Q&A · 2:30:36-2:32:45

How Germany might use a captured Dutch battlecruiser

One captured Dutch battlecruiser could reinforce German sorties, while its sister ships would probably strengthen the Allies.

Question

If the Netherlands built battlecruisers before 1940, could Germany capture and use them?

Short answer

Capturing the whole class is unlikely. One captured ship might reinforce German capital ships once Germany had crewed and supported it.

Notes

The proposed Dutch battlecruisers would probably be built in Britain or America, since German orders already occupied Germany's limited building capacity. Completed ships would have crews and could move, making capture of the whole class unlikely. If Germany obtained one, it would first have to crew, support, and sustain the unfamiliar ship. It might join Scharnhorst and Gneisenau or become available for Bismarck's sortie. The remaining Dutch battlecruisers would probably serve alongside Britain, so the scenario changes both sides of the encounter.