D-class cruiser (Germany)

D-class cruiser
CG rendering of the D-class cruiser design
Class overview
Builders
Operators Reichsmarine
Preceded byDeutschland class
Succeeded byP class (planned)
Built14 February – 5 July 1934
Planned2
Completed0
Cancelled2
General characteristics
TypeHeavy cruiser
Displacement20,000 long tons (20,000 t)
Length
Beam25.5 m (83 ft 8 in)
Draft8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Installed power125,000 PS (123,000 shp)
PropulsionSteam turbines
Speed29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Armament
Armor

The D-class cruisers were a pair of German heavy cruisers, classified as panzerschiffe ("armored ships") by the Reichsmarine (Navy of the Realm). The ships were improved versions of the preceding Deutschland-class cruisers, authorized by Adolf Hitler in 1933. They were intended to counter a new French naval construction program. Displacement increased to 20,000 long tons (20,000 t), but Hitler allowed only increases to armor, prohibiting additions to the ships' main battery armament. Both ships were laid down in February 1934, but not much work done before work was cancelled pending a significant revision of the design. It was determined that the ships should be enlarged to counter the new French Dunkerque-class battleship. The construction contracts for both ships were superseded by the Scharnhorst-class battleships.[1]

  1. ^ Gröner, p. 63.