We're constantly seeing wanks for the German navy for World War II.
I'd like to look at it from a different angle: What is the minimum reasonable fleet for the Third Reich?
Here's my take on it:
Panzerschiff: 2, or perhaps all three. Major powers have real navies, and this was the best that they could do under the treaties. They are politically necessary as a "We are a real Great Power" statement. The old predreadnoughts are mostly worn out, and something is needed to fill the captital ship role in diplomacy.
The Twins: Once again, real Great Powers have battleships. Building them at a slower pace so that they could be armed with twin 15's might be a good idea. They should be able to contest the Baltic, with its old Soviet relics, easily enough. The pair of them is no real threat to anyone else, although they are formidable raiders. Use less cutting edge machinery, though--ships that don't run are useless.
Bismarcks--eventually, but take your time. You can't afford too much in the way of a surface fleet, and the 15" twins are sufficiently impressive battleships for now. They can wait until the land and air rearmament is complete and you can afford the luxury.
Carriers: Forget it. The most important battles will be fought under land based air, they are expensive, and you need to keep replacing planes. Get Japanese advisors and start long range plans so that you aren't completely baffled when you control the continent and need to think about them.
Cruisers: A steady building program to replace the Great War relics is needed. Exactly what is needed is debatable, but certainly a few heavy cruisers will keep an enemy honest when it comes to running convoys around. Now every convoy needs a solid escort. That will also keep enemy convoy raiders honest. These ships can be risked more than the battleships. They're also good for shore bombardment in areas where hostile navies can't go--like the Baltic.
2-3 CA's for showing the flag and secondary roles. CL's for all their usual purposes.
Destroyers: You need them. How many, I don't know, but you will lose some, so you need to keep a decent supply.
U-Boats: This is a surface ship thread.
I'd like to look at it from a different angle: What is the minimum reasonable fleet for the Third Reich?
Here's my take on it:
Panzerschiff: 2, or perhaps all three. Major powers have real navies, and this was the best that they could do under the treaties. They are politically necessary as a "We are a real Great Power" statement. The old predreadnoughts are mostly worn out, and something is needed to fill the captital ship role in diplomacy.
The Twins: Once again, real Great Powers have battleships. Building them at a slower pace so that they could be armed with twin 15's might be a good idea. They should be able to contest the Baltic, with its old Soviet relics, easily enough. The pair of them is no real threat to anyone else, although they are formidable raiders. Use less cutting edge machinery, though--ships that don't run are useless.
Bismarcks--eventually, but take your time. You can't afford too much in the way of a surface fleet, and the 15" twins are sufficiently impressive battleships for now. They can wait until the land and air rearmament is complete and you can afford the luxury.
Carriers: Forget it. The most important battles will be fought under land based air, they are expensive, and you need to keep replacing planes. Get Japanese advisors and start long range plans so that you aren't completely baffled when you control the continent and need to think about them.
Cruisers: A steady building program to replace the Great War relics is needed. Exactly what is needed is debatable, but certainly a few heavy cruisers will keep an enemy honest when it comes to running convoys around. Now every convoy needs a solid escort. That will also keep enemy convoy raiders honest. These ships can be risked more than the battleships. They're also good for shore bombardment in areas where hostile navies can't go--like the Baltic.
2-3 CA's for showing the flag and secondary roles. CL's for all their usual purposes.
Destroyers: You need them. How many, I don't know, but you will lose some, so you need to keep a decent supply.
U-Boats: This is a surface ship thread.
