The Deutschland class does not fit the pocket battleship or battlecruiser labels in this analysis. It was a long-range diesel heavy cruiser burdened by an oversized main armament. Replacing the 11-inch guns with 8-inch weapons could have reduced turret and ammunition weight or allowed more machinery. An impressive paper gun calibre came at the expense of the speed and flexibility a commerce raider needed in practice.
Notable Point · 32:15-35:17
The Deutschland class paid heavily for 11-inch guns
The 11-inch armament consumed weight that could have improved the speed, machinery, and ammunition arrangements of what was effectively a long-range heavy cruiser.