Kreuzer P7

Design studies for a successor to the Deutschland-class Panzerschiffe began in 1938. Designated Kreuzer P, the projected ships were larger, faster and better protected than their predecessors. Their long range, 28 cm guns and high speed were intended to let them defeat heavy cruisers while avoiding battleships during commerce-raiding operations. The Z-Plan called for twelve ships, with four to be laid down annually from 1939 and the complete force ready by 1947. The first three were to receive the 28 cm turrets removed from Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during a planned conversion to 38 cm guns. When it became clear that those turrets would not become available on schedule, three Kreuzer P designs were enlarged to carry 38 cm guns, leading to the O-class battlecruiser project. Shipyard allocations were prepared, but no Kreuzer P was ordered before the outbreak of World War II ended the program.