How would Alaska-class ships in prewar German service alter the Anglo-German naval race?
Short answerThey would likely meet Queen Elizabeth-class ships and encourage Britain to build more fast battleships instead of some battlecruisers.
NotesReplacing Germany's 12-inch battlecruisers with Alaska-class large cruisers would create a much heavier fast-wing threat before the First World War. Those ships would eventually meet Queen Elizabeth-class fast battleships rather than ordinary cruisers. Britain might respond by building additional Queen Elizabeths and shifting money away from battlecruisers. The counterfactual changes both the tactical match-up and the Royal Navy's construction programme.