Why does the spelling distinction between battle cruiser and battlecruiser matter?
Short answerIn the classification used here, a battle cruiser centres on global commerce warfare, while a battlecruiser is a heavy scout built to fight similar ships and operate nearer the battle line.
NotesIn this classification, a two-word battle cruiser is designed for commerce protection and disruption through economic warfare. A one-word battlecruiser is a heavy scout built to destroy similar ships and, if necessary, survive with the battle fleet as a second-line vessel. Britain's global infrastructure and imperial trade commitments gave the commerce role a purpose. The Japanese Kongo class instead followed the model represented by Tiger, intended to remain in the battle line long enough for the dreadnoughts to finish their opponents and provide support. German spending receives criticism because it competed with improvements to the battle fleet within a restricted budget. The United States could also have benefited from earlier battle cruisers in this argument, although congressional preferences for battleships and destroyers made that difficult.