German Battlecruisers

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designeraccd
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German Battlecruisers

Unread post by designeraccd »

Was this formerly MAJOR Navy overlooked, as a TOPIC??

At any rate, I was wondering if others on the Forum have Gary Staff's magnificent book: GERMAN BATTLECRUISERS OF WORLD WAR ONE? Of all the naval books my little library contains, I can't think of another book that I value so highly. The research, writing, drawings and photos combine into one fascinating volume chock full of information on this handful of magnificent ships.

Besides photos of the actual battlecruisers, there are numerous, crystal clear CGI renderings of them. Included at the rear of the book are photos, drawings and data on the ships that were to follow the HINDENBURG, and even larger concepts beyond the MACKENSEN/ESATZ YORCK classes.

Anyone want to lead off a discussion of these ships, or other books about them? IMhO the 3 DERFFLINGERS were about as handsome a WW1 era capital ship as there was, plus backed by both good offensive and excellent overall defensive power. Any thoughts/comments??

Attached are 3 non glamor shots. The two of HINDENBURG were taken from a old short film showing her salvage from Scapa. DFO
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jbryce1437
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by jbryce1437 »

designeraccd wrote: Mon Aug 13, 2018 6:03 pm Was this formerly MAJOR Navy overlooked, as a TOPIC??

DFO
Ooops, It certainly was an omission on my part, but I have corrected that now and moved your post to the correct section.

Jim
HMS Raleigh 1963 , HMS Collingwood 1963 & 67 , HMS Ark Royal 1964-7, HMS Undaunted 1968-71, HMS Victory (Fleet Maintenance Group) 1971-72, HMS Exmouth 1972-74
JEM, EM, OEM, LOEM, POOEL
Then 28 years in the Fire Brigade
Retired since 2002
designeraccd
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by designeraccd »

Thought maybe their current problems had affected the status!! ;) DFO
designeraccd
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by designeraccd »

Only fair to add a few shots of their last battlecruiser, the HINDENBURG, that is ship shape!! :) Well, at Scapa she did get a bit scuzzy... :( DFO
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ivorthediver
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Would be great some of their countryman added there comments and thoughts , as you say Dennis under subscribed unlike the U-boat Forum , but lets stay positive eh :idea:
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
designeraccd
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by designeraccd »

One should not forget the tough SEYDLITZ; who took severe damage at both Dogger Bank and Jutland. She certainly displayed the ability to survive very heavy damage, and get home. Fortunately for her, home was relatively close. DFO
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ivorthediver
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Well that was a pasting , still if you cant take it you shouldn't give it out eh Dennis :(

Thanks for posting that
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
designeraccd
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by designeraccd »

One must remember the first one, too. The SMS VON DER TANN. She carried 8-11", versus the INVINCIBLE class 8-12", but was better protected. She proved her worth at Jutland. DFO
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ivorthediver
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Well done and thanks for the info Dennis ...., glad to see your on the ball [ or Buoy ]
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
designeraccd
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Re: German Battlecruisers

Unread post by designeraccd »

The 2 "modern" battlecruisers" were the SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU, altho the Kriegsmarine always called them battleships. Their belt armor was actually thicker than the BISMARCK, but due to Adolf's political decision they only carried 9-11.1" (283 mm). They were handsome ships, particularly after they got "Atlantik" bows; seem in both pics of SCHARNHORST. Having to mount both 5.9" for anti destroyer use and open mount twin 4.1" for heavy AA cost valuable displacement. Given that they did not have a dp 5", for example, meant using two different weapons; unlike RN with the 5.25" or USN with 5" 38s.

The early war service of the twins was quite good, but after the Channel Dash....not so much. As the GNEISENAU lost her bow to the RAF only the SCHARNHORST could carry on. Eventually she fell to the DUKE OF YORK off North Cape. She was definitely fighting above her capability versus the 14" gunned DoY and the cruisers and destroyers with her. After her loss only the damaged TIRPITZ remained in North Atlantic waters, but she never sailed on a combat mission after SCHARNHORST's loss. DFO
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