The projected battle fleet

Battleships

The six H39-class ships were designed as long-range successors to Bismarck and Tirpitz. Only H and J reached the slipway before wartime priorities stopped the program.

6 planned ships

The H39 class

Capital ships for the Z-Plan

Diesel propulsion and exceptional range reflected their intended role in Atlantic commerce warfare. Their 40.6 cm guns, greater displacement and enlarged dimensions represented a direct development of the Bismarck class.

Profile for Schlachtschiff H

H39-class battleship

Schlachtschiff H

Laid down
The lead ship of the H39 class was laid down as the projected core of the Z-Plan battle fleet and may have received the name Hindenburg.Explore ship →
Profile for Schlachtschiff J

H39-class battleship

Schlachtschiff J

Laid down
The second H39-class battleship was begun at AG Weser before wartime priorities ended construction in October 1939.Explore ship →
Profile for Schlachtschiff K

H39-class battleship

Schlachtschiff K

Planned
The third H39-class battleship remained a planned unit whose order was canceled before construction began.Explore ship →
Profile for Schlachtschiff L

H39-class battleship

Schlachtschiff L

Planned
The fourth H39-class battleship was allocated to the Kriegsmarinewerft at Wilhelmshaven but never laid down.Explore ship →
Profile for Schlachtschiff M

H39-class battleship

Schlachtschiff M

Planned
The fifth H39-class battleship remained on the building program until its order was canceled in October 1939.Explore ship →
Profile for Schlachtschiff N

H39-class battleship

Schlachtschiff N

Planned
The final planned H39-class battleship was canceled with the fleet's shift from capital ships to wartime submarine construction.Explore ship →

Separate project archive

H-class Design Evolution

H40A, H40B and H41 through H44 belong to the continuing design process rather than the six-ship H39 construction program.

Explore H40A–H44 →