Q&A · 18:59-21:57

A Dutch fleet built from surrendered German capital ships

A counterfactual Dutch navy keeps the strongest surviving German battleships and battlecruisers while selling older units.

Question

If the High Seas Fleet surrendered to the Dutch in 1918, which ships would they keep, sell, or scrap?

Short answer

They would likely retain Bayern- and König-class battleships and Hindenburg, using the best units for home and Far Eastern squadrons while disposing of older ships.

Notes

The Bayern and König classes, plus Hindenburg and perhaps Derfflinger, would be more useful than older German ships. Retaining the most modern units avoids spending scarce Dutch resources on a large collection of obsolete hulls. A Far Eastern squadron and a home reserve force are plausible, though Dutch politics and admirals would shape the final allocation. The answer combines material selection with the overseas commitments that would give the prizes a purpose.