How would seven pristine, oil-fired but uncrewed Mackensen-class battlecruisers arriving in September 1938 affect Germany, the Royal Navy, and the coming war?
Short answerGermany would gain powerful hulls but face a work-up problem, while Britain would accelerate refits and construction of carriers and modern battleships to restore the balance.
NotesThe scenario places seven oil-fired Mackensen-class battlecruisers at Kiel on 1 September 1938, using the Prinz Eitel Friedrich refit depicted in World of Warships. They arrive in pristine condition without crews, while Germany has gained the ability to manufacture their 35 cm guns and ammunition in 1935. The game configuration is described as roughly 35,000 tons at full load and capable of 28 knots. Its low casemate guns and limited antiaircraft fit leave shortcomings despite the large addition to Germany's fleet. Preparing crews and working up the ships is estimated to require eighteen months to two years. Britain could use that interval to accelerate battleships, carriers, refits, and submarines, while France would face a larger German force. Another suggestion is to use some of the additional ships as diversions, drawing British attention away from Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Bismarck. The speakers disagree about whether the apparent windfall would also bring forward Nazi plans for war. These are consequences proposed for a game-derived counterfactual, not events that occurred.