View source for P-class cruiser

{{Short description|Proposed cruiser class of the German Navy}}
{{Use shortened footnotes|date=October 2022}}
{| {{Infobox ship begin |sclass=2}}
|+ P-class cruiser
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image   = 
| Ship caption = 
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Builders = 
| Operators = ''{{navy|Nazi Germany}}''
| Class before = [[D-class cruiser (Germany)|D-class cruiser]] (planned)
| Class after = {{sclass|Admiral Hipper|cruiser|4}}
| Total ships planned = 12
| Total ships completed = 0
| Total ships cancelled = 12
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = [[Heavy cruiser]]
| Ship displacement = 
* {{convert|22145|MT|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}} ([[standard displacement|standard]])
*{{convert|23700|MT|LT|abbr=on}} (design) 
*{{convert|25689|MT|LT|abbr=on}} ([[full load]])
| Ship length =
* {{cvt|230|m|ftin}} [[length overall|overall]]
* {{cvt|223|m|ftin}} [[length at the waterline|waterline]]
| Ship beam   = {{convert|26|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft  = {{convert|7.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = 12 × [[diesel engine]]s
| Ship power={{cvt|165000|PS|shp|lk=on}}
| Ship speed  = {{convert|33|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range ={{cvt|25000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|13|kn}}
| Ship complement = 
| Ship armament =
* 6 × {{convert|28|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns
* 4 × {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns
* 4 × {{convert|10.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} AA guns
* 4 × {{convert| 3.7|cm|in|abbr=on}} AA guns
* 6 × {{convert|53.3|cm|in|abbr=on|0}} torpedo tubes
| Ship armor =
* [[Barbette]]s: {{convert|80|to|100|mm|in|abbr=on}}
* [[belt armor|Belt]]: {{convert|40|to|120|mm|in|abbr=on}}
* Deck: {{convert|70|mm|in|abbr=on}}
* [[Torpedo bulkhead]]: {{convert|30|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| Ship aircraft = 2 × [[Arado Ar 196|Arado 196]] seaplanes
| Ship aircraft facilities = 2 × steam [[Aircraft catapult#Interwar and World War II|catapult]]s
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''P class''' was a planned group of twelve [[heavy cruiser]]s of Nazi Germany's {{lang|de|[[Kriegsmarine]]}}; they were the successor to the {{sclass|Deutschland|cruiser|2}}<nowiki/>s. Design work began in 1937 and continued until 1939; at least twenty designs were submitted with nine of them being considered. There were three designs that were selected as the final contenders. One design was armed with six 283mm main guns in one triple turret forward and one more turret aft. It had two 150mm double secondary gun turrets as secondary armament with one being positioned above and just fore of the aft of the main 283mm main turret, and the other being in front and lower of the front main gun turret. This design had more beam than the other 2 designs. It also mounted 2 seaplanes on its fantail instead of the mid ship area. The final design was armed with six {{convert|28|cm|in|abbr=on}} quick-firing guns in two triple turrets, as in the preceding {{lang|de|Deutschland}} class. The ships were designated as {{lang|de|Panzerschiff}} (armored ship), and given the preliminary names P1–P12. They were an improved design over the preceding planned [[D-class cruiser (Germany)|D-class cruisers]], which had been canceled in 1934. Although the ships were already assigned to shipyards, construction never began on the P-class ships after the {{sclass2|O|battlecruiser|2}} design superseded them.

== Design ==
[[File:Admiral Scheer in Gibraltar.jpg|thumb|left|{{ship|German cruiser|Admiral Scheer||2}}, one of the {{sclass|Deutschland|cruiser|1}}s, which provided the basis for the P-class design]]

In the early 1930s, [[Adolf Hitler]] began a rearmament program in Germany. He signed the [[Anglo-German Naval Agreement]] in 1935, which allowed Germany to build up its navy to 35 percent of the strength of the British [[Royal Navy]] and effectively repudiated the restrictions of the [[Treaty of Versailles]] on the German fleet.{{sfn|Sieche|p=220}} This led to a decision in 1937 to build ships to an improved {{sclass|Deutschland|cruiser|2}} design, which were at that time classified as "{{lang|de|panzerschiff}}" (armored ship).{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=351}} Design work on the new class of armored ships began that year.{{sfn|Gröner|p=64}} After more than twenty designs were evaluated to meet the navy's specifications, one was chosen; it was designated as cruiser "P".{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=351}} It called for a ship that [[displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{convert|20000|t|LT|adj=on|sp=us|lk=on|0}}, which had a maximum speed of {{convert|34|to|35|kn|lk=in}}, and was armed with a [[main battery]] of six {{convert|28|cm|abbr=on}} guns in two triple [[gun turret|turrets]].{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=352}}

By 1938, it became clear to Admiral [[Erich Raeder]] that Hitler's aggressive foreign policy would bring conflict with Britain. He therefore decided that a significantly larger force of armored ships would be necessary to execute an effective commerce raiding campaign against the British. Raeder's intention to fight a commerce war against Britain was the basis for [[Plan Z]],{{sfn|Sieche|p=220}} which included twelve ships of the P-class design.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|p=351}} The design work on the new ships proceeded in parallel with work on the {{sclass2|O|battlecruiser|2}} design.{{sfn|Sieche|p=226}} Experiments were conducted on at least nine different design proposals between March 1938 and December 1939. The designs varied somewhat in terms of dimensions as well as armament; some of the designs featured three 28&nbsp;cm triple turrets.{{sfn|Gröner|p=64}}

Many problems were encountered with designing the ships, the most prevalent being armor. The required maximum speed of {{convert|34|kn|abbr=on}} meant that the minimum [[Length overall|length]] had to grow from the original {{convert|217|m|ftin|abbr=on}} to {{convert|229.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. It also meant that the [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] could be a minimum of {{cvt|25|m|ft|0}}—unless [[diesel engine]]s, like those used in the {{lang|de|Deutschland}}{{'}}s, were desired; they would increase the beam by {{convert|2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. Unfortunately for the designers, the widened beam meant that an even longer [[hull (watercraft)|hull]] was needed to maintain hydrodynamic efficiency. All of this complicated the armor arrangements, as more armor was needed to cover the hull as it grew in size. Eventually it was deemed that it was impossible to include diesel power on a 20,000-metric-ton displacement. The displacement limit was therefore increased to accommodate diesel engines.{{sfn|Garzke & Dulin|pp=351–352}}

Initially, twelve ships were ordered based on the P-class design. The ships were ordered under the provisional names P1 through P12; the contracts were awarded to a number of German shipyards, including [[Deutsche Werke]] in [[Kiel]], [[Blohm & Voss]] in [[Hamburg]], and the {{lang|de|[[Kriegsmarinewerft Wilhelmshaven|Kriegsmarinewerft]]}} in [[Wilhelmshaven]]. However, Plan Z was reduced in size, and the number of armored ships was pared down to only eight vessels. This caused several of the contracts to be shifted around amongst the various shipbuilding companies. The first keel was set to be laid on 1 February 1940. The revised version of Plan Z, approved on 27 July 1939, removed the P-class ships from the construction queue. Instead, the decision was made to build the O-class battlecruisers only, with the outbreak of [[World War II]] in September meaning that not even those vessels would be built.{{sfn|Gröner|p=64}}

=== General characteristics and machinery ===
[[File:KMS Ersatz Hessen Circa Era 1935.jpg|thumb|Depiction of the earlier [[D-class cruiser (Germany)|D-class design]]; the P class was broadly similar, but differed in some respects, most notably the arrangement of the secondary and anti-aircraft armament]]

The P-class ships were to have been {{convert|223|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long [[Waterline length|at the waterline]], and {{convert|230|m|ftin|abbr=on}} overall. The ships would have had a beam of {{convert|26|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and a designed [[Draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|7.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}}; the maximum draft was to be {{convert|8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The design featured a very long [[forecastle]] deck that extended for most of the length of the hull, terminating just forward of the aft main battery turret. They were to have incorporated [[Longitudinal framing|longitudinal frame]] stringer steel construction, and would have been primarily [[welding|welded]] to save weight. The ships would have had thirteen [[watertight compartment]]s and a [[transom stern]]. The forward [[superstructure]] consisted of a large, armored [[conning tower]] with a heavy tower mast; a smaller secondary conning tower with a pole mast was located further aft. The ships were to have been equipped with two [[Aircraft catapult#Interwar and World War II|catapult]]s on the [[quarterdeck]], arranged side-by-side, perpendicular to the [[centerline (nautical)|centerline]]. Each catapult carried an [[Arado Ar 196|Arado 196]] [[seaplane]].{{sfn|Gröner|pp=63–64}}

The ships were designed to be equipped with twelve MAN 9-cylinder V-configuration double acting two-stroke diesel engines, which were arranged in four sets of three, each of which drove one of four shafts. The shafts each turned a [[Propeller|screw]] that was {{cvt|4.3|m}} in diameter. Smoke from the diesels would have been vented through a pair of large [[funnel (ship)|funnels]] [[amidships]]. The propulsion system was rated to produce a top speed of {{convert|33|kn}} from {{convert|165000|PS|shp|lk=on}}. The ships were designed to carry {{convert|3600|t|LT|sp=us}} of fuel oil, but were capable of storing up to {{convert|5000|t|LT|abbr=on}}. At a cruising speed of {{convert|13|kn}}, this enabled a maximum range of {{convert|25000|nmi|lk=in}}; at {{convert|19|kn}}, the range was reduced to {{cvt|15000|nmi}}.{{sfn|Gröner|p=64}}

===Armament and armor===
[[File:Gneisenau-1.jpg|thumb|A [[main battery]] turret of {{ship|German battleship|Gneisenau||2}}, a {{sclass|Scharnhorst|battleship|1}}, installed as coastal artillery in Norway; the P-class ships may have carried similar turrets]]

The ships were armed with a main battery of six {{convert|28|cm|in|abbr=on}} quick-firing guns mounted in two triple turrets, one fore and one aft on the centerline. It is not known if these were to have been the same [[28 cm SK C/28 naval gun|28&nbsp;cm SK C/28 guns]] as the preceding {{lang|de|Deutschland}}-class cruisers, or the [[28 cm SK C/34 naval gun|28 cm SK C/34 guns]] used by the {{lang|de|Scharnhorst}}-class battleships. The ships were also armed with a [[secondary armament|secondary battery]] of four {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}}/L55 guns in two twin turrets, also mounted on the centerline, fore and aft. The fore 28&nbsp;cm turret would have been superfiring over the fore 15&nbsp;cm turret; the layout was reversed for the aft pair of turrets.{{sfn|Gröner|p=64}} The 15&nbsp;cm twin turrets were Drh L. C/34 mounts—the same type as those fitted to the {{sclass|Bismarck|battleship|5}}- and {{sclass|Scharnhorst|battleship|2}}s, as well as a number of other designs. The turrets allowed depression to −10&nbsp;degrees and elevation to 40&nbsp;degrees, which enabled a maximum range of {{convert|22000|m|yd|abbr=on}}. The 15&nbsp;cm guns had a rate of fire of between 6 and 8 {{convert|45.3|kg|lb|abbr=on}} rounds per minute, at a [[muzzle velocity]] of 875&nbsp;meters per second (2,871&nbsp;ft/s). The guns used two propellant charges: a {{convert|14.15|kg|lb|abbr=on}} RPC/38 fore charge and a {{convert|23.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} main charge in a brass cartridge.{{sfn|DiGiulian (15 cm/55)}}

The P-class ships were to have mounted a fairly small anti-aircraft battery: four {{convert|10.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}/L65 high-angle guns and four {{convert|3.7|cm|in|abbr=on}} Flak guns.{{sfn|Gröner|p=64}} The 10.5&nbsp;cm guns were carried in four twin turrets, one pair abreast the forward conning tower and the other on either side of the rear funnel. These guns fired two types of projectiles: a {{convert|15.1|kg|lb|abbr=on}} [[high explosive]] shell and a {{convert|15.8|kg|lb|abbr=on}} incendiary round. Both types of ammunition used a single propellant charge: the {{convert|5.2|kg|lb|abbr=on}} RPC/32 charge. The guns could elevate to 80&nbsp;degrees, and could hit targets {{convert|12500|m|yd|abbr=on}} away.{{sfn|DiGiulian (10.5 cm/65)}} The ships were also armed with six {{cvt|53.3|cm|0}} submerged [[torpedo tube]]s.{{sfn|Gröner|p=64}}

The armor layout was to have used [[Krupp armour|Krupp cemented steel]], but the design was not complete; only broad requirements are known. The main armored deck was {{convert|70|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick on the flat, with {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}}–thick plate on sides, where it sloped downward to connect to the bottom of the armor belt. The upper deck was {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick. The two main-battery barbettes had armor protection that ranged between {{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}} and 100&nbsp;mm thick, and had a depth of {{convert|14.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The [[armored belt]] was {{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick over the vital areas of the ship, and tapered down to {{convert|40|mm|in|abbr=on}} in less critical areas.{{sfn|Gröner|pp=63–64}}

== Footnotes ==

{{reflist|20em}}

== References ==

* {{cite web
  | last = DiGiulian
  | first = Tony
  | date = 20 November 2008
  | title = German 15 cm/55 (5.9") SK C/28
  | publisher = NavWeaps.com
  | url = http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_59-55_skc28.htm
  | access-date = 2 June 2009
  | ref = {{sfnRef|DiGiulian (15 cm/55)}}
  }}
* {{cite web
  | last = DiGiulian
  | first = Tony
  | date = 26 January 2009
  | title = German 10.5 cm/65 (4.1") SK C/33
  | publisher = NavWeaps.com
  | url = http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_41-65_skc33.htm
  | access-date = 2 June 2009
  | ref = {{sfnRef|DiGiulian (10.5 cm/65)}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last1 = Garzke
  | first1 = William H.
  | last2 = Dulin
  | first2 = Robert O.
  | year = 1985
  | title = Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II
  | publisher = Naval Institute Press
  | location = Annapolis
  | isbn = 978-0-87021-101-0
  |name-list-style=amp
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Garzke & Dulin}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Gröner
  | first = Erich
  |author-link=Erich Gröner
  | year = 1990
  | title = German Warships: 1815–1945
  | volume = I: Major Surface Vessels
  | publisher = Naval Institute Press
  | location = Annapolis
  | isbn = 978-0-87021-790-6
  | ref ={{sfnRef|Gröner}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Sieche
  | first = Erwin
  | chapter = Germany
  | pages = 218–254
  | editor-last1 = Gardiner
  | editor-first1 = Robert
  | editor-last2 = Chesneau
  | editor-first2 = Roger
  | year = 1992
  | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946
  | publisher = Conway Maritime Press
  | location = London
  | isbn = 978-0-85177-146-5
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bJBMBvyQ83EC
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Sieche}}
  }}

{{German heavy cruisers}}
{{WWII German ships}}
{{Good article}}

[[Category:Plan Z]]
[[Category:Cruisers of the Kriegsmarine]]
[[Category:Proposed ships of Germany]]