How would World War II change with KM40 dual-purpose guns in the Kriegsmarine and navalised Fw 190s aboard Graf Zeppelin?
Short answerGermany would gain a more credible carrier and air-defence force, but the Royal Navy would likely sustain carrier construction and field more carriers sooner in response.
NotesNavalised Fw 190s aboard Graf Zeppelin and KM40 dual-purpose guns based on the Flak 40 would give Germany a more capable carrier and stronger naval air defence in this counterfactual. A credible German carrier threat could keep British carrier construction moving even if battleship construction were paused. Four Illustrious-class carriers are imagined entering service around 1940, with the Implacables following in 1941 or 1942. Moving workers from battleship construction to carriers is considered easier than shifting them into corvette construction. Germany's improvement could therefore prompt the Royal Navy to bring more carriers into service earlier.