Q&A · 49:59-50:39

Could Germany complete seven Scharnhorsts by 1941?

Early standardization on the 11-inch Scharnhorst design might let German yards complete about seven ships by 1941.

Question

Could German yards have built seven Scharnhorst-class ships by 1941 if work began in 1935?

Short answer

Possibly, if Germany standardized on the 11-inch design and sequenced construction through the available yards.

Notes

The named yards could not all start identical ships simultaneously, but a 1935 program might cycle enough hulls through them to produce roughly seven by 1941. Keeping the 11-inch armament and avoiding redesign would be central to that pace.