German battleship H-39 design version 1940 scheme B

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

The first ideas goes as far back as 1935. The Soviets intended to built 38cm/15” Sovetsky Soyuz-class battleships (1) forcing to change the plans for the German H-class, deciding on 5 October 1936 to choose for the same calibre. In 1937 was started with the H-39 design. Progress of the design work was slowed down because within the OKM opinions were colliding. Admiral Raeder (2) established on 27 January 1939 a “Special Group New Construction”with admiral Werner Fuchs (3) as chairman. The shipyard Blohm&Voss, Hamburg, Germany became responsible for coordinating the building of the planned six ships H-1939 preceded by the Bismarck-class, in fact an enlarged version of this class. Result was that on 15 July and 1 September the first two keels were laid down. On 1 September 1939 broke the Second World War out and the building was postponed and cancelled on 30 September. Design work however was continued. After France capitulated the United Kingdom became the major opponent and the design studies were to be altered as decided on 15 July 1940. The result were two schemes A and B; neither was realized. The planned succeeding designs H-41-44 were also not realized.

Displacement 62,816 (standard)-64,969 (designed)-68,906 (full load) tons and as dimensions 287.0 x 39.20 x 10.02 metres or 941.60 x 128.61 x 32.87 feet. Armament 4x2-40.6cm/16” guns. 6x2-15cm/5.9” guns, 8x2-10.5cm/4.1” guns (all enclosed flak mounts) 2x2-37mm/1.46” cal 83 (armoured mounts), 6x2-37mm/1.46” cal guns (shields), 32-2cm/0.79” machine guns and 6-3.3cm/21”submerged torpedo tubes. Could carry 4 Arado-196 floatplanes. Propulsion consisted of 2 shafts driven by VZ42/58 diesels and 2 shafts driven by steam turbines.Horsepower 236,700 shp. Maximum speed around 30.4 knots.

Notes

1. Sovetsky Soyuz-class battleships preceded by Imperator Nikolai I succeeded by Project 24, 15 planned, 4 laid down but not a s ingle ship was completed. Full load displacement 65,150 tons, dimensions 269.4 x 38.9 x 10.4 metres and 3x3-40.6cm/16”guns.

2. Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 Wandsbek, Germany-6 November 1960 Kiel, Germany), grand admiral, chief of the German Navy High Command 1 June 1935-30 January 1943.

3. Werner Fuchs (18 January 1891, Insterburg, East Prussia-30 June 1976, Kitzeberg near Kiel), head of Hauptamtes Kriegsschiffbau OKM between 15 October 1939-31 October 1944.