[PzLdr]

When BISMARCK and TIRPITZ were laid down [early 1939], Raeder was in the middle of building a balanced fleet under the 'Z' Plan, having been assured by his Fuehrer that war was not on the horizon. Those plans included two fleet carriers, and six or eight battleships of a class larger than the BISMARCKS [I believe three triple turrets of 16" guns], plus cruisers, destroyers, etc, and more U-boats. Problems from Raeder's point of view: His Fuehrer lied to him, and until Hitler's personal intervention, no Naval air arm worth a rat's ass because Goering wouldn't give up control of the air assets. So, as Rummy would say, "He went to war with what he had".

[Bender2]

And aren't we lucky Adolf was such a liar...

Yet, even if they has waited and gone to war with the Plan Z fleet, the Nazi's would have eventually lost as they had too many fingers in too many pies. They failed to concentrate their assets on their primary objectives after the Fall of France. That was their high tide mark when they did not invade and take Britain out of the war. Even the Russian invasion's masterful start was marked by Hitler's dabbling in strategy and tactics until their initial advantage was wasted away.

Yes, sir ree! I am damned happy "They went to war with what they had."