Did Germany have aircraft carriers in WW2?

Did Germany have aircraft carriers in WW2?

Introduction

The German military, particularly the Kriegsmarine, had ambitious plans to build a significant naval force, including aircraft carriers, to challenge the dominance of the British Royal Navy. However, the outcome was far from what they had envisioned. In this article, we will delve into the history of Germany’s aircraft carrier program during World War II and answer the question: Did Germany have aircraft carriers in WW2?

Early Plans and Designs

In the 1930s, the Kriegsmarine began exploring the concept of building aircraft carriers. The first design, known as Graf Zeppelin, was commissioned in 1936. The ship was intended to be a 26,000-ton, 240-meter-long (787 ft) carrier with a flight deck capable of carrying 36 aircraft. The design was influenced by the British HMS Ark Royal and the American USS Lexington. However, the project was put on hold due to the need for more resources and the outbreak of World War II.

Glory and Scharnhorst Classes

In 1939, the Kriegsmarine decided to build two new aircraft carrier classes: Glory and Scharnhorst. The Glory class was designed to be smaller and more maneuverable, with a length of 200 meters (656 ft) and a displacement of 15,000 tons. The Scharnhorst class, on the other hand, was designed to be larger and more powerful, with a length of 240 meters (787 ft) and a displacement of 32,000 tons.

Glory Class

The Glory class consisted of two ships: Deutschland (also known as Lützow) and Schwabenland. Both ships were laid down in 1939, but only Deutschland was completed, with Schwabenland being canceled due to the war. Deutschland was launched in 1940 and was intended to be used as a training ship, but it never saw combat.

Scharnhorst Class

The Scharnhorst class consisted of two ships: Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Both ships were laid down in 1936, but only Scharnhorst was completed, with Gneisenau being sunk by British bombers in 1942. Scharnhorst was launched in 1938 and was commissioned in 1939. It saw action in the Battle of Norway and the Battle of Denmark, but was sunk by British battleships and cruisers in the Battle of North Cape in 1943.

Other Projects and Variants

In addition to the Glory and Scharnhorst classes, the Kriegsmarine also explored other aircraft carrier projects and variants, including:

• Bremen: A proposed 20,000-ton carrier with a length of 220 meters (722 ft).
• Hansa: A proposed 25,000-ton carrier with a length of 240 meters (787 ft).
• Panzerschiff: A proposed 20,000-ton carrier with a length of 220 meters (722 ft) and a focus on air defense.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Germany did have aircraft carriers in WW2, but they were limited in number and scope. The Kriegsmarine’s aircraft carrier program was ambitious, but ultimately, the war effort took priority, and resources were diverted to other areas. The Glory and Scharnhorst classes were the only aircraft carriers built, with Deutschland being the only one that saw limited action. Despite the lack of success, the German aircraft carrier program played an important role in the development of naval aviation and the Kriegsmarine’s strategy during World War II.

Table: German Aircraft Carrier Projects

Key Points

• Germany had ambitious plans to build aircraft carriers, but the program was limited in scope and resources.
• The Kriegsmarine built only two aircraft carriers, Deutschland and Scharnhorst, with Deutschland being the only one that saw limited action.
• The German aircraft carrier program played an important role in the development of naval aviation and the Kriegsmarine’s strategy during World War II.
• The project was influenced by British and American designs, with the Graf Zeppelin being designed after the British HMS Ark Royal and the American USS Lexington.