Victory at Sea Kriegsmarine Fleet
The Kriegsmarine had to be virtually rebuilt after the First World War. Forbidden to own capital ships and submarines; Germany nibbled away at first one clause of the Treaty of Versailles; then another; until a powerful navy force existed.
At the outbreak of World War Two; relatively few capital ships were in commission; and no aircraft carriers. There was never any prospect of matching Britain in terms of capital ship numbers; but the qualitative advantage of the proposed super-battleships might have made a considerable difference. In any case; the Kriegsmarine was not a navy designed to tackle a major fleet head-on in fleet engagements. Instead; it was a commerce raiding force.
German capital ships were built according to principles tried out in World War One; internal compartmentalisation and damage control measures made them very difficult to sink; while their efficient power plants ensured a good top speed; essential in a raider. Coupled with excellent fire control – using radar and other means – and big guns to make use of it; these vessels were extremely potent weapons.
It has been said that Hitler never really understood naval warfare; be that as it may; the Kriegsmarine suffered from a lack of funding and materials; and from the internal politics of the Nazi leadership. Among its greatest detractors was Herman Goering; who connived constantly to ensure resources flowed into his Luftwaffe to the detriment of the navy. Major warship projects suffered from constant stops and starts as resources were allocated; then redistributed to other projects.
Eventually; as the tide of war turned against Germany; Hitler gave up on his navy and transferred guns originally intended for ships to the coastal fortifications of the Atlantic Wall. The Kriegsmarine continued to fight on with dwindling resources. U-boats and destroyers remained a menace to allied shipping to the very end of the war.
Contents:
Scharnhorst-class Battleship - Scharnhorst 1939
Admiral Hipper -class cruiser - Blücher 1940
Admiral Hipper -class cruiser - Prinz Eugen 1940
Admiral Hipper-class cruiser - Admiral Hipper 1939
Königsberg -class cruiser - Köln 1941
Königsberg -class cruiser - Königsberg 1940
Type 1936A-class Destroyer x3
Dive Bomber Aircraft - Junker Ju-87 Stuka flight x4 flights
Ship Cards and Damage Sliders
Assembly Instructions
