A Kaiserliche Marine carrier for tactical reconnaissance

The proposed First World War German carrier is presented primarily as a reconnaissance tool, with fleet air defence as a secondary benefit. Zeppelins had endurance but were difficult to coordinate rapidly with a fleet action and vulnerable to wind and positioning constraints. Their speed and location could prevent them from reaching the decisive area when a commander needed immediate spotting. Organic aircraft promised information quickly enough to influence tactical deployment before the High Seas Fleet encountered a superior British concentration. The carrier was therefore an attempt to make the existing fleet more effective rather than simply add another striking platform.