British and American gun calibres followed recognizable national progressions, while German capital-ship work reacted more directly to British developments. The departures of Alfred von Tirpitz and Henning von Holtzendorff then removed two figures who had supplied political oversight and organizational structure. Too many competing authorities shaped battleship and battlecruiser development after they left. The late-war design process became badly fragmented.
Notable Point · 16:46-18:03
Leadership losses fragment German capital-ship design
German gun-calibre choices and late-war design problems reflected reactions to Britain and the loss of senior leaders who had coordinated naval construction.