Why Did Scharnhorst Have 11-Inch Guns?
The Historical Context of the Treaty of Versailles
The construction of the Scharnhorst class battleships was driven by a very specific set of historical circumstances, primarily dictated by the Treaty of Versailles following World War I. This treaty placed strict limitations on German naval capabilities, aiming to prevent Germany from posing a significant threat to the Allied powers again.
The Germans were neither conquered nor occupied by the victors but were required to agree to a form of independence under strict military and naval restrictions. The Treaty of Versailles coined these restrictions as clauses that would keep Germany’s post-war navy as a minimal self-defense force. This entailed a stringent limitation on the size and firepower of German ships.
11-Inch Guns: A Custom Fit for the Treaty of Versailles
The choice of 11-inch guns for the Scharnhorst class was a direct result of the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. At the time, no larger caliber guns were readily available for mass production in German industry. The 11-inch guns were the largest caliber available and thus the only feasible option for a ship of the Scharnhorst class. Even though Germany tried to circumvent these limitations later, by attempting to refit the Scharnhorst class with 15-inch guns, this change was never fully implemented due to the outbreak of World War II.
The Evolution of German Naval Guns
The 11-inch guns used on the Scharnhorst class were a development from older German designs. These guns, technically known as 28cm calibre weapons, were an upgrade from the Brandenburg class battleships, which carried fired 26cm guns. These 26cm guns, in turn, were based on the '10.2-inch' 22-calibre length guns of the Sachsen class coast defence ironclads from the 1870s. The long history of German naval firearms can be traced back to these earlier designs, reflecting the evolving capabilities in shipbuilding and armament technology.
While the Scharnhorst class was primarily designed as a commerce raider and giant cruiser, the choice of 11-inch guns was more about compliance with international limitations than tactical superiority. These guns were sufficient for the intended role of the ship, which was to engage in long-range naval battles or disrupt enemy shipping.
The Treaty of Versailles and German Naval Restrictions
The Treaty of Versailles not only placed strict tonnage limitations on German ships (only 10,000 tons for a warship of any type) but also prohibited Germany from having modern battleships or battlecruisers. As a result, the old pre-dreadnought battleships, armed with 11-inch guns, were repurposed to form the basis of Germany’s new navy. The Deutschland-class ships, despite being larger than permitted, were designed to keep within the gun limitations of the Treaty.
Despite the restrictions, Germany attempted to modernize its fleet through designs like the Scharnhorst class, which aimed to exceed the Treaty's gun limits while still maintaining a claim to only 11-inch guns. By the time these ships were constructed, the British had already begun building the King George V class, which also adhered to the 11-inch limit even though the ships themselves were larger.
Re-arming Plans and War Interventions
Even within the constraints of the Treaty, plans were made to re-arm the Scharnhorst class with larger 15-inch guns. These new turrets would have allowed the ships to mount a total of six guns instead of the initial three. However, these plans were never realized due to the outbreak of war in 1939. The urgency of military needs and the rapid escalation of the conflict dictated that the ships retain their original armaments.
The Scharnhorst class was thus built with 11-inch guns as they were the largest available caliber that could comply with the Treaty of Versailles. This decision was not only a practical one but also a political one, reflecting the delicate balance between military necessity and international compliance.
Conclusion
The choice of 11-inch guns for the Scharnhorst class was primarily a product of the Treaty of Versailles, which severely restricted German naval capability. While modernization plans existed, the reality of war and the constraints of the Treaty meant that the ships carried the only guns they could. This dynamic highlights the intricate interplay between history, politics, and technology in the development of naval forces.