Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:06:59-2:10:33

A cruiser-focused German navy without pre-dreadnoughts

Rejecting pre-dreadnought construction likely leaves Germany with coastal-defense ships and a stronger armored-cruiser force rather than a conventional High Seas Fleet.

Armoured CruisersBattlecruisersCoastal Defence ShipsFleet StrategyImperial German Navy
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Question

What would Germany have built after its coastal-defense ships if it had skipped the pre-dreadnought battle fleet?

Short answer

Most likely more and larger cruisers, with armored-cruiser development potentially leading indirectly to battlecruisers or fast battleships.

Notes

Without a commitment to pre-dreadnought battleships, Germany probably retains coastal-defense ships while developing its armored cruisers. One path would keep overseas station flagships such as Fürst Bismarck as the main model. Another would make armored cruisers a substitute battle fleet and bring forward the transition toward Roon- and Scharnhorst-style fast scouts. These ships could already be as large as contemporary battleships, so a cruiser emphasis would not necessarily mean a small navy. Increasing their armament and armor could eventually produce battlecruisers or fast battleships, depending on how Germany responded to the dreadnought.