Overview: The German Battleship Großer Kurfürst

The German Battleship, Großer Kurfürst, represents the apex of Germany’s naval armament artistry during World War II. Synonymous with strength and resilience, this ship is a triumphant expression of advanced naval warfare technology of its time.

Design and Development

It's significant to note, however, that the Großer Kurfürst never technically made it off the drawing board into the realm of seafaring reality - it was an envisioned battleship that belongs to the so-called "H-class" designs prepared for the Kriegsmarine (the German Navy) during the onset of World War II. While it may not have sailed the high seas, the Großer Kurfürst's powerful design was a formidable thought that represented what could have been the final stage of battleship development for the German Navy.

The blueprint of the Großer Kurfürst showcased a ship fitted with triple main gun turrets, a feature inspired by the challenges of naval warfare and which aimed at significantly increasing the ship's offensive strength. These design features were drawn out of a direct response to Germany's continued naval struggle against the Allied forces.

Armor and Defense Attributes

More than mere firepower, the Großer Kurfürst was earmarked for powerful torpedo protection alongside enhanced horizontal armor to ensure optimal resilience in face of enemy's assault. The armor features of Großer Kurfürst were aligned with the German big-gun doctrine, aiming firmly at securing the ship from internal and surface attacks. It had an innovative design, featuring an internal armored belt, backed by a secondary full-length waterline armored belt intended to protect against torpedoes and shells.

Advanced Artillery Details

Equipped with an idea for more advanced Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns, Großer Kurfürst’s design illustrated an improvement in defensive capabilities against aviation based offense. Its advanced AA artillery system was intended to achieve a dual purpose – not just demolishing airborne threats, but also creating an effective defensive shield against smaller, swifter naval units that threatened to break into the battleship's guard.

Conclusion

Though the Großer Kurfürst may only exist in the annals of theoretical naval designs, its advanced features and well-thought-out blueprint make it a fascinating speculator for naval history enthusiasts. Its intriguing legacy furthers our glimpse into Germany's incessant attempts to match – and surpass – the maritime dominance exhibited by the Allied forces during World War II.