Summary and Key Points: The Deutschland-class cruisers, often referred to as “pocket battleships,” were a series of three heavy cruisers built by Germany in the interwar period.
-These ships, named Deutschland, Admiral Scheer, and Admiral Graf Spee, were designed to comply with the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, which limited the size and armament of German warships.
-Despite these limitations, the Deutschland-class cruisers were innovative and formidable vessels that played significant roles during World War II.
Small but Mighty
The design of the Deutschland-class cruisers began in the early 1920s, with the goal of creating a powerful yet treaty-compliant warship. The Treaty of Versailles restricted Germany to building ships with a maximum displacement of 10,000 long tons.
To maximize the combat effectiveness within this limit, German naval architects employed several innovative techniques.
One of the most notable features of the Deutschland-class cruisers was their use of diesel engines instead of the more common steam turbines. This choice provided several advantages, including greater fuel efficiency and extended operational range. The ships could travel up to 10,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 20 knots, making them well-suited for long-range commerce raiding.
The armament of the Deutschland-class cruisers was another area where they stood out. Each ship was equipped with six 28 cm (11 in) guns mounted in two triple turrets, giving them firepower comparable to that of a battleship. Additionally, they carried eight 15 cm (5.9 in) secondary guns, eight 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes, and various anti-aircraft weapons.
The lead ship of the class, Deutschland, was laid down at the Deutsche Werke shipyard in Kiel in February 1929 and launched in May 1931. She was commissioned into the Reichsmarine (later the Kriegsmarine) in April 1933. Admiral Scheer followed, being laid down in June 1931, launched in April 1933, and commissioned in November 1934. The third and final ship, Admiral Graf Spee, was laid down in October 1932, launched in June 1934, and commissioned in January 1936.
Early Service and the Spanish Civil War
Before the outbreak of World War II, the Deutschland-class cruisers saw action during the Spanish Civil War. They were deployed on non-intervention patrols to enforce the arms embargo against both Republican and Nationalist forces.
During this period, the ships gained valuable operational experience and demonstrated their capabilities.
In May 1937, Deutschland was attacked by Republican bombers while anchored off Ibiza. The attack resulted in significant damage and the loss of 31 crew members. In retaliation, Admiral Scheer bombarded the port of Almería, causing considerable destruction.
World War II Service
At the onset of World War II, the Deutschland-class cruisers were tasked with commerce raiding operations against Allied shipping. Admiral Graf Spee was particularly successful in this role, sinking nine merchant vessels in the South Atlantic before being cornered by British cruisers at the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939.
Faced with overwhelming odds and believing reinforcements were imminent, Captain Hans Langsdorff scuttled the ship to prevent her capture.
Deutschland, renamed Lützow in January 1940 to free up the name for a new battleship, also participated in commerce raiding but with less success.
She was later involved in the invasion of Norway (Operation Weserübung) in April 1940. During this operation, she was damaged by Norwegian coastal artillery and subsequently torpedoed by a British submarine while returning to Germany for repairs.
Admiral Scheer, the most successful of the three, conducted a series of commerce raiding missions in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. She sank or captured numerous Allied merchant vessels and even bombarded the Soviet port of Dikson in the Arctic. Admiral Scheer also participated in Operation Wunderland, a sortie into the Kara Sea aimed at disrupting Soviet shipping.
The Fate of Hitler’s “Pocket Battleships”
As the war progressed, the Deutschland-class cruisers faced increasing challenges from Allied naval and air forces. Lützow was heavily damaged by British bombers in April 1945 while docked in Swinemünde. She was later scuttled by her crew to prevent capture by advancing Soviet forces.
Admiral Scheer met a similar fate. In April 1945, she was sunk by British bombers while moored in Kiel. The wreck was partially scrapped after the war, with the remains buried under rubble during post-war reconstruction.
Admiral Graf Spee, as previously mentioned, was scuttled in December 1939 after the Battle of the River Plate. Her wreck remains off the coast of Uruguay and has become a popular dive site and subject of historical interest.
Legacy of the Pocket Battleships
The Deutschland-class cruisers were a testament to German naval ingenuity and adaptability in the face of restrictive treaties. Their innovative design, combining heavy armament with diesel propulsion, allowed them to punch above their weight and pose a significant threat to Allied shipping during the early years of World War II.
Admiral Graf Spee Pocket Battleship.
Despite their eventual losses, the Deutschland-class cruisers left a lasting legacy in naval history. They demonstrated the potential of commerce raiding as a strategy and influenced the design of subsequent warships. The lessons learned from their service informed the development of later German heavy cruisers and battleships, contributing to the evolution of naval warfare in the 20th century.
The Deutschland-class cruisers were remarkable ships that played a crucial role in the naval history of World War II. Their innovative design and operational success, particularly in commerce raiding, underscored the importance of adaptability and ingenuity in naval engineering.
The German pocket battleship ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE in flames after being scuttled off Montevideo, Uruguay, after the Battle of the River Plate, 17 December 1939.
While all three ships were ultimately lost, their legacy endures as a testament to the capabilities of the Kriegsmarine and the strategic impact of well-designed warships.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
