Gneisenau class battlecruiser

The Gneisenau-class battlecruisers were large heavy gun warships of World War II vintage of the German navy, or Kriegsmarine. Due to the cost and prestige of such ships, they are often referred to as "capital ships". It was known as the Gneisenau class since the Gneisenau was the first to be completed, but others believe that it should have been named the Scharnhorst class since that ship was laid down first. In outward appearance, they were considered beautiful ships, and they looked very similar to the following Bismarck-class battleships, although they only had 3 main gun turrets to the Bismarck's 4. Unlike the Bismarck class where the Bismarck had been sunk before the Tirpitz was ready, both Gneisenau-class vessels saw combat action together for much of their careers.

Related Topics:
World War II - German - Kriegsmarine - Capital ships - ''Bismarck'' - ''Tirpitz''

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Like the "pocket battleships" of the Deutschland class, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were political compromises, symbols of international power for the Hitler regime, but designed not to overly inflame the British. The Royal Navy refers to them as "battlecruisers" http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/3542.html, as do most references which use Royal Navy sources, because they traded extra guns for their 32 to 33 knot (60 km/h) speed and extended range to allow for commerce raiding. British and German battlecruisers of World War I both had similar speed, but the British mounted heavier guns an the expense of armor protection while the Germans emphasized armor over gun calibre.

Related Topics:
Pocket battleship - ''Deutschland'' - ''Scharnhorst'' - ''Gneisenau'' - Hitler - Royal Navy - Battlecruisers - Knot - Commerce raiding

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As their designed main armament wasn't ready in time, they initially carried 9-11 in (280 mm) guns in three triple turrets, two forward and one aft, inferior to any Royal Navy capital ship of the time, although those guns were an improvement on the preceding Deutschland class. If they had carried their designed main armament of 6-15 in (380 mm) guns in three twin turrets, they would have been formidable opponents, faster than any British capital ship and nearly as well armored. But due to priorities and constraints imposed by World War II, they retained their 11 in (280 mm) guns in triple turrets throughout their careers.

Related Topics:
Gun - Turret

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