Germany built battleships during World War II, despite the growing recognition that such vessels were becoming increasingly obsolete in the face of advancements in naval warfare, particularly the rise of air power and submarines. Several factors contributed to Germany's decision to construct battleships like the Bismarck, Tirpitz, and the incomplete H-class designs. These reasons were a mix of strategic, political, and psychological considerations.
1. Strategic Vision and Naval Ambitions
Plan Z: In 1939, Adolf Hitler approved Plan Z, an ambitious naval rearmament program aimed at building a balanced fleet that could challenge British naval supremacy. This plan included multiple battleships, aircraft carriers, and other warships. However, the plan was scaled down and abandoned with the outbreak of war.
Surface Fleet as a Distraction: Germany’s Kriegsmarine (navy), under Admiral Erich Raeder, sought to use capital ships like battleships and heavy cruisers not for fleet engagements but as commerce raiders to disrupt Allied shipping. The Bismarck's short-lived but impactful sortie in 1941 highlighted this strategy.
2. Symbolic and Psychological Factors
National Pride: Battleships were seen as symbols of national power and prestige. Their massive size, firepower, and imposing presence resonated with propaganda purposes, reinforcing the image of German strength under the Third Reich.
Hitler’s Obsession with Big Projects: Hitler had a penchant for monumental projects, including super battleships. The H-class battleships, which were never completed, were designed to outmatch any Allied counterpart, underscoring his obsession with grandiose displays of military might.
3. Misinformation and Miscalculation
Underestimation of Air Power: While aircraft carriers were gaining prominence, some naval strategists in Germany and elsewhere initially underestimated their potential to dominate naval warfare. The vulnerability of battleships to aerial attack became undeniable after events like the sinking of the British battleship HMS Prince of Wales and the Japanese battleship Yamato later in the war.
Focus on Traditional Naval Warfare: Germany's naval leadership, rooted in traditional doctrines, initially believed battleships would still play a decisive role in fleet engagements, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
4. Constraints on Aircraft Carrier Development
Limited Experience and Resources: Germany’s lack of experience in aircraft carrier design and operation hindered its ability to compete with the carrier-centric navies of the United States, Britain, and Japan.
Incomplete Projects: The German aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin was never operational, leaving the Kriegsmarine reliant on traditional capital ships like battleships and cruisers.