The comparison returns to 10,000 nautical miles for the Deutschland class against the longer quoted Scharnhorst figure of 7,100. That is a 2,900-nautical-mile difference in total range. The diesel ship also has a quoted cruising speed of 20 knots against 19. An extra knot adds 24 nautical miles in a day and 240 over ten days. The argument treats the Deutschland machinery as an early generation with further development available, rather than the final limit of diesel performance.
Notable Point · 14:02-15:25
Why one extra knot matters on a long cruise
Small cruising-speed differences accumulate over days, while additional fuel endurance enlarges the area a raider can reach.