GERMANY'S NAVY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22541, 5 October 1936, Page 9

GERMANY'S NAVY

BATTLESHIP LAUNCHED LARGEST SINCE THE WAR (Received October 4, 5.5 p.m.) WILHELMSHAVEN, Oct. n Germany's largest post-war battleship, the Scharnhorst, was launched today, far in advance of schedule, in which connection the Government congratulated the builders. The launching took place in the presence of Herr Hitler. The vessel is of 26,000 tons and will carry nine 11-inch guns, a significant fact about which is that all will be mounted forward.

General von Blomberg, Minister of Defence, said the vessel was the first fruit of the Anglo-German naval understanding.

The Scharnhorst is the first of two battleships, each of 26,000 tons, to be constructed under the terms of the Anglo-German naval agreement. She is armed, in addition to her llin. guns, with a s.Tin. anti-aircraft armament.

The comparatively small calibre of the main armament shows a trend in naval construction, an increased proportion of the displacement being devoted to protection. The vessel, designed for high speed, is driven by steam turbines. The new German naval programme, of which the Scharnhorst and her sister ship, the Gneisenau, are the main units, calls in addition for: Two 10,000-ton cruisers, 16 destroyers of 1625 tons. 28 submarines, and an aircraft-carrier of 15,000 tons.