Ship-of-the-Line or Atlantic Raider? Battleship Bismarck Between Design Limitations and Naval Strategy

The recent surge of writings on battleship Bismarck largely ignores the ship's early history, from its initial designs through its planned use in prewar tactical exercises. Focusing on the period between 1932 and 1939, this article examines the genesis of the German battleship in the context of the internal debates and uncertainty within the German Navy High Command as to the desired characteristics and functions of future capital ships. Before war's outbreak, Grand Admiral Erich Raeder determined that battleships dependent on a limited-range propulsion system should be employed on long-range commerce raiding.