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The SMS Derfflinger was a German battlecruiser launched in 1913 as the leader of a class of new battlecruisers that would
improve firepower, protection and operational range in respect of previous German battleships. Comparatively they were more
armored than their British counterparts. The ships of the Derfflinger class resulted some one of the most brilliant warships
on service in their time, achieving great results in offensive actions during the First World War; because of their toughness
they were referred as "the iron dogs" by the British.
The ships of the Derfflinger class suppossed an important improvement over the previous Seydlitz class. They had armament of
larger caliber entirely placed in the centerline, in a wider hull of flush deck which however was gently raised from stern
to prow to achieve a seaworthy hull with the less weight possible. The main belt was thicker and the internal subdivision was even
better. The ships of the Derfflinger class were able to absorb a great amount of damage. Whereas the Seydlitz was
surpassed by the Lion, the Derfflinger was considered to be equivalent to the Tiger, the successor of the Lion with improved
artillery and protection.
The SMS Derfflinger in particular was responsible of sinking two British battlecruisers during the Battle of Jutland, the HMS
Queen Mary and the HMS Invincible, albeit assisted, respectively, by the battlecruisers SMS Seydlitz and SMS Lutzow. This one
was later scuttled after the battle because of the severe damages received. Finally, following the German armistice, the other
two ships of the class were interned in Scapa Flow together with the rest of the German High Seas Fleet and, following the
undeserved fate of the rest of the seized ships, they were eventually sunk in 1919 by their own crews as an act of rebellion.
Class: Derfflinger (3 units - Derfflinger, Hindenburg, Lutzow)
Type: Battlecruiser
Length: 210.4 meters
Beam: 29 meters
Draught: 9.2 meters
Displacement (standard): 26180 tonnes
Propulsion: 4 x shaft, 4 x steam turbine Parsons, 18 x boiler, 76634 horsepower
Speed: 26.5 knots (49.1 kilometers/hour)
Range: 5600 nautical miles (10400 kilometers) at 12 knots
Complement: 1112
Armament: 8 x 305-millimeter 50-caliber cannon, 12 x 150-millimeter 45-caliber cannon, 4 x 88-millimeter cannon,
4 x 500-millimeter torpedo tube
Armor: 100-300 millimeters in belt, 30-80 millimeters in main deck, 260 millimeters in barbettes,
150-270 millimeters in main turrets, 150 millimeters in casemates, 300 millimeters in conning tower
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