The claim that the Deutschlands were intended primarily to fight France runs into the geography of French trade. Mediterranean shipping required access to a confined sea, while traffic from the Far East passed through the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Suez Canal. Britain could declare the narrow route neutral, guard it with capital ships, cruisers, and destroyers, and prevent a German raider from using it as a hunting ground. French merchantmen elsewhere could also sail under British protection or identity once war aligned the two powers. A German raider would still confront British-controlled chokepoints, cruiser groups, or capital ships.
Notable Point · 2:08:18-2:09:54
French trade geography undermined the Deutschland raiding mission
Designing the Deutschlands against France did not solve the operational problem because much French trade passed through waters Britain could close or protect.