The familiar explanation that Germany deliberately kept Scharnhorst lightly armed chiefly to avoid provoking Britain and France is challenged. The emphasis is on what German industry could produce when the ships were built. An available 11-inch weapon imposed a practical ceiling regardless of diplomatic presentation. A larger German gun might have helped Royal Navy officers who were arguing against a British 14-inch limit and in favour of heavier capital-ship armament.
Notable Point · 1:47:10-1:48:25
Scharnhorst's 11-inch guns and German industrial limits
The 11-inch armament is presented as an industrial constraint, not simply a diplomatic gesture to Britain and France.