A German ship's commissioning date did not necessarily mark readiness for operations. The Kriegsmarine could commission a vessel before testing was complete, while Royal Navy and US Navy practice waited until the ship was ready for service. That difference shifted responsibility for unresolved defects: accepting the ship left the service paying for later problems, while withholding acceptance kept pressure on the builder to finish the contract. Launch, commissioning, and entry into service are therefore separate measures of fleet strength.
Notable Point · 9:08-10:35
Why German commissioning dates can overstate readiness
German warships could be commissioned before testing was complete, so commissioning dates can overstate operational availability and obscure who remained liable for defects.