German pre design for the Deutschland-class pocket battleships design I/35 dated 27 May 1925

Design I/35. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Admiral Graf Spee. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Admiral Hipper-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Planned D-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Deutschland-class consisted of the Deutschland (Panzerschiff A, replacement of the Preussen) renamed Lützow in January 1940), Admiral Graf Scheer Panzerschiff B replacement of the Lotharingen) and Admiral Graf Spee (Panzerschiff C, replacement of the Braunschweig, lost in 1939). Succeeded by Admiral Hiper-class and planned D-class cruiser. Original called Panzerschiffe (armored ships), reclassifed as heavy cruisers in February 1940. The press called her pocket battleships while she were more competent then the pre-dreadnought battleships, able to outrun every ship more heavier armed or to out gun every existing (heavy) cruiser due to her armament of 2x3-28cm/11” guns. Plans to convert the two existing units in 1943 into aircraft carriers was not executed. Dimensions 126 x 21 x 7.20 metres. Diesel propulsion, 2 shafts, 16,000 hp and speed 19 knots. Armour sides 30cm-deck 3cm-turrets 35cm. Armament 1x3-35cm quick firing guns, 2x2-15cm quik firing giuns, 4-8.8cm anti aircraft guns and 4 submerged 53cm torpedo tubes.

Sources

Gerhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke. Die Panzerschiffe der Deutschland-klasse.

Mike J. Whitley. Deutsche Kreuzer im Zweiten Weltkrieg.

Gert Sandhofer. Das Panzerschiff “A” und die vorentwürfe von 1920 bis 1928.

Jane’s Fighting Ships several editions.

Flottes de combat several editions.

Bundesarchiv several files. German pre design for the Deutschland-class pocket battleships design