In the years following the unification of Germany in 1871, the Imperial Navy emerged from its fragmented roots with ambitions to become a dominant maritime power. This video explores the fascinating evolution of Germany’s early battlecruiser force—beginning with SMS Blücher and progressing through SMS Von der Tann, Moltke, Goeben, and culminating with the powerful SMS Seydlitz.
We start by examining how early armored cruisers laid the foundation for what would become a uniquely German interpretation of the battlecruiser. While the Royal Navy pursued speed and firepower at the expense of protection, the Kaiserliche Marine emphasized balanced designs—sacrificing neither armor nor endurance. This philosophy resulted in ships that, while generally outgunned, were considerably better protected than their British counterparts.
SMS Blücher, though often mischaracterized as a failed battlecruiser, was actually the culmination of Germany’s armored cruiser lineage—built in response to outdated intelligence about Britain’s Invincible class. Armed with twelve 21 cm guns and boasting heavier armor than any British cruiser at the time, Blücher was a formidable vessel in her own right—until she tragically met her end at the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1915.
From there, we follow the German response to Britain’s true battlecruisers. SMS Von der Tann, Germany’s first true battlecruiser, marked a leap forward in both firepower and speed, carrying eight 28 cm guns and achieving over 27 knots on trials. Unlike British ships, Von der Tann’s armor allowed her to engage in the line of battle—a defining trait of all subsequent German battlecruisers.
Next, we explore the design and service history of the Moltke class, which added a fifth main turret and improved propulsion. Goeben, a sister ship to Moltke, would gain enduring fame for her role in bringing the Ottoman Empire into World War I. Then came SMS Seydlitz, an evolution in armor and survivability, which famously survived catastrophic magazine explosions at the Battle of Dogger Bank—proving the resilience of German naval engineering.
The video dives deep into the technical specifications, development debates, and strategic doctrines that shaped these ships. We explore the competing visions within the German Navy—between those advocating cruiser-style scouting roles and others who insisted these vessels must be capable of standing in the battle line. Designers wrestled with displacement limits, turret arrangements, and the ever-present budget constraints imposed by the Reichstag.
Each of these warships reflected the growing confidence and industrial strength of the German Empire—and the rising tension with the Royal Navy that would eventually explode in World War I. From Blücher’s misstep to Seydlitz’s near-miraculous survival, these ships laid the foundation for the Derfflinger class and beyond, which will be covered in Part II.
Join us as we delve into the origins of Germany’s battlecruiser program—where ambition, doctrine, and steel converged in the cold waters of the North Sea.
0:00 Intro
0:59 Blücher
14:07 Von Der Tann
21:17 Moltke
26:26 Goeben
26:37 Seydlitz
33:20 Conclusion
Sources/Other Reading:
https://www.amazon.com/Castles-Steel-...
https://www.amazon.com/British-Battle...
https://www.amazon.com/Jutland-1916-C...
https://www.amazon.com/Jutland-Unfini...
https://www.amazon.com/German-Battlec...
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-w...
https://www.jutland1916.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Skagerrak-Batt...
Paintings: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=h...
Video Information:
Copyright fair use notice. All media used in this video is used for the purpose of education under the terms of fair use. All footage and images used belong to their copyright holders, when applicable.
Информация по комментариям в разработке