German pre design for the Deutschland-class pocket battleships design II/30 dated January 1925

Design II/30. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Admiral Graf Spee. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Design D-class heavy cruiser. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Admiral Hipper-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 132 x 33 x 6.5 metres. Diesel propulsion, 3 shafts, 24,000hp and a speed of 21 knots. Side and turrets protected by 20cm armour and deck 2.5cm. Armament 3x2-30.5cm quick firing guns, 3-10.5cm anti aircraft guns and 2 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.