What if both Deutschland-class cruisers had joined Scharnhorst and Gneisenau?
Short answerThey would add firepower but impose a speed penalty, making the combined force easier to catch and potentially risking all four ships for one convoy.
NotesLützow and Admiral Scheer could add 11-inch firepower, perhaps producing two raiding pairs. Their lower speed would also make them easier for British forces to catch, particularly after prolonged North Atlantic service. Even if four German ships overwhelmed one R-class battleship and its convoy, the damage might expose the entire raiding force to destruction. Trading four scarce raiders for one convoy would undermine Germany's wider surface-war position even after a local victory.