A Baltic role raises a different problem for the Deutschland class: facing the Soviet Gangut-class battleships. Deutschland needed to turn broadside to use all six eleven-inch guns, while Gangut could answer with twelve twelve-inch guns after making the same turn. The stated speed advantage was about 28 knots against 24.1 knots. Limited room to run in the Baltic reduced the usefulness of that advantage. The comparison questions whether a Baltic role justified Deutschland's chosen combination of guns and speed.
Notable Point · 1:44:50-1:45:58
A Baltic role put Deutschland against heavier Soviet batteries
Six eleven-inch guns compare poorly with Gangut's twelve twelve-inch guns, while confined Baltic waters limit the value of Deutschland's speed advantage.