The Panzerschiffe carried firepower comparable to heavy or armoured cruisers while making speeds closer to those of battleships. A successful long-range raider needed cruiser speed, battleship-level striking power, and ample range. Within the restrictions Germany expected other powers to overlook, the design needed to approach a battlecruiser as closely as possible. Raeder could have chosen a more coherent combination of capabilities within the treaty and industrial constraints he faced.
Notable Point · 18:24-19:29
Why the Panzerschiffe needed battlecruiser qualities
Raeder's pocket battleships combined cruiser-level firepower with battleship speed when distant raiders needed almost the opposite balance.