Today we’ll be going over Mackensen, the main reward in the Black Hussar naval event!
Mackensen: An Event Vehicle Battlecruiser for Germany at rank VI
At a glance:
- 350 mm main guns!
- Good survivability
- 28 knots speed (51 km/h)
- 600 mm torpedoes
- Mediocre air defense
Vehicle History
The decision to develop new battlecruisers in Germany was influenced by information surrounding the British Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, equipped with 381 mm guns and a speed of up to 25 knots. On August 13th, 1912, Naval Minster Alfred von Tirpitz instructed Vice-Admiral Rohlmann to develop options for ships with eight 340 mm or 350 mm guns. After analyzing six projects, the option with 340 mm guns was initially chosen, but was rejected due to insufficient speed and seaworthiness. Further calculations showed that a displacement of 31,500 tons was necessary to achieve the required characteristics, which Tirpitz considered unacceptable.
In search of a compromise, a version with eight 305 mm guns and stronger torpedo armament was proposed, which was even approved by Kaiser Wilhelm II. However, the naval command and the weapons department opposed it, insisting on more powerful weaponry. After much debate, they settled on a design with six 380 mm guns, following the example of the Bayern-class battleships, but in November 1913, work resumed in favor of eight 350 mm guns. Tirpitz, despite resistance, agreed to increase the displacement limit to 31,000 tons. On December 8th, 1913, this design was finally approved.
Following the 1914-1915 program, the initial plan was to build seven cruisers, but only four from the project were laid down. Due to the outbreak of World War I, resources were redirected in favor of the submarine fleet and land operations. Not a single ship of this class was completed. In accordance with the Treaty of Versailles the cruisers were to be transferred to the Allies, but due to their unpreparedness for independent sea passage, they were replaced by the battleship Baden. In 1921-1922, the hulls of the unfinished ships were scrapped for metal.
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Introducing Mackensen!
Mackensen is a battlecruiser that is not only distinguished by excellent weaponry and good survivability, but is also one of the fastest capital ships of its era! How can you get this battlecruiser? Mackensen can be obtained in the Black Hussar naval event that started today (link to details below). Let’s get acquainted with this ship!
The partially constructed Mackensen promised to be very competitive against the warships of its time. After lengthy discussions, 350 mm guns in four twin turrets were approved as the main caliber of the Mackensen. These guns can fire two types of massive 600 kg shells: armor-piercing and semi-armor-piercing with a large explosive charge. The power of Mackensen’s main caliber is enough to counter any ship of its rank, but the guns will have a hard time dealing with the most protected battleships in the game, even at short distances. There are 150 mm guns in casemate mounts with 6 on each side of the ship. Mackensen’s excellent torpedo armament is also worth mentioning: five torpedo tubes carry large 600 mm torpedoes, with a total ammunition load of 25.
Mackensen is also decently survivable overall. A sufficiently large crew can keep the ship running for quite a while, and although Mackensen’s armor is inferior to that of battleships, it provides good protection in medium and long-range combat. All vital compartments are protected by a 300 mm main armor belt, with armor of almost the same thickness on the main elevators. The gun platform’s armor belt is protected by 150 mm armor.
Speed is one of Mackensen’s main strengths, especially among its contemporaries. It can reach speeds of up to 28 knots (almost 52 km/h). A notable downside however is that the anti-aircraft weaponry is not very impressive. Mackensen only has slow firing 88 mm guns at its disposal, and there are no small caliber anti-aircraft guns present at all. It’s best to stay close to your allies when playing this ship!
You can get Mackensen in the Black Hussar naval event that started today! Want to learn more about the event? Be sure to check it out through the link below!
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
