to go on a naval building spree (unobserved and unopposed by the apparently unconcerned WAllies) whilst still building the tanks, planes, artillery and vehicles needed for the rest of their War effort?

 

[jsb]

Based on the thesis, I believe something I like to call a Marine Kampfgruppe (MKG) will be created.
The MKG would center around a large surface raider, like a Deutschland-class panzerschiffe, Prinz Eugen-class heavy cruiser or O-class battlecruiser.
It would be accompanied by 2-3 (probably 2) cruisers with heavy flak armament to protect it from enemy carrier planes, the cruiser probably being modified Königsberg-class cruisers. (One rear 15cm turret would be removed along with 2 triple torp tubes and the mines. Scout planes would be removed as well. Instead there would be a load of flak guns.)
There would also be 4-6 destroyers/ASW warships to protect the capital ships from enemy submarines.
Lastly, there would be 6-10 U-Boats that acted as scouts and attack enemy capital ships.
There would have to be 5-6 supply ships to sustain such a flotilla for long periods of time, though enemy merchant ships captured at sea can provide supplies as well.
....
All the types of ships described above would not need very long to construct, and there could be at least 2-3 of these MKGs operating by 1940.
An essential prerequisite however, is the cancellation of all aircraft carriers and the Bismarck and Scharnhorst class.

Why do you want most of this?

You have a larger raider, 2-3 light CLs & 4-6 DDs,
This is a larger force that still cant fight a surface fight with a BB/BC and cant deal with CVs....
You add 6-10 Uboats to slow them down.... so they cant run from BBs.....
5-6 supply ships getting in the way.....

For that money you could simply send out the large raiders, Uboats and supply ships by themselves (with some hope of linking up individually like OTL) and keep the light craft for coastal defence Like OTL?

Why do you need to cancel S&G or B&T (+CV) its not actually many more ships than OTL unless you want larger raiders (and in that case use S&G....)?

Operational methods of the MKG are as follows:
-scout planes launched by the large surface raider would look for convoys and enemy ships (attack convoys and avoid enemy ships) OK as OTL for larger surface raiders
-once a convoy is sighted, the large surface raider will engage the convoy's escorts and probably destroy or cripple them OK as OTL for larger surface raiders
-U-boat will pick out targets and attack, while flak cruisers and destroyers will do the same or maybe try and convince some merchant ships to surrender so the MKG can loot their cargo The Uboats are 1000 miles behind trying to keep up at 1/2-2/3 the speed.....the lighter ships have run out of fuel trying to run so fast for long range as well...
-the MKG has a set attack time, once this time is reached the MKG will form up and flee the area at high speed, to avoid detection by enemy ships Not sure that sinking any radios is not a better plan....I think night fall will be the time to run as at that point it gets to hard to find a scattered convoy?
-if weak enemy flotillas are sight then the MKG has a choice to engage or flee What do you count as week? Just like OTL
-if enemy carrier planes are sighted then U-boats will dive and scatter while all surface ships will spit as much flak as possible while zig-zagging at flank speed Once they dive you are perminatly split 4kt v 26kt..... why zig zag until close to enemy weapons release?
-if enemy subs detected then large surface raider and cruisers will evade, while ASW ships and U-boats will engage Why not just run away at high speed and avoid the fight? U boats also cant really fight Subs underwater......
-if enemy fleet sighted then all ships will flee while a couple U-boat remain, to ambush enemy capital ships But they cant realistically the light forces will run out of fuel or the PBs will be to slow to run from a BC/CA RN force that will kill them, the Uboats will be impotent due to speed of the fight unless really lucky...
-there are to be no fixed ratio of combatant types for the MKG in order to confuse the enemy But why form them in the first place......the middle parts add/do nothing for the mix IMO....