If Germany had built Plan Z without an intervening war, the earliest H-class ships would probably have followed the H-39 design rather than the more extravagant later studies. Building later pairs with different engines and guns would complicate crew training, maintenance, spares, and readiness. At the same time, capital-ship changes absorbed resources that could have produced destroyers and submarines. The result fits the Kriegsmarine's recurring shortage of destroyers in actual and proposed operations, including Operation Sea Lion.
Notable Point · 44:01-46:10
Capital-ship ambition crowded out essential escorts
Successive pairs of increasingly different H-class ships would consume resources and expertise needed for destroyers, submarines, and fleet screening.