one question i have to forumers is why some of them maintan that the bismark was primarily designed as a commerce raider and not for open engagement with enemy battleships. i tried looking at the german design program for their schlackshiffe (H-series) and can find no mention of this, besides possible application. all the features built into the series (h-38 for the bismark) shows a priority for firepower, transverse stability, small and tight compartments, high angle armor slope, all of which imply survivability when engaging enemy battleships, particularly at close range.