Displ: 11,700 tons standard; 15,900-16,200 tons full load
Dim: 610 x 71 x 24 feet
Prop: 8 Diesels, 54,000 hp, 3 shafts, 28 knots
Crew: 619-1,150
Arm: 2 triple 11 inch, 8 single 5.9 inch, 3 dual 4.1/65, 
       4 dual 37 mm, 6 20 mm, 8 21 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 2.25-3 inch belt, 1.5 inch deck, 3.25-5.5 inch turrets, 6 inch CT
        Designed as long range commerce raiders, powerful enough to sink 
        anything they could not outrun and fast enough to outrun anything they 
        could not sink, except for HMS Hood, Renown and Repulse.  Often classed 
        as "pocket battleships"; officially listed as Panzerschiffe 
        ("armored ships").  In reality they were raiding cruisers built to 
        light cruiser standards and equipped with an exceptionally heavy main 
        battery.  Built under a clause in the Treaty of Versailles that allowed 
        Germany to build ships up to 10,000 tons with guns of up to 11 inches; 
        this was intended to allow coast defense battleships.  Two further 
        ships of this class were redesigned to become the Scharnhorst
        class in response to the French Dunkerque class.  Deutschland 
        varied in the style and arrangement of the superstructure.

        Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy.  Laid down  1 Oct 1932, launched 
        30 June 1934 commissioned 6 Jan 1936.   Commerce raiding from the 
        beginning of the war.  Damaged by cruisers Ajax, Achilles
        and Exeter off the River Plate 13 Dec 1939, fled to Montevideo. 
        Blown up by the crew off Montevideo 17 Dec 1939 to avoid internment
        or battle against an imagined superior force.